Monday 29 June 2015

Enjoy your day and lots of news!

Hi Bloggers.

Today's blog post is a bit of a lengthy one with a pile of newsy bits at the end.

Here's today's card -

The background of this one is always a really popular demo. It's a version of Sue's Fire & Ice Technique but with Mica Powder instead of Gilding Flakes.

I started by cutting the Spellbinders Grate Effect Card Creator die (just the decorative inner die, not the outer frame die) out of Coconut White Card. I used the Spellbinders Tool n One on the back of the die cut to remove the 'hairy bits' that you often get around the edges of the design. I placed a piece of Creative Expressions Double Sided Self Adhesive Sheet on the front of the die cut. On the back, I added Phill Martin Cosmic Shimmer Decadent Grape and Decadent Teal Mica Powders, spreading them all over the sticky areas with a Soft Dusting Brush. I removed as much of the excess Mica Powder as possible and then sealed the whole area with another piece of card. I turned the piece over, removed the other backing sheet from the adhesive and added Cosmic Shimmer Diamond Sprinkles all over.

I made a frame out of Coconut White Card using Spellbinders 6 x 6 Matting Basics B. I laid 3 of the dies on my card and ran them through the Grand Calibur with the emboss sandwich first. I then removed the middle die and ran the remaining 2 dies through the Calibur with the cut sandwich. I cut a mat out of Coconut White Card using the largest die in the Spellbinders 6 x 6 Matting Basics A Die Set.

I stamped the sentiment from John Lockwood's Tulip Elements Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival. I added a small piece of  Creative Expressions Double Sided Self Adhesive Sheet ovet the top, peeled back the top backing sheet and rubbed Cosmic Shimmer Diamond Snow all over. I cut it out using the smallest die in the Spellbinders Pierced Delight Die D-Lite Die Set and inked through the die with Seedless Preserves Distress Ink. I cut the largest die in the same set out of Coconut White Card.

I assembled the card as shown, piercing around the edges with my Tim Holtz Ruler and adding a mat of Rich Plum Card.

I am really excited to announce that Phill Martin has asked me to join him on his next Craftathon in Nottingham on Sunday 30th August. When I spoke to Phill yesterday, half of the places had already gone so you need to book early if you'd like to join in the fun. Details below -

I did promise some pics from my holiday so here they are. I'll share the links as Kathryn posts on her blog or you can follow her blog at anytime here.

We stayed at a new hotel in Analipsi in Crete called Insula Alba Resort & Spa. Sounds very posh, doesn't it? Well, it was pretty posh and we were well chuffed when the coach dropped us off there just after midnight. However, the hotel has only been open 3 weeks (I think) and they are having some teething problems as you would expect - none of which actually ruined our holiday. Irritating - yes, but it supplied us with quite a few stories to tell!

Anyway, the view from our room  -

The rooms on the floor below were swim up rooms - an extra £500!

At night -

We could just about see the sea from our balcony -

The hotel from the beach opposite - the pool bar and pool. Our room was behind the block on the left.

Had to have a paddle in the sea on the first day!

On Saturday we went to Knossoss - where the Palace of Minos is and the myth of Theseus & the Minotaur comes from

Then on to Heraklion for lunch and a trip to the Museum to see the bits collected from the Palace.

On Monday we had an early start and caught the ferry to Santorini.






Kathryn wanted to swim in the 'hot spring' water next to the Volcano Island just a short boat ride from Santorini. The water wasn't clear and a bit yellow!

Kathryn's photos are much better than mine and she tooks loads so watch out for them on her blog soon!

Today is the final day of the launch of Sue's Festive Dies on her blog and the last day of 10% discount on the same dies on my website here. Remember to enter FESTIVE in the Coupon Code at checkout to receive your discount. Offer ends midnight today. Free postage on orders £20 or over (UK only).

Tracey Laughton is running something new at Creative Expressions HQ in Kettering. It's called Try it Tuesday and the first one is tomorrow. You can find out more by visiting the Creative Expressions Blog here from 8am today.

Finally, just a reminder that I have a workshop at Creative Expressions on Tuesday July 7th, Yardley Gobion near Milton Keynes on Saturday July 18th and at That's Really Crafty in Loughborough on Monday July 27th. Details are on the workshop page of this blog here.

Well, I think that's about all for now. Be sure to stop by later to see if you've won one of the Giveaway Cards.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

31 comments:

  1. Love the card Julia!
    Thanks for all the holiday snaps , it looks like you had a wonderful holiday together.
    The crafta thorn will be such fun with you and Phil!!!
    XxxRuth

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  2. Hi Julia

    Good to know that yourself and Kathryn had a much needed holiday. Thank you for sharing the photos with us.

    Todays card is really lovely with those two favourite colours of Mica powder...

    sorry I haven't commented for a while but I had been poorly with sunstroke & my poor 12 & 3/4 years of age Border Collie Lauren had to have numerous tests because she has liver & kidney probs, so therefore just before and at the start of your card giveaways I hadn't felt up to commenting...but when I did I thought that it wouldn't be fair to everyone else to begin commenting again until you had finished posting the card giveaways...

    I have checked back on all the cards though I looked at how they were made so thank you for pleasure of seeing your beautiful cards.

    Good luck everyone who participated I'm sure Julia's cards will take pride of place in your craft room.

    Take care to all...have a lovely day...love Beth B x x x

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  3. Hi Julia,
    Lovely card today, I was lucky enough to see you demonstrate this technique at ST in Leeds and was amazed how a few blobs of mica powder can turn into a rainbow of colours and produce a stunning background... BRILLIANT!
    Thank you for sharing your holiday pictures you appear to have had a good time with Kathryn.
    Will pop back later to see who the lucky winners are!
    Love Janet x
    from Wakefield

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  4. Good morning Julia, A lovely, sparkling card today . Beautiful pictures of a well deserved holiday,thank you for sharing. Shall tune in again later to see who were the lucky winners .You sure are a busy bee Julia !! Take care Jane B.

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  5. Brilliant photoes julia looks like you and Katherine had a ball beautiful card today love June xxxxxhorrocks

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  6. Morning Julia,
    Lovey card. Thanks for sharing your holiday photos, we had a wonderful cruise around the Greek Isles a few year back, a wonderful holiday. So many memories.
    Lydia
    X

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  7. Hi Julia, Lovely card and you have used my favourite colour combination. Looks like you had a super holiday. Your photos of Santorini reminded me of my son's wedding there 7 years ago. He got married at sunset in a vineyard and the reception was on a terrace overlooking the sea as in your photos. Lovely memories, it's a very pretty place isn't it? SueL x

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  8. Hi JUlia
    Beautiful card today, and do love that colour combination of Mica powder.
    Thank you for sharing your lovely holidays with us, it certainly beautiful and all that lovely warm sun shine too.Looks very inviting too.....xxxx

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  9. Beautiful card today Julia. Thank you for sharing your holiday photos, looks like you had a great time.
    Rosemary xx

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  10. Pretty card today Julia, my sis is going to Santorini later this year, your photos are stunning so I'm sure she will enjoy her Greek Island trip as much as you seem to have done.
    Lynne x

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  11. Whew!!
    Glad you had a good break Julia. I'm sure you needed it.
    Today's card is lovely, as usual.

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  12. love the pictures,nice holiday ,Laura O

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  13. I really like this technique Julia, so effective. A lovely card, thank you.Xx

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  14. Hi Julia, a gorgeous card and great photos.
    Nancyd xx

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  15. Beautiful card Julia, looks like a fab time had by all on your hols, beautiful place.

    Love & Hugs

    Jacquie J xxx
    http://jewelscardcraft.blogspot.co.uk/

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  16. Lovely holiday, and a beautiful card :)

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  17. Hi Julia

    Beautiful card so elegant. Loving the holiday pics looks stunning the Greek Isles are gorgeous and the food yummy!!!!!!!!
    I have just put my order in for a couple of the new Christmas dies (early Birthday gift) :-)

    Hugs Annx

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  18. Hi Julia, lovely pretty card today an your holiday photos are great. Take Care Melody xXx

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  19. Another beautiful card Julie - I love this technique and really do need to try it out some day.

    Your holiday snaps are amazing, it looks a very beautiful place.

    Have a great day
    Love Tracey, Hull
    xx

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  20. Hello Julia and all.

    I can understand why the background is such a popular demo, it's lovely. I really like the layered frame look and the Pierced Delight die is so pretty. Thanks for sharing.

    I pleased you had a nice time, it looks like you picked the right time with the financial crisis getting worse. It looks like a busy time for demo's

    Best wishes.

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  21. Hi Julia, so glad you had a great holiday. This card is beautiful too. X Ros

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  22. Hi Julia, love today's card. This is a background that always looks stunning. Looks like you had a great vacation. Have always wanted to go to Greece so it was so nice to see all your wonderful pictures. Congratulations on working with Phil Martin. Am sure you will make a great team. Have a wonderful day.

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  23. Hi Julia.
    A lovely card, Brilliant holiday photos, so glad you had a good time. Take care Kitty.

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  24. A stunning card for me to enjoy this morning here in the US, love the colors. Would love to see a demo on the mica powders, etc.
    Enjoyed the vacation photos, a place I would love to go. My sister actually lived in Glyfada (not sure if I spelled it correctly), Greece many years ago, and I kick myself all the time I didn't go visit her while she was there. The kids were small and it seemed other things took precedence, but looking back, I wish I'd given it more importance. So, take it from me, if you ever get the chance, go for it! Someday you'll be glad you did, and life in the end is made up of memories, go make some!

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  25. Lovely photos and card xx hazel

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  27. Hi Julia your card is gorgeous. I love the photos from your holiday. Your daughter looks so happy it must have been a wonderful time for you both. Hugs Jackie

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  28. Your holiday photos look fantastic you must have had a great time the card is fab too xxx

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  29. Love that background, must try it. Glad you had a good holiday.

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  30. Hi Julia,I love this card & was so lucky too watch you demo it last Saturday at JC creations Maidstone. It is so pretty in real life.
    Your holiday picture are gorgeous,& I also saw your sun tan haha.
    Hug's Lynda Brock xx

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  31. Gorgous card...very morocccon style! Love it

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