Wishing You Happiness

Hi Bloggers.

Hope you are enjoying the Pick of the Week shows.

Today's card features some more of my favourite dies. Quite a lot of cutting and inking on this one. Hopefully I will get to demo it before they sell out.

I stamped my sentiment from the Creative Expressions Dandelion Wishes Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using one of the new Spellbinders Asian Motifs dies and inked through the die with Dried Marigold Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam. I cut another of the same shape and 2 of the larger motifs from the same set. I inked with Dried Marigold on all of them.

For the background I ran a piece of Coconut White card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Radiant Embossing Folder (I really like that one). I popped it through a second time to extend the pattern. I inked around the edges with Dried Marigold using Cut n Dry Foam.

I cut 4 lots of of corners and 4 lots of little accents from the Asian Accents die set and 4 lots of small motifs from the Venetian Motifs die set. I inked through the die on all of them with Dried Marigold.

I tied a double bow out of white silky crush ribbon and added a medium Creative Expressions Dazzler.

I would have added a couple of stick pins but there are none on the show.

I assembled the card as shown adding some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Cosmic Pearl (White).

I think this might make a good wedding card, what do you think?

4 shows today starting at 8am.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Spellbinders Pick of the Week - Black & White

Hi Bloggers.

Here's a card that I'm hoping to demo on one of the shows today.

The spotty background has been created by inking through the Small Polka Dots Mask with Black Soot Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Gala Event Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut the image out using the new Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Eight. This is such a useful labels shape. I think it's the die set that I've used the most when making the samples for the shows. I inked through the die with Black Soot using Cut n Dry Foam.

The gorgeous mask has been cut using the new Spellbinders Venetian Accents die set. The flower is the new Spiral Blossom Four. The 'leaves' are from the new Venetian Motifs die set. I do like it when there are dies that can be used as leaves.

The borders around the edges of the main section have been cut using the Venetian Accents die set. There are 'holding hands' pieces which can be used to hold onto the main panel. The little diamonds are from the waste on the borders. I finished the card by adding some Black Glass Glintz.

Lovely dies, aren't they?

Thanks for stopping by. See you at 12.

Julia.

Spellbinders Pick of the Week Sneak Peak

Hi Bloggers.

Well, it's almost here. Tomorrow at 12noon I launch the very latest Spellbinders dies in a Create & Craft Pick of the Week. These dies have only just been launched at CHA in Chicago. They are so new that Hels and I only got some of the dies last week! So, we've not had much time to play with them but hopefully you will like what we have come up with.

Today I'm sharing this card. I've not prepped it as a demo so here is the only explanation of how it was made. Hope you like it.

For the background, I ran a piece of Coconut 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 stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Gala Event Stamp Set (just love that stamp set) using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut the image out using the smallest of the new Spellbinders Grand Decorative Ovals One dies. I inked through the die with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam. I cut the next size up of the Grand Decorative Ovals One out of white card and again inked through the die with Victorian Velvet.

I cut a branch out of brown card and some flowers out of white card using the new Spellbinders Cherry Blossoms die set. There are lots of flowers in this set - I did cut 2 sets out and inked through the dies with Victorian Velvet. I added the branch and flowers as shown using Cosmic Shimmer Glue.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using Jet Black Archival and embossed with clear powder. I cut it out using one of the new Spellbinders Fancy Framed Tags One dies. I inked through the die with Victorian Velvet.

I didn't quite have the right colour card for the mats so I inked the edges of some white card with Victorian Velvet. I added some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Cosmic Pearl(white) around the edges.

Hope you like this sneak peak. I'll be back tomorrow with another ahead of the shows starting at 12noon.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Demo Card Give Away

Hi Bloggers.

Today I'm offering up the Black & White demo card from the Ethel & Murray shows as a Give Away.

You can see all the details of how I made it in this post.

To be in with a chance of winning the card, please become a follower (if you're not already) and leave a comment. This time I would like you to tell me what your favourite stamp is - which stamp do you always keep going back to? If you're not a stamper, tell me your favourite CD Rom or topper character.

I'll draw a winner next Monday after my stint on the Spellbinders Pick of the Week Shows. Talking of which, be sure to pop back tomorrow when I'll share a sneak peak of one of the cards I've made for the shows.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

For a Special Couple

Hi Bloggers.

Another Wedding card today.

For the background, I put a 6” x 6” piece of Coconut White Card inside the Couture Creations Cultivated Embossing Folder and ran it through the Grand Calibur. I ran it through a second time to extend the pattern. I inked around the edges with Eco Green Parchment ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I wrapped some Cream Crochet Ribbon around the left-hand side of the background and secured with some tape at the back. I then ran some Hi-Tack Tape down the centre of the Crochet Ribbon and ruffled some Ivory Vintage Ribbon down it.

Next I stamped the cake image from Creative Expressions Mr & Mrs Stamp Set using the Parchment Ink and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut the image out using the largest of the Spellbinders Decorative Heart Circles dies. I inked through the die with the Parchment Ink using Cut n Dry Foam. I cut in between each heart on the die cut with scissors. I cut another Heart Circle out of milk card and again cut in between each heart with scissors. I then glued the image circle on top of the milk circle turning slightly so that the hearts were offset. I folded the hearts forward a little.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using the Parchment Ink and embossed with the Clear Embossing Powder. I matted it on to a slightly larger piece of milk card and added some little dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Golden Pearl as shown and put aside to dry.

I cut 3 of the smallest of the Spellbinders Grand Peony dies, inking through the die with the Parchment Ink. I used these to make a standard 6 petal flower as described in the Paper Rose How To with Sue Wilson on the Creative Expressions here.

I tied a bow using 2 lengths of Ivory Vintage Ribbon and glued to the ruffled ribbon with Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue. I added my flower to the centre of the bow and add a couple of Decorative Stick Pins.

I assembled the card as shown adding some dots of Golden Pearl PVA around the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

I Do

Hi Bloggers.

Here's a wedding card that I haven't shown you before.

I cut a piece of Coconut White Card to 6” x 6”. I placed the Ivy Background Mask on top and secured with low tack tape. I popped it through the Grand Calibur with the following sandwich – Base Plate, Tan Mat, Card, Mask, Pink Embossing Plate. I left the low tack tape in place and inked through the mask with the Eco Green Peach Satin Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I cut 2 borders out of the Coconut White Card using the Spellbinders Parisian Accents die set. I then threaded some Peach Fizz Vintage Ribbon through them as shown and secured them to the background, wrapping the ribbon to the back and securing the border with Cosmic Shimmer Glue at the front.

I cut a heart frame from peach card using the largest of the Spellbinders Decorative Heart Circles dies and a Circle Nestie.

Next I stamped the Wedding Dress from the Creative Expressions Mr & Mrs Stamp Set using the Peach Satin Ink and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Aurora Crystal Sparkle Embossing Powder. I cut it out leaving a little border all round.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using the Peach Satin Ink and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using the tag die from the Antique Frames and Accents die set. I inked through the die with the Peach Satin Ink using Cut n Dry Foam. I tied a little bow using peach Baker’s Twine from the Pastel Set and added it to the tag with Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue.

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

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Fishin' You A Great Day

Hi Bloggers.

Does anyone remember this stamp set?

It's called Little Lovins 2 from Creative Expressions. It's an A4 stamp set. Sadly it's being discontinued so if you like it, grab it fast from a stockist as it won't be around for much longer. The images on this set are quite large and there's lots of useful sentiments included.

Here's a simple card made with the boy with the fishing rod.

I stamped the image using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured the image in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks. I cut the image out using the Spellbinders Curved Rectangles. I inked through the die with Peeled Paint Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam. Then I made a faux nestie out of terracotta card by drawing around the die used and cut out with scissors.

I stamped the sentiment using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out at a jaunty angle using a paper trimmer. I inked around the edges using Peeled Paint Distress Ink and Cut n Dry Foam.

I inked along the edges of some Cotton Hemp Ribbon with Peeled Paint and the Cut n Dry. I added a little ink to the centre of the ribbon too. I wrapped it around the backing paper (Junkitz) and secured at the back with tape. I then wrapped some Baker’s Twine from the Earthtones Set around the ribbon a few times and secured at the back as before.

I assembled the card as shown adding a few buttons from my stash and piercing around the edges with my Tim Holtz Design Ruler.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

New Products and Re-Stocks

Hi Bloggers.

Just wanted to let you know that I have managed to get some more Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Acrylic Glue in my Amazon Store. Click here to go to this item in my store.

I've got some new Creative Expressions stamps -
Newsprint
Hexagon Script
Floral Splendour
Floral Silhouette
Festive Florals
Time Keeper

I've also got some packs of the Matt Skin Tones Drawing Inks as featured on the Ethel & Murray Shows.

Please scroll down for today's post of a card.

Julia.

Time May be a Great Healer

Hi Bloggers.

This is the last Ethel & Murray card that I have to share with you - for the moment at least. I do have some demo cards to give away so watch out for those.

For the background I popped some Coconut White Card through the Grand Calibur with the Creative Expressions Floral Embossing Folder. I popped it through a second time to extend the pattern. I inked all over with Mustard Seed Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Well Adjusted Women Stamp Set using Coffee Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured the image using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks and cut it out. I stamped the image again and cut out using Spellbinders Floral Ovals. I inked through the die with Mustard Seed. I popped the coloured image on top using 3d foam pads.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set and inked round the edges of the panel with Mustard Seed.

I ran a strip of Foundations Floral Dream paper through the Grand Calibur with an inset from the Spellbinders Edgeabilities Classic Postage Stamp die set. I popped it onto some pale yellow card and put a dot of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Golden Pearl in the centre of each flower.

I assembled the card as shown adding some dots of Golden Pearl PVA around the edges.

Hope you've enjoyed Ethel & Murray. Something different tomorrow - what will it be? Don't know myself yet!

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

New Set Of Golf Clubs

Hi Bloggers.

Another of my favourite cards from the shows last Friday.

For the background I ran a piece of Milk Card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Houndstooth Embossing Folder. I popped it through a second time to extend the pattern. I inked all over with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Playing Through Stamp Set using Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I gave it a few minutes to dry and then using a slightly wet paint brush I 'pulled' some of the colour out adding some shade. I cut the image out using the Spellbinders Fleur De Lis Rectangles. I inked through the die with the Vintage Photo using Cut n Dry Foam.

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

I wrapped some Baker's Twine from the Earthtones Set around the card as shown and added some buttons from my stash.

I assembled the card as shown and added some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Choco Brown around the edge.

Hope you like this card as much as I do.

Just to let you know that I'm having a bit of a clearout and you'll find lots of bargains in my Amazon Store and on auction on eBay. Please see the right-hand side bar for the links.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

A Penny Saved

Hi Bloggers.

Not too sure about this card myself but I thought I'd share it anyway. I'm sure you will let me know what you think of it!

For the background I ran some Coconut 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. This is such a beautiful design.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Wrinkles Don't Hurt Stamp Set using Coffee Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured the image using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks except for the T-Shirt. I stamped the image onto some green Dot and Dash Foundations Paper with Coffee Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I cut out the T-Shirt and added it to the image using Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using Coffee Archival and embossed with Clear Powder. I matted it onto some yellow and green card and then added some Baker's Twine from the Earthtones Set to make it look like a picture hanging on the wall.

I tied a bow using 2 lengths of Moss Green American Seam Binding. I added a Playhouse Posy and a button from my stash threaded with some Baker's Twine. I added a couple of Playhouse Pins to the back of the bow.

I assembled the card as shown.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Everything Slows Down With Age

Hi Bloggers.

This is one of my favourite samples from the Ethel & Murray shows last Friday which is why it was a demo in the 1pm show.

For the background I ran a piece of Coconut White card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Cultivated Embossing Folder. I ran it through a second time to extend the pattern. I inked all over with Worn Lipstick Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

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 her in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks except for her dressing gown. I stamped the image again onto some bright pink Dot and Dash Foundations Paper (which was on the show but not really displayed) using coffee archival and clear powder. I cut the dressing gown out and added it to the coloured image with some Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue (more stock due in my Amazon Store soon).

I stamped the image again onto some white card with coffee archival and embossed. I cut this out using Spellbinders Lacy Ovals and inked through the die with Worn Lipstick. I added the coloured image to it using 3d foam pads.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set and cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Three. I inked through the die with Worn Lipstick.

I dyed some Chalk White American Seam Binding with Worn Lipstick Distress Ink scrunching it up while drying it (on the show I used some Rose Petal American Seam Binding instead as we were pushed for time) and tied a bow with 2 lengths of it. I added a couple of Sassy posies and a button from my stash threaded with some Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set. I added a couple of Sassy Pins to the bow.

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

Hope you like this card as much as I do.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Leaks!

Hi Bloggers.

Here's another Ethel and Murray card from the shows on Friday.

For the background I popped some pale lavender 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 Dusty Concord Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

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 the image in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks and then cut it out.

I stamped the image again and cut out using Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Five and inked through the die with Dusty Concord. I mounted the coloured image on top using 3d Foam Pads.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using cobalt archival and embossed with clear powder.

I tied a bow with 2 lengths of Mauve Rose American Seam Binding, spritzed it with water, scrunched it up and dried it with my heat gun. I added a button from my stash with some Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set tied through it.

I assembled the card as shown piercing around the edges with my Tim Holtz Design Ruler.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Born to Golf

Hi Bloggers.

Today's card is another golfing one.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Playing Through 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 edged the panel with Faded Jeans Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using the Coffee Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Five and inked through the die with Faded Jeans.

I cut a strip of grey card and ran it through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Houndstooth Embossing Folder. I wrapped a piece of Sky Blue American Seam Binding around it.

I assembled the card as shown. The backing paper is from a 6 x 6 pad from Paper Cellar. I looped some Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set and added a button from my stash. I edged with dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Summer Blue.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Forced to Work

Hi Bloggers.

Here's a card that was a demo in the 7pm show on Friday.

For the background I popped a piece of Coconut White card through the Grand Calibur with the Creative Expressions Bark Embossing Folder. This is not a repeating pattern but it's possible to almost invisibly extend it by placing the embossed card at the edge of the pattern on the folder and run it through again. If it's a clearly visible join , you can always run a piece of ribbon along it.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Playing Through Stamp Set using coffee archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured it in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks and cut it out. I stamped the image a second time and cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Eight. I inked through the die with Peeled Paint Distress Ink. I mounted the coloured image on top using 3d foam pads.

I wrapped some Moss Green American Seam Binding and some Baker's Twine from the Vintage Set around the card as shown.

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 Four and inked through the die with Peeled Paint. I popped it on the card as shown. On the show I added a couple of Playhouse Pins.

Simple card but I think any golfing man receiving this would love it.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Black and White demo card from yesterday's shows

Hi Bloggers.

Many thanks for your support yesterday and to those of you who emailed in to the studio. Today's card is a demo card from the 7pm show. I wanted to try and show that the image can be in the background and the sentiment the focal piece.

I started with a square piece of Coconut White card. I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Wrinkles Don't Hurt Stamp set randomly using Jet Black Archival. I then popped the piece into the Couture Creations Radiant Embossing Folder and ran it through the Grand Calibur. I put it through a second time to extend the pattern. I then inked all over with Black Soot Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut a frame out of black card using 2 dies from Spellbinders Labels Three die set. At the emboss stage I added the Creative Expressions Bark Embossing Folder.

I tied a bow using 2 lengths of Blue White American Seam Binding, spritzed it with water, scrunched it up and dried it with the heat gun. I made a flower out of black card using the Creative Expressions Floral Embossing Folder (see how in this tutorial).

I finished the card off by adding some Creative Expressions Black Rhinestone Swirls and some faux stitching round the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Ethel & Murray on Create & Craft

Hi Bloggers.

The day has finally arrived. Ethel & Murray will be back on Create & Craft today at 1pm with Dawn and 7pm with Andy. I'm really looking forward to the shows, I hope you are too.

Today's card is the one of the demos I'll hopefully be doing in the 1pm show. This is one of my fave samples which is why it's a demo. Red & Green but not for Christmas!

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 (watch out for new skin tones set being launched today). I edged the image panel with Peeled Paint Distress Ink and popped it onto a piece of red card at a jaunty angle.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using the Coffee Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I edged the panel with Peeled Paint and popped it onto some red card.

I put a piece of white card through the Grand Calibur with the Couture Creations Houndstooth Embossing Folder. I put it through a second time to extend the pattern. I then inked all over using Peeled Paint.

I ran 2 pieces of Moss Green American Seam Binding along the background as shown. I added some buttons from my stash and some Fashion Sense Playhouse Pins at the back of the sentiment. I finished the card off with some faux stitching.

Hope you can join me today for the shows.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.