Creative Stamping 43 - Sea View Collection.

Hi Everybody,

Tomorrow sees the sale of the new  Creative Stamping 43   magazine and with it is a fabulous collection of stamps. The link will take you to the order page

Each month a different designer will be featured and this month it is Sheena Douglass with the Mermaid and the Message in a Bottle 

I have kept all my cards to sea and sand water colours with Gansai Tambi and had a lot of fun creating them. 

In the video ... 

Creative Stamping 43 - Sea View Collection

 I give you some ideas of how I used this set and show another way using one stamp as a background

They will make cards for any age group ... male or female and there are some lovely sentiments in the collection also

So get out your colours and have a little play time for yourself as you create some really lovely cards.

And look out for Creative Stamping next month when another designer will be featured 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Water Colour Wednesday - Floral Card

Hi Everybody,

I have been plaing again with Ink Smooshing and this is the result for todays card.

It is a mixture of  Dusty Concord, twisted Citron and Broken China Distress Inks and the effect is quite vibrant once it is dry.

I flicked some ink splatters onto the card with some Silk Lustre from Spellbinders Celebrations Collection

I have used the floral stamp set from Sheen Douglass and it was available on Crafters Companion website

But I cannot find it any more to link too so I am afraid you would have to do your own search if you wanted to find it.

I  have stamped the sentiment onto some parchment and embossed it with white powder and then wrapped it around the water coloured panel

I add some silver glitter tape along the left side and rounded one of the bottom corners  before attaching it to my card base.

A few enamel dots added to the centre of the flowers completes the card for today.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Using the "Misti" Stamping Tool (Video Tutorial)

Hi Everybody,

Today I am adding a new video tutorial and it is done with the  MISTI 

That stands for the Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented and if you like to stamp and need some help with it then this is the tool for you.

It does not come cheap but it will aid you to improve your stamping in all different kinds of ways and over the next few weeks I will endeavour to show you some of the things that I have done with mine

For this tutorial I have started off with an Ombre Effect background using Momento Dye Ink in Angel Pink, Lulu Lavender and Summer Sky

The colours are very pale but give a lovely washed out look to my background.

I searched through my stamps to fine any small butterfly stamps that I had and they are from various sources.




But the sentiments are from Sheena Douglass range of stamps from  Crafters Companion

The Diamanté Flourish is called Finesse from Want2Scrap and I have cut it to give me the pieces that I needed on my card

This and other videos can be found permanently in the Video Tutorials  in the title bar and there are lots for you to view plus don't forget the Tuesday Tutorial as a new one is added each week

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Dreamer ...

Hi Everybody,

The sentiment on this card has been stamped onto parchment and embossed in white ... and then curved around the panel to raise it from the base

The verse is from Sheena Douglass and is one of several on her  Little Bit Sketchy  range

The background has been done in Purple, Emerald Green and Ultra marine Brusho Crystal Colours.

These Crystals are so much fun to play with and no two panels will ever be the same.

Over the top of the background I have stamped with Versamark and heat embossed the butterflies with white powder

I have added in some of my baked Ikea dots and layered the coloured panel with lilac card onto a white base.

The finished effect is very vibrant and I am quite pleased with the way this card has turned out.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Flower Power

Hi Everybody,

Just a simple little card for today and this one has been colored with Spectrum Noir Pencils.

I used some green stripe paper for my background and stamped Sheens Douglass'  Flower Power from her Little Bit Sketchy range.

I stamped the leaves and flourish in black and heat embossed and then colored them with the pencils.

I stamped and embossed the sentiment at the bottom of the page and one of the flowers behind it.

The rest of the flowers have been stamped heat embossed and colored then cut out and added to the card with foam pads to raise them up.

Into the flower centres I have added an acrylic flower head with a centre diamante then matted it all onto two shades of green and mounted it onto a dark green card base

Very simple .. very quick ... and pretty

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie - 068

HI Everybody,

This card is truly sparkly and the photo does not do it the justice it deserves.

The stamp is from the Sheena Douglass  "Little Bit Sketchy"  range and this is her  Through The rain  stamp set

When I first showed this card somebody wrote to me and said  "What a pity you smudged it ...."

Nope !!  I didn't it is supposed to be like rain dripping off the words and I embossed them in gold.

The background is also stamped and then added with sparkly glitter ...  but you will see what it is like if you add your name and leave me a comment to win it

You wont be disappointed with it.

A name will be chosen from those comments and the winner announced tomorrow.

You will have 48 hours in which to claim the card and then I will need your full name and address complete with country and post/zip code.

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx

One for the Men ...

Hi Everybody,

I am often asked for ideas to make cards for the men in our lives and being a frilly flowery kind of card maker I sometimes find it hard .... sorry guys !!  But pink and flowers maybe wouldn't suit many of you

This card uses the Sheena Douglass stamp set called  Destination   and is excellent for many occasions.

I colored it with the Spectrum Noir Aqua Tints   and you need very little to get a good result.

The sentiment stamp  is one of the Altenew  Sentiments and Quotes   and I have stamped it onto some Kraft card and layered it on to blue

The background to this piece uses the Caught In Crystal Technique   which has been around for a long time.

This is so effective and very easy to do that I had my Wednesday Class ladies try  it.

I will show you my ladies cards once they are made up as you need to leave it to dry for a good few hours.  I think a tutorial would be in order for this technique

I have layered the image on to blue card and then onto some Kraft card for a really lovely effect that should make any of the men in your life happy to receive.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Stamping for fun ...

Hi Everybody,

Sunday was Formula One day and so while Griff was watching that I was up in the craftroom playing with stamps.

I don't profess to be a stamper and I am not very good at it.

But this was the effort I produced with some Sheena Douglass stamps I have had for quite some time and have never used ... shame on me !!

They are from some of her Little Bit Sketchy Collections  and they are quite big

The sentiment was stamped and heat embossed first and the background added after. I stamped the big flowers and colored them with Distress Inks and inked the edges

Then I fussy cut them out and  added glaze to the top to make them shine and once dry I have layered them up.

Ribbon was wrapped around the top and the whole panel was matted onto some deep rose pink card.  The base card is matted and layered with some patterned paper onto more of the rose card.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Water Colored Card

Hi Everybody,

Thank you so much for your support on C&C yesterday and for sending in your emails.

It is much appreciated even though not many got read out. 

This plain and simple card today is water colored and the butterfly is a stamp from   Sheena Douglass

I have used  Twinkling H2.0s  for this technique and the effect is really sparkly once the paint has dried

The butterfly has been stamped and embossed with gold  twice and then also painted 

I layered the two together along the body line and curved the wings upwards for effect.

Apart from the stamped and gold embossed sentiment and the gold layers under the card there is no other embellishment on the card.

Water coloring is a subject that I  covered with my Wednesday Card Class and we messed about with  paint for some really pretty effects

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 048

Hi Everybody,

This is another card that is much prettier in real life and it is in a beuatiful shade of pink

The wings on the butterfly will need fluffing out again but the background is all glittered.

I have used the Sue Wilson  French Collection Background  and it is quite a substantial die.

The ribbon is from Mei Flower  and it is tied in a double bow.

The bows centre is from Wild Orchid Crafts

The verse is from Sheena Douglass  and there are several on the stamp sheet.  I have stamped it in black and clear embossed it.

If you would like to win this card then all you have to do is leave me a comment ... and please become a follower too

A name will be drawn in the morning and the winner announced in the blog post.  You will then have 48 hours to claim the card and I will send it to you wherever you live

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Lovely Weekend ...

Hi Everybody,

I have had a lovely Sunday off before the busy week ahead although Saturday was spent preparing samples for the coming shows

I really hope that you will like some of the things I will be showing you over the three days and I have kept them easy to follow for those that are new to cardmaking.

I haven't had time to make new cards so this is one that I have shown earlier this year.

The butterflies are the Martha Stewart Monarch punch and I have added gemstones from  Want2Scrap  along the body line.

The ribbon is soft organza from Mei Flower and it is tied in a double bow.

The centre of the know is covered with a beautiful pearl and diamanté dazzler from Wild Orchid Crafts   and just gives a lovely finish to the ribbon

The background to the card is created from Sue Wilsons background to the French Collection and I have covered it in Glitter.

The verse is from the Sheena Douglass collection with Crafters Companion 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Butterflies ...

Hi Everybody,

This card is created in a a beautiful shade of pink from the Adorable Scorable range by Hunkydory.   The link will take you to their selection of colors

This one is Candy Floss and it really is a delicate shade ... just perfect for all your girly cards.

The top layer is from the Sue Wilson French Collection and this is the background die from JGD Crafts   I love this die as it is so delicate.

Once I have cut the card I sprayed it with adhesive and then sprinkled it all with glitter from Glitter Magic and the effect is gorgeous.

I wrapped organza ribbon from Mei Flower around the layers  and topped it with a Chocolate Box Bow  The little dazzler in the centre of the bow is from Wild Orchid Crafts

The sentiment is  one from the stamp sheet by Sheena Douglass  and they are available from   Crafters Companion     I really like this card and it so much better in real life

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Dreamer ...

Hi Everybody,

The sentiment on this beautiful card is from the stamp range by  Sheena Douglass and there are many quite large sentiments on the sheet ... and some gorgeous butterflies too

This was a card I was asked to make and it comes complete with matching box.

The die I have used is the Tied Together and it is from JGD Crafts  It matches the Tied Together embossing folder also from the same craft shop

It is such a lovely design and will enhance any of your cards and I use it to create the aperture in the box lid. Always a really good way to showcase the card inside.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and sparkled up with fine glitter from Glitter Magic

The buckle for the bow is also from WOC and I have added it to satin ribbon from Mei Flower

The diamanté around the edge of the card and the ow is from Want2Scrap  and adds a really elegant touch for such a special card and the addition of organza butterflies to both card and box makes it even better.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Shall We Have A "GiveAway" ???

Hi Everybody,

Thank you to Thelma for claiming the FF card so quickly ... it will be in the post to you first thing tomorrow and I hope you like it

Would you like to win these gifts?  I am sure you will not be disappointed with what is on offer and I am happy to send the parcel anywhere in the world.

So in this prize there is ...

 A5  Sheena Douglass Sea Shells stamps
2 packs of Wild Orchid Crafts Flowers
1 pack of Glitter Magic
1 pack of five assorted hatpins

There is a video to show you how to mount these stamps   so that you can use them in any way you wish.

Add your name to the list and if a red cross appears at the side of your name it only means that you can delete it if you so wish.

I ask that you only leave your name once please to keep it fair for everybody and any duplicates will be removed.

More in Red ...

Hi Everybody,

For those that like the darker colors and in particular red here is another card along the same lines.

Some of you have told me that you save the red for Valentines or Christmas themed cards but it is a color that can be used anytime for any occasion.

The sentiment on this card is from Crafters Companion and is one of the stamps in the Sheen Douglass range

It has been embossed in silver and decorated with the red flourishes from  Want2Scrap

This card has a red and crystal Hatpin pushed into the flowers and they are from   Wild Orchid Crafts

I have added the glitter from Glitter Magic to the petals just to add a little sparkle.

And as always it is much better in real life.

Thank You 

Some how in the wee small hours my followers have increased to 1006 and I am so grateful to each and every one of you for visiting my pages.  

It really does mean a lot to me that you visit and especially when you take the time to leave me your comments.

And this is why I have my regular "Give Aways" of either cards or goodies as my way of saying Thank You to all of you.   

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Butterfly Card

Hi Everybody,

The butterfly is one of the  beautiful  new images from Sheena Douglass. and the sentiment is also from the same range.

I have Spectrum Noir and the colors used are ...

PL2 LV2 LV3 and then over the top I have used the Ice Silks Acrylic Glaze

The body line has Mother of Pearl self adhesive pearl and two really tiny ones on the end of the antenna.

I have simply layered it up with purple and black card and used some lace patterned paper.  The Labels 30 is layered onto the purple and added with foam pads over the ribbon.

A pearl trail from  Want2Scrap  sits along the  bottom of the  butterfly and the  silver edged ribbon is from
 Mei Flower

A very simple card and because of time constraints today it  took next to no time to make. Hope fully I will have more time later.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Pale Yellow ...

Added to Etsy ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is created from a pale yellow Centura Pearl  from Crafters Companion

It has been layered with the Grateful Lattice behind the sentiment

It is much prettier in real life than the photo and I have to say that yellow is not my first choice to make a card.

The Carnation is from Wild Orchid Crafts and it has been sparkled with Glamour Dust.

The layered bow has been created with my bow maker.

And there is a glimpse of the inside of the card with the same ribbon around the panel.



The sentiment is from the Sheena Douglass range and there are many lovely words to choose from and they are the kind of verses that make a statement on your cards and they can all be bought from Crafters Companion.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

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Sea Scape ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is a million miles away from my usual style ...  No Bling ... and not a ribbon or a flower in sight.

This is one of the new Sheena Douglass    "Little Bit Sketchy" stamps and is called Sea Scape

I have stamped it onto water color card with Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink.

I moved the ink around with a little water and a fine brush to give the appearance of water coloring.

The boat was stamped separately and then decoupaged onto the front.   It is a very masculine card and would suit a number of occasions and although out of my comfort zone I do like the card.

All Sheenas' stamps are available from Crafters Companion  ... and what a good way to spend the £25 voucher if you should win one of them.     Add your name to the list   to be in with a chance

But guess what I have done ..... Don't ask me how or why but for some reason I ordered the same stamp set .... twice !!   Now how stupid is that  ...   and it's not the first time I have done that either.  It must be my age

I can't be bothered sending them back so they will be added to a future "Give Away" for one lucky person to win them.  So watch this space in the coming months

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx