Saturday 30 June 2012

Grandchildren

Hi Bloggers.

Today I'm going all red, white & blue with Ethel and Murray. Neither of them look very happy in this image!


For the background I popped some white card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Cultivated Embossing Folder. I put it through a second time to extend the pattern. I inked all over with Barn Door Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Wrinkles Don't Hurt Stamp Set using Cobalt Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured the image in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks. I cut it out using Spellbinders Classic Squares Large and inked around the edges with Faded Jeans Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam while still in the die. I cut a mat out of cobalt card using Spellbinders Eyelet Squares.


I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using Cobalt Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I inked around the edges with Faded Jeans and mounted it on to some cobalt card.


I cut a 1" strip of cobalt card and cut a pattern in it using the Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Postage Stamp. I glued a strip of red card behind it. I tied a bow using 2 lengths of Royal Blue American Seam Binding and added a Playhouse Posie and button to the centre. I added a couple of Playhouse Pins to the back of the bow.


I finished the card off by piercing around the edges with my Tim Holtz Design Ruler.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Friday 29 June 2012

New Products in My Amazon Store

Hi Bloggers.

I have the following products now in stock at my Amazon Store -

A4 Card - Milk
A4 Card - Coconut White
Creative Expressions Ethel & Murray Stamp Set - Fore
Creative Expressions Ethel & Murray Stamp Set - Playing Through

I also have a small stock of some brand new designs from Sue Wilson ahead of them being on TV next month -

Creative Expressions Stamp Set - Gala Event
Creative Expressions Stamp Set - Dandelion Wishes
Creative Expressions Stamp Set - At the Ballet

Aren't they gorgeous new stamps?

All for now.

Julia

Smiley Face

Hi Bloggers.

Ethel and her sagging tattoo are making an appearance today. Bit more of a glamourous setting here than in this post. Let's see if I can sway some of you a bit more!


For the background, I ran a piece of white card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Venus Crest Embossing Folder. I ran it through a second time to extend the pattern and then inked around the edges with Worn Lipstick Distress Ink.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Ethel & Friends Stamp Set using Cobalt Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured her in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks and then cut her out.

I cut a Spellbinders Lattice Motif (designed by Sue Wilson) out of silver mirri card. I mounted Ethel onto it using 3d foam pads.


I made a flower out of Rose Petal American Seam Binding (see Sue's tutorial here), another flower using the Creative Expressions Floral Embossing Folder (see my tutorial here) and the final flower is made from a couple of the Fashion Sense Sassy Posies that will be on the shows next week. I also added a button with some Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set through it. I added the flowers to the card and also some Creative Expressions Black Rhinestone Swirls.


I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using the cobalt archival and embossed with the clear powder. I mounted it onto some pink card and added it to the card using 3d foam pads.

I finished the card off with some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Vintage Pink around the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

Thursday 28 June 2012

Poor Ethel!

Hi Bloggers.

As you've probably guessed from the title, we're back to Ethel & Murray today. I have a date for the show for early July but not confirmed yet. I'll update the sidebar as soon as I know for definite.

Here's today's card -


Poor Ethel has been hit with a golf ball! It seems that Murray's not as good at golf as he thinks he is - sound familiar to anyone?

The backing paper is from Paper Cellar. I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Fore Stamp Set using Coffee Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks. I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using Coffee Archival and embossed with clear powder. I didn't ink around the image and sentiment panels on this one as I wanted it to look clean.


I cut 2 x 1" wide strips of Creative Expressions Foundations Paper and cut a pattern in it using Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Postage Stamp.


I assembled the card as shown. I pierced around the edges with my Tim Holtz Design Ruler and added some buttons from my stash threaded with Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set.


I've had some enquiries about the golf stamps in this series so I've ordered some for my Amazon Store - will let you know when they arrive.

Also, if you're reading this post early enough, one of the shows from last Friday is being repeated at 7am today.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Wednesday 27 June 2012

Bauble Tag

Hi Bloggers.

This is the last Christmassy project I have to share for the time being. It's a very simple tag made with the Spellbinders 2010 Heirloom Ornament die set.



So,just layered the 3 largest sizes from the die set. The pattered paper is from Making Memories from a few years ago. The card is from Creative Expressions, it's called Shimmerlux - gorgeous. The sentiment is from the Creative Expressions Winter Greetings Stamp Set. I punched a hole in the top and added some Baker's Twine.

Quick and easy. You could very quickly make a batch of these ready for Christmas. Great for the kids to do. You could also put 2 together and hang on the tree.

Hope I've given you a few ideas.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Tuesday 26 June 2012

Shaped Christmas Card

Hi Bloggers.

Today I thought I'd share a shaped Christmas card that I demonstrated in the 8pm show last Friday. It doesn't stand up exactly straight as the tree is shaped at the bottom. You could also use it as a tag.



I folded an A5 piece of white card in half. I popped the largest of the Spellbinders 2010 Holiday Tree dies up against the fold with the left-hand bottom two edges of the die overhanging the fold so as to leave the fold intact. Ran it through the Grand Calibur and then I had my card blank.

I ran another piece of white card with the same die through the Grand Calibur. With the card still in the die, I stamped a sprig from the Creative Expressions Snowflakes and Sprigs stamp set using Pine Needles Distress Ink around the edges. Keeping the card still in the die, I then inked with Pine Needles using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Winter Greetings Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using one of the larger bauble dies from the Spellbinders Holiday Tags die set. I inked with Pine Needles while still in the die. I added a bow of Baker's Twine from the Earthtones set.

You could make lots of these with different distress inks. In the show, I made one with Tea Dye Distress Ink.

I see that Create & Craft are repeating one of the shows from last Friday at 2am tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. Thought I'd mention it in case you missed the shows.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Monday 25 June 2012

Greetings of the Season

Hi Bloggers,

Here's today's Christmas card!



I ran a piece of white card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Wild Poinsettia Embossing Folder. The sandwich you need for this is base plate, folder with card inside, tan mat, Creative Expressions Embossing Plate. I popped it through a second time to extend the pattern I inked all over the background with Broken China Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I cut the largest of the Spellbinders 2010 Heirloom Ornament dies out of white card and inked through the die around the edges with Broken China. I cut all the snowflakes out of the Spellbinders Create-A-Flake Three using cobalt, deep blue and white card. I inked through the white one with Broken China. I layered all the snowflakes up with 3D foam and popped them onto the bauble. I cut a piece of white silky crush ribbon in half length-ways and tied a bow. I tied a bow of Baker's Twine out of the Vintage Set and popped that on top. Then I added a Creative Expressions Medium Circle Dazzler.



I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Winter Trees stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using one of the Spellbinders Holiday Tags die set. I inked through the die with Broken China and added a Baker's Twine bow.



I finished the card with some Creative Expressions Self-Adhesive Pearl Swirls and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in white.

Sam Poole is on Create & Craft at 9am and 3pm today. Tune in for some great techniques.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Sunday 24 June 2012

Poinsettia and Holly

Hi Bloggers,

I hope you don't mind me sharing some more Christmas samples from the shows on Friday. I thought it might be good to share as I know some of you will have purchased some or all of the dies.



For the background I popped a piece of white card through the Grand Calibur with the Fretwork mask.

I cut the large motif from the Spellbinders Holly Motif die set and 2 corners from the Holly Accents die set out of green card. I inked through the dies with Pine Needles Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.



I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Winter Greetings stamp set using Perfect Medium and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Bright Gold Metallic Embossing Powder. I cut it out using a die from the Holly Accents die set. I inked through the die again with Pine Needles Distress Ink.



I cut out the 3 smallest of the Layered Poinsettia dies out of red card and the next size out of green card. I inked through all the dies with Pine Needles. I assembled the poinsettia and added a half pearl to the centre.

I assembled the card as shown and added a Creative Expressions Self Adhesive Pearl Swirl.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Saturday 23 June 2012

NOEL

Hi Bloggers.

Another Christmas card today featuring one of the new dies that's available with the Grand Calibur Blockbuster on Create & Craft. A very simple card but effective I think.



I covered a piece of backing paper (Prima from a few years ago) with some Self Adhesive Film and then added some Creative Expressions Glass Micro Beads.

I cut the Spellbinders 2012 Holiday Tree out of white card. This is a really detailed die and does benefit from including a piece of greaseproof paper between the die and the card. I drew around the die onto some burgundy card to create a mat and glued the die cut on to it using Cosmic Shimmer Glue.

I stamped the letters for NOEL on to some white card using Plum Archival and cut them out using the small dies in the Holiday Tags die set. I inked through the dies with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam. I threaded some Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set through the tags and secured with 3D foam pads.

I assembled the card as shown and added some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Dark Bronze around the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Friday 22 June 2012

Winner of the Demo Card

Hi Bloggers.

I've just drawn the winner of the demo card giveaway in this post. Bit late again, sorry!

The winner is number 17 - Planetsusie

Please email me at juliawattscrafts@gmail.com with your snail mail address and I'll pop the card in the post to you.

Thanks for all your comments. I really enjoyed reading about your fave card colour combos.

Must dash - have to pack to go to studio.

Please scroll down to the next post to see today's card.

Regards,
Julia.

Think Snow!!

Hi Bloggers.

I know Think Snow is not what we really should be doing at this time of year but let's face it we may get snow very early this year - this is certainly a lousy summer so far except the the occasional warm day.

Anyway, this is a card that I'm hoping to demo in the 2pm show today.



For the background, I've used the Couture Creations Wild Poinsettia Embossing Folder with some white card through the Grand Calibur. I popped it through a second time to extend the pattern. I inked around the edges with Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I cut a 1" strip of cobalt card and used the Spellbinders Classic Ric Rac Edgeabilities to cut an insert in it. I glued a strip of white card behind the pattern. I wrapped a piece of white crochet ribbon around the card and then glued the border on top.

I cut the largest of the Spellbinders 2010 Heirloom Ornament dies out of cobalt card. I then cut 4 of the motifs out of white card using the Spellbinders 2012 Snowflake Pendant die set. I inked through the die on all of them with Chipped Sapphire. On 2 of the motifs I snipped the fancy pointy bits off with my scissors. I then scored across the centre to divide the motif into 6, turned it over and scored in between these sections (I'll show this in the demo). I made a cut along half of one of the lines on each of the trimmed motifs and then concertina folded. I glued them together with Cosmic Shimmer Glue.



I glued one of the complete motifs to the bauble die cut. I added 3d foam to the back of the other one and then put it on top of the first rotating it slightly. I glued the concertina pendants on top. I cut 2 snowflakes (same die set) from white card - these benefit from a bit of greaseproof proof paper between the die and the card. I inked the edges with Chipped Sapphire and added them to the motifs with a few foam pads. I finished off with a half pearl in the centre.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions WInter Greetings Stamp Set using Cobalt Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Ribbon Banners and inked through the die with Chipped Sapphire.



I finished the card off with some Blue Glass Glintz and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in White.

Hope you can join me later on Create & Craft at 2pm and 8pm with Nigel.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Thursday 21 June 2012

Blog Candy Winner

Hi Bloggers.

We've reached 200 followers. My daughter has drawn a winner and that winner is..........

Maria

Please email me at juliawattscrafts@gmail.com to claim your prize.

Please scroll down to the post below for today's card.

Julia.

Joy

Hi Bloggers.

Today I'm sharing a card made with a couple of the dies that are in the Pick of the Day that Sue is doing on Create and Craft today.



I stamped the feather from the Creative Expressions Design Elements Stamp set randomly over a white piece of card using Pine Needles Distress Ink. I dried the ink with my heat gun and then popped the background through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Wild Poinsettia Embossing Folder. I put it through a second time to extend the pattern. I inked all over with Pine Needles Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam to make the embossed design 'pop'.

I cut the largest of the Spellbinders 2010 Holiday Tree die set out of green card. At the emboss stage I added the Small Polka Dots Mask. I put some Double Sided Self Adhesive Film onto another piece of green card and cut out the middle size of the 2010 Holiday Tree. I did not emboss. I removed the adhesive backing and added some Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Jewels Iced Crystal. I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Winter Greetings Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using the smallest of the 2010 Holiday Tree dies. I inked through the die with Pine Needles using Cut n Dry Foam.



I cut 2 corners from the Spellbinders Holly Accents die set. I dyed some white Silky Crush Ribbon with Pine Needles Distress Ink. I spritzed it with water to make the ink spread and put it aside to dry (don't use a heat gun on it). Once dry I tied a bow and added one of the new Creative Expressions Dazzlers. I finished the card with some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in White.

Sue has lots of shows on Ideal World and Create & Craft today. Hope you manage to catch some.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Wednesday 20 June 2012

Warm Winter Wishes

Hi Bloggers.

I know it's only June and the sun keeps making an appearance but as a card maker I'm sure you know that making your own cards and tags takes time so it's never too early to start.

Today I'm sharing a tag, simply because I had some ink left on my craft sheet after dying some ribbon. Rather than just wiping it up like I usually do I decided to use it on a tag.



I had some Pine Needles Distress Ink on my craft sheet. I spritzed it with some water and dragged a tag through it. I then dried it with my heat tool, blotted the tag into the remaining ink, dried it and repeated the process until all the ink was used up. I then swiped some Broken China Distress Ink across my craft sheet, spritzed it with water and did the same as I had done with the pine needles ink.

I then stamped a few snowflakes from the Creative Expressions Snowflakes and Sprigs Stamp Set using Broken China Distress Ink and a few sprigs from the same stamp set using Pine Needles Distress Ink.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Winter Greetings Stamp Set onto milk card using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using one of the Spellbinders Holiday Tags dies. I inked through the die with Pine Needles Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam. I cut another Holiday Tag out of green card adding the Small Polka Dots Mask at the emboss stage.

I positioned both the Holiday Tags at the hole in the main tag. I threaded some blue Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set and some green from the Primary Set through the holes.

Don't forget that Sue is launching a Christmas Spellbinders Pick of the Day tonight at 9pm on Ideal World. Pop over to her blog for a sneeky peek.

I'll be back tomorrow with a card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Tuesday 19 June 2012

Test of Your Skill

Hi Bloggers,

I have another Ethel & Murray card today. Well actually, it's Murray and his mates playing golf.



I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Fore Stamp set using Coffee Archival and embossed using Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Two. I inked while still in the die using Vintage Photo Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.



I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using the Coffee Archival and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. I trimmed it with my paper trimmer and inked the edges with Vintage Photo. I matted it on to rust card and then dark brown card.



I cut a border out of white card using the Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Ric-Rac - I used the edge and an insert from that set. I inked through the die with Vintage Photo. I cut another border out of rust card with the edge from the Classic Bracket set and the insert from the Classic Postage Stamp set. I put a strip of dark brown card behind the insert to make it stand out more. I added the white border to the backing paper (Creative Expressions Foundations Dot and Dash). I ran a piece of Hi-Tack Tape down the edge of the border and then ruffled some Chalk White American Seam Binding down it. I added the brown border. I tied a small-ish bow out of 2 lengths of the ribbon and added a button to the centre with a little Baker's Twine from the Earthtones Set.

I added the image panel to the card with a few more buttons from my stash.

I matted on to rust, dark brown and then white card. I finished off with some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Choco Brown. Finished card size is 8" x 8".

Hope you like this one.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Monday 18 June 2012

Where Lipstick is concerned ......

Hi Bloggers.

We're back to Ethel & Murray again today. I know that some of you don't like the images but I just haven't had time to make a card just for the blog today. I'm not even sure if I like this card myself. In fact, as I look at it, I can think of something I would have done differently if I made it again. I certainly did a lot of faffing around to even get it to this stage!

Anyway, here it is



The backing paper is called Floral Dream and is from the Foundations Paper range from Creative Expressions.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Well Adjusted Women Stamp Set using Coffee Archival and embossed with Coffee Archival. I cut this out using the largest but one of the Labels Twenty-Five dies. I inked around the image with Dusty Concord Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam. I stamped and embossed the image again on a smaller piece of card. This is the image I coloured in. I stamped and embossed the image again on the reverse side of the Floral Dream Paper and cut out just the dress. I used a selection of Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks to colour the image. I glued the paper dress to the image using Cosmic Shimmer Glue. I cut the image out with scissors and a craft knife and mounted on top of the un-coloured image using 3D Foam Pads.

I cut a frame out of black card using the largest of the Labels Twenty-Five dies for the outside and a Labels Fourteen for the inside. At the emboss stage I added the Creative Expressions Bark Embossing Folder. The Grand Calibur sandwich you need for this is Base Plate, approx 15 sheets of copy paper, embossing folder, dies with card with cutting edges face up, Tan Mat, Creative Expressions Embossing Plate. Do not close your folder - you will damage it. I mounted the frame on top of the image using 3D Foam Pads.



I made 2 flowers using the Floral Dream paper and the Creative Expressions Floral Embossing Folder. You can see how to do this in the video tutorial in this post. I cut some leaves out of white card using the Spellbinders Damask Accents die set. I inked through the die with Dusty Concord using Cut n Dry Foam. I cut some more leaves out of lavender card using the Spellbinders Foliage die set. I added these to my frame.

I stamped the sentiment onto some white card using Coffee Archival and embossed with clear powder. I cut it out using Labels Four and inked through the die with Dusty Concord. I cut a mat out of black card using Labels Four Small.



I ran a piece of 6mm Hi-Tack Tape down the length of the card at the side and ruffled some Mauve Rose American Seam Binding along it. I think here, it would have looked better if I had added some black crochet ribbon first. I tied a bow using 2 lengths of the ribbon and added a polka dot button that I bought from Sam here with some Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set tied through it.



I finished the card off with some Creative Expressions Black Rhinestone Swirls.

Let me know what you think - I know you will!

Don't forget you still have time to leave a comment for a chance to win a demo card in this post.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Sunday 17 June 2012

Demo Card Give Away

Hi Bloggers.

Hope you don't mind but this card has been sat on my desk for a few weeks now and it really needs a home. It's from one of the demos from when I launched the Spellbinders Diamond Deals last month but wasn't given away in a draw.

I did post the original card in this post. The difference with this card is that I used the Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Rectangles Large instead of the Fleur De Lis Rectangles as it had sold out. I also used the correct side of the embossing folder in this one! Full details of the embossing sandwiches used are in the original post.



If you'd like the chance to win this card please become a follower (if you're not already) and leave a comment. This time I'd like you to tell me what your favourite colour scheme is on a card. I'll draw a winner on Thursday evening at 7pm (please remind me if I forget!!).

Talking of followers, we're almost at the 200 mark. Once we reach 200, I'll draw a winner for the Spellbinders dies (see right-hand side bar).

Have a good day.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Saturday 16 June 2012

Enjoy Your Day

Hi Bloggers.

Here's another card I've made for you guys who follow my little blog. It's a quick easy peasy card which is suitable for a man for any occasion including Father's Day so if you need to made a card quick for tomorrow, here's an idea.



I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Dream Cars Stamp Set using Adirondack Pitch Black Dye Ink Pad. I coloured in using Promarkers - Berry Red, Burgundy, Cool Grey 2 and 5. You can't see it on the photo but I did actually put some acetate in for the front window of the car.



I cut A Spellbinders Lattice Motif out of silver mirri card.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Ribbon Banners and inked through the die with Barn Door Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I assembled the card as shown. The backing paper is My Mind's Eye Lost & Found.

I have updated the side bar with the times of my shows next Friday - they're at 2pm and 8pm.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Friday 15 June 2012

Red, White & Blue

Hi Bloggers,

To give you a little break from Ethel and Murray (they will be back!), I've made this card just for the blog. I had a die cut (the large blue Fleur De Lis Rectangle) left over from I demo I couldn't do on a show so that was the starting point for this very quick & easy card.



For the background, I popped some white card through the Grand Calibur with the Spellbinders Regal M-Bossability Folder. I put it through a second time to extend the pattern. I inked around the edges with Barn Door Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.



I cut the largest of the Fleur De Lis Rectangles out of cobalt card. I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Sincere Sentiments Stamp Set using Cobalt Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut if out using the largest but one of the Fleur De Lis Rectangles and inked through the die with the Barn Door Distress Ink. I mounted these 2 rectangles onto my background with 3D Foam Pads.



I made a flower out of red card using the Spellbinders Carnation Creations dies adding a blue gem in the centre. I mounted this onto 3D Foam and added it to the card. The 3D foam makes it easier to add the White Pearl Decorative Stick Pins. I cut 2 leaves out of cobalt card and 2 leaves out of white card using the Spellbinders Damask Accents Die Set. I inked through the die on the white ones with Barn Door Distress Ink.

I finished the card off with some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Berry Red.

All for now.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Thursday 14 June 2012

A Little Twinkle

Hi Bloggers,

I'm determined to win some of you over to Ethel & Murray so today's card is very bright as a contrast to the awful weather we've been having lately.

This is one of Ethel's mates and as you can see she's into her keep fit even though she's 'over 70 baby!'



The background paper is the same as the stripey one I used in yesterdays post - just the other side. It's Creative Expressions Foundations Dot and Dash Paper.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Well Adjusted Women Stamp Set onto a 3" x 4" piece of white card using Coffee Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I inked around the edges with Mustard Seed Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the image again onto a piece of white card that was just big enough using the Coffee Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I coloured this image using a selection of Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks and then cut it out using scissors and a craft knife. I added 3D foam pads to to the back and then some glue stick - this meant that I could mount the coloured image on top of the uncoloured version and move it till it was lined up perfectly.



I cut a frame for the image out of yellow card using Spellbinders Lattice Rectangles and Large Labels. It makes such a pretty frame, don't you think? I glued the frame to the image using Cosmic Shimmer Glue and mounted the whole lot onto 3d foam pads.

I cut 2 borders out of yellow card and edged them with the Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Bracket (I so want 2 sets of those!). I cut 2 strips of green card and cut an insert in them using the Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Postage Stamp. I glued them together and added them to my card.



I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using Coffee Archival and embossed with clear powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Large Labels and inked through the die with the Mustard Seed Distress Ink. I made a faux nestie out of yellow card (draw round the outside of the die and cut out with scissors). I added this to the card using 3d foam pads.

Are you swayed? I'll keep trying.

Don't forget that Sue is launching her new dies on Create & Craft today at 11am and 4pm.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Wednesday 13 June 2012

All change!

Hi Bloggers.

I'm afraid my stamping show on June 25th has been postponed till some time in July. Sam's show on 18th June has been cancelled so she's now doing her show on 25th instead which is just fine because it looks like I'm going to be helping Sue out with some of her Spellbinders shows next Friday (22nd). I don't know times yet but I'll update the details in the sidebar as soon as I know.

Today I'm sharing another card I've made for the Ethel & Murray stamping shows. Hopefully, this will appeal to more people than the post on Monday did as it's a great man card.



I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Fore Stamp Set using Coffee Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured the image in using a selection of Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks.



I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using the Coffee Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I cut the sentiment and the mats out using Spellbinders Labels Four and Labels Four Small. I inked the sentiment with Faded Jeans Distress Ink and Cut & Dry Foam while still in the die.



I cut a border from some Foundations Blue Dot and Dash Paper using Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Bracket. I cut an insert into the border using the Edgeabilities Classic Ric Rac. The background paper is also a Foundations Dot and Dash Paper but is the reverse side.



I assembled the card as shown adding a few buttons from my stash.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Labels Thirteen

Hi Bloggers.

A mixed bag of comments from the post yesterday which is what I expected. It is good to know that even if you didn't like the image or the colour of the background, there was still something there that you could perhaps get a little inspiration from. The Radiant Embossing Folder used in yesterday's post is one from last month's release from Couture Creations. I'm hoping that it will be on the show on 25th June.

Today's card should appeal to more of you. It features the frame that I cut from Spellbinders Labels Thirteen towards the end of the 7pm show on Saturday. Usually, die cuts from the shows end up in a big bag of bits and pieces that I may use sometime but never do - I think we've all got one of those. But, this frame was so lovely and I knew what I could do with it so I made this card. It was so quick to make but I think it's quite elegant.



Just to re-cap, the frame was cut from the largest of the Labels Thirteen dies, I missed the next 2 sizes and used the one after that to cut the inside edge of the frame. I used pearlescent ivory card. At the emboss stage I added the Small Polka Dots Mask making sure that the cutting edge of the die was going into my tan mat and the mask was placed on top.



I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Bride & Groom Stamp Set using Coffee Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using the next size up of Labels Thirteen to the one I used for the centre of my frame. I didn't bother to emboss it as the edge was going to be hidden.

For the background I popped the Couture Creations Cultivated Embossing Folder through the Grand Calibur with some white card. I put it though a second time to extend the pattern. I then inked all over with Eco Green Yellow Damasque Dye Ink using Cut & Dry Foam.



I added some of the new Guipure Duchess Lace in Cream, which is available via Creative Expressions Stockist, along the side of the background. This is such a pretty lace - just a little really adds a special touch to your project. I then added some 6mm super sticky tape along the inside edge of it and ruffled some cream Vintage Ribbon along it. I tied a bow using 2 lengths of the cream ribbon and added it to the ruffled border. I made a flower out of the ivory pearlescent card using 2 of the smaller dies from the Spellbinders Rose Creations die set. I popped a pearl in the centre and added it to my bow.



I finished the card off with a couple of Decorative Stick Pins in Cream Pearl and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Golden Pearl.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.