Age and Treachery

Hi Bloggers.

In today's card, I think Ethel is looking really scary. She reminds me of my English teacher at Senior school. However, I must say that my teacher never turned up to class in her slippers!

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Ethel & Friends Stamp Set using Coffee Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured the image in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using Coffee Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder.

I tied a bow using a length of each of Rose Petal and Sky Blue American Seam Binding. I spritzed it with water, scrunched it up a bit and then dried it with my heat gun. I added a Fashion Sense Sassy Posie (on show tomorrow), a blue button from my stash with some Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set tied through it and a couple of Fashion Sense Sassy Pins (also on show tomorrow).

I assembled the card as shown. The backing paper is both sides of some Creative Expressions Foundations Paper (on show tomorrow). I added some Pink Glass Glintz and also some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Summer Blue.

Hope you like the card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Golfing all in Blue

Hi Bloggers.

Another golfing with Ethel & Murray card today. All in blue, image not coloured in just to show that you don't need to colour in if you don't want to.

I stamped the image and the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Fore Stamp Set using Cobalt Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I edged both panels with Faded Jeans Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam and then mounted them on to some Deep Blue Card.

For the background, I ran a piece of 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 inked all over with Faded Jeans using Cut n Dry.

I ran a piece of 6mm Hi Tack Tape along the right-hand side of the background and ruffled some Royal Blue American Seam Binding along it. I ran another piece of Hi Tack Tape near to it and ruffled some Sky Blue American Seam Binding along it.

I assembled the card as show adding some buttons to the American Seam Binding border and some faux stitching around the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

A Well Adjusted Woman

Hi Bloggers.

Given the sentiment on this card, I think that Ethel is on her way to the Supermarket to trade Murray in for something else! This is the smallest card I've made with the stamp sets. I think it suits the DL size really well. Easy peasy!

I stamped the image and the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Well Adjusted Women Stamp set using Cobalt Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured the image in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks. I mounted both panels on to some cobalt card.

I ran a piece of brown card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Houndstooth Embossing Folder.

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

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Sanity

Hi Bloggers.

The times for the shows on Friday are 1pm and 7pm. It looks like one of the shows is scheduled to be repeated at 10pm. There are also some repeats of the Grand Calibur Blockbuster Shows scheduled for Midnignt, 6am and 8pm. As always, this is subject to change.

Today's card is quite a large one - almost A4 in size! I had intended it to be a DL card but it kept on growing. Good size if some one in your office has a birthday as plenty of space for signing.

I started by stamping the images (all from the Creative Expressions Well Adjusted Women Stamp Set) using Coffee Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured the images in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks. I then cut them out using the second largest Spellbinders Splendid Circles dies. I removed the images from the dies and then inked around the edges with Dusty Concord Distress Ink.

I ran a piece of lilac card through the Grand Calibur with the Creative Expressions Floral Embossing Folder. I ran it through a couple of extra times to extend the pattern. I then inked around the edges of the panel with Dusty Concord and popped the images along it using 3D foam pads.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using Coffee Archival and embossed with clear powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Fourteen and inked around the edges with Dusty Concord while still in the die.

I used a piece of Foundations Floral Dream Backing Paper and ran a piece of 6mm Hi Tack Tape along the bottom section. I ruffled some Mauve Rose American Seam Binding along it, leaving a gap where the sentiment was to go. I mounted the sentiment in the gap with 3d foam pads. I tied a bow with 3 lengths of the American Seam Binding. I spritzed the bow with water, scrunched it up and then dried it. I tied a bow with 2 lengths of some fancy wool I've had for ages and added that to my bow. I topped the bows with a Creative Expressions Medium Round Dazzler.

I assembled the card as shown adding some paper piercing with my Tim Holtz Design Ruler round the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Another Birthday

Hi Bloggers.

This is one of my favourite cards that I've made using the Ethel & Murray stamps. I think the golfing sets are just great for men cards. It's not a complicated card at all. I think the colours just appeal to me.

For the background I cut 2 pieces of colourcore, each measuring 6" x 3". I popped the green piece into the Couture Creations Houndstooth Embossing Folder and the mustard piece into the Creative Expressions Bark Embossing Folder. I popped them both through the Grand Calibur. Because of the A4 plate, I was able to put both folders through at the same time. I sanded both pieces to reveal the core. I joined them together at the back with a bit of ds tape and then wrapped a piece of London Tan American Seam Binding around it to hide the join. I mounted it on to some rust 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 Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Twenty Two. I inked through the die with Peeled Paint Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using Coffee Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I edged it with Peeled Paint.

I assembled the card as shown adding a few buttons from my stash and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Choco Brown.

Hope you like this card as much as I do.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Grandchildren

Hi Bloggers.

Today I'm going all red, white & blue with Ethel and Murray. Neither of them look very happy in this image!

For the background I popped some white card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Cultivated Embossing Folder. I put it through a second time to extend the pattern. I inked all over with Barn Door Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Wrinkles Don't Hurt Stamp Set using Cobalt Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured the image in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks. I cut it out using Spellbinders Classic Squares Large and inked around the edges with Faded Jeans Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam while still in the die. I cut a mat out of cobalt card using Spellbinders Eyelet Squares.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using Cobalt Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I inked around the edges with Faded Jeans and mounted it on to some cobalt card.

I cut a 1" strip of cobalt card and cut a pattern in it using the Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Postage Stamp. I glued a strip of red card behind it. I tied a bow using 2 lengths of Royal Blue American Seam Binding and added a Playhouse Posie and button to the centre. I added a couple of Playhouse Pins to the back of the bow.

I finished the card off by piercing around the edges with my Tim Holtz Design Ruler.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

New Products in My Amazon Store

Hi Bloggers.

I have the following products now in stock at my Amazon Store -

A4 Card - Milk
A4 Card - Coconut White
Creative Expressions Ethel & Murray Stamp Set - Fore
Creative Expressions Ethel & Murray Stamp Set - Playing Through

I also have a small stock of some brand new designs from Sue Wilson ahead of them being on TV next month -

Creative Expressions Stamp Set - Gala Event
Creative Expressions Stamp Set - Dandelion Wishes
Creative Expressions Stamp Set - At the Ballet

Aren't they gorgeous new stamps?

All for now.

Julia

Smiley Face

Hi Bloggers.

Ethel and her sagging tattoo are making an appearance today. Bit more of a glamourous setting here than in this post. Let's see if I can sway some of you a bit more!

For the background, I ran a piece of white card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Venus Crest Embossing Folder. I ran it through a second time to extend the pattern and then inked around the edges with Worn Lipstick Distress Ink.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Ethel & Friends Stamp Set using Cobalt Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured her in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks and then cut her out.

I cut a Spellbinders Lattice Motif (designed by Sue Wilson) out of silver mirri card. I mounted Ethel onto it using 3d foam pads.

I made a flower out of Rose Petal American Seam Binding (see Sue's tutorial here), another flower using the Creative Expressions Floral Embossing Folder (see my tutorial here) and the final flower is made from a couple of the Fashion Sense Sassy Posies that will be on the shows next week. I also added a button with some Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set through it. I added the flowers to the card and also some Creative Expressions Black Rhinestone Swirls.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using the cobalt archival and embossed with the clear powder. I mounted it onto some pink card and added it to the card using 3d foam pads.

I finished the card off with some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Vintage Pink around the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

Poor Ethel!

Hi Bloggers.

As you've probably guessed from the title, we're back to Ethel & Murray today. I have a date for the show for early July but not confirmed yet. I'll update the sidebar as soon as I know for definite.

Here's today's card -

Poor Ethel has been hit with a golf ball! It seems that Murray's not as good at golf as he thinks he is - sound familiar to anyone?

The backing paper is from Paper Cellar. I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Fore Stamp Set using Coffee Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks. I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using Coffee Archival and embossed with clear powder. I didn't ink around the image and sentiment panels on this one as I wanted it to look clean.

I cut 2 x 1" wide strips of Creative Expressions Foundations Paper and cut a pattern in it using Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Postage Stamp.

I assembled the card as shown. I pierced around the edges with my Tim Holtz Design Ruler and added some buttons from my stash threaded with Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set.

I've had some enquiries about the golf stamps in this series so I've ordered some for my Amazon Store - will let you know when they arrive.

Also, if you're reading this post early enough, one of the shows from last Friday is being repeated at 7am today.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Bauble Tag

Hi Bloggers.

This is the last Christmassy project I have to share for the time being. It's a very simple tag made with the Spellbinders 2010 Heirloom Ornament die set.



So,just layered the 3 largest sizes from the die set. The pattered paper is from Making Memories from a few years ago. The card is from Creative Expressions, it's called Shimmerlux - gorgeous. The sentiment is from the Creative Expressions Winter Greetings Stamp Set. I punched a hole in the top and added some Baker's Twine.

Quick and easy. You could very quickly make a batch of these ready for Christmas. Great for the kids to do. You could also put 2 together and hang on the tree.

Hope I've given you a few ideas.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Shaped Christmas Card

Hi Bloggers.

Today I thought I'd share a shaped Christmas card that I demonstrated in the 8pm show last Friday. It doesn't stand up exactly straight as the tree is shaped at the bottom. You could also use it as a tag.



I folded an A5 piece of white card in half. I popped the largest of the Spellbinders 2010 Holiday Tree dies up against the fold with the left-hand bottom two edges 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 ran another piece of white card with the same die through the Grand Calibur. With the card still in the die, I stamped a sprig from the Creative Expressions Snowflakes and Sprigs stamp set using Pine Needles Distress Ink around the edges. Keeping the card still in the die, I then inked with Pine Needles using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Winter Greetings Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using one of the larger bauble dies from the Spellbinders Holiday Tags die set. I inked with Pine Needles while still in the die. I added a bow of Baker's Twine from the Earthtones set.

You could make lots of these with different distress inks. In the show, I made one with Tea Dye Distress Ink.

I see that Create & Craft are repeating one of the shows from last Friday at 2am tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. Thought I'd mention it in case you missed the shows.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Greetings of the Season

Hi Bloggers,

Here's today's Christmas card!



I ran a piece of white card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Wild Poinsettia Embossing Folder. The sandwich you need for this is base plate, folder with card inside, tan mat, Creative Expressions Embossing Plate. I popped it through a second time to extend the pattern I inked all over the background with Broken China Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I cut the largest of the Spellbinders 2010 Heirloom Ornament dies out of white card and inked through the die around the edges with Broken China. I cut all the snowflakes out of the Spellbinders Create-A-Flake Three using cobalt, deep blue and white card. I inked through the white one with Broken China. I layered all the snowflakes up with 3D foam and popped them onto the bauble. I cut a piece of white silky crush ribbon in half length-ways and tied a bow. I tied a bow of Baker's Twine out of the Vintage Set and popped that on top. Then I added a Creative Expressions Medium Circle Dazzler.



I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Winter Trees stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using one of the Spellbinders Holiday Tags die set. I inked through the die with Broken China and added a Baker's Twine bow.



I finished the card with some Creative Expressions Self-Adhesive Pearl Swirls and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in white.

Sam Poole is on Create & Craft at 9am and 3pm today. Tune in for some great techniques.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Poinsettia and Holly

Hi Bloggers,

I hope you don't mind me sharing some more Christmas samples from the shows on Friday. I thought it might be good to share as I know some of you will have purchased some or all of the dies.



For the background I popped a piece of white card through the Grand Calibur with the Fretwork mask.

I cut the large motif from the Spellbinders Holly Motif die set and 2 corners from the Holly Accents die set out of green card. I inked through the dies with Pine Needles Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.



I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Winter Greetings stamp set using Perfect Medium and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Bright Gold Metallic Embossing Powder. I cut it out using a die from the Holly Accents die set. I inked through the die again with Pine Needles Distress Ink.



I cut out the 3 smallest of the Layered Poinsettia dies out of red card and the next size out of green card. I inked through all the dies with Pine Needles. I assembled the poinsettia and added a half pearl to the centre.

I assembled the card as shown and added a Creative Expressions Self Adhesive Pearl Swirl.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

NOEL

Hi Bloggers.

Another Christmas card today featuring one of the new dies that's available with the Grand Calibur Blockbuster on Create & Craft. A very simple card but effective I think.



I covered a piece of backing paper (Prima from a few years ago) with some Self Adhesive Film and then added some Creative Expressions Glass Micro Beads.

I cut the Spellbinders 2012 Holiday Tree out of white card. This is a really detailed die and does benefit from including a piece of greaseproof paper between the die and the card. I drew around the die onto some burgundy card to create a mat and glued the die cut on to it using Cosmic Shimmer Glue.

I stamped the letters for NOEL on to some white card using Plum Archival and cut them out using the small dies in the Holiday Tags die set. I inked through the dies with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam. I threaded some Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set through the tags and secured with 3D foam pads.

I assembled the card as shown and added some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Dark Bronze around the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Winner of the Demo Card

Hi Bloggers.

I've just drawn the winner of the demo card giveaway in this post. Bit late again, sorry!

The winner is number 17 - Planetsusie

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

Thanks for all your comments. I really enjoyed reading about your fave card colour combos.

Must dash - have to pack to go to studio.

Please scroll down to the next post to see today's card.

Regards,
Julia.

Think Snow!!

Hi Bloggers.

I know Think Snow is not what we really should be doing at this time of year but let's face it we may get snow very early this year - this is certainly a lousy summer so far except the the occasional warm day.

Anyway, this is a card that I'm hoping to demo in the 2pm show today.



For the background, I've used the Couture Creations Wild Poinsettia Embossing Folder with some white card through the Grand Calibur. I popped it through a second time to extend the pattern. I inked around the edges with Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I cut a 1" strip of cobalt card and used the Spellbinders Classic Ric Rac Edgeabilities to cut an insert in it. I glued a strip of white card behind the pattern. I wrapped a piece of white crochet ribbon around the card and then glued the border on top.

I cut the largest of the Spellbinders 2010 Heirloom Ornament dies out of cobalt card. I then cut 4 of the motifs out of white card using the Spellbinders 2012 Snowflake Pendant die set. I inked through the die on all of them with Chipped Sapphire. On 2 of the motifs I snipped the fancy pointy bits off with my scissors. I then scored across the centre to divide the motif into 6, turned it over and scored in between these sections (I'll show this in the demo). I made a cut along half of one of the lines on each of the trimmed motifs and then concertina folded. I glued them together with Cosmic Shimmer Glue.



I glued one of the complete motifs to the bauble die cut. I added 3d foam to the back of the other one and then put it on top of the first rotating it slightly. I glued the concertina pendants on top. I cut 2 snowflakes (same die set) from white card - these benefit from a bit of greaseproof proof paper between the die and the card. I inked the edges with Chipped Sapphire and added them to the motifs with a few foam pads. I finished off with a half pearl in the centre.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions WInter Greetings Stamp Set using Cobalt Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Ribbon Banners and inked through the die with Chipped Sapphire.



I finished the card off with some Blue Glass Glintz and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in White.

Hope you can join me later on Create & Craft at 2pm and 8pm with Nigel.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Blog Candy Winner

Hi Bloggers.

We've reached 200 followers. My daughter has drawn a winner and that winner is..........

Maria

Please email me at juliawattscrafts@gmail.com to claim your prize.

Please scroll down to the post below for today's card.

Julia.

Joy

Hi Bloggers.

Today I'm sharing a card made with a couple of the dies that are in the Pick of the Day that Sue is doing on Create and Craft today.



I stamped the feather from the Creative Expressions Design Elements Stamp set randomly over a white piece of card using Pine Needles Distress Ink. I dried the ink with my heat gun and then popped the background through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Wild Poinsettia Embossing Folder. I put it through a second time to extend the pattern. I inked all over with Pine Needles Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam to make the embossed design 'pop'.

I cut the largest of the Spellbinders 2010 Holiday Tree die set out of green card. At the emboss stage I added the Small Polka Dots Mask. I put some Double Sided Self Adhesive Film onto another piece of green card and cut out the middle size of the 2010 Holiday Tree. I did not emboss. I removed the adhesive backing and added some Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Jewels Iced Crystal. I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Winter Greetings Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using the smallest of the 2010 Holiday Tree dies. I inked through the die with Pine Needles using Cut n Dry Foam.



I cut 2 corners from the Spellbinders Holly Accents die set. I dyed some white Silky Crush Ribbon with Pine Needles Distress Ink. I spritzed it with water to make the ink spread and put it aside to dry (don't use a heat gun on it). Once dry I tied a bow and added one of the new Creative Expressions Dazzlers. I finished the card with some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in White.

Sue has lots of shows on Ideal World and Create & Craft today. Hope you manage to catch some.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Warm Winter Wishes

Hi Bloggers.

I know it's only June and the sun keeps making an appearance but as a card maker I'm sure you know that making your own cards and tags takes time so it's never too early to start.

Today I'm sharing a tag, simply because I had some ink left on my craft sheet after dying some ribbon. Rather than just wiping it up like I usually do I decided to use it on a tag.



I had some Pine Needles Distress Ink on my craft sheet. I spritzed it with some water and dragged a tag through it. I then dried it with my heat tool, blotted the tag into the remaining ink, dried it and repeated the process until all the ink was used up. I then swiped some Broken China Distress Ink across my craft sheet, spritzed it with water and did the same as I had done with the pine needles ink.

I then stamped a few snowflakes from the Creative Expressions Snowflakes and Sprigs Stamp Set using Broken China Distress Ink and a few sprigs from the same stamp set using Pine Needles Distress Ink.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions Winter Greetings Stamp Set onto milk card using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using one of the Spellbinders Holiday Tags dies. I inked through the die with Pine Needles Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam. I cut another Holiday Tag out of green card adding the Small Polka Dots Mask at the emboss stage.

I positioned both the Holiday Tags at the hole in the main tag. I threaded some blue Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set and some green from the Primary Set through the holes.

Don't forget that Sue is launching a Christmas Spellbinders Pick of the Day tonight at 9pm on Ideal World. Pop over to her blog for a sneeky peek.

I'll be back tomorrow with a card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Test of Your Skill

Hi Bloggers,

I have another Ethel & Murray card today. Well actually, it's Murray and his mates playing golf.



I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Fore Stamp set using Coffee Archival and embossed using Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Two. I inked while still in the die using Vintage Photo Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.



I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using the Coffee Archival and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. I trimmed it with my paper trimmer and inked the edges with Vintage Photo. I matted it on to rust card and then dark brown card.



I cut a border out of white card using the Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Ric-Rac - I used the edge and an insert from that set. I inked through the die with Vintage Photo. I cut another border out of rust card with the edge from the Classic Bracket set and the insert from the Classic Postage Stamp set. I put a strip of dark brown card behind the insert to make it stand out more. I added the white border to the backing paper (Creative Expressions Foundations Dot and Dash). I ran a piece of Hi-Tack Tape down the edge of the border and then ruffled some Chalk White American Seam Binding down it. I added the brown border. I tied a small-ish bow out of 2 lengths of the ribbon and added a button to the centre with a little Baker's Twine from the Earthtones Set.

I added the image panel to the card with a few more buttons from my stash.

I matted on to rust, dark brown and then white card. I finished off with some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Choco Brown. Finished card size is 8" x 8".

Hope you like this one.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.