Be Yourself

Hi Bloggers.

I made this card at Ally Pally with what I had with me.

For the background, I randomly inked through the Squared Mask with Dried Marigold Distress Ink. Then, with the stamp in my hand, I randomly stamped the Newsprint Stamp using Victorian Velvet Distress Ink. I repeated the process with the Filigree Stamp and Dried Marigold and finally the Bubbles Stamp and Tattered Rose Distress Ink. I made sure the ink was dry and then ran it through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Cheerful Embossing Folder. I ran it through a second time to extend the design. I rubbed some Enchanted Gold Gilding Wax all over the surface. I left it a few minutes to dry and then inked around the edged with Dried Marigold using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the image from the Belle of the Ball Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks - I used Cosmic Tone (from the Skin Tones Set), Sunflower (from the Summer Fayre Set), Marigold (from the Autumn Shades Set) and Soft Moss (from the Garden Twist Set). I cut it out using scissors and went around the edges with a Black Pen to hide any white bits. I cut out a Spellbinders Opulent Oval. At the emboss stage I added the Peacock Feathers Mask. I inked through the die with Dried Marigold Distress Ink.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Clear Powder. I cut it out using a Justrite Vintage Labels Four die and inked through the die with Dried Marigold.

I tied a bow using White Crochet Ribbon and added a Frosted Peach Dazzler.

I assembled the card as shown adding some White Pearls in the corners and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in White around the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

You're Always in Style

Hi Bloggers.

Back from a great day in Bristol yesterday - I met a lovely group of ladies.

Here's today's card - simple but effective!

I started by stamping the border that comes on the Creative Expressions Bags of Style Stamp Set along the bottom of a piece of Coconut White Card using Perfect Medium and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Ruby Lapis Lustre Embossing Powder. I then popped it through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Large Hepburn Embossing Folder. I put the card in the folder so that the whole white area was covered but not the border. I inked around the edge of the background with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam. I wrapped some White Crochet Ribbon around the card to hide the line from the edge of the folder.

I stamped the image using Perfect Medium and embossed with Ruby Lapis Lustre. I cut it out using Spellbinders Opulant Ovals and inked through the die with Victorian Velvet.

I stamped the sentiment, again using Perfect Medium and Ruby Lapis Lustre. I cut it out using Spellbinders Fleur de Lys Rectangles and inked through the die again with Victorian Velvet.

I assembled the card as shown adding some White Pearls in the top corners and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in White around the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Always in Vogue

Hi Bloggers.

I'm in Bristol today at a Craft Group teaching an all day workshop - should be fun.

Here's today's card -

For the background, I stamped the border stamp that comes on the Belle of the Ball Stamp Set top and bottom using Barn Door Distress Ink and embossed them with Cosmic Shimmer Arctic Pearl Lustre Embossing Powder. I ran it through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Large Hepburn Embossing Folder. I ran it through a second time to extend the design and inked around the edges with Barn Door using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the image using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks - Cosmic Tone (from the Skin Tones Set), Marigold and Scarlet Flame (from the Autumn Shades Set). I also added some Copper Mica Powder (as a paint - from the Metallics Set). I cut the image out using scissors and went around the edges with a Black Pen to hide any white bits.

I cut a Spellbinders Floral Oval and at the emboss stage added the Knitted Mask. I inked through the die with Barn Door.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set, again using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Fleur de Lys Squares and inked through the die with Barn Door.

I made 2 flowers out of Cream Crochet Ribbon as per Sue's Tutorial. I stamped a couple of leaves from the Heartfelt Creations Open Leaf Stamp Set using Perfect Medium. I brushed Copper Mica Powder over, wiped off the excess and set with water. I cut them out using the Heartfelt Creations Classic Leaf Die Set.

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

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

If the Purse Fits

Hi Bloggers.

Here's today's card -

The background is from the 8 x 8 Teresa Collins Paper Pad put together for Creative Expressions. I have added a few Newsprint Flourishes stamped with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink. I have edged the whole piece with Aged Mahogany using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the image from the Bags of Style Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured in with Scarlet Flame Matt Drawing Ink from the Autumn Shades Set and Copper Mica Powder from the Metallics Set. I cut it out using Spellbinders Large Labels and inked through the die with Aged Mahogany. I cut a mat out of Burgundy Card using Spellbinders Decorative Labels 8.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set, again using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Clear Powder. I cut it out using Justrite Vintage Labels Four and inked through the die with Aged Mahogany. I cut a larger Vintage Labels Four out of Burgundy card. The strip of contrasting paper is from the same paper pad and is actually the other side of the main background. I inked around the edges of it with Aged Mahogany.

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

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Strike the Pose

Hi Bloggers.

Here's today's card -

For the background, I stamped the large corner from the Belle of the Ball Stamp Set in each corner using Perfect Medium and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Ruby Lapis Lustre Embossing Powder. I then ran it through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Large Hepburn Embossing Folder. I ran it through a second time to extend the design and inked around the edges with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink.

I stamped the image from the same stamp set, using Perfect Medium and embossed with Ruby Lapis Lustre. I cut it out using Spellbinders Radiant Rectangles and inked through the die with Victorian Velvet. I cut a decorative mat out of a couple of larger Radiant Rectangles and again inked through the die with Victorian Velvet.

I stamped the sentiment as before and cut it out using Justrite Vintage Labels Four.

I tied a bow using White Crochet Ribbon. I pressed a Fancy Pearl Embellishment into a Perfect Medium Pad, added Ruby Lapis Lustre, tapped off the excess and heat set.

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

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Happiness is a Day Shopping

Hi Bloggers.

Glad you enjoyed the shows yesterday. I must say, I have really enjoyed working with the 2 sets of stamps that were on the shows.

Here's today's card, a demo from the 1st show -

For the background, I inked through the Knitted Mask with Faded Jeans and Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam. I ran the background through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Large Hepburn Embossing Folder. I ran it through a second time to extend the design. I rubbed some Pearl Moon Gilding Wax all over. I left it to dry for a few minutes and then inked around the edge with Faded Jeans Distress Ink.

I stamped the image from the Bags of Style Stamp Set using Perfect Medium and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Arctic Lake Lustre Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Floral Ovals and inked through the die with Faded Jeans. I added some White Pearls to the handbag as shown.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set, again using Perfect Medium and embossed with Arctic Lake Lustre. I cut it out using Spellbinders Pearl Effects and inked through the die with Faded Jeans.

I made 3 rolled flowers using White Crochet Ribbon. I stamped 3 sets of leaves using the Heartfelt Creations Open Leaves Stamp Set and Perfect Medium, again embossing with Arctic Lake. I cut them out using Heartfelt Creations Classic Leaf Die Set.

I assembled the card as shown adding an 8mm White Pearl in each corner and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Summer Blue around the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Hope You Have a Fabulous Day

Hi Bloggers.

I have shows on Create & Craft today at 10am and 2pm - looks like they're with Joanne and Martyn respectively. Hope you can join me.

As promised, here's a card from the Belle of the Ball Stamp Set -

The background is from the lovely Teresa Collins 8 x 8 Paper Pad specially made for Creative Expressions. To make it a little more interesting, I ran it through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Large Hepburn Embossing Folder. I ran it through a second time to extend the design and then rubbed some Enchanted Gold Gilding Wax all over. When the Gilding Wax was dry, I inked around the edges with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the image from the Belle of the Ball Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks - Cosmic Skin from the Skin Tones Set and Umber from the Autumn Shades Set. I also added a little Dark Bronze Mica Powder from the Cosmic Shimmer Metallics Mica Spray Set. I cut it out using Spellbinders Pearl Effects and inked through the die with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Clear Powder. I cut it out using a Justrite Vintage Labels Four Die and inked through the die with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.

I made 2 ribbon flowers out of Cream Crochet Ribbon following Sue's Tutorial and cut a couple of leaves out of Soft Gold Card using Heartfelt Creations Classic Leaf Die Set.

I assembled the card as shown adding an 8mm Cream Pearl in each corner and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Golden Pearl around the edges.

See you later. Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

You're Always in Style

Hi Bloggers.

Back from a fab time at Ally Pally. Met lots of great crafters at a great venue. Already looking forward to next April!

As promised, here's a sneak peak from tomorrow's shows -

Another Milk & Black card - you guys seem to like these and this handbag stamp is so stunning it doesn't have to be coloured.

So, the background is simply a piece of Milk Card with the Couture Creations Poetry Embossing Folder. I ran it through a second time to extend the design.

I stamped the image from the Bags of Style Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels 17 and cut a mat out of Black Card using Spellbinders Lattice Rectangles.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set, again using Archival and embossed with clear powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Lattice Rectangles and cut a black mat using Labels 17.

I made a scrunched up flower using Spellbinders Blossom 5 and cut some leaves using Heartfelt Creations Open Leaf Stamp Set and Classic Leaf Die Set.

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

Back tomorrow with a card from Belle of the Ball.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Another Happy Birthday!

Hi Bloggers.

An even briefer post today (sorry) - running out of packing time!

I've done this background loads of time now - Mask is Doodle Daisies, Embossing Powder is Persian Sea Aurora.

Image & sentiment are from Floral Footsteps Stamp Set. Cut out with Spellbinders Resplendent Rectangles and Justrite Vintage Labels Four respectively. Inked through the die with Salty Ocean Distress Ink.

White Crochet Ribbon, Frosted Blue Dazzler & White Pearl Decorative Stick Pins. Cobalt PVA.

I'll be back from Ally Pally later today. Tomorrow I'll share a sneak peak from Tuesday's shows.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Happy Birthday

Hi Bloggers.

I have to make this post a quick one as I'm meant to be packing for Ally Pally as I schedule this.

Background - border is from Floral Footsteps Stamp set stamped using Worn Lipstick, Couture Creations Taylor Embossing Folder. I rubbed Pearl Moon Gilding Wax all over it and edged with Worn Lipstick Distress Ink.

Image is from Floral Foorsteps Stamp Set, stamped with Jet Black Archival, embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder, coloured with Cosmic Shimmer Watercolour Paints - Crimson Sparkle & Frosted Mallow from the Summer Shades Set, Emerald Gold & Antique Green from the Luscious Greens Set and a little Yellow Sparkle from the Autumn Sunset Set. Flowers are actually coloured the same colour but look different as the light catches them. Cut out with Spellbinders Opulent Ovals.

Sentiment is from same stamp set, cut out using Justrite Vintage Labels Four Die.

Leaves cut using Heartfelt Creations Classic Leaf Die Set. Scrunched up flower made using Spellbinders Blossom 5.

Card assembled as shown with some White Pearls in the top corners and Dusky Pink PVA around the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Best Daughter in Blue

Hi Bloggers.

I'm heading off to Ally Pally this afternoon to set up for the show which is on Saturday and Sunday. If you're going, please come and say Hi - I'll be on the Creative Expressions Stand with Sam, Leonie and John. I'll be doing a demo in the demo area at 12noon each day (about 20 mins long).

Here's today's card -

For the background, I stamped the border from the Garden Party Stamp Set using Salty Ocean Distress Ink along the top and the bottom of a piece of Coconut White Card. I made sure the ink was dry and then embossed the central area with the Lattice Mask by running it through the Grand Calibur. I ran it through a second time to extend the design - so easy to line this one up as it's a repeating pattern. I inked around the edges with Salty Ocean using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the image from the same stamp set using Perfect Medium and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Persian Sea Aurora Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Radiant Rectangles and inked through the die with Salty Ocean. I cut the largest 2 dies out of the same set and again inked through the die with Salty Ocean.

I stamped the sentiment from the Floral Footsteps Stamp Set using Perfect Medium and embossed with Persian Sea Aurora. I cut it out using 2 dies from the Spellbinders Nobel Rectangles Die Set and inked through the die with Salty Ocean.

I tied a bow using White Crochet Ribbon and added a Small Fancy Pearl Embellishment which I coloured with Persian Sea Aurora Embossing Powder,

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

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

On Your Special Day

Hi Bloggers.

Here's today's card -

For the background, I stamped the Vintage Filigree A6 Stamp several times using Spun Sugar Distress Ink (properly with an acrylic block, not in the hand). I made sure the ink was dry and then ran it through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Cheerful Embossing Folder, I ran it through a second time to extend the design and then inked around the edges with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the shoe image from the Garden Party Stamp Set using Perfect Medium and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Lapis Pink Aurora Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels 29 and inked through the die with Victorian Velvet.

I stamped the butterfly from the same stamp set, again using Perfect Medium and embossed with Lapis Pink Aurora. I cut it out with scissors (yes, I did cut off the antenae!), shaped it and added some 3mm White Pearls to its body.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set as before. I cut it out using Spellbinders Pearl Effects and inked through the die with Victorian Velvet.

I assembled the card as shown adding a few more White Pearls in the corners and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in White around the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.