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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Something a bit different

Hi Bloggers.

First, thank you for your lovely comments about the shows on Saturday. Sometimes I worry that I'm having a bit too much fun and not getting on with the demos but they do wind me up a bit especially the chap upstairs who kept putting music on every time I used the Grand Calibur in the 7pm show. And I did have to use it a lot as the show (well, actually all the shows) were heavy on demos rather than looking at all the products on sale. He did that last week too. I think that'll be his thing whenever he works on a show that I'm doing. Something to look forward to!

Today I'm giving you a sneeky peek of the kind of thing I'll be doing on my stamping shows later this month. I'm doing the latest batch of Ethel & Murray stamps from Sue Wilson's RubberNecker stable. They were first released last year hand have been on Create & Craft once before.

Some of you may find this card a bit dark - I'm not sure if I like it myself or not.

This is Ethel. Her tattoo is a bit saggy as she's getting on a bit. Poor thing!



I started with the background. I ran a piece of Kraftcore card though the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Radiant Embossing Folder. I ran it through a second time to extend the pattern. I sanded it to make the design stand out a bit more. You can see the background a bit better in some of the close-ups below.

I stamped Ethel from the Creative Expressions Ethel & Friends Stamp Set using Cobalt Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut her out using Spellbinders Labels Four Small and inked through the die with Faded Jeans Distress Ink using Cut & Dry Foam. I cut a mount out of cobalt card using Labels Four.

I cut a couple of Elegant Posts out of cobalt card, chopped off the end bits and glued them either side of my background. I popped Ethel on her mount in the middle.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using the Cobalt Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I cut it out using Spellbinder Ribbon Banners and inked through the die with Faded Jeans.



For the border at the top, I cut a border out of Foundations Dot and Dash Paper using the Edgeabilities Classic Bracket, a border out of the Edgeabilities Classic Ric Rac and then another border out of bright blue card using the Classic Bracket again. I added a few blue gems across the top. I glued these together with Cosmic Shimmer Glue and then mounted them onto my card using 3d foam.



I tied a bow using 2 lengths of Royal Blue American Seam Binding. I added a Playhouse Posie to the centre and then a navy button with some Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set. I added a couple of pins from the Playhouse and Sassy sets that I'm hoping to have on the show.



I finished the card off with some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Summer Blue Pearlescent PVA around the edges.

If nothing else, I hope this card shows that you can make a card with a stamped image without colouring it in.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

A couple more boxes to share

Hi Bloggers.

Thanks to everyone who watched the shows yesterday and took the time to email in. Sorry all the emails weren't read out.

Today I thought I'd share another couple of Hexagon Pinwheel Top Boxes that I knocked up Friday afternoon after reading your comments on that day's post.

The first is made with ivory pearlescent card so I think would be suitable for a wedding. I have embossed the embellishments panels with the Couture Creations Wild Poinsettia Embossing Folder.



The second is a Christmas Tree ornament as suggested by Cornish Emma on Friday's Post - thank you, Emma. I have made 2 boxes out of beautiful Shimmerlux Card available from Creative Expressions Stockists. Instead of using the panels provided in the die set, I have embellished each panel with a snowflake cut from Spellbinders Create-a-Flake and inked through the die with Faded Jeans Distress Ink.



I folded some Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set in half and secured it behind one of the boxes with some super sticky tape. I then glued the 2 boxes together back-to-back with Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue. Sorry about the quality of this pic.



Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Winner of Demo Card

Hi Bloggers,

Nearly forgot to do the draw for the demo card - thanks for reminding me Wilma.

The winner is........

No. 6 - Hazel

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

Loved reading your Top 3 dies - it is hard picking them. I think my top 3 are - Foliage, Damask Accents and Floral Ovals. But it may be different tomorrow!

Today's card post is below this post.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

Our Friendship is Tailormade

Hi Bloggers,

Today I'm sharing this card which I am hoping to demonstrate in the 7pm show today -

For the background I added some Tea Dye Distress Ink to one side of the Couture Creations Constellation Embossing Folder. I then placed a piece of white card on the clean side of the folder and closed it. I brayered over the top of the folder to transfer the ink to the card. I added some Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder and heat set. I then put it inside the Couture Creations Wild Poinsettia Embossing Folder and put it through the Grand Calibur. I used Scattered Straw Distress Ink and Cut & Dry Foam to make the Wild Poinsettia design 'pop' out. Hopefully, the cameras at the studio will be able to show this up well as it looks really good up close. I've shared this technique before in this post and this post. There's a slight difference in the older posts as I used a mask in the 2nd stage rather than another embossing folder as I did here.

I used 2 dies from the Spellbinders Labels One Small set to cut out a frame from the top of the background. I put the frame aside to use on another project.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Antique Dressforms Stamp Set onto khaki card using Coffee Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out leaving a small border all the way round.

I stamped the sentiment from the same same set again using Coffee Archival and embossed with clear powder. I cut it out using Ribbon Tags Trio Three and inked with Tea Dye while still in the die. I threaded some Amber Brown Vintage Ribbon through the sentiment and secured it at the back of the background.

I cut a border out of Foundations Paper using Banner Basics Three and added it to the top of the background.

I cut a couple of Elegant Posts out of brown card and popped them either side of my Labels One die cut.

I assembled the card as shown adding some Cosmic Shimmer Golden Pearl Pearlescent PVA in the spaces in the Banner Basics Border and all around the edges.

Hope you can join me today at 11am, 1pm and 7pm on Create & Craft.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Hexagon Pinwheel Top Box

Hi Bloggers.

Today I thought I'd share some boxes with you. The Hexagon Pinwheel Top Box is on the shows tomorrow. I'm really quite fond of this box as it needs no glue in its simplest form.

When it comes out of the Grand Calibur, having been cut and then embossed, you just need to fold along all the embossed lines.



Hold two of the sides together



Then slot the 3rd piece under the 'petal' of the other 2



Slot the 4th piece under the 'petal' of the other 3



Slot the 5th piece under the 'petal of the other 4



Finally, slot the 6th piece under the petal of the other 5. Make sure the bottom part of this piece slides under the bottom part of the first piece.



So that's it in it's simplest form. I can see this being gorgeous in white or ivory pearlescent card for wedding favours. Can you image how much money you would save or earn if you made these for a wedding?

The die pack also comes with 6 panels to stick on each side and a tag.

Here's some other versions -



In the one above I used some Creative Expressions double-sided patterned paper. I cut the embellishment panels from the other side of the paper. Hoping to have this paper on my next stamping show on 25th June.



In the one above I added the Couture Creations Houndstooth Embossing Folder at the emboss stage for the embellishment panels.



On the last one I added panels of patterned paper (think it's Basic Grey - only had a scrap left) as the embellishment for a Christmas box. I also stamped a sentiment and used the little tag die in the set to cut it out. I finished it off with a little Moss Green Vintage Ribbon.

Hope you like this little box too. It measures approx 7.5cm across the base.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Tri-fold Dressforms

Hi Bloggers.

Today's card is a variation of the one in this post. The difference between them is the colour (obviously), the dies used and the embossing folder. I doubt if I'll get to demo this as it just uses a couple of dies but I thought I'd share it so you can see it in a different colour.



The two side panels are the same size and the middle panel is slightly larger. This seemed to work well with the blue version so I went for the same layout with this one.

The fancy edge at the top of the card is created using the Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Bracket with a decorative insert from the Classic Ric Rac Edgeabilities. The border at the bottom is created using another insert from the Classic Ric Rac Edgeabilities. I inked all over with Tea Dye Distress Ink using Cut & Dry Foam.

I ran 3 pieces of milk card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Houndstooth Embossing Folder and inked with Tea Dye. I mounted these onto rust card and added them to my card base.

I stamped three of the dressforms from the Creative Expressions Antique Dressforms Stamp Set onto milk card using Coffee Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut each one out leaving a border around - makes it easier to cut out. I popped one on to each panel using 3D foam.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using Coffee Archival and embossed with clear powder. I cut the sentiment into 3 lines and put one on each panel.

Finally, I threaded some Baker's Twine from the Earthtones Set through the holes in the top and added two bows.

Do you prefer the blue or the brown version?

Christine has the Edgeabilities dies on her shows on Create & Craft today at 11am and 4pm. Join her for more inspiration on these and other Spellbinders dies.

Don't forget that you can still leave a comment for the chance to win a demo card on this post.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Tres Chic Easel Card

Morning Bloggers.

Today I'm sharing a simple easel card made with Spellbinders Labels Twenty -Five and the Creative Expressions Antique Dressforms Stamp Set.



For the base card, I folded a piece of milk A4 card in half and put the largest of the Labels Twenty-Five dies so that one edge was overhanging the fold so that it didn't cut in that place. I then ran it through the Grand Calibur a couple of times so that it cut through both layers. I then scored the top half of the card approximately half way and folded.

I cut another piece of milk card from the largest of the dies and inked through the die with Plum Archival using Cut & Dry Foam.

I cut the next smallest size of Labels Twenty-Five from some patterned paper (My Mind's Eye).

I stamped the image from the Antique Dressforms Stamp Set using Plum Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Labels Four and inked through the die with the Plum Archival.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using the Plum Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I cut it out using Ribbon Tags Trio Three and inked through the die with the Plum Archival.

I assembled the card as shown.

There's another simple easel card made using Labels Twenty-Five in this post.

Don't forget to comment on yesterday's post for the chance to win a demo card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Demo Card to Give Away

Hi Bloggers.

There was no draw for this card in the first show last Saturday. I messed up cutting the borders a bit so this card is destined for recycling unless someone wants it. If you'd like it please become a follower (if not already) and leave a comment below. Let's make things a bit more interesting - we all have our favourite Spellbinder dies so I'd like you to tell me what yours is on your comment. And, because it hard to name just one, you can tell me your top 3.

I look forward to finding out what your faves are. I'll draw a name on Friday at 7pm.

Here's the card (hides embarrassment!)



Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

Happy Birthday Sue

Hi Bloggers.

Today is Sue Wilson's birthday. She's away visiting her mom in Florida at the moment so I haven't been able to send her a card but his post is dedicated to her as it's a revamp of the card she made in this post. Happy Birthday Sue!

On my version I have used milk card from the Neutral Card Pack. I have embossed the panels using the Couture Creations Wild Poinsettia Embossing Folder. I added some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Golden Pearl PVA to the centre of the flowers.

My cascading flowers are made from the Spellbinders Rose Creations die set.

The sentiment is from the Creative Expressions Sincere Sentiments stamp set and I've cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Four. I inked through the die with Milled Lavender Distress Ink.

Hope you like my version.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Ooh La La in Black & White

Hi Bloggers.

Thank you to everyone who watched the shows yesterday and to those of you who took the time to email in. Your support is much appreciated. I had a great couple of shows with Genevieve and Jacqui - I hope you enjoyed them.

Today I'm sharing another black and white card. I just love the definition you seem to get from these colours.

For the background I stamped 'Ooh La La!' and a corner motif from the Creative Expressions Vintage Lingerie Stamp Set randomly over a piece of white card using Black Soot Distress Ink. Then I used the Spellbinders Nobility M-Bossability Folder with my Grand Calibur. I ran it through a second time to extend the pattern. I went over the whole area with Black Soot Distress Ink using Cut & Dry Foam.

I cut an insert into a strip of black card using the Edgeabilities Classic Postage Stamp. I threaded some black & white baker's twine through it and added it to my background. I tied a bow using 2 lengths of the Baker's Twine and added it to my border. I cut 2 tassels from Banner Basics Three and added them below my bow.

I cut an Elegant Post from black card and added it to the top left-hand corner of my card. I cut a Labels One Small out of white card and at the emboss stage I added the Basket Wave Mask from That Special Touch. I inked with Black Soot while still in the die. I hung this from my post securing with 3d foam pads. I stamped the corset (my favourite) from the Vintage Lingerie Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out and added it to the Labels One die cut.

I finished the card off with some dots of Cosmic Shimmer White Pearl PVA.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Friendship Part 2

Hi Bloggers.

Today's card is a variation of the card in this post. I thought it was worth sharing as I'm hoping to demonstrate in the first show today at 4pm and it shows how the original layout can be adapted to the dies that are still available in Create & Craft's Spellbinders Diamond Deals.

I cut 2 borders out of cobalt card using the Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Ric Rac for the edge and Classic Postage Stamp for the insert. I glued them to a panel of marine blue card and ruffled some Limoges Blue Vintage Ribbon down the centre.

I used the largest Labels Twenty-Five to cut some cobalt card. At the emboss stage I added the Couture Creations Wild Poinsettia Embossing Folder. The sandwich you need for this is base plate, approx 15 sheets of copy paper, embossing folder - MUST BE OPEN, die with card in it with the cutting edge UP, tan mat, Creative Expressions Embossing Plate. Do not close the folder as the die will cut into it and do make sure the cutting edge is face up away from the folder and into the tan mat.

I used Labels Thirteen with Labels Three on the inside to cut a frame from marine blue card. At the emboss stage I added the Small Polka Dots Mask. The sandwich you need with your Grand Calibur is base plate, tan mat, die with card in it with the cutting edge going into your tan mat, mask, pink embossing plate. I do it this way so I can see where the pattern of the mask is going to be on my die cut. It doesn't matter if the base plate or the pink plate is on the bottom. You must make sure the cutting edge of the die is away from your mask and going into the tan mat.

I cut 4 motifs out of pearlescent silver card using the Damask Motifs die set and added one to each side of my frame. I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Sincere Sentiments stamp set using Cobalt Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I inked around the edges a little with Faded Jeans Distress Ink and popped it behind the aperture in my frame.

I tied a large bow using Ivory/Royal Blue Grosgrain Ribbon and then added another bow made from 2 lengths of the Limoges Blue Vintage Ribbon. To top it off I added another bow made with 2 lengths of Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set. I made a flower using 3 borders cut out of felt using the Banner Basics One die set. I just lined the 3 borders up on my craft sheet, added 12mm Super Sticky Tape to the bottom and made the flower in the same way as the vintage ribbon flower is made in this post on Sue Wilson's Blog. I cut 2 tassels out of cobalt card using Banner Basics One and glued them below the flower on my bow.

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

Hope you can join me today at 4pm and 7pm on Create & Craft.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia