Beaded Handbag

Hi Bloggers,

Something a bit different to share today. This card has been made with Sam Poole's new Mechanical Handbags Stamp Set from Creative Expressions. I do like red, black and white together.

I stamped the handbag using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder.

I cut the handbag out and removed the ruler fringing also. I added some colour with some Barn Door Distress Ink. I pieced 5 holes on each side of the bottom of the handbag and threaded some beads on. I tried to be quite random but there was always a black chip as the last but one bead and a seed bead below it.

For the large background I randomly stamped the lipstick from the stamp set all over some white card using Jet Black Archival (I did not emboss them). I added the lipstick colour using Barn Door.

I embossed a piece of black card using the Couture Creations Replacements Embossing Folder.

I cut a Spellbinder Fleur de Lys Square out of red card. When I ran it through the machine to emboss, I added the That Special Touch Woodgrain Mask. I really like the effect you get from this.

I stamped the sentiment from the stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with clear powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Lacy Ovals and inked with Barn Door while still in the die.

I dyed some American Seam Binding with Barn Door Distress Ink.I really crumpled it up when drying it. In fact I left it over night to dry - all scrunched up.

When dry I added some beads to the ribbon. I saw this in Craft Focus Magazine and thought it looked really cool so I thought I'd try it. You need to do a few running stitches then add 2-3 beads and then do a few more running stitches. Continue until you have the length required. It does use quite a bit of ribbon and does take a while to do - so be warned!

I tied a bow with some dyed ribbon and sewed some beads in the centre.

I assembled the card as shown and did some faux stitching around the edges with a White Inkssentials Pen.

Hope you like it. It was really fun to make.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

It seems only Fitting

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing a tri-fold card made using the Antique Dressforms Stamp Set from Creatie Expressions.

The two side panels are the same size and the middle panel is slightly larger - no real reason for this, just felt like it!

The fancy edge at the top of the card is created using the Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Petal and the border at the bottom is created using the Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Scallop. I inked all over with Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink.

I inked all over with Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink. I ran 3 pieces of white card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Ornate Diamonds Embossing Folder and inked with Chipped Sapphire. I mounted these onto cobalt card and added them to my card base.

I stamped three of the dressforms from the stamps set onto white card using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut each one out leaving a white border around - makes it to cut out. I popped one on to each panel using 3D foam.

I stamped the sentiment using Jet Black Archival and embossed with clear powder. I cut the sentiment into 3 lines and put one on each panel.

Finally, I threaded some blue Baker's Twine from the Primary set through the holes in the top and added two bows.

Hope you like it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Tres Chic

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing a card made with the new Antique Dressforms Stamp Set from Creative Expressions.

I stamped 3 of the dressforms from the stamp set onto some oatmeal card using Jet Black Archival. I meant to do it in Coffee but having done one in Black I decided to go with it. I did not emboss the images. I distressed the edges of the image panel and ran it through the Grand Calibur with the That Special Touch Small Polka Dots Mask. I lightly inked all over with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

Next I randomly stamped over a piece of grey-ish card with the scissors and the tape measure from the same stamp set using Black Soot Distress Ink. Again, I distressed the edges with my scissors and ran it through the Grand Calibur but this time I used the Honeycomb mask. Again, I inked all over with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

For the large background, I inked up some oatmeal card with Vintage Photo and then I spritzed all over with the new Cosmic Shimmer Vintage Mist in Antique Gold. I then ran the card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Ornate Diamonds Embossing Folder. I sanded over the whole thing lightly to make the pattern 'pop'.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using Jet Black Archival. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Twenty. When I passed the die through the machine to emboss, I also added the Small Polka Dots Mask. I inked through the die which highlighted the polka dots a left me with a plain edge.

I assembled the card as shown omitting the bow and the sentiment but wrapping some Baker's Twine from the new Earthtones Pack around the large background. I curled some of the corners of the image pieces using a cocktail stick and inked with Vintage Photo.

I went around the edge with the new Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Golden Pearl. Once dry, I added the sentiment with 3D foam. Then using Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue, I added a bow made from Cotton Hemp Ribbon, a Baker's twine bow and a Zipper Rose in Tan.

I hope you like the card. I really enjoyed making it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Thanks for Your Support

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing another card made using the new Vintage Lingerie Stamp Set from Creative Expressions.

I stamped the image onto some ivory card using Coffee Archival Ink and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut the image out using an oval nestie and inked around the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I cut a mat out of brown card using a scalloped oval nestie. I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again in Coffee Archival and inked around the edges with Vintage Photo. I popped it onto a brown mat.

For the background, I inked up some ivory card with Tea Dye Distress Ink. I then added some Rusty Hinge Distress Ink by just popping the pad directly onto the card, picking it up and then popping it down somewhere else. I continued this till I was happy with the coverage. Next I distressed the edges of the card with my scissors and added some Vintage Photo Distress Ink all around the edges. I then put the background into the Couture Creations Ornate Diamonds Embossing Folder and ran it through the Grand Calibur. I sanded it lightly to reveal the ivory core.

I assembled the card as shown adding some copper brads in each corner. I finished the card by piercing all around the edge of the rust card with my Tim Holtz Ruler.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Of Corsets Your Birthday!

Hi Bloggers,

I have the date for my next shows on Create & Craft. They're on Thursday 8th March at 11am, 1pm and 6pm. Two of the shows are to be Spellbinders shows and the other will be a stamping show. These times are subject to change. I'll keep you updated.

Today's card is from the new Vintage Lingerie Stamp Set which is from Sue Wilson's design team. I love this stamp set - the detail on the corsets is amazing.

Anyway here's the card -

For the background, I stamped a small pattern stamp and a phrase from the stamp set randomly all over a piece of white card with Jet Black Archival. I then passed it through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Lovingly Baroque Embossing Folder. I lined the pattern up and passed it through a second time as the card was bigger than the folder. I then went over the card with Black Soot Distress Ink and Cut & Dry Foam.

I stamped the corset using Jet Black Archival and embossed it with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out and them went around the edges with a black promarker to hide any white bits. I then put some Hi-Tack Tape on the back around the bottom of the image. I then ruffled some black Vintage Ribbon along it.

I cut a Spellbinders Lacy Ovals out of white card and inked the inside with Black Soot Distress Ink while still in the die.

I stamped the sentiment which is from the same stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with clear powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Two and inked around the edges with Black Soot Distress Ink while still ink the die.

I cut some leaves out of white and black card using the Spellbinders Foliage Die Set. I inked through the die with Black Soot on the white leaves.

I made a rose out of Black Vintage Ribbon (you can see how to do this on Sue Wilson's Blog.

I assembled the card as shown and added some faux stitching with a white Inkssentials Pen.

I hope you like this card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Big & Blue Art Nouveau Lady

Hi Bloggers,

This is the last card sample I have to share from the Feb 7th show. Something new tomorrow!

This card ended up being much bigger than I'd planned - 8 1/4 inches square! It's another card that I'm not that fond of but I thought I's share it anyway.

I stamped the image from the Art Nouveau Ladies Stamp Set using Perfect Medium and I embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Bright Gold Metallic Embossing Powder.

The image was coloured using Paris Trunk Dye Ink Pads in Fountain Blue, Classic Cobalt, Amethyst, Walnut and Parchment. I added some Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent Mica Powder to the first 3 colours. I rounded off the corners and added a mat in cobalt blue card.

For the background, I spritzed some Cosmic Shimmer Mister in Ocean Sunlight and Midnight Blue onto some white card. I dusted the area with my anti static pad and then stamped the small image from the Beautiful Ladies Stamp Set in each corner using Perfect Medium and I embossed them with Cosmic Shimmer Steel Blue Aurora Embossing Powder.

I cut the largest of the Spellbinders Eyelet Squares from Aqua card and 4 borders using the Spellbinders Parisian Accents die Set.

I assembled the card as shown.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Quick Card in Gold & Black

Hi Bloggers,

This card is super quick to make. I have to say, it's not one I really like but it may appeal to you.

I stamped the image from the Art Nouveau Ladies Stamp Set using Perfect Medium and I embossed it with Cosmic Shimmer Bright Gold Metallic Embossing Powder. I cut the image out leaving a small black border around it.

For the background I inked up a That Special Touch Swirls Mask with Perfect Medium and popped some black card on top. I then ran it through the Grand Calibur. The ink transferred to the debossed side of the card. I added some of the Bright Gold Metallic powder and heat set it.

I assembled the card as shown and added some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pealescent PVA in Olympic Gold all around the edge.

Let me know what you think of this card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Wishing You a Day Fit For a Queen

Hi Bloggers.

Here's today's card -

The background for this was made using the Faux Batik method as described in an earlier post here. I used the Eco Green Paris Trunk Dye Ink Pads in Garnet and Amethyst Ink Pads. The stamps are from the Beautiful Ladies Stamp Set.

The main image is from the Art Nouveau Ladies Stamp Set. I stamped it using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder.

I coloured the image in using Paris Trunk Dye Ink Pads in Parchment, Walnut and Amethyst plus the Pearlescent and Pale Gold Mica Powders from the Metallics Cosmic Shimmer Mica Spray Set. I edged the image panel with the Amethyst Ink Pad and Cut & Dry Foam.

The sentiment is from the Creative Expressions Simply Sentiments stamp set and has been stamped with the Jet Black Archival and embossed with clear powder then edged with the Amethyst Ink.

I finished the card with some pearl dots made with the Cosmic Shimmer Dusky Pink Pearlescent PVA.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

May All Your Dreams Come True

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing this card with you -

This is such a simple card to make.

I inked up one side of the Creative Expressions Floral Embossing Folder with the Paris Trunk Classic Cobalt Ink Pad. I popped a piece of white card on the clean side of the folder and folded the inked side down onto it. I brayered on top of the folder to transfer the ink to the card. I added Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder and heated it with my heat tool.

Next I placed it face up on top of the Fretwork Mask and ran it through the Grand Calibur. I inked over the design with the Paris Trunk Peach Satin Dye Ink Pad using Cut & Dry Foam. The design 'popped out'.

I then cut an aperture out of the background using Spellbinders Labels Twelve. I then cut a smaller Labels Twelve from the piece already cut.

Putting the background through the Grand Calibur to cut the Spellbinders out flattened out the embossed pattern from the mask. This meant that I could stamp on top. The image is from the Creative Expressions Beautiful Ladies Stamp Set. The sentiment is from the Creative Expressions Simply Sentiments Stamp Set. They have been stamped with Jet Black Archival. I didn't emboss them.

The design was mounted onto some Kraft card and then some plain Foundations Paper. I finished it off with a Clear Glass Glintz in each corner.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

With Love

Hi Bloggers.

All in blue today -

For the background I inked through the Elegance Mask with the Paris Trunk Fountain Blue and Classic Cobalt Dye Ink Pads. I then spritzed with Ocean Sunlight Cosmic Shimmer Mister. I carefully removed the mask and dried the background with a heat tool. It's important to clean the mask at this point. I edged the background with the Classic Cobalt using Cut & Dry Foam.

I stamped the image from the Art Nouveau Ladies Stamp Set using the Classic Cobalt Ink Pad and then embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I edged the image with the Classic Cobalt using Cut & Dry Foam.

I stamped the sentiment from the Simply Sentiments stamp set again with the Classic Cobalt, embossed with the clear powder and edged with Classic Cobalt.

For all the elements I created their mats from white card which was inked around the edges with the Fountain Blue Ink Pad. I then added a mat from navy card. I ruffled a piece of Limoges Blue Vintage Ribbon down one side of the background and assembled the rest of the card as shown.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Many ways to use Mica on One Card

Hi Bloggers,

This was one of the demo cards from the last show on Create & Craft on 7th Feb.

I stamped the image from the Art Nouveau Ladies Stamp Set using Perfect Medium and embossed it using Cosmic Shimmer Bright Gold Metallic Embossing Powder which is from the Metallics and Darks Embossing Powder Set that was on the show.

I used the mica powders to colour the image by taking a little from the pot with a damp brush and adding some water. I used Red Bronze and Copper from the Metallics set, Pink Ultra and Golden Pear from the Garden Flora set.

I mounted the image onto black then copper card which was cut using the largest of the Spellbinders Eyelet Squares. I offset them slightly to form a shadow (Sue Wilson tip!).

For the background I dusted a piece of black card with my anti static pad and then stamped the feather from the Beautiful Ladies Stamp Set randomly all over with Perfect Medium. I then dusted the images with Copper Mica Powder using the brush that you get with the pack.

I added some Pink Ultra Mica Powder to the spray bottle that you get with the kit and added some water - you do not need to fill with powder to the line marked on the bottle or fill with water to the other line. Just use a little powder and add a little water. Try it and adjust the amount of mica powder or water as required. I shook the bottle to mix the powder and water and then spritzed some onto my background. You can leave it to dry or if you're impatient like me you can dry it with your heat tool.

I assembled the card as shown - the little copper dots are from the waste from the Eyelet Squares.

Hope you like the card.

I'm at the Trade Show at the NEC on the Creative Expressions Stand today, tomorrow and Tuesday. Pop by and say 'Hi' if you're going.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Love in Purple and Pink

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing this card with you -

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Art Nouveau Ladies Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder.

I cut a frame using Spellbinders Picot Edged Circles and a plain circle die. I cut my image to fit the frame and then coloured it using Eco Green Paris Trunk Dye Ink Pads in Walnut for the hair, Parchment for the skin and Amethyst for other bits as shown. I mixed some pearlescent mica powder from the Cosmic Shimmer Metallics Mica Spray Set with the Amethyst ink for the flowers. I used pale gold mica powder from the same set on the earrings, gems and the headress.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Simply Sentiments stamp set again using the Jet Black Archival and the Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out and coloured it using the Amethyst Ink mixed with the Pearlescent Mica Powder. I mounted that on to some purple card cut with Spellbinders Labels Twenty.

For the background, I spritzed some white card with some Cosmic Shimmer Misters in Lilac Night and Mallow Blush. I dried it with a heat gun and then wiped it with my anti static pad. I inked the Ivy Background Mask with Perfect Medium. I then popped my background face down onto it, secured it with a little masking tape and ran it through the Grand Calibur. The ink transferred to my background in the debossed pattern. I then brushed Cosmic Shimmer Golden Malachite Mica Powder from the Garden Flora Mica Spray Set all over the inked pattern. I wiped away the excess with a dried out wet wipe.

I assembled the card as shown and added some dots with Cosmic Shimmer Dusky Pink Pearlescent PVA.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for dropping by.

Julia.

Big & Blue

Hi Bloggers.

I'm back from holiday today so my Amazon Store is open again.

Today I'm sharing this card with you. It's a rather large card - almost A4 size. The Foundations papers from Creative Expressions were added to the show towards the end of my sample making so his card features them in a big way!

First I ran a piece of Foundations Paper through the Grand Calibur with the Swirls Mask. I ran it through twice to get the length - when doing this remember to hang the already embossed bit outside the plates. I went over the whole thing with Paris Trunk Fountain Blue Dye Ink to make it pop a little. You can see it a bit better in this close-up.

I stamped the image from the Beautiful Ladies stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured the image with Paris Trunk Dye Ink Pads - Stone and Black for the hair, Blotter for the leaves and Parchment for the skin. I coloured the remainder with Classic Cobalt and Fountain Blue. I added some Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent Mica Powder to the Classic Cobalt for the flowers, necklace and dress. I added Cosmic Shimmer Tropic Blue Mica Powder to Fountain Blue for the outline.

I stamped the sentiment from the Simply Sentiments stamp set again with the Jet Black Archival and embossed with clear powder. I edged the panel with Classic Cobalt.

Remember Tea Bag Folding? I used to do loads of that - no so much anymore. The Foundations Papers are ideal for Tea Bag Folding especially the spotty ones. I cut 8 x 2" squares and made my rosette. I inked all around the edges with the Classic Cobalt Ink. I also inked up a Creative Expressions Wooden Button. I added some clear embossing powder and heat set it. I added a bow of Baker's Twine to the button and secured it to my rosette with Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue.

I assembled the card as shown and added some pearl swirls using Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Teal.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

Peachy!

Hi Bloggers.

I'm back again with another card from the shows last week - hope you're not fed up of them as there are a few more to go yet!

I stamped the image from the Art Nouveau Ladies Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut away the background from the image and went all around the edges with a black promarker to hide any white bits left from my cutting out.

I coloured the image in using Eco Green Paris Trunk Dye Ink Pads - Walnut for the hair, Parchment for the skin and Peach Satin for the hat and her strap.

I stamped the crackle background from the Texture Stamp set using the Walnut Ink Pad and embossed it with clear powder. I cut the background out using Spellbinders Labels Eight and inked around the edges with the Peach Satin Ink while still in the die.

I cut some leaves out of ivory card using the Spellbinders Foliage Die Set and inked with the Peach Satin while still in the die.

I stamped a piece of Foundations patterned paper with the script stamp from the Texture stamp set using the Black Eco Green Dye Ink Pad. I then popped it through the Grand Calibur with the Creative Expressions Floral Embossing Folder. I cut out 8 of the flowers and used them to make 2 flowers (I showed how to do this on the 10am show).

For the background I used a script sheet from the Foundations paper pack. I mounted that onto some ivory card and wrapped some Vintage Ribbon in Toffee Beige around the bottom. I tied a bow with three lengths of the ribbon and added to the ribbon on the card. I tied some peach Baker's Twine from the Pastel Pack through a Creative Expressions Wooden Button and added that to my bow with Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue.

I assembled the card as shown and added some brads in the top right-hand corner.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Black, White & Silver

Hi Bloggers,

Another easy peasy card here from the shows last week -

The background was made by simply running the Fretwork Mask through the Grand Calibur with some silver card. The image is from the Art Nouveau Ladies Stamp Set and was stamped with Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder.

The sentiment is from the Simply sentiments stamp set. Again it has been stamped with Jet Black Archival and embossed with clear powder.

I cut some leaves using the Spellbinders Foliage Die Set. I made some flowers using Black Vintage Ribbon - you can see how to do this on Sue Wilson's DVD or visit her blog here.

I assembled the card as shown. Easy Peasy!

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

Copper Tones

Hi Bloggers,

Happy Valentine's Day! It's my Mom's birthday today - I do hope I've remembered to send her a card. I'm still in Cyprus on holiday at the time this post goes live and she'll be on her way on her holiday so - if I've forgotten, there's nothing I can do about it!

Anyway - back to today's card. Here's another sample from the shows last week. I do like the way this turned out.

I dusted a piece of ivory card with my anti static bag. I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Beautiful Ladies stamp set with Perfect Medium. I then dusted Copper Mica Powder from the Cosmic Shimmer Mica Spray Metallics set all over with the soft brush provided in the kit. I removed the excess with a dried out wet wipe (must be absolutely dry).

I dusted another piece of ivory card with my anti static bag and stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Simply Sentiments stamp set. I added the copper mica powder to this too and wiped away the excess. I cut the sentiment out using Spellbinders Labels Twenty. You may find that some mica transfers to your plates - it can be easily wiped off. I cut a faux nestie out of black card.

I cut a flower using Spellbinders Spiral Blossom One. I inked through the die with the perfect medium. I then removed the flower from the die and brushed copper mica powder over the inked areas.

I cut some leaves using the Spellbinders Foliage Die Set. Again, I inked through the die with Perfect Medium, removed the leaves from the die and brushed with copper mica powder.

For the background I ran a piece of copper pearlescent card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Lovingly Baroque Embossing Folder. I ran it through a second time as the card was bigger than the folder.

I assembled the card as shown, adding 2 Glass Glintz to the sentiment panel.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Feathers

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing another demo card from last week.

This is such a quick card to make but perfect for a man I think.

I stamped the script stamp from the Creative Expressions Texture Stamp Set with the Paris Trunk Stone Dye Ink Pad.

I dusted the background with my anti-static bag. I then inked up the feather stamp from the Creative Expressions Art Nouveau Ladies stamp set with Perfect Medium. I stamped the feather on the left first and covered the image with Cosmic Shimmer Lava Black Aurora Embossing Powder. I heat set it. The powder leaves a 'bloom' on the card. This can easily be removed by gentle rubbing with a tissue. So after doing this, I stamped another feather and this time added Comic Shimmer Lapis Black Aurora Embossing Powder. I heat set it and wiped with my tissue. I stamped my final feather and added Cosmic Shimmer Viola Black Aurora Embossing Powder.

I scraped my Perfect Medium Pad along two sides of the image panel and added Cosmic Shimmer Arctic Black Aurora Embossing Powder. I then repeated this on the other two sides.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Simply Sentiments stamp set using Perfect Medium. I added the Lapis Black Aurora to it and heat set. I cut the sentiment out using an oval nestie. I went round the edges with my Perfect Medium Pad and added Lava Black Aurora powder and heat set.

I mounted the image panel onto black card them silver, added the sentiment - job done! What do you think? Have a go yourself. The embossing powders are gorgeous and are all in the Metallics set that was on the show.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

Pink and Purple Ladies

Hi Bloggers.

Today I'm sharing a card with you that I made to demo on the Dawn Bibby & Friends Show on Tuesday.

The brief for Dawn's show was for 20 minutes with a sub-set of the products that I had for the main shows that day. I needed to used the stamp sets, the Couture Creations Embossing Folders, Vintage Ribbon and the Pink Taffeta and Amethyst Paris Trunk Dye Ink Pads. Of course, I hadn't made a sample card with that combo so I had to make one!

For the background I ran a piece of white card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Lovingly Baroque Embossing Folder. I ran it through a second time as the card was wider than the folder. When doing this, remember to leave the already embossed bit outside of the plates.

I then rubbed the Amethyst Ink pad all over the embossed card. The ink stays wet for a while so I added some Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder to the whole area. A small amount of ink was also present between the embossed pattern so the powder stuck there too. I heat set it with my heat tool. Then went over the whole area again with the ink, added powder and heat set again. I repeated this process once more. This gave me a beautiful embossed tile background.

On the show I demonstrated that you do not need a block to stamp and indeed if you have problems with large stamps you can have the stamp face up, ink it and then take the card to the stamp carefully keeping it still while rubbing all over. The stamp was inked with Jet Black Archival and embossed with clear embossing powder.

The image was coloured using Paris Trunk Dye Ink Pads - Walnut and Yellow Damasque for the hair, Blotter for the foliage, Parchment for the skin, Fountain Blue for the outline. I used the Pink Taffeta and the Amethyst for the remaining areas, adding a little Cosmic Shimmer Pealescent Mica Powder here and there. I also used a little Cosmic Shimmer Pale Gold Mica Powder on the choker on the middle lady. I mounted the image panel on to some white card which was inked with the Pink Taffeta.

I stamped the sentiment from the Simply Sentiments stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with clear powder. I edged the panel with Amethyst ink and mounted it onto another piece of white card which had been edged with the Pink Taffeta.

I made 2 roses with the Pink Vintage Ribbon. You can see how to do this on Sue Wilson's DVD or by visiting her Blog.

I cut some leaves from the Spellbinders Foliage Die Set.

I assembled the card as shown inking with the Pink Taffeta and the Amethyst for the mats for the embossed tile background.

Hope you like this card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Beautiful Lady in Blue

Hi Bloggers,

Today I have another card made with the Creative Expressions Beautiful Ladies stamp set. This card nearly ended up in the bin - more about that later.

I stamped the lady using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured her in using Eco Green Paris Trunk Dye Ink Pads in Classic Cobalt, Fountain Blue, Walnut, Stone and Parchment. I added some Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent Mica Powder to the Classic Cobalt.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Simply Sentiments stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. I cut the sentiment out using Spellbinders Curved Rectangles and inked around the edges with the Fountain Blue ink while still in the die. I made a faux nestie out of cobalt card.

I ran a piece of blue pearlescent card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Cultivated Embossing Folder. I cut 2 borders in cobalt blue from the Spellbinders Parisian Accents die set.

I started assembling my card with the mat layers up to and including the cobalt blue one. At this point I added the Parisian borders and ran some Vintage Ribbon in Limoges Blue along them. I added the lady and the sentiment panel. I then went around the edges of the aqua card with some dots made with Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA. This is where disaster struck - one of the dots had a stringy line coming from it - near the top left-hand side of the card. My choices were to try and dismantle the card, throw the whole lot in the bin or carry on and repair once the dots were dry. I chose the latter and pleased I did.

I had planned on just putting a messy bow on the bottom right-hand side. Instead I removed some of the teal dots from the top left-hand corner where the naughty dot was and added some ribbon over the top. I added my bow plus a flower from Spellbinders Spiral Blossom Two and some little leaves from Spellbinders Foliage die set. Mess fixed!

In the bottom right-hand side I added another flower from Spiral Blossom Two and a mix of leaves from the foliage die set.

So, the card ended up a bit more embellished than I had originally intended but I do quite like it and I'm so glad I didn't put it in the bin!

Hope you like it too.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

All We Need Is Love

Hi Bloggers,

Hopefully Blogger will be behaving itself and will schedule this while I'm on a plane on my way to Cyprus for a half term holiday with the family. I've scheduled posts for every day while I'm away (fingers crossed!). My Amazon Store will be closed till I get back.

Today I'm sharing this card with you -

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Beautiful Ladies stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured using Eco Green Paris Trunk Dye Ink Pads - Parchment, Pink Taffeta, Fountain Blue, Peach Satin, Amethyst, Blotter, Garnet, Classic Cobalt, Yellow Damasque and Walnut. I also used some Copper, Pale Gold and Pearlescent micas from the Cosmic Shimmer Mica Spray Set 1 - Metallics.

I ran 2 pieces of ivory card through the Grand Calibur with the Creative Expressions Fauna Embossing Folder. Using Cut & Dry Foam, I then inked over one piece with the Garnet Ink and the other with the Classic Cobalt Ink. I joined the two pieces together on a black mat and ran a piece of Black Vintage Ribbon down the centre to hide the join.

I popped my ladies onto the card. The sentiment is from the Creative Expressions Simply Sentiments stamp set. I stamped it in Jet Black Archival and embossed with clear powder. I cut it out using a circle nestie and edged with the Classic Cobalt Ink. I popped it onto a Scalloped Circle nestie that I cut from Burgundy card.

I added a messy bow made from 3 lengths of Black Vintage Ribbon and popped my sentiment on top. I finished the card by popping a Black Eco Green Glass Glintz in each corner.

I hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Cameo in Blue

Hi Bloggers,

Here's another card from the show on Tuesday -

I love the way the background turned out on this one plus the image from the stamp set works beautifully as a cameo.

For the background - I swiped some Eco Green Paris Trunk Dye Ink in Fountain Blue over my craft sheet and spritzed some water on it. I then dragged a piece of white card though it. I dried it with a heat gun and then collected from splats of colour from the craft sheet and dried it again. I continued until no ink left. I repeated this process with the Paris Trunk Classic Cobalt Ink Pad.

Next I stamped a sentiment from the Creative Expressions Simply Sentiments stamp set all over the background with the Classic Cobalt Ink Pad. I then spritzed a bit of Cosmic Shimmer Mister in Ocean Sunlight lightly over the whole thing.

I made sure the background was completely dry and then dusted it with my anti static pad. I inked all over the Ivy Background Mask with Perfect Medium.

I popped the background face down onto the inked side of the mask and secured with a little masking tape. I then ran it through the Grand Calibur. The ink transferred in the debossed pattern onto my background. I then dusted over with Golden Malachite from the Cosmic Shimmer Mica Spray Set Garden Tones. I removed any excess powder is a very dry baby wipe.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Art Nouveau Ladies stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder.

I cut the background away from the lady and went around the edge with a black promarker to hide any white bits. I coloured the lady in with Paris Trunk Dye ink Pads - Black for the hair, Parchment for the skin and Fountain Blue mixed with a little Golden Malachite Mica Powder for the hat. I mounted her onto a mat cut with Spellbinder Labels Twenty and made a faux nestie from gold card.

I assembled the card as shown and added a Blue Eco Green Glass Glintz in each corner.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

To Live on Purpose

Hi Bloggers,

First, I'd like to thank all of you who watched the shows yesterday and took the time to email in - it means so much to me. I'd like to apologise to the ladies who had their names pulled out of the cup of chance for a demo card - there was an incident with a pot of water while I was packing up and I think the cards may have been mixed up and you may not get the sample you're expecting. Really sorry - my fault. Hope you like the card you do get.

Today and over the next week or so, I'm sharing cards from the show. I've just realised that this card uses the same sentiment as the one in yesterday's post - it's a good one, I think.

Here's today's card -

The technique for the sparkly background is on Sue Wilson's DVD - the name of the technique escapes me at the moment, it's a really fun one to do - though you need to get over the fact that it uses quite a bit of mica powder. For my background I used Dark Bronze, Red Bronze and Pale Gold from the Metallics Cosmic Shimmer Mica Spray Set and Golden Pear from the Garden Flora set.

The image is from the Creative Expressions Art Nouveau Ladies Stamp Set. I stamped her with Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured the hair with Walnut Paris Trunk Dye Ink, the crown with Pale Gold Mica Powder, the jewels in the crown with a mix of Garnet Paris Trunk Dye Ink and Red Bronze Mica powder and the skin I coloured with Parchment Paris Trunk Dye Ink.

The sentiment is from the Creative Expressions Simply Sentiments stamp set - again this has been stamped with Jet Black Archival and embossed with clear powder. I cut the sentiment out with Spellbinders Labels Eight and inked around the edges with Parchment ink while still in the die. I made a faux nestie out of gold card.

I ran some black card through my Grand Calibur with the Creative Expressions Fauna Embossing Folder. I ran it through a second time as the card was bigger than the folder. This is a very busy pattern so it didn't show that it didn't line up for the second run through.

I assembled the card as shown and added some dots made from Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Olympic Gold.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

A Demo Card from Today's Shows

Hi Bloggers.

This is hopefully the first card that I'll be demonstrating today in the 10am show on Create & Craft -

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Beautiful Ladies stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder.

I coloured the image using Eco Green Paris Trunk Dye Ink Pads - Blotter, Parchment, Yellow Damasque, Pink Taffeta and Garnet. I added some Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent Mica Powder to the Garnet Ink. I mounted the image panel onto some white card which had been inked around the edges with the Pink Taffeta Ink using Cut & Dry Foam.

The sentiment is from the Simply Sentiments stamp set. Again it was stamped using Jet Black Archival and embossed with clear powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Three and inked with the Pink Taffeta while still in the die. I made a faux nestie with some white card that I had inked with the Pink Taffeta.

I ran a piece of white card through my Grand Calibur with the Creative Expressions Floral Embossing Folder. I had to run it through a second time as the card was bigger than the folder. I inked around the edges with the Pink Taffeta.

I ran a second piece of white card through the Floral folder and inked up 8 flowers and cut them out. I used these to make my flowers (tune in to see how).

I cut some leaves out of green card using the Spellbinders Foliage die set and assembled the card as shown.

Do hope you can join me today. My shows are at 10am with Joanne and 6pm with Leonie. I also have a 20 minutes slot on the Dawn Bibby & Friends show at 2pm. It's being presented by Leonie this week as Dawn is away - I believe Dean is going to be there too mixing it up a little I expect!

Hope you enjoy the shows if you get chance to watch.

Thanks for dropping by.

Julia.

Beautiful Lady in Black & White

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing another sample made for the shows tomorrow. It's a very simple black and white card.

I stamped the lady from the Creative Expressions Beautiful Ladies stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut her out.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Simply Sentiments stamp set in the Jet Black Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I mounted it on to black card.

I ran a piece of white card though the Grand Calibur with the Creative Expressions Fauna Embossing Folder. I went over the whole area with Eco Green Paris Trunk Black Dye Ink and Cut & Dry Foam.

I assembled the card as shown and added a few Black Eco Green Glass Glintz.

Hope you can join me tomorrow - details in the left-hand side bar.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Art Nouveau Lady

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing another of the samples that I've made for the shows on Tuesday. I fear it's a bit OTT!

I stamped the lady from the Creative Expressions Art Nouveau Ladies stamp set using Perfect Medium and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Silver Shine Metallic Embossing Powder. I coloured her in using some Eco Green Paris Trunk Dye Ink Pads and a paint brush - Parchment for the skin, Walnut for the hair, Garnet for the hat, Amethyst for the background and Classic Cobalt for the line between the image and the background. I mixed a little Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent Mica Powder in with the last 3 colours to give a little shimmer. The Pearlescent Mica Powder is a handy thing to have in your craft room. You can add it to any dye based ink or water colour to add a little shimmer.

I cut my lady out and added her to a Fleur de Lys Square cut from black card.

I spritzed some Cosmic Shimmer Misters in Mallow Blush and Lilac Night onto some black card and dried it with my heat tool. I then dusted it with my anti static bag. I put Perfect Medium all over That Special Touch Ivy Background and placed my misted card dusted side down onto the mask and ran it through my Grand Calibur. The Perfect Medium transferred to the debossed pattern on the card. I added some Cosmic Shimmer Silver Shine Metallic Embossing Powder and heated it.

I swiped my anti-static pad over some white card and stamped some small images using Perfect Medium and I embossed them with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I then spritzed over the the area with the Mallow Blush and Lilac Night Misters.

I cut one flower out of felt using Spellbinders Spiral Blossoms Two and another flower out of black card using Spellbinders Spiral Blossom One.

I cut some leaves out of black card using the Spellbinders Foliage die set. I inked through the dies with Perfect Medium. Once removed from the dies I dusted each one with either Pink Ultra or Lilac Frost Mica Powders which are from the Garden Tones Cosmic Shimmer Mica Spray Set.

I assembled the card as shown and added some faux pearls made with Cosmic Shimmer Dusky Pink Pearlescent PVA along the outside edges.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Beautiful Ladies in Grey and Yellow

Hi Bloggers,

I'm back - Today sees the start of posts containing samples that I've made for the shows coming up on Create & Craft (details in side bar).

Here's today's card. I just love grey and yellow together.

I stamped the large stamp of the three ladies from the Creative Expressions Beautiful Ladies stamp set using Eco Green Paris Trunk Dye Ink in Stone. I used a damp paint brush to pull some of the colour out on the ladies hair only. I coloured in the flower and the foliage on the middle lady using Promarkers.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Simply Sentiments stamp set again using the Stone Ink Pad.

I ran some grey card through my Grand Calibur with the Creative Expressions Floral Embossing Folder. I needed to run it through twice as the card is bigger than the folder.

I also ran a piece of yellow card through the Calibur with the Floral folder. I cut out 8 flowers from the embossed yellow card. I used these to make my 2 flowers - I'm planning to demonstrate how to make the flowers in the 10am show.

I cut out some leaves using the Spellbinders Foliage die set and assembled the card as shown.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.