Vroom

Hi Bloggers.

Today I'm sharing one of the demo cards from Wednesday's shows.

I made my own background using some of the stamps and masks on the show. I started with a piece of Milk Card. I popped the Retro Circles Mask on top and spritzed some Jade Teal from the Nature's Gift Cosmic Shimmer Misting Inks Set and then I spritzed some Moss Green from the Winter Garden Set. I removed the mask and washed it and dried the background. I then used the Bubblewrap stamp (not on the block, just in my hand) with Forest Moss Distress Ink and stamped randomly over the background. I repeated this process with the Newsprint stamp and Black Soot Distress Ink.

Next I stamped the Justrite Chevron Striped Background on a separate piece of Milk Card using Jet Black Archival. I cut out an arch using the Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Eight. I distressed the edges with my scissors and then inked them with Black Soot using Cut n Dry Foam. I placed some Idea-ology Journeyman Tissue Tape on my craft sheet and then rubbed some Peeled Paint Distress Stain over it, dried it and added it to my Chevron Arch/Tunnel.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Classic Cars Stamp Set using the Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured it in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks. I used Jade Teal from the Garden Twist Set and Black Night from the Summer Fayre Set.

I cut a ribbon banner out of Milk Card using Spellbinders Ribbon Banners Large and inked around the edges while still in the die with Black Soot. I then added the word 'Vroom' using Idea-ology Ransom Alpha Parts.

I coloured some Creative Expressions Antique Silver Faux Screw Brads with a Black Promarker (you could also use Alcohol Ink) and added them to the corners of my background.

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

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

You're a Classic

Hi Bloggers.

Here's a card featuring 3 of the images from the Creative Expressions Dream Card Stamp Set.

I stamped all 3 images onto some white shrink plastic using Jet Black Archival and put it aside to dry. When they were dry, I cut them out and shrank them with my heat tool.

I cut 3 Spellbinders Scalloped Labels One from black card and at the emboss stage I added the Grid Mask.

For the background, I inked through the Distressed Chequers Mask with Black Soot Distress Ink. I did a section at a time, adding Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder and heat setting. I repeated this process over each area a couple of times and the checks took on a tiled effect. I wrapped a couple of pieces of Idea-ology Journeyman Tissue Tape around the background.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using the Jet Black Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Ribbon Banners and inked through the die with Black Soot Distress Ink.

I assembled the card as shown adding an Idea-ology Plaquette and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Black Pearl.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

You've Got Real Style

Hi Bloggers.

A very girly card today. I used to love Thunderbirds when I was little and when I saw the Rolls Royce on the stamp set I thought I could pretend it was Lady Penelope's although the style is a bit different.

For the main background I placed the Grid Mask at a jaunty angle onto some hot pink card and spritzed the Black Night misting ink from the Cosmic Shimmer Winter Garden Misting Inks Set. You can use the ink on the mask to create another background if you wish or just wash it off the mask with water.

I placed some Coconut White Card inside the Creative Expressions Brick Embossing Folder and ran it through the Grand Calibur. I tore around the edges and inked all over with Black Soot Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Dream Cars Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured it in using Matt Drawing Inks. I used Mallow and Black Night from the Summer Fayre Set. I cut it out using the Out of the Box technique and Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Eight.

First I positioned the die over the image. I drew around the die with a pencil.

I then cut around the part of the image which was outside the pencil line plus a little further in. I slid the die underneath the part of the image that I'd cut around and lined the rest of the die up over the pencil line.

Here's what it looked like at the back -

Then I popped the imaged through the Grand Calibur to cut & emboss as usual.

I cut a larger Labels Twenty-Eight out of black card.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using the Jet Black Archival and embossed with the clear powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Ribbon Banners and inked through the die with Black Soot Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam

I threaded some Black & White Baker's Twine through an Idea-ology Shabby Accoutrement, added a Creative Expressions Tassel and tied a bow.

I assembled the card as shown adding some bling with a Creative Expressions Black Swirl and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Black Pearl around the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

You're Vintage

Hi Bloggers.

Thanks for your comments and emails yesterday - much appreciated. Here's quite a simple card from the shows yesterday.

I started with the background. I inked up one side of the Creative Expressions Brick Embossing Folder with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I placed a piece of Milk Card on the clean side of the folder, closed the folder and then used a brayer over the top to transfer the ink. I then added some Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder and heat set. Next I ran the background through the Grand Calibur with the Retro Squares Mask, I tore around the edges and then inked all over with Vintage Photo using Cut n Dry Foam. I splatted some Vintage Photo Distress Stain and dired with my heat tool. The splats seemed to settle behind the embossing powder even though they were added afterwards. Cool, eh?

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Vintage Cars Stamp Set using Coffee Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured it in using some Vintage Photo Distress Ink that I smeared on my craft sheet, added water to and used a paint brush.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using the coffee archival and embossed with clear powder. I cut it up into sections, edged it with a little Vintage Photo and added it to the background.

I added a Key Charm to the top left hand corner and some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Choco Brown around the edges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia

A Real Classic

Hi Bloggers.

As I expected, yesterday's card didn't go down too well. I still like the card myself. Today's card is one I have prepped for a demo in the 7pm show. Incidentally, I have also prepped a demo using the out of the box technique featured in Monday's post for the same show.

I started with the background and a piece of Milk Card. I love these types of backgrounds as they're quick and easy, fun and inexpensive (once you have the stamps, of course!). I used the Justrite Harlequin Script Background stamp (I didn't put it on a block) and inked a bit of it with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and then randomly stamped repeating until I was happy. Next I inked up the Bubblewrap stamp in the same way using Pumice Stone Distress Ink and stamped filling in some of the gaps. The I added some splats of Vintage Photo Distress Stain. I distressed the edges of the piece using my scissors and then inked all around with Pumice Stone using Cut n Dry Foam.

I stamped the Harlequin background onto a separate piece of Milk Card using Vintage Photo. I dried it with my heat tool and then cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Six. I inked through the die with Vintage Photo.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Dream Cars Stamp Set using Coffee Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured it in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks. I used Marigold from the Autumn Shades Set and Black Night from the Summer Fayre Set.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set again using the Coffee Archival and embossed with clear powder. I distressed the edges of the panel with my scissors and edged with Pumice Stone.

I tied a Key Charm and a Tassel to some Black & White Baker's Twine and added it to the card using Cosmic Shimmer Glue (I didn't notice the tassel had gathered at the top of the key for the photo).

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

Hope you can join me today at 11am with Debbie and 7pm with Martyn.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Who said cars were just for men?

Hi Bloggers.

I'm a bit wary of sharing this card with you as it's green and yellow and I know you guys aren't too keen on this colour combo. But, I'm really pleased with how this one turned out. I wanted to show that you can make girly cards with the stamp sets on the shows tomorrow. I was teasing Kathryn that I'd just made her 25th birthday card! I'm going to try really hard to keep it safe for the next 7 years and give it to her! Don't expect I'll manage it.

Anyway, here's the card -

For the background, I covered a piece of Coconut White Card with Peeled Paint Distress Stain. I dried it with my heat tool and then ran it through the Grand Calibur with the the Creative Expressions Bark Embossing Folder. I sanded it to reveal the white core.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Classic Cars Stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I coloured the image in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks. I used Sunflower and Black Night from the Summer Fayre Set. I cut it out using Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Six and inked through the die with Forest Moss Distress Ink.

I cut a Spellbinders Sprial Blosson Three out of Scattered Straw Distress Colorcore and cut a 'leaf' out of Peeled Paint Distress Colorcore using the Venetian Motifs die set.

I added an Idea-ology Plaquette.

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

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

New Products in My Amazon Store

Hi Bloggers.

Just a quickie to let you know that I have some new products in my Amazon Store.

A couple of new Spellbinders die sets -

Create-A-Flake Four

Fall Foliage

Some new stamps including the 3 sets I'll have on the shows on Wednesday (I'm having trouble loading the Dream Cars at the moment - please email me if you want this set and we'll get round it somehow!) -

Vintage Cars

Classic Cars

Vintage Photography

Let It Snow

Urban Life

Urban Beats

I have also, as requested, added some Khaki card (Sue calls it taupe). Please ignore the picture on Amazon - it's not at all green! It's the card that's in the neutral card pack.

I've also re-stocked some PVA including the Cosmic Pearl (white dots) which has been very hard to get hold of recently and I've re-stocked the Gala Event and Dandelion Wishes stamp sets.

That's it for now. I'll let you know when I get the Dream Cars loaded.

Julia

You've Got Real Style

Hi Bloggers.

I'm going to take a little break from sharing Spellbinders Pick of the Week samples with you because on Wednesday I'm on Create & Craft with some stamping shows. The theme is Cars as you can see below. I've used some of the dies from the recent Pick of the Week on some of the samples I've made just to show you how these stamps work with the dies that many of you have purchased.

Anyways, here's the card -

There's a couple of great techniques that I've learned from Sue Wilson on this one. The first one is on the background. I think Sue calls it the Faux Leather Technique. I cut a square of card (can be any card, any colour). I tore some pieces of masking tape and covered the card with them, making sure they overlapped. Once the whole area was covered, I folded the excess over to the back of the card. I then took a Pumice Stone Distress Ink Pad and rubbed it over the surface. There were some areas that the ink didn't reach - that's fine. I sprinkled some Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder over the top and heat set.

I stamped the image from the Creative Expressions Dream Cars Stamp Set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with clear powder. I coloured the image in using Cosmic Shimmer Matt Drawing Inks - I used Scarlet Flame from the Autumn Shades Set and Black Night from the Summer Fayre Set. Next I cut the image out using Spellbinders Scalloped Labels One and the Out of the Box technique that Sue has shown on TV. To do this you place the die over the image and draw around it, missing out the bit where the car overhangs. You then cut around the part of the image that is outside the die plus a bit further in. You need to be able to slot the die over the drawn lines but with the overlapping bit in the front of the die away from the cutting edge. You then pop it through your Grand Calibur and cut and emboss as usual. If you've not tried this before, I suggest you try it with an un-coloured image just in case you get it wrong! Don't worry if you don't understand all that - I've taken step by step pics of another card with this technique which I'll share very soon.

I inked while still in the die with Pumice Stone Distress Ink. The number plate is blank so you add your own message.

I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set using Jet Black Archival and embossed with clear powder. I cut it out using Spellbinders Ribbon Banners and inked through the die with Pumice Stone.

I wrapped some Black & White Baker's Twine around the card as shown. I added an Idea-ology Plaquette (will be on the show). I really like these as they are random numbers so can be used for any occasion.

I finished the card off with some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Silver Lustre.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Black & Gold

Hi Bloggers.

Thank you for all your lovely comments and wishes yesterday. We had a lovely day and a yummy lunch at Jamie Oliver's.

Here's another card from the recent Spellbinders Pick of the Week.

I started with a piece of black card. I inked up the Butterfly Frame Mask with Perfect Medium, popped the black card on top and ran it through the Grand Calibur with the embossing sandwich. I carefully removed the mask and covered the deboss area (where the ink had transferred to) with Cosmic Shimmer Bright Gold Metallic Embossing Powder and heat set.

I stamped the sentiment from the Creative Expressions At the Ballet Stamp Set using Perfect Medium and embossed with the Gold Powder. I made a frame out of matt gold card using Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Six.

I cut a solid butterfly out of black card and a lacy butterfly out of matt gold card using the Spellbinders Les Papillons die set.

I made a flower out of black card using the Spellbinders Spiral Blossom Four die and cut some 'leaves' out of matt gold card using the Venetian Motifs die set.

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

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

18 Today!

Hi Bloggers.

I hope you'll indulge me a little - my baby girl, Kathryn, is 18 today! I can't believe it! Her 'A' level results are due 16th August and hopefully she'll get the grades she needs to go to Portsmouth University in September to study Marine Biology. I shall miss her, of course, but it's what she wants so I hope she gets there.

I've been featuring Kathryn on some Scrapbook pages recently on some Spellbinder shows.

Here's a reminder -

We're off to Jamie Oliver's in Milton Keynes for a celebration lunch. Will be back tomorrow with a card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Tim Holtz Design Ruler

Hi Bloggers.

Something a bit different today. I was asked by blog follower Michelle how I managed to get the piercing to line up with the Tim Holtz Ruler. So, here's a little pictorial tutorial which may help.

Firstly, when I cut my mats I work in increments of 1/4 inch. So here, the blue card is 6 1/4". I want to pierce my white card so I have to allow extra space so have cut it 2 increments larger than the blue card i.e. 6 3/4". I have placed it on a pricking or piercing mat.

I place my Tim Holtz Ruler on top with the first broken line after the numbers lining up with the edge of the white card. At either end there is a hole that it just touching the edge of the card and I place a decorative stick pin in the next hole in.

Hold the ruler firmly and pierce through each hole with a piercing tool (mine is from Pinflair). If the ruler moves, adjust it and continue. When you get to the end, remove the pins, rotate the card, line the ruler up with the edge of the card again, pop the first pin in the last hole on the previous side and another pin at the end of this side and pierce as before.

Continue for all 4 sides and you're done!

Hope this helps those of you who have been struggling with the ruler. It's a great way to edge your cards especially if you haven't time to wait for PVA dots to dry!

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Up, Up and Away!

Hi Bloggers.

I'm continuing the simple theme today with 3 cards made from the Spellbinders Up, Up and Away die set. There is quite a variety of dies in this set but, like Country Charm, it is not a favourite of mine. All the cards are very simply constructed which is useful if you need a quick card.

Here's the first one -

Balloon has been cut from Kraftcore and sanded. Basket is from a patterned paper and has been inked through the die with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. Baker's Twine is from the Earthtones Set. Sentiment is from the Creative Expressions Time Flies Stamp Set - I've cut it out with Labels Twenty-Eight and inked through the die with Faded Jeans Distress Ink. I popped an Idea-ology Hinge Clip on top. The background is Couture Creations Ornate Diamonds - I thought it looked like clouds this way up. I inked all over with Faded Jeans.

Here's the second card -

Background is Couture Creations Seedling Nouveau and has been inked all over with Dried Marigold Distress Ink. The Baker's Twine is from the Pastel Set. The sentiment is from the Creative Expressions Dandelion Wishes Stamp Set and has been stamped using Coffee Archival and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Embossing Powder. I cut it out using Labels Twenty-Eight. The balloons are cut from DCWV Nana's Nursery. I edged the card with some dots of Cosmic Shimmer Pearlescent PVA in Golden Pearl.

Here's the last one -

The main part of the kite has been cut from Kraftcore and sanded. The bows and the backing paper are from Prima. The Baker's Twine is from the Vintage Set. The flower border is from Studio 490 - It's More Flower Art and has been stamped using Dusty Concord Distress Ink. The sentiment is from Studio 490 - Sentimental Art and has been stamped using Plum Archival, cut out using Fancy Framed Tags One and inked through the die with Dusty Concord.

Hope you find some inspiration from these if you have purchased these dies.

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.

Prom

Hi Bloggers.

Today's post is a very simple 8 x 8 scrapbook page. So simple - took me just 10 minutes to do! But I like the simplicity of this layout - it really shows off the dies and the photo isn't lost in a complicated layout. You could easily swap the photo for a topper or a stamped image if you wanted to make a card.

The backing paper is from Polka Doodles Sundae of Seasons. I inked around the edges with Faded Jeans Distress Ink using Cut n Dry Foam. I cut the photo out using the smallest of the Spellbinders Grand Decorative Ovals dies. I cut the next largest Grand Decorative Ovals dies out of Coconut White Card and inked through the die with Faded Jeans.

I stamped the title using Cobalt Archival and cut it out using a Ribbon Banners Large die. I inked through the die using Faded Jeans. I assembled the card as shown and added a Creative Expressions Pearl Swirl.

Told you it was simple!

Thanks for stopping by.

Julia.