Inked Card

 Hi Everybody,

On Monday I showed you some papers that I had coloured myself for an original look to my cards, and I said I would show you what I  was doing with them. 

The first paper was shown with the actual blog post but the second paper was one I created using my home made texture paste and I did that vidoe over a year ago.

It is really easy to do using cheap talcum powder and if you add it to an air tight container it will last you for a long time, and it costs pennies. 

I make up what I think I will need and store the rest for another time, and I have come back to that six months later and it is still ok,

Here is the video for making your own paste ...

The photo shows the second paper I created and over the top of the paste 

I sprinkled some teal embossing powder and heated it.

The paste will bubble a little but it all adds to the texture and gives a lovely finish. 

I used circle nesting dies to cut out the frames and then I fussy cut one of the butterflies out of the paper.

I coloured it with alcohol markers and curled the wings round a pencil and then added it into one of the circle frames.

Small pearls have been added to the body line and I found a pearl flourish in my bit box and cut that to fit as a butterfly trail. I used some tiny bits that are left over form the flourish and used them as antennae on the butterfly itself. 

Hope you like 

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

Everyday Items

 Hi Everybody,

This simple idea can give you some unusual patterns for your cards and it is using some cheap washing up liquid to create the background.

It is another item that we all have in our kitchens that can be used  in a different way,

 I have named the video

  Everyday Items - Washing Up Liquid 

and it has been added to the  Everyday Items playlist and all the suggestions there  can give you some pretty results.

You can use the panel just as a background piece or die cut from it for shapes, flowers. leaves, hearts or even stars.

Dress the card up as much as you would like and always be sure that you have papers that will go with your creations whatever your plan.

And making your own backgrounds is far more fun and satisfying than a shop bought paper.

Give it a go I know you will enjoy playing

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Everyday Items - Hole Punch Dots

Hi Everybody,

It is no secret that I love to add embellishments to my cards, whatever it is ... Flowers, Ribbons or Pearls !!

This is something that I have enjoyed doing for a long time and I know that to some people I add too much, but to me more is more.

I like the look of small pearls or enamel dots but they can get a little expensive and so I make my own.

I have in the past made them from coloured glues or the little jars of Nuvo Drops and allowed them to dry before transferring them to my cards.

And I did  a video called Create Your Own Pearls and flourishes about twelve years ago, and boy have I come a long way since that video.

It looks so old now and my cards are much better than they where back then 

I have even made the dots from wax seals in the past and left them to dry, and then added them to my designs.

But this one is so easy and uses up scraps of any kind of card that you have left over. 

You could use a die if you have one that cuts out the holes for you but the hole punch is so cheap to buy and is something that some people already have in their home office. 

Here is the video so please click the link and go to YouTube to view.
Hole Punch Dots

Please leave me a comment both here on the blog so that I know you have visited me, and on YouTube so that they know you enjoy the videos I upload. Thank you xxx

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Everyday Items - Rolling Marbles

 Hi Everybody,

Many years ago I did a video for YouTube on the Rolling Marble Technique and I thought it was time to bring it more up to date and show it again.

The background for this card has been created with that idea and the difference with this video is that I have used Distress Oxide Refills instead of alcohol inks.

They are easier to clean up as everything can be washed off in warm soapy water once you are finished. 

And the box you used can be kept for the next time you want to try this, or indeed for anything else you may want to have a go at.

I used Blueprint Sketch for the featured card and you can add in two or three colours if you wished.

 But be careful of the colours you choose  as you don't want a muddy effect on your cards. 

I used nesting labels dies to cut out the shapes, but again use anything that you already have  in your stash rather than going to buy even more. 

The heart dies in the second card are some are some from an older set, as are both of the 3-D embossing folders that I have used  ... in fact I think one of them was free with a magazine.

So sit back and relax while you view this short video and I hope you enjoy it and will give it a try.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Easy Peasy Sponging

 Hi Everybody,

When I have got out my crafting supplies out it is always easier for me to make more than one card. 

That way I always have some on hand, and they may only need a sentiment on them, or they go to fill up my charity shop box.

And these two cards shown are already in that box, complete with a matching envelope in a cellophane bag.

These have both used the sponging effect from the other day and are really easy and quick to do and yet make really pretty cards.

The video was another one to add to the 

Everyday Items Playlist 

on YouTube that is full of simple ideas using things you probably already have.

I have several more videos to add to this section and they are not difficult to re-create. but can help you to expand your repertoire. 

Non of the techniques are new and they have all been done many times by others over the years. 

But if you are new to cardmaking then they may be something that you had not thought about and may like to try for your self.

Click the link above to look at the playlist as there maybe something there that takes your fancy.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Everyday Items - Sponged Backgrounds

 Hi Everybody,

A really cheap and easy way to vary the look of your cards is to use items that you are sure to find around the home.

This card has been created with an everyday household sponge that I have cut into pieces to use with water based inks.

Quick, easy and very effective and if you change the colours you will vary the look.

I have used the pre printed and foiled sentiment strip that came with the  most recent paper packs that have been released and there are such a  lot in each of the packs.

The video is not too long but will give you time to relax with a cuppa and hopefully a new idea.
You may have already tried this in the past or you would like to do so now. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Bits and Pieces

Hi Everybody,

This card has been made up from all the bits and pieces of left overs from the technique I have shown in the past couple of days mainly using the Elastic bands to create the background. 

The strips that were left are far too  pretty to just put in the trash can and so I put them to good use instead.

I added them to some double sided sticky sheet and then added that to a 5x7 card base.

The flowers are from an Altenew kit called Bitteroot Flower that I have had for some time and it has layered stencils to colour it in. 

They have been added with foam pads underneath to raise them up. 

They have also been added to a die cut that has been cut from Parchment, and that has been added with foam tape placed strategically under the flowers so that it doesn't show 

They say crafters never waste anything and in this case it is true as those pieces that were left have made a really pretty card that some one is going to enjoy getting.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Sympathy Card

Hi Everybody,

I know we don't like to make this type of card but sometimes a Sympathy card is the only thing that is needed. 

This very elegant card is created with the Elastic Band Technique that I shared with you yesterday and it is perfect.

It is not to colourful and over powering and yet the background does a lot to make the card impressive, and it is very easy to do  

For this card I have used black card and brushed over it with anti static. In my case I use talcum powder as it has the same effect as the more expensive powder but this makes my card smell lovely.

I then sprinkled it with silver embossing powder and gently heated it.  The result is really pretty and the silver sentiment and leaves echo the colour.

I added them to a piece of parchment just to make them stand out a little more but it doesn’t detract from the card design..

The card is elegant and suits the occasion well 

More tomorrow …

Hugs xx

 

Everyday Items - Elastic Bands

Hi Everybody,

Do you have lots of elastic bands lying bout round your home?? I know I do and I use them in  lots of different ways. 

But I found this pack of really cheap bands in my drawer and so I thought I would put them to some good use.

I created some backgrounds to use on my cards and these are really pretty, and depending on the colours you choose they can be used for make or female cards.

I had so much fun creating these and I tried it with every colour of embossing powder that I have. Some I liked more than others  and those I made into cards.

Use your dies to cut the card base into different shapes and add layers to accentuate the patterns you create.

This circular card has several layers in pink and silver and the embossing on this was done with pink embossing powder for a more subtle look.

You may not like to add flowers to your cards so if that is the case then leave them clear. 

The actual technique will create lots of interest on your designs just as it is. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Apologies ...

Hi Everybody,

Last week I added two pages to my blog and for some reason they seem to have corrupted the look of the pages, and so to save my sanity I have removed them.

But I am adding the videos here again for those who may have missed them due to the mess on the page. 

Homemade Texture Paste

The first video was how I made my own texture paste using Talcum Powder and some cheap glue and paint. It is very easy to do and gives the same effect as the more expensive shop bought item.

The second video was showing how I used some of those backgrounds to make card like the ones I have shown here.

Texture Paste Cards

There are quite a few in the video and if you click the links it will take you to my YouTube channel where you can watch it peacefully.

I am sorry about the loss of the other two pages but it is really frustrating trying to sort it all out especially when you don't know how the html code works.

So I did the only thing I could and that was to remove them.

More tomorrow ...

Hugsxx

Old Technique re-visited

 Hi Everybody,

I have been going through old videos on my YouTube Channel and I thought it would be a good idea to re-visit some of the older ones and do the techniques again for those that are new to cardmaking

This is a technique I have covered many years ago and I thought that this was one of the ones I could re do and give it another airing and make some fresh cards.

I have added it to a playlist named Everyday Items and I will add all the new videos using things you can find around your home in there. 

So here is the video using a really cheap shaving foam from the supermarket. I think it was less than 50p so look for the cheapest when you buy.

In the video I have dressed some of them up but left others plain so that could be suitable for any male cards you may need to send.

Have fun creating the backgrounds and you will never get wo that look the same. 

Alter the colours for another type of look. 

More tomorrow 

Hugs xx

Little Step Further ...

 Hi Everybody,

Todays card is done exactly the same way as yesterdays with the paper towel technique but this time I have gone a step further.

Once the towel was completely dry I have taken finger daubers and some inks and very lightly gone over the design.

I have coloured the flowers pink and the leaves a pale green and then I added the panel to a cream card base with glue. 

The flowers and leaves have been hot glued in place and then all of it has been splattered in white, black and gold.

I have added some glitter to the petals and the sentiment to the top and this is a very pretty card that would need a box to send it in. 

You could do this with any embossing folder that you have and use the cheapest of kitchen roll, toilet paper, tissue or napkins that you have and it doesn't matter if there is a pattern already in the roll it will still take on the embossing pattern once it is wet and you run it through your machine. 

Just have fun and play and you will be surprised at the result. 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Everyday Items - Paper Kitchen Towel

Hi Everybody,

In this little series I am using items that you will find in your own home that can be used to create different  looks for your designs. 

So far I have used Tin Foil to create a really pretty background  and in this video I am using paper towels to do the same thing.
And the result is lovely.

I am going to do more videos to show you how I have used up ordinary things to create something pretty for my cards that won't break the bank, and that you probably already have in your home.

                   

It is worth having a look around to see what you have and then give it a try. If it doesn't work out for you that's ok you can always try something else. 

But you never know you could be very pleasantly surprised with what you get.

Here is a reminder of what the tin foil card turned out like, and who knows what I will use next !!!

The link will take you to the video in case you missed it.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Everyday Items - Tin Foil Card

 Hi Everybody,

When you look around your home there are lots of different things that can be used to craft with. Ribbon from clothes that are no longer worn. Buttons from a garment that is old.

Sponges and bubble wrap can all be used to create beautiful effects for your designs. Salt is a really good one for getting a lovely texture and for this card I have used Tin Foil for my background.

The video is not long, and has very relaxing music being played through its entirety, so grab your favourite cuppa for a few minutes of relaxation.

The dies that I have used are all from my stash so there is nothing new on this card at all. But the end result is a card that can be used for any occasion.

The verse is from a stamp set from the Card Making Magic collections that I have stamped and then enlarged in my printer. Hope you like !! 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx