Disrupted weekend thanks to some theives

Hi Bloggers,

Sorry, no card today. Bit behind today as I spent yesterday late afternoon and evening driving from Milton Keynes to Brecon in Wales and back. My husband and son are having a little holiday down there and were having a great time. They had just had a game of squash at Brecon Leisure Centre and when they went to their locker they found that all of their valuables had been stolen - phones, wallets, keys and an ipod touch. You can imagine how they felt.

So, they had no money and they couldn't get into the car. They were able to get a little emergency cash from the bank. The RAC wouldn't come out and help as it wasn't a breakdown - thanks!

It was left to me to drive 3 hours to give them the spare car key and take them some cash and pay for the B&B. I stayed for dinner and then drove back so that the house was manned until we can change the locks.

The hassle this sort of thing causes is enormous - cancelling cards, replacing id cards, driving licences, insurance claims, etc. I doubt very much if the thieves will be caught. Nasty people.

On Friday, my daughter and I had a lovely shopping day in Oxford. But, you know, even this was spoiled by seeing a group of 3 girls in Primark who were deliberately picking clothes of the rails and dropping them on the floor and then running their arms across the t-shirt shelves so that they all fell on the floor. What a horrid thing to do!

These actions really make me sad and concerned for our future society.

Will be back with a card tomorrow - promise!

Julia

Shrink Plastic Shoes

Hi Bloggers.

Couldn't resist sharing this card with you today. It's one of the samples I'm made for my next show on Create & Craft. It's black & white which I love as it means I don't have to do any colouring!

I sanded some white shrink plastic and stamped the three shoes from the Creative Expressions Steampunk Shoes Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival. I actually put it aside to dry so I could do something else.

For the background I inked through the Metal Effect Mask with Black Soot Distress Ink using Cut & Dry Foam. As Distress Ink stays wet for a while I was able to sprinkle some Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder over the top and heat set it. I did re-apply the ink and the embossing powder to create more of a tile effect. I then edged the whole piece with a little Black Soot.

I cut 2 pieces of white using the Spellbinders Labels One Small and 1 piece from black. Each time, at the emboss stage, I added the Woodgrain Mask. Remember to keep the cutting edge of the die away from the mask.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Fancy Tags and inked with Black Soot while still in the die.

I carefully cut out my shoes from the shrink plastic leaving a small white border all around the edge. I also made sure that I didn't go far up the heel as experience tells me that little thin bits can be a problem. I used my heat gun on a low setting to shrink the shoes and flattened each one with an acrylic block.

I assembled the card as shown and added a Black Glass Glintz in each corner.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Flower Tutorial

Hi Bloggers.

Today I have a video tutorial to share with you. Melanie asked if I could explain how to make flowers from the Creative Expressions Floral Embossing Folder so I have recorded my very first video tutorial. Hope it's useful.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

Simply Fabulous

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing this card -

I put a 6 1/2 inch square piece of white card through the Grand Calibur with the Spellbinders Elite M-Bossabilities Folder. I passed it through a second time to extend the pattern.

I cut the frame and the border from the Spellbinders Antique Frames and Accents out of black card. I inked through the dies with Perfect Medium and Cut & Dry Foam. I carefully removed the card from the dies and added Cosmic Shimmer Silver Shine Metallic Embossing Powder. I heat set it with my heat tool.

I cut the mirror frame again out of silver mirri card and used the centre piece as my 'mirror' in the original frame.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Stylish Ladies Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Folder. I coloured the lady in with a mix of mica and matt drawing inks (there are some available in my Amazon Store). I cut her out with my scissors and popped her on the card next to the mirror.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using the Black Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Four and inked with Black Soot Distress Ink while still in the die.

I tied a messy bow with Black Vintage Ribbon and added a button that I got from Sam Poole here.

I assembled the card as shown and added some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Silver Lustre.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

If Love is Blind .....

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing this card -

I'm not entirely happy with this card but I thought I'd post it anyway as it may appeal to some of you.

For the background I embossed some ivory card with the Creative Expressions Fauna Embossing Folder. I then inked it with Tea Dye and Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I distressed the edges with my scissors and then went around the edge with Vintage Photo.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Vintage Lingerie Stamp Set using Sepia Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Lacey Ovals. I inked with Tea Dye Distress Ink while still in the die.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using the Sepia Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Two and inked through the die with Tea Dye Distress Ink.

I cut two borders using the Spellbinders Edgeablilities Classic Triple Scallop. I added these to the bottom half of the card. I ruffled some Vintage Ribbon in Amber Brown along the top of the borders. I made a messy bow from 2 lengths of the ribbon and added another bow made from the Earthtones Baker's Twine Set. I finished it off with a brown zipper rose.

I finished my card by adding some dot of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Choco Brown.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Tres Chic Easel Card

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing an easel card with you that I got half way through demonstrating on the Tool Shed show the week before last.

I used the largest Spellbinders Labels Seventeen die to create a card blank out of ivory card and then scored across about half way where the label flares out a bit. I then cut another Labels Seventeen from the largest die and inked around the edges with Crushed Olive Distress Ink while still in the die. I added this to the front panel of the easel card blank.

Next I cut the next size down of Labels Seventeen from some patterned paper. I cut another Labels Seventeen of the same size from another patterned paper. I inked around the edges of the patterned papers while still in the die with the Crushed Olive Distress Ink.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Vintage Dressforms Stamp Set using Sepia Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Four and inked with the Crushed Olive while still in the die.

I cut one of the patterned papers in half and added it to the bottom of the easel card. I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using the Sepia Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I cut it out using one of the Spellbinders Ribbon Tag Trio dies and inked with the Crushed Olive while still in the die.

I assembled the card as shown using the sentiment as the stopper.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

And the Winner Is .......

Hi Bloggers,

The winner of the card in Friday's Post is ....

Number 5 - Melanie

Could you please email your address to juliawattscrafts@gmail.com and I'll get the card sent out to you.

Julia

Birthday Wishes

Hi Bloggers.

I'm back from Hayling Island. We had a great time - exhausting but great. We met some lovely crafters and had some really kind comments about our workshop which makes it all worthwhile. Really sorry, I have no photos as I forgot to take my camera. I'm sure there will be some floating around on the internet already!

Here is today's card. Unfortunately, it never made it to the demo table as we ran out of time when I did the recent Spellbinders shows.

I have made a similar card to this before in this post but I've changed the colours and added some more layers.

I embossed a square piece of white card with the Spellbinders Elite M-Bossabilities Folder. I ran it through a second time to extend the pattern. I cut 2 large motifs from the Persian Motifs set - 1 out of grey card and 1 out of yellow card. I matted the yellow one on top of the grey one turning it slightly.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Beautiful Wishes Stamp Set on to yellow card using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using a die from the Persian Accents die set. I cut another of the same accent pieces out of grey card. I mounted the yellow piece with the sentiment on top of the grey piece, again turning it slightly. I mounted these two pieces on top of the first two using 3D foam.

I cut 2 small accent pieces from the Persian Accents set out of yellow card and 2 out of grey. I used these as corners, adding a pearl gem in the middle.

I tied a bow from 2 lengths of Nickle Mist Vintage Ribbon. I cut another small accent piece from the Persian Accents set and popped it in the centre of the bow. I threaded a yellow button from my stash with some Baker's Twine from the Primary Set and popped it on top of the accent piece.

Hope you like this simple layout which can be adapted for many occasions.

Pop back later to find out who has won the card from Friday's post.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

Demo Card Give Away

Hi Bloggers,

I'm off the Hayling Island today for the Create & Craft Break. I'll be helping 2 other ladies from Creative Expressions run a Spellbinders class. We have 6 groups of 30 people to teach over the weekend.

So, I thought I'd leave you for the weekend with a Giveaway. I made this card on the first show last Saturday and you can read how to make it in this post. The differences in this card are that I used the Spellbinders Picot Edge Circle instead of the Lacey Ovals, Labels Twelve instead of Labels Two and I added a zipper rose instead of one made from Vintage Ribbon.

To win the card, just become a follower (if you're not already) and leave a comment. I'll draw a winner on Monday morning.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend. I may see some of you at Hayling Island?

Julia

Find Reasons To Celebrate

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing another demo card from last weeks Spellbinders shows. Great card for a man, I think.

I used a piece of Foundations Argyle paper and cut an aperture out of it using the largest of the Spellbinders Labels Seventeen dies. I turned the piece I cut out over and cut out the next size down of Labels Seventeen. I cut a Labels Thirteen out on the Argyle side of the paper.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Beautiful Wishes Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Labels Three and inked with Black Soot Distress Ink while still in the die.

I cut 2 x Elegant Posts out of black card. I placed these on the card as shown and layered the die cuts on top.

I wrapped some Cotton Hemp Ribbon around the card and tied a knot with another piece.

I finished off the card with some Eco Green Glass Glintz in Black and did some faux stitching all around the edge.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Butterflies Everywhere

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing this card that I didn't get to demo last week.

For this card I used Fancy Pants Girly Girl 12 x 12 paper. I cut the largest of the Spellbinders Nested Butterflies Two from the paper and inked through the die with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink. I used the reverse side of the paper and cut out the largest of the Butterflies Circles. Again I inked through the die with the Aged Mahogany. When I removed the circle from the die I kept all of the little butterflies to use in the background.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Beautiful Wishes Stamp Set using Plum Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using one of the Spellbinders Ribbon Banners dies and again inked with Aged Mahogany while still in the die.

For the background, put some white card inside the Couture Creations Constellations Embossing Folder and ran it through the Grand Calibur. I ran it through a second time to extend the pattern. I then inked it with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink.

I assembled the card as shown adding the little butterflies to the background with a little pearl in the centre of their body. I edged the card with some Cosmic Shimmer PVA in Berry Red.

Below is the card I demonstrated on the show last Thursday evening where I used Labels One in the centre, Bird Flourishes, a little Picot Edge Circle in the top right-hand corner and a border from the Damask Accents die set. The banner is from the same set as before. On this sample I used the Honeycomb Mask instead of the embossing folder.

Hope you like the cards.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Flowers from Leaves

Hi Bloggers.

Today I'm sharing a card that I demonstrated on the Tool Shed show on Sunday.

For the flower, I cut 5 small leaves and 5 leaves the next size up from patterned paper using the Spellbinders Nested Leaves die set. As I was using paper I was able to cut all the layers at once. I cut a large Picot Edge Circle and the smallest one from a contrasting paper. I cut 2 felt leaves from felt using the same die set.

I adhered the large picot edge circle to the backing paper. I shaped all the petals using my bone folder. I put a spot of Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue in the centre and then added the large petals. I added extra glue where needed. I added the smaller petals in the same way. I popped the tiny picot edge circle die cut in the centre on a foam pad and added a pearl. I added a little glue to the leaves and popped them behind the petals as shown.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Beautiful Wishes Stamp Set on to some ivory card using Plum Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using the Spellbinders Ribbon Banners die set. I inked through the die using Aged Mahogany Distress Ink.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Wishing you a Fabulous Day

Hi Bloggers,

Today I have another sample to share with you featuring the Creative Expressions Dressforms Stamp Set.

I stamped the image using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I trimmed the image panel and rounded off the corners. I made a mat from black card.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using Jet Black Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Two. I made a faux nestie from black card.

For the background, I inked through the Trellis Mask with Black Soot Distress Ink. Because Distress Ink stays wet for a while I was able to dust over it with Pearlescent Mica Powder from the Cosmic Shimmer Metallics Mica Spray Set. This gave a lovely sheen to the background. I rounded off the corners and then matted it on to black card.

I stamped the scissors from the stamp set all around the edges of a slightly larger piece of white card using Jet Black Archival.

I assembled the card as shown ruffling some Black Vintage Ribbon down one side, adding a bow and a Black Zipper Rose.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

Ooh La La!

Hi Bloggers,

Here's another of the demo cards from yesterday's shows.

First I dyed some American Seam Binding. I swiped some Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink into my craft sheet and spritzed with some water. I rubbed some American Seam Binding into it picking up all the ink. There were still some white patches so I made sure my craft sheet was dry and then added some more Chipped Sapphire. This time I also added a little Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent Mica Powder from the Metallics set. I spritzed it with a little water and popped the ribbon into it until all the white bits were gone. I scrunched up the dyed ribbon and left it over night to dry. The mica powder adds sparkle to it.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Vintage Lingerie Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I swiped the Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink onto my craft sheet and picked up the ink with a wet paint brush. I used this to colour in the corset excluding the side panels. I added a little Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent Mica Powder to the ink and mixed it together. I used this to colour in the side panels. I allowed it to dry and then cut the image out with scissors. I used a black promarker to go around the edges to hide any white bits from my cutting out.

I cut a large Spellbinders Lacey Oval out of white card. While still in the die I placed a Fretwork Mask from That Special Touch over the card and inked through with Chipped Sapphire using Cut & Dry Foam. As the Distress Ink stays wet for a while, I was able to dust all over with the Pearlescent Mica Powder.

For the background I inked through a Small Polka Dots Mask from That Special Touch with the Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink using Cut & Dry Foam. Once the mask was removed I then inked around the edges with the Chipped Sapphire. I stamped the corner stamp from the stamp set in the top 2 corners using the Chipped Sapphire and also stamped the sentiment at the bottom of the card.

I assembled the card as shown adding some dots of Cosmic Shimmer White Pearlescent PVA around the edges and a Blue Zipper Rose.

Hope you like the card.

I'm due on Create & Craft today at 12noon in the Tool Shed with Spellbinders dies. Hope you can join me.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Good Friends Never Go Out of Style

Hi Bloggers,

This is hopefully one of the cards that I'll be demonstrating today on Create & Craft (details and times in left-hand side bar).

I ran a 7 1/2 inch square piece of Kraftcore card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Vintage Dressmaker Embossing Folder. I sanded the embossed image to reveal the core. This is such a lovely folder and works really well on card that is bigger than the folder. I will have some of Sue's samples on the show that use this folder too.

I stamped 3 of the Dressforms from the Creative Expressions Antique Dressforms Stamp Set onto Kraft Card using Sepia Archival. I cut them out leaving a slight border all round (makes it so much easier to cut out!). I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again in Sepia Archival. I cut it out with an Oval Nestie and inked with Vintage Photo Distress Ink while still in the die.

I stamped the scissors from the stamp set using the Sepia Archival onto some American Seam Binding. I tied a bow with 2 lengths of it and kept another piece to run across the card. I spritzed the bow and the spare piece with the Cosmic Shimmer Vintage Mist in Tarnished Gold. I tied another bow using 2 colours of Baker's Twine from the Earthtones Set.

I assembled the card as shown and added a Tan Zipper Rose.

Hope you can join me today for the shows.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Our Friendship is Tailormade

Hi Bloggers,

Today's post features the Creative Expressions Antique Dressforms Stamp set. This is one of the stamp sets that will be in the shows on Create & Craft tomorrow at 11am and 4pm. Hope you can join me.

I stamped the image using Crushed Olive Distress Ink. I used a damp paintbrush to pull some of the colour out on the leaves. I cut the image out using an oval nestie and inked with Dusty Concord Distress Ink while still in the die. I cut a mat from navy card using a scalloped oval nestie.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using Crushed Olive Distress Ink and cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Two and made a faux nestie out of navy card.

For the background I inked up a piece of ivory card with Dusty Concord, Crushed Olive and Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink. I spritzed some water into my hand and splattered it over the card. I dried with a heat gun and then splatted some lemon juice onto the card. I heat set the splats (it takes a while for them to turn brown. I then spritzed one of the dressform stamps with water and stamped them in a line across the card (you can just about make them out.

I assembled the card as shown adding some ruffled Vintage Ribbon in Sulphur Blue and a bow made from a length of Sulphur Blue and a length of Moss Green Vintage Ribbon. I topped the bow off with a button from my stash threaded with some Baker's Twine from the Primary Set.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

True Friend

Hi Bloggers,

Here's a card that was a demo on yesterday's Spellbinders Show.

I cut the largest and the next largest of the Picot Edge Circles out of black card. I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Beautiful Wishes Stamp Set onto white card using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using the second largest of the Picot Edge Circles and cut another large circle out of white card. I glued the two large circle die cuts on top of each other, twisting slightly and did the same with the two smaller ones.

I cut a large Fleur de Lis Rectangle out of white card and at the emboss stage I added a Trellis Mask (remember to keep the cut side of the die away from the mask).

I made the flowers from the second smallest Picot Edge Circle (I showed how to make it in the show). The 'leaves' are cut from the Bird Flourishes die set. The corners are cut from Banner Basics Three.

I assembled the card as shown. I added some Black Vintage Ribbon, a fab button that I bought from Sam Poole's shop and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in black all around the edge. The backing paper is Junkitz Basics Floral Black.

Hope you can join me this evening at 7pm for another Spellbinders Show on Create & Craft.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Just a Note

Hi Bloggers,

I'm scheduled to do a Spellbinders show today on Ideal World at 9am. This is the one of the demos - easy peasy to get in to the swing of things early in the morning (I know 9am isn't that early but I left the house at 5.30am!).

I folded an A5 piece of card in half. I popped the largest of Labels Twelve up against the fold with the one edge 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 used the largest die and 3 sizes down to cut a frame. At the emboss stage I added the Small Polka Dots Mask (remember to have the die cutting edge away from the mask). I inked through the die with Dusty Concord Distress Ink.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Beautiful Wishes Stamp Set (on the shows on Saturday) using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using the smallest but one of the Labels Twelve dies. I inked with Dusty Concord while still in the die.

I stuck the frame to the base card with 3D foam and fixed the sentiment in the centre flat. I added a bow tied with American Seam Binding in Blue White and the little card was complete.

Hope you can join me today on Ideal World at 9am. I have another Spellbinders show tomorrow evening on Create & Craft at 7pm.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Three in a Row

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing this card made using the Creative Expressions Vintage Lingerie Stamp Set. It happens to fit in with the Allsorts Challenge Blog theme this week which is Three in a Row. It's been a while since I've entered a challenge so I thought I'd share this card on there.

I embossed a piece of purple card using the Couture Creations Constellations Embossing Folder. I went over it with Black Soot Distress Ink and Cut & Dry Foam.

I stamped all 3 of the corsets from the stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut 2 of the corsets out using Spellbinders Curved Rectangles and inked with Dusty Concord Distress Ink while still in the die. I swiped the ink pad onto my craft sheet and picked the ink up with a wet paint brush. I used this to colour in the 2 die cut corsets.

I cut the 3rd corset out with scissors. I carefully went around the edge with a black promarker to hide any white bits left from my cutting out. I used Dusty Concord and a paint brush to add a few highlights to the image.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using the Jet Black Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I edged it with a little Dusty Concord and matted it on to some black card.

I wrapped some Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set around the card.

I assembled the card as shown and added a Black Glass Glintz in each corner.

I hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Pink and Black - Naughty or Nice?

Hi Bloggers,

Back with the new Spellbinders dies today. In this card I'm using them with the new Creative Expressions Vintage Lingerie Stamp Set. This is my favourite image from the set. The layout is very similar the the one I used in this post.

For the background, I ran a piece of white card through the Grand Calibur with the Spellbinders M-Bossibilities Folder - Regal. I ran it through a second time to extend the pattern.

I cut the largest of the Romantic Rectangles out of pink card and added the Trellis Mask at the embossing step.

I cut the largest of the Splendid Circles out of black card and 2 corners from the Lattice Accents set (also in black). I cut 2 leaves from the Damask Accents set in pink and 2 in black.

I stamped the corset using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. The flower on the corset is actually coloured in using the Cosmic Shimmer Vintage Mist in Antique Rose. I just spritzed some on a tile and picked it up with a paint brush. I could have used Spun Sugar Distress Ink but the mister gave a lovely shimmer. I added a ruffle at the base of the corset using pink vintage ribbon (I will show how to do this on one of the shows on March 24th).

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using Jet Black Archival and embossed with clear powder. I cut it out using the Spellbinders Antique Frames and Accents. I inked through the die with Spun Sugar Distress Ink while still in the die. I added some Baker's Twine from the new Vintage Set.

I made a flower out of felt (which I bought from Sam Poole) using Spellbinders Spiral Blossom One. I made another flower out of black card using Spellbinders Spiral Blossom Two. My third flower is a Creative Expressions Zipper Rose.

I assembled the card as shown.

Hope you like it. Thanks for stopping by.

Julia