Perfect Panels ...

Hi Everybody,

This is one of my favourite die sets and I designed this a long time ago, so long ago it is now no longer available. 

But if you are lucky enough to have it in your collection then maybe you would like to get it out again.

I used this set a lot and it made some really beautiful cards all of which got sold on Etsy.

Perfect Panels 

is not a long video but it will show you how I made this card.

I made this card in may different colours and each one was a pretty as the other.

And this is still a die set that I use on a regular basis and I am never disappointed with the end result.

I am re-visiting many of my older dies sets lately as I am still determined to use the items that I already have  and not to buy any thing new. 

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

 

Restocking Base Cards

 Hi Everybody,

This has been one of those days where I have needed to re stock on items that I need on a daily basis.

The main task I have done is create new base cards ready to use.

 I use A3 card that I buy in a smooth white variety that I get from Hobby Craft

I fold the card in half along the long side.

Once folded and scored with my bone folder I trim it down to a 5x7 size and keep the fold at the top

From that A3 card I can get two cards and this morning I have cut forty cards ready to use, and I still have lots of A3 card left.

I store them in an empty ice cream tub and that keeps them on my desktop so that they stay flat and straight

I have repeated the process folding the same A3 card in half along the short side and cut that every 4" to give me four 4 cards that are a fraction short of 6"

I don't waste the bits that are cut off either.

 The shorter pieces can be used for stamping sentiments onto and storing in a safe place and the longer pieces can be used to make backgrounds with.

For these pieces I have used Distress Oxides in Antique Linen and Broken China.

I have inked smooshed the colour onto the card, stamped the flowers in black ink. added text to the card with the Broken China.

Then with Versamark I have added the other patterns and heat embossed gold powder onto the panels. 

They are now ready to use on my base cards when I come to make a card. I can use them as they are, layer them onto other pieces or cut them into flowers. in fact I can do whatever I want to with them.

Just an idea you may like to try and it is cheaper than buying ready made base cards.

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

Making Flowers - Foamiran

 Hi Everybody, 

This is a lovely product to work with and foamiran can create really lovely flowers for your cards.

You can get it in lots of places and it usually comes in packs often with different colours in each pack.

It is easy to work with and you can mould it with the heat from your hands to create the petals.

But I find it easier to use an ordinary household iron, set on a low heat, to get the foamiran to curl a little bit more.

Making Flowers - Foamiran

There are all different styles of flowers and many different ways to make them .

You will find lots of tutorials on YouTube showing you what to do and this video is just one of the styles that can be made.

As always use any flowers and leaf dies that you have and make the card how YOU like it.

You can also add any embellishments that you have in your own bit box.
This card has the fold at the top and it is a 5x7 with layers to the front.

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

Black & White Flower Card

Hi Everybody,

The weather here today is glorious and it will soon be time for a dog walk.

I have taken Ruby to the groomers for a bath and a haircut as she missed the last one when she was poorly.

But now that she is better again Dougal and I will go and collect her and then we will go walkies ...
somewhere where it is clean !! 

Todays card is an old one that has been created from an older die and stamp set that I have had for years

The flowers have been stamped in black and heat embossed with clear powder then cut out using the die.

I think the neutral colours make such a change from all the coloured card that I have used in other designs.

It is a DL size and I have layered it with black and white spotty card on a plain black layer. 

I have added small flower pearls to the centres and a black acrylic butterfly also.

I have also done the same design in a coloured way to ring the changes.

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

Pink Felt Flower

 Hi Everybody,

I am in the process of using up some more of the flowers that I have made over the past few months and this large one is created with felt.

I have hot glued it in place, with other types of flowers added to the sides, and green leaves tucked in behind.

The black die cut is one I found on my desktop from a previous project, and I have added with cardboard underneath it to a pink layer and then the white base card.

The pearls are from a pre-formed circle embellishment that I have cut down to fit around the flowers.

It is a simple "Thank You" card and it is very pretty and the finished size of this card is A6 with the fold at the top.

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

Christmas Mistletoe

Hi Everybody, 

Todays card is for Christmas and features some Mistletoe on a lovely swirly background.

Both dies are from my own designs but are really old collections and so probably not available any more.

But if you already have them then get them out again and make use of them.

The background dis in in three parts and I have cut mine in pink, black and white and layered them together.

The Mistletoe leaves are cut in dark green with the berries represented in silver.

 I used some pink glitter card for the bow and the sentiments were already in my bit box.

It is a5x7 card with the fold at the top and this is the first of the batch for this Christmas which comes around far too quickly.

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

Pretty Felt Rose

 Hi Everybody,

This is another circular design that is done in layers with stitched edge dies and plain ones on white card.

I have also cut a detailed layer in silver and used some card board underneath to raise it up from the base.

Around the edge of the pattern I have woven some thin pink organza ribbon in and out of the pattern and then ended with a little bow in the same ribbon to one side.

I found this sentiment on my desktop and used circular pearls around the edges and added this with small pieces of cardboard too.

The rose is made from pink felt and I have glittered the edges of the petals.

 The white leaves have been tucked behind the bloom and I used hot glue to keep it in place.

Don't forget when you are making a card with a curved edge that it will not stand up alone unless you level off the back part of the card.

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

Making Flowers with Crepe Paper

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is made from Crepe Paper and this is really cheap and relatively easy to get hold of.  The video is very short and the results are pretty, and would be suitable for many occasions.

Use any flower or leaf dies that you have and also any embossing folder too. Your card will look different to mine but the principal will be the same. 

Making Flowers - Crepe Paper

Crepe Paper comes in many different colours so choose your favourite ones and make some flowers.

You could pierce the middle of the flower and add some stamens if you preferred, but again use anything that you already have in your stash.

Don't go buying any new stuff ... we all have items that we bought and have not used in a long time or even at all.  Now is the time to get them out again.

The little butterflies are some that I have had for many years and they were sent to me by one of my readers when I said I liked the ones I had but was running out of them. I get a brand new roll in the post and I am sill using them on my cards. 

I cannot remember the name of the person who sent them to me but thank you they have been very handy.

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

Baby card

Hi Everybody,

This card is one created quite some time ago and it is another one that will welcome a new baby. You could make this any colour you preferred and add flowers to it if you wanted.

I have made many circular cards in the past and this one also has a smaller circle added to the top that has been embossed. 

The butterflies have been stamped and cut out with dies to add to the card and the sentiment is also stamped and cut with a banner die.

I have no idea where the stamps and dies are from as they are all very old. But I find I buy items and use them once, or sometimes not at all, and then they get stored away and never used again. 

Not just dies and stamps but all types of things and then I forget what they are for …. And so I made my decision not to buy anything new and so far I have stuck to it and probably saved myself a lot of money.

You will see that many of my cards will be using the same dies, stamps, ribbon and card stock that is in my craft room

This is a very quick and easy card to create and is sure to please the parents, and I am sure the baby would be very happy with it too 

Bye for now …

Hugs xx

 

Denim Dahlia

 Hi Everybody,

This flowers is created by adding some cheap white glue and a little water to the denim to make it stiffer and then cutting it out with a really old dahlia die from Spellbinders.

It is the same technique I shared with you in the Hessian video for making your fabric have more shape to create the flowers.

Use any dies and glue that you have but don’t add too much water. Paint it onto the fabric which an old paint brush.

You will need to allow the glue to dry over night and you may need to run it through the die cutting machine several times to get the die to cut through the fabric.

Once cut I added two layers together, off setting the petals as I did and then hot glued a pearly centrepiece to the middle of the flower. 

I added the same type of pearl flower to the bow.

I have layered the card base in blue and silver, and used die cuts that I found on my desktop that have been left over from other projects.

The silver mirror card has been added to an embossing folder for more texture. 
Then all the layers have been added to a white 5x7 base card with the fold at the top.

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

Parchment Flowers

Hi Everybody,

I have gone back to vellum/parchment for todays flowers and this is a video and card I did a long time ago but I thought it was a good idea to play it again.

Parchment Flowers

Because it is an older video it shows dies from the original "Christina Collection" that I designed years ago but you may have bought the set or maybe just some of it.

If you do then you can make these beautiful parchment flowers but if you don't then just use any floral die and stamps set that you do have.

The card in the video has leaves that are created from Acetate and that is another way to add interest to your designs. 

You will need heat proof acetate though or it will shrivel as you heat emboss the powder

Give it a go the effect is really lovely and will suit many different occasions.

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

 

Die Cut Flowers

Hi Everybody,

I missed another day yesterday but I had to go out of town to see a physiotherapist for my knee and it was right smack in the middle of the day.

Todays card is a really old one created with coloured card and a die and the frame is another old one that I think is from Spellbinders ... but I could be wrong

It is an A2 size card, which is a USA size and it is that that makes me think it is from SB.

I have used a pink card blank to create the base and white for the frame and the flower is made from three layers of petals.

Here is a similar design just in a different colour way

I don't know where the leaves are from and they have just been slotted under the flowers.

The centre of each of the flowers is an enamel dot and I haven't used those for such a long time.

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

 

Staying With Denim

Hi Everybody,

These denim roses are created from strips of denim and I am quite pleased with the result. But I have to say they are quite awkward to roll up.

I have added them to silver mirror card and blue and the finished card is a 5x7 with the fold at the top.

The little silver butterflies I have had for a long time and they were sent to me by one of my readers.

There are so many on the roll that I still have lots left over for more projects.

The card is really pretty in the hand but it will need a box to send or give it because of the flowers.

Thank you for your concern over Ruby and I am pleased to say she is eating well again.

She still likes to spend her time under the bush in the back garden but I suspect she is doing that to get away from the puppy ... who is going home today !!

Bye for now ..

Hugs xx

 

What a week ….

 Hi Everybody,

I am sorry for my absence but I have had a truly awful week. My Ruby has been really poorly again and I have had to take her to the vet twice and nurse her back to being ok again. I thought she had a recurring bout of pancreatitis but blood tests showed that wasn’t the case. 

But she wouldn’t eat and was very lethargic and kept hiding under the bush in my back garden, she wouldn’t come inside at all. I am happy to say that she is now much better..

I have also been with without internet connection. I couldn’t use the computer, my iPad or my phone and there was no tv in the evening either, so very quiet but a bit too quiet !!

There has also been a visitor here for ten days in the shape of a Dachshund puppy that I have been looking after and she has driven the others crazy. I have Dougal during the day while Vickie goes to work and the pup has taken a real shine to him and will not leave him alone, and she chases my cat, who now stays up stairs out of the way.

The pup goes home again tomorrow and so peace will reign again, and my internet is restored and Ruby is eating again.

I too will be back to normal hopefully and can get some videos and blog posts done.

So see you then

Bye for now …

Spiky Denim Flower

 Hi Everybody,  

I am using one of the other flowers that I made in the last video and this a die cut one that I have flipped the layers alternatively.

Into the centre I have glued a blue pearl and dotted some more around the card front

I splattered it all with gold paint to match in with the sentiment and this card is an A6 size.

I have added a cut out panel to the card and surrounded the flower with some leaves.

It was very quick to make and I am not un happy with the result even though it is not my favourite size.  

Using old jeans is a perfect way to get some flowers that are different from the rest and saves them going to the landfill site.

So I hope you like them

Bye for now ... 

Hugs xx

Using Old Jeans

 Hi Everybody,

Do you have some old jeans that you no longer wear or can get some from someone else who wears them and now doesn't need them anymore.

You can make some lovely flowers from them to add to your projects and it doesn't take a lot of material to make them.

It is another fabric that can be put to good use in the flower making department and there are lots of ways to use it up. 

Making Flowers - Denim

This is just one way that denim can be used and I hope you will stay with me as we try some more from the same material.

Just use any dies that you already have for the flowers and leaves and experiment and come up with a different design if you would like too.

Have fun with any of the flowers that have been covered over the last few months, they certainly make for pretty cards.

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

Lace Flower

Hi Everybody,

I could have sworn that I scheduled this post to go live this morning ... but clearly not. So better late than never, here it is.

I don't have a video for this flower but if you would like one then let me know and I will do one.

I have used some Guipure Lace to make this flower and added a lovely centrepiece that is from a bracelet that I have dismantled.

The background has been inked and then embossed in a folder and the pearls have been dotted around the flower.

I have added it to some large fern leaves and then adhered the sentiment on its parchment at the bottom of the card.

So there is my card and sorry it is late 

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

Three different flowers

Hi Everybody,

Here I am using three different types of flowers again and this time they are Fun Foam, Die Cut and Homemade pattern on paper.

I have inked the background and I meant to emboss this panel in a folder .... and I forgot !!

I have splattered it with gold paint and dried it all off with my heat gun. I have added it to a gold mirror card panel then added it all to the base card.

It is a 5x7 and the white leave are some that I have had for a very long time.

Its been very noisy here over the weekend as it has been Blackpool's Air show and the place has been teeming with visitors.

Ruby and I went into the peace of Witch Wood on Saturday and it is always calm in tranquil in there and Ruby loves having a good sniff about, then on Sunday we went down to the beach in Lytham and Ruby went into the sea. She has to be bathed when we get home again as she is full of salt water and sand.

But at least she smells nice again now.

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

Last of the Crochet Flowers

 Hi Everybody,

So today I am adding in the last of the crochet flowers and next week I will move onto some other material to make some more.

This card has two flowers glued together to make a larger one and the stamen is one of the pretty ones that I have in my stash.

I have used a variety of dies to make this card, some from my own designs and others are from Spellbinders.

They are all really old dies now and I have used shades of turquoise and teal tamed with white to get the look. 

As usual it is a top folded 5x7 card as that is my favourite size to work with.

The layers have been raised with cardboard, as a cheap alternative to foam tape, and then wrapped with ribbon.

This is another pretty card but it will need a box to send it in because of the height to the flower.

Well worth it though so as not to spoil the design.

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

Creating a Crochet Rose.

Hi Everybody,

Today I am not creating a card instead I am adding the vidoe on how I made these beautiful roses and the technique is very easy to do.

I used  two hooks, a 4.00 mm and a 5.00 mm hook and just everyday DK yarn that is acrylic. 

The stamens I have had for a long time and although I have used them in lots of flowers they never seem to diminish

They don't take a lot of yarn either so it is a good way to use up end of rolls that you may have left over.

Crochet Roses

These are a little too big to add to a card but if you made them smaller they would fit perfect.

What I have been doing is crocheting myself a blanket and I have picot stitched the edge and then added some of the flowers I have made over the past few weeks.

I am very pleased with it and the cat loves it too. The finished size of the blanket is 3ft wide  x 4' 6" long and it blends with the furnishings in my lounge

I have managed to put most of the flowers I have made to good use in one project or another and so nothing has been a waste of time or effort.

Hope you like 

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

Mixing Flowers

 Hi Everybody,

This card has a mixture of some of the flowers we have created over the past few months and it includes a Felt Flower, one made from Fun Foam and the other is a Crochet Daisy

(These are the links to the relevant videos in case you missed them.)

I have added some fancy stamens to the centres of two of the flowers and glued them to the card front with a hot glue gun.

The white pearls have  been coloured to blend with the  scheme and I have used an alcohol marker pen to do that.

I have also splattered the front of the white panel with Picked Raspberry and wrapped it with a matching ribbon.

The finished card is a 5x7 and is much prettier in the hand.

The sentiment is from one of my older stamp sets and it comes complete with several sentiments and the dies to cut it out. I have added this with foam pads underneath to raise it up a little.

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx