Country Charm

Hi Bloggers.

Today I'm sharing a couple of cards using the Spellbinders Country Charm die set. This is not one of my favourite die sets as, for me, it's not as versatile as alot of the other die sets. Anyway, here's the first of the samples I made -

I cut the jar out of white card and inked through the die with Black Soot Distress Ink. I then put some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Choco Brown, Berry Red and Cosmic Pearl in the bottom section of the jar and put aside to dry.

I made the background by running some Kraftcore through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Houndstooth Embossing Folder. I sanded it to reveal the core. I wrapped some Baker's Twine from the Primary set around the background as shown, added some buttons from my stash and a large bow made from Black Silky Crush Ribbon.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Warmest Wishes Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Power. I cut it out using the label die in the set and inked with Black Soot while still in the die.

When the Cosmic Shimmer PVA was dry, I added the label to the jar.

Here's the second sample I made with the die set -

I cut 3 x Labels Twenty-Six out of milk card. I inked through the die on 1 of them with Peeled Paint Distress Ink and with Barn Door Distress Ink on the other 2 using Cut n Dry Foam. I cut the fruit out of felt and glued them to the Labels Twenty-Six die cuts with Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue.

The backing paper is My Mind's Eye and I inked around the edges with Peeled Paint. I wrapped some Baker's Twine from the Primary Set around the card. I used a Forest Moss Distress Marker to ink up just the word 'Birthday' from a sentiment on the Creative Expressions Gala Event Stamp Set and stamped it onto some milk card. I used the label die in the set to cut it out and inked through the die with Peeled Paint.

I assembled the card as shown, pricking around the edges using my Tim Holtz Ruler.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

You are never out of style

Hi Bloggers.

This card started out like this -

But with the Pick of the week selling out so fast I was asked to include some extra dies in my demo so it ended up like this -

I think I prefer it with the extra bits!

For the background, I ran the Venetian M-Bossabilities through the Grand Calibur with some Coconut White Card. I ran it through a second time to extend the pattern. I then inked around the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the large background stamp from the Studio 490 Sentimental Art Stamp Set onto white card using Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I dried the image with my heat tool and then cut a Labels Twenty Eight from it. I inked through the die with Vintage Photo.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Gala Event Stamp Set using Coffee Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut the image out leaving a small white border all around it. I cut 2 wings out of vellum using the Spellbinders Wings of Hope die set.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using Coffee Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I cut it using the Spellbinders Back to Basics Tags die set and inked through the die with Vintage Photo. I added an Idea-ology Fanciful Accoutrement to the hole in the tag.

I cut a flower out of Kraftcore using Spellbinders Spiral Blossom Four and added a couple of 'leaves' out of white card using Spellbinders Jewel Fantasies.

I assembled the card as shown adding some piercing around the edges using my Tim Holtz Design Ruler.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Live your dream

Hi Bloggers.

This card features the Les Papillons dies that were part of the Pick of the Week last week.

I have used some of the pastel Kraftcore that was in the pad on the show. I cut 3 solid butterflies and 3 corresponding lacey butterflies. I also cut 3 Scalloped Labels One. I sanded them a little. I layered up the butterflies mixing the colours and added them to a different colour Scalloped Labels One die cut.

For the background, I popped some Milk Card into the Couture Creations Radiant Embossing Folder and ran it through the Grand Calibur. I ran it through a second time to extend the pattern. I then inked around the edges with Peacock Feathers Distress Ink (from the Spring set) using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the sentiment from the Studio 490 Live and Make Art Stamp Set using Coffee Archival. I cut it out using Spellbinders Fancy Framed Tags One and inked through the die using Peacock Feathers Distress Ink. I added a couple of Creative Expressions Faux Screw Brads in Antique Gold (I think - I don't have my samples at the mo to check) to secure the sentiment to the card.

I assembled the card as shown. I didn't have the right colour card so inked around the edges of some white card with the Peacock Feathers Distress Ink and then pierced with my Tim Holtz Ruler.

A simple card to try. Hope you like it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Wish

Hi Bloggers.

Another favourite card today from the Spellbinders Pick of the Week (I know I keep saying that - we'll come to the ones I don't like soon enough!). When I started this card I knew I wanted to include a glittered mask on top of a couple of the Venetian Motifs and that was it. Then I saw this post on Sue Wilson's Blog. I had forgotten all about the background technique Sue had taught me a couple of years ago - it was just what I wanted for this card.

To make the background you can either read about it on Sue's blog, watch her demo it on her DVD (if you're lucky enough to own it) or read my explanation here. You need a piece of acetate bigger than the size you want to end up with. Squiggle some Clear Crystal Lacquer over it. Then drop some Alcohol inks randomly all over. I used Pool, Stonewashed and Pitch Black. Then sprinkle some mica powder over - be generous - but you don't need to cover the whole area! I used Silver Lustre from the Metallics Set. Scrunch up a piece of white tissue paper (larger than the size of the acetate), open it out and pop in on top of the now coloured acetate. You can add more alcohol ink now if you wish if you have some gaps. Now leave it to dry for a couple of hours.

I cut a Venetian Motif out of white card and another out of black card - it's easier to use a piece of greaseproof paper between the die and the paper with this one. I put a piece of double-sided adhesive onto a piece of black card and cut out the mask from the Venetian Accents die set. I peeled off the backing sheet and dipped the mask into some Cosmic Shimmer Aurora Crystal Glitter.

I only wanted a small sentiment so I masked off the words 'make' and 'a' from the sentiment on the Creative Expressions Dandelion Wishes Stamp Set, stamped using Cobalt Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using the tag die in the Venetian Accents die set. I cut another tag out of black card. I cut it in half and then glued it to the back of the sentiment tag to create a shadow.

I assembled the card as shown adding some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Black Pearl around the edges.

Hope you try this one at home.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Re-stocks in my Amazon Store

Hi Bloggers,

Just to let you know that I have just received more stock of the Creative Expressions Dandelion Wishes and Gala Event Stamp Sets.

I've also managed to get hold of a few Couture Creations Vintage Dressmaker embossing folders used in this post and some Couture Creations Intrinsic embossing folders used in this post. I don't have many and once they're gone I won't be able to get anymore.

All for now.

Julia

Cameras

Hi Bloggers.

Today I'm sharing a masculine card from the Pick of the Week.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Vintage Photo Stamp Set using Coffee Archival. I cut it out using one of the Spellbinders Back to Basics Hexagons and inked through the die with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I cut then next 2 sizes of Hexagon dies from rust and brown card.

I stamped the word 'CAMERAS' using Coffee Archival and cut it out using one of the dies from the Back to Basics Tags Die Set. I inked through the die with Vintage Photo.

For the background, I ran a piece of Milk Card through the Grand Calibur with the Spellbinders Kickin' Rubber M-Bossabilities Folder. I inked all over with Vintage Photo. I wrapped some Baker's Twine from the Earthtones Set around the bottom section of the background and added a Creative Expressions Watch Face Charm.

I assembled the card as shown adding an Idea-ology Hinge Clip to the tag and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Choco Brown around the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Concertina

Hi Bloggers.

Bit of folding on this card from the Pick of the Week.

For the background, I popped some Coconut White card through the Grand Calibur with the Radiant Embossing Folder. I put it through a second time to extend the pattern. I inked around the edges with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I cut the smallest of the Spellbinders Grand Decorative Ovals One dies out of white card and inked through the die with Victorian Velvet. I cut the square motif from the Asian Accents die set out of pink card. I then cut 2 of the circles from the Asian Accents die set and inked through the die with Victorian Velvet. I scored across each of the circle die cuts, cut to the centre along one of the score lines and then folded. I joined the 2 circles together using Cosmic Shimmer Dies Clear Glue. I cut a little piece from white card using the Asian Accents die set, inking through the die with Victorian Velvet. I assembled the feature piece on top of the background as shown adding a Studio 490 Embellish Your Art Pink & Gold Flower Button.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Dandelion Wishes Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Six and inked through the die with Victorian Velvet. I added an Idea-ology Memo Pin to it. I put a foam pad on the back of a Pink Zipper Rose and pushed the memo pin into it. I cut 2 'leaves' out of pink card using the Venetian Motifs die set and added them to my background. I popped the zipper rose sentiment piece on top.

I finished the card by adding some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Cosmic Pearl (white) around the edges.

Hope you like this one.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Wildflower

Hi Bloggers.

Here's another of my favourite samples from the Spellbinders Pick of the week.

For the background, I ran a piece of Kraftcore through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Ornate Diamonds Embossing Folder. I popped it through a second time to extend the pattern. I then sanded it to reveal the core.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Dandelion Wishes Stamp Set onto Milk Card using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Eight and inked through the die with Vintage Photo Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam. I cut the next size up in the Labels Twenty-Eight die set again from Milk Card and again inked though the die with Vintage Photo.

I cut 2 square motifs from the Spellbinders Asian Motifs die set out of Black Card. I cut a border from the Spellbinders Asian Accents die set again out of Black Card. I mounted the border on to a strip of Milk Card.

I stamped the wild flower from the Dandelion Wishes Stamp set along a slightly wider strip of Milk Card using Jet Black Archival and edged it with Cut n Dry Foam.

I assembled the background pieces onto a piece of black card and wrapped a piece of Black Silky Crush Ribbon around the bottom section. I pinched it together with a glue dot and then added a bow made from the same ribbon. I added an Idea-ology Fanciful Accoutrement to the centre.

I assembled the card as shown and added some faux stitching around the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Winner of the Demo Card

Hi Bloggers.

I'm a little late with this as usual!

The winner of the black & white demo card in this post is.......

Lesley!

Please email me at juliawattscrafts@gmail.com with your address and I'll pop it in the post.

Please scroll down for today's card post.

Julia.

Knowing You

Hi Bloggers.

Red, white and blue again today. What a great sentiment on this one - it's from the Creative Expressions Natures Sentiments Stamp Set.

For the background I ran a piece of Coconut White Card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Seedling Nouveau Embossing Folder. I popped it through a second time to extend the pattern. I inked round the edges with Barn Door Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the sentiment using Cobalt Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using the smallest of the Spellbinders Decorative Ovals One dies and inked through the die with Barn Door.

I cut a circle out of cobalt card using the smallest of the Spellbinders Decorative Grand Circles One dies. At the emboss stage I added the Butterfly Frame Mask.

I cut a butterfly using the Spellbinders Les Papillon die set. I cut a solid butterfly out of red card and the corresponding lacy one out of cobalt card. They fit on top of each other perfectly. I glued then together just at the body using Cosmic Shimmer Glue.

I tied a bow using the white sheer dots ribbon and added a Red Zipper Rose.

I assembled the card as shown adding some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Berry Red.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Winner of the 300 Followers Prize

Hi Bloggers,

Just to let you know that we have just passed 300 followers so it's time to draw a winner for the Spellbinders Nested Butterflies Two die set. And the winner is .....................................................

CHRISTINE HUSSEY!

Many congrats. Please email me at juliawattscrafts@gmail.com with your snail mail address and I'll pop your prize in the post.

Julia

Learn from Yesterday

Hi Bloggers.

Thank you so much for your support over the weekend on the POTW shows and here on the blog. It's much appreciated. It's good to know that you love the new dies as much as I do. Hels Sheridan takes over today with her first show at 3pm with Dawn. Hels made some of the samples that have been shown and the lovely decorations that were made using the Grand dies that were in the show. For those who asked you can access her blog from my right-hand sidebar. You will also find Sue Wilson's, Christine Emberson's and Sam Poole's blog there.

Here's something a bit different from your Spellbinders Pick of the Week.

I started with a piece of Milk card. I popped the Grid Mask on top at a jaunty angle and ran it through the Grand Calibur. I removed the mask and inked all over with Black Soot Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Time Flies Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Eight and inked with Black Soot while still in the die.

I cut a mustache out of black card using the Spellbinders Dear Old Dad die set and added it to the top of the sentiment panel. I cut the pocket out of Kraftcore again from the Dear Old Dad Die Set. At the emboss stage I added the Metal Effect Mask. I sanded it to reveal some of the core.

I stamped the pocket watch from the same stamp set onto Grungepaper using Jet Black Archival. I cut it out and tied some black Baker's Twine from the Primary Set around the top.

I assembled the card as shown and added a Key Charm (secured with Cosmic Shimmer Glue) and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Black Pearl around the edges.

Hope you like the card. I've really grown to like the Dear Old Dad die set. Here's another simple card made with it -

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

At the Ballet

Hi Bloggers.

I can have a bit of a lie in today as my first Pick of the Week Show isn't till 4pm. This is another of my favourite samples from the show.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions At the Ballet Stamp Set on to Coconut White Card using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut the image out using the largest of the Spellbinders Blossom Five dies and inked through the die with Faded Jeans Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I cut the smallest of the Grand Decorative Circles One out of blue card and inked through the die with Faded Jeans.

For the background I ran some white card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Seedling Nouveau Embossing Folder. I popped it though a second time to extend the pattern. I edged it with Faded Jeans.

I cut the middle 3 sizes of the Blossom Five dies out of white card twice. I spritzed them with water to break down the fibres of the card and scrunched each piece up. I opened them up and layered them on top on one another and then pierced a hole in the centre and added a blue brad. I then scruched them up again. I added some Faded Jeans to the edges of the petals.

I cut some 'leaves' from the Spellbinders Venetian Motifs set and inked through the die with Faded Jeans.

I cut 4 corners out of blue card from the Spellbinders Venetian Accents die set and assembled the card as shown adding some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Cosmic Pearl (white) around the edges and in the centre of each corner.

Hope you can join me later on today at 4pm and 6pm.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Wishing You Happiness

Hi Bloggers.

Hope you are enjoying the Pick of the Week shows.

Today's card features some more of my favourite dies. Quite a lot of cutting and inking on this one. Hopefully I will get to demo it before they sell out.

I stamped my sentiment from the Creative Expressions Dandelion Wishes Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using one of the new Spellbinders Asian Motifs dies and inked through the die with Dried Marigold Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam. I cut another of the same shape and 2 of the larger motifs from the same set. I inked with Dried Marigold on all of them.

For the background I ran a piece of Coconut White card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Radiant Embossing Folder (I really like that one). I popped it through a second time to extend the pattern. I inked around the edges with Dried Marigold using Cut n Dry Foam.

I cut 4 lots of of corners and 4 lots of little accents from the Asian Accents die set and 4 lots of small motifs from the Venetian Motifs die set. I inked through the die on all of them with Dried Marigold.

I tied a double bow out of white silky crush ribbon and added a medium Creative Expressions Dazzler.

I would have added a couple of stick pins but there are none on the show.

I assembled the card as shown adding some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Cosmic Pearl (White).

I think this might make a good wedding card, what do you think?

4 shows today starting at 8am.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Spellbinders Pick of the Week - Black & White

Hi Bloggers.

Here's a card that I'm hoping to demo on one of the shows today.

The spotty background has been created by inking through the Small Polka Dots Mask with Black Soot Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Gala Event Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut the image out using the new Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Eight. This is such a useful labels shape. I think it's the die set that I've used the most when making the samples for the shows. I inked through the die with Black Soot using Cut n Dry Foam.

The gorgeous mask has been cut using the new Spellbinders Venetian Accents die set. The flower is the new Spiral Blossom Four. The 'leaves' are from the new Venetian Motifs die set. I do like it when there are dies that can be used as leaves.

The borders around the edges of the main section have been cut using the Venetian Accents die set. There are 'holding hands' pieces which can be used to hold onto the main panel. The little diamonds are from the waste on the borders. I finished the card by adding some Black Glass Glintz.

Lovely dies, aren't they?

Thanks for stopping by. See you at 12.

Julia.

Spellbinders Pick of the Week Sneak Peak

Hi Bloggers.

Well, it's almost here. Tomorrow at 12noon I launch the very latest Spellbinders dies in a Create & Craft Pick of the Week. These dies have only just been launched at CHA in Chicago. They are so new that Hels and I only got some of the dies last week! So, we've not had much time to play with them but hopefully you will like what we have come up with.

Today I'm sharing this card. I've not prepped it as a demo so here is the only explanation of how it was made. Hope you like it.

For the background, I ran a piece of Coconut White Card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Radiant Embossing Folder. I ran it through a second time to extend the pattern.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Gala Event Stamp Set (just love that stamp set) using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut the image out using the smallest of the new Spellbinders Grand Decorative Ovals One dies. I inked through the die with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam. I cut the next size up of the Grand Decorative Ovals One out of white card and again inked through the die with Victorian Velvet.

I cut a branch out of brown card and some flowers out of white card using the new Spellbinders Cherry Blossoms die set. There are lots of flowers in this set - I did cut 2 sets out and inked through the dies with Victorian Velvet. I added the branch and flowers as shown using Cosmic Shimmer Glue.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using Jet Black Archival and embossed with clear powder. I cut it out using one of the new Spellbinders Fancy Framed Tags One dies. I inked through the die with Victorian Velvet.

I didn't quite have the right colour card for the mats so I inked the edges of some white card with Victorian Velvet. I added some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Cosmic Pearl(white) around the edges.

Hope you like this sneak peak. I'll be back tomorrow with another ahead of the shows starting at 12noon.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Demo Card Give Away

Hi Bloggers.

Today I'm offering up the Black & White demo card from the Ethel & Murray shows as a Give Away.

You can see all the details of how I made it in this post.

To be in with a chance of winning the card, please become a follower (if you're not already) and leave a comment. This time I would like you to tell me what your favourite stamp is - which stamp do you always keep going back to? If you're not a stamper, tell me your favourite CD Rom or topper character.

I'll draw a winner next Monday after my stint on the Spellbinders Pick of the Week Shows. Talking of which, be sure to pop back tomorrow when I'll share a sneak peak of one of the cards I've made for the shows.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

For a Special Couple

Hi Bloggers.

Another Wedding card today.

For the background, I put a 6” x 6” piece of Coconut White Card inside the Couture Creations Cultivated Embossing Folder and ran it through the Grand Calibur. I ran it through a second time to extend the pattern. I inked around the edges with Eco Green Parchment ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I wrapped some Cream Crochet Ribbon around the left-hand side of the background and secured with some tape at the back. I then ran some Hi-Tack Tape down the centre of the Crochet Ribbon and ruffled some Ivory Vintage Ribbon down it.

Next I stamped the cake image from Creative Expressions Mr & Mrs Stamp Set using the Parchment Ink and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut the image out using the largest of the Spellbinders Decorative Heart Circles dies. I inked through the die with the Parchment Ink using Cut n Dry Foam. I cut in between each heart on the die cut with scissors. I cut another Heart Circle out of milk card and again cut in between each heart with scissors. I then glued the image circle on top of the milk circle turning slightly so that the hearts were offset. I folded the hearts forward a little.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using the Parchment Ink and embossed with the Clear Embossing Powder. I matted it on to a slightly larger piece of milk card and added some little dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Golden Pearl as shown and put aside to dry.

I cut 3 of the smallest of the Spellbinders Grand Peony dies, inking through the die with the Parchment Ink. I used these to make a standard 6 petal flower as described in the Paper Rose How To with Sue Wilson on the Creative Expressions here.

I tied a bow using 2 lengths of Ivory Vintage Ribbon and glued to the ruffled ribbon with Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue. I added my flower to the centre of the bow and add a couple of Decorative Stick Pins.

I assembled the card as shown adding some dots of Golden Pearl PVA around the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.