Distressed Leaves

 Hi Everybody.

Once again I have turned to a really old die set and this one has been around for years. It is from Sizzix and the leaves are simply gorgeous.

You can colour them any way you wish to suit the season, and with any medium that you prefer. I have chosen to use Distress Oxides on mine but they would look just as good with alcohol inks, water colours or Brushos

Try them on water colour card, ordinary card or even Yupo paper to vary the look.

For these I have used a die from Amazon that is called a Fish Net die but it looks like Hessian/Burlap when cut from Kraft and I do like the result 

For the card to the left I have stencilled the background and then wrapped the panel with parchment. I heat embossed the sentiment onto the parchment and dotted the card with hole punched dots. 

The video will show you how I got this look for my cards and one of the things I used was some old book pages.

Distressed Leaves

Use your imagination to make these leaves work for your designs. as they are a lot of fun to work with.

I hope you enjoy the video.

Bye for now ...

Hugs xx

Making Flowers

 Hi Everybody,

Now that Christmas is over and we have the new year and some spring warmth to look forward to and I thought it would be a good time to add some flowers to our cards.

So  today I am adding a video that shows how I make some of the flowers that I like to add to my deigns.

For me they make a card look so pretty and they ca save money on the mulberry paper flowers that are for sale, and they are so satisfying to make.

Here I have used up the left over pieces from the inky panels I did for the cards I made before Christmas 

Again this was very rewarding and each finished panel was different from the others.

 It used up the Distress Inks that I already had and so I saved my money there too.

The video is here ...
Making Flowers from Handmade Papers

Click the link and it will take you to another page where you can watch the video ... and please leave me a comment to say you have visited.

I hope you enjoy

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

Butterfly Easel Card

Hi Everybody,

Going back to the Easel Card theme for this card and this is created with pre shaped cards that I brought out some time ago.

The top and base layers of the detailed card have been done with teal and copper embossing powders and then dotted with the large pearls.

This gives a really pretty effect to the Card.

These are the items that where in the packs.
White base shapes, coloured base shapes and filigree tops in white and colours to add to them

You cam get these at Craft Stash and I will add the links below. If you order through the links I could get a small commission at no extra cost to you

There are several layers to this butterfly and one of them was in parchment, using the basic shape as a template to cut around.

I did some videos with these when they first launched using the shape in many different ways on my cards, and I was very happy with the look they produced. Here is the intro to the set

Butterfly Blossoms

If you got some of these then maybe now is the time to get them out again and finish the packs to give you some really creations

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Acetate Front Floral Card

Hi Everybody,

I first added this card to YouTube 12 years ago and I loved the comments that it got. 

So I am de-doing the video and this time I have made it a little different.

It is just as beautiful this time around though so I am hoping that you will still like it too.

I am using older dies to create the look and I still have not bought anything new, which is part of my challenge to my self.

You can use any flower, leaf, butterfly or sentiment dies that you already own.

You can make it any colour you like and so use up any older card stock or paper that you have.

Acetate Front 5x7 Card & Box

I have used a heavier weight acetate for the font  of the card and to line the lid of the box, as this will hold the shape a little better.

The card that I have used has also got some stamina in it at 300 gsm as this makes everything much more stable

This photograph just shows the bevel in the acetate once it is added to the panel.

You don't really want it any deeper as it will not fit into the box if you do. 

The items under the acetate can have some dimension to the though as they are protected by the acetate.

Hope you enjoy 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Christmas Ideas

 Hi Everybody,

I made a card with red candy canes on it for my Great Grandson Bobby to give to his friends at school for Christmas, but while the die was out I decided to elaborate a little more with the canes.

And this us where the rainbow canes card came from.

Rainbow Candy Canes Card

This card could be kept as a Christmas card or used as a birthday card and children would love it with their name on it too.

The idea to video it was a last minute decision as well and it is not long, but the card is quite pretty once completed

It could be used as an adult card too and not just for children. 

It could be dressed u with real ribbons and flowers if you wanted to and adding glitter would make it sparkle 

The ideas care endless once your imagination is working and you could make this card as fancy as you liked.

Have a look through all your old dies that haven't had an airing for some time and I bet you will be pleasantly surprised with what you find.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Still Available at Craft Stash

Hi Everybody,

There is no new video today but I do have a list of older ones that are using dies that are still available at Craft Stash. 

 These are the Elegant Nestables Collection and they are some of my favourite sets to wok with and they all work with each other to make you some beautiful cards.

Elegant Nestables DL & Slimline

I have been asked what does the DL stand for and it simply means Double Length ... so the card is 4" wide by 8" length

Each card is created with two different sets to showcase the versatility of them and the videos show you the possibilities of how you can mix and match them which are limitless

Elegant Nestables 5x7 + Circles

This beautiful pink card is a 6x6 size and  has been teamed with cream and some mulberry flowers.

You can add any stamped or die cut sentiment to the card to suit the occasion and your recipient.

It will certainly be playtime in your craft room with these lovely dies to work with and if you got them when they were first released then you will be aware of what they can do.

If you didn't  then here is your chance while they are still available . 

I have used a matt silver card for this base and added the Octagons to the top. 

Elegant Nestables 5x7 + Octagon 

  

I hope you enjoy these older videos and die sets and if you have them in your collections then maybe it is time to get them out again for another airing. 

I am on a mission to buy nothing new and so I am also looking at what I already have and making it work for me

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

 

Christmas Easel Card

Hi Everybody,     

I made this card many years ago and I though that with Christmas coming round soon that now would be a good idea to add it again;

It also stays within the Easel Card theme that I gave been covering for the past few weeks.

 I have no photo to show you but because it is an old video at least I have been able to add the complete video from YouTube, and you can see the end result there. .

It is a lovely card created in red and gold and yet it was easy to make.

 It will be a real show stopper card for the special people you send cards to and one I am sure you will be very proud of.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Quad Easel Card

Hi Everybody,  

Today I am creating a Quad Easel Card and this is a style I added to YouTube about 13years ago.

 It has been covered many times since by other people but I thought it was time for me to do an updated version of this card.

The video will show you how I got this look and it is a 6x6" card which will fit into an envelope or why not make a box for it to make it even more special.

Quad Easel Card

The top photo is the card with all the easels open but it will fold up neatly for you to send.

I have made some of my own paper to go with it and I have all sorts of bits of inked papers left over so maybe I will do a video on how to use up all these scraps.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Easel Card Dies

Hi Everybody.

I have been covering how to make and alter easel cards in the last few videos and  hopefully shown you ways in which you can personalise it to suit you.

There are lots of dies around that can make this style of card with just a pass through your die cutting machine.

I brought out several of these type of dies while I was with Craft Stash ... but I do not know if there are any available.

I also made a video on using these dies and how you can adapt them to suit your needs. and this Snowflake die was one of my favourites.

Snowflake Easel Card

It is a lovely die to work with and the end results are quite pretty and different., and here you can see just how different it can be,

 Did you get this die set ???

Or maybe you got one of the other styles that I brought out at the time as there where quite a few to choose from.

More tomorrow 

Hugs xx

YouTube Collaboration

 Hi Everybody,

Today I am so excited to be doing a collaboration with another YouTuber and I am sure that many of you will already know about her channel. We got together and decided to do our individual ideas on a Christmas card.

We have completely different styles, in fact at total opposite ends to each other. I am a more is more type of crafter and I love to add flowers, ribbons and pearls to my designs. 

Whereas Christine is a Clean & Simple style and she makes some beautiful cards .
I am adding the links here to both our channels for you to view each video and we would be delighted if you would  "Like" comment and subscribe to each of us.

Christina's Video ...  https://youtu.be/6idnJlRbKuk
Christine's Video ...   https://youtu.be/VgFRjELSm2U?si=DTjSDtRPQjkB5uGY

Enjoy

Christina Griffiths

Christine Stokes

  &

Triple Twist Easel Card - Design 5

 Hi Everybody,

Here is yet another way that you can add that twist to your triple easel cards and make them completely personal to you.

Add them to an envelope or make them a box and they are so very different for your recipient to enjoy.

The video will show you how to create this one and it is very easy to do. 

I have used my own handmade papers again and I tell you the colours I have used so that you can try it as well. 

Play with some of your inks to see what colour blends you like the look of and don't be afraid to go for it.

It is only paper and a little ink so if you don't like it then try again until you find something that you do like. 

Click the link to watch the video on YouTube and please leave me a comment, Like and subscribe

Triple Twist Easel - Design 5 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Corner Easel Card

 Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is a Corner Easel Card and is one that is really easy to make. It is just a few score lines and one cut using an 8x8 peice of card.

The video will show you how I made a beautiful lilac Corner Easel Card
and there are several other colours for you to see.

I used an old paper pack that I have and it came in very handy as the correct size, but you could make these any size you preferred.

This size would fit into a normal envelope but it would make a lovely gift if added to a small box.

And of course if your embellishments are deeper than mine then it would need that box to hold it so that things don't get crushed.

The cards are all very pretty but I have to admit that this lilac one is my favourite.

I think it turned out especially well

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Star Easel Card

 Hi Everybody,

Here is another design in the Easel Card series and just as easy to make.

I am showing you two sizes 5x7 and the A6 but both cards are made using the same inks, flowers and way of making.

I have added the flowers in different areas on the cards and the sentiment in opposite corners but otherwise they are the same.

I cannot lay claim to being the originator of any of these designs as Easel Cards have been around for many years, these are simply my take on things that I am more than happy to share with you.

So this is the

Star Easel Card

It is a design that you can have some fun with and there are lots of tutorials on YouTube for more ideas on how to decorate the card.

I have another design for easels coming tomorrow so I hope you will join me then.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Alternating Panel Easel- Design 4

 Hi Everybody,

In the last Easel Card video we made a card with all the panels facing the same way. In this one we are going to make them face opposite ways.

It is just as easy to do and we have used a 5x7 base. 

But to simply the twisted panels I have cut the full card down to 6 3/4 x 4 3/4 and that makes life easier to divide the pieces.

The video will make things clearer for you and I am sure you will like the finished cards.

It will fit into a 5x7 box to make it easier to give to your recipient. 

Here is the link to the video and I hope you enjoy it and will give this easel card a try.

Alternating Panel Easel Card
Design 4

I haven't made the paper for this card in the video as I have covered that process in others.

The colours I have used have been Dried Marigold,

Scattered Straw and Crackling Campfire with some copper embossing powder that  I already have.

So just use what you have in your own personal crafting stash, without going to the expense of buying more.

More tomorrow  ...

Hugs xx

Triple Twisted Panel Easel - Design 3

 Hi Everybody,

Todays card is another of those easel cards that are always popular and yet seem so difficult to make to new card makers.

Believe me they are not and once you have made one you will be happy  to try other variations.

This one is a little different and it has been around for years.

You will find many many tutorials on YouTube showing you how to make Easel Cards and all the variations

This is my version of the card

Triple Twisted Panel Easel  - Design 3

 and how I put my own personal mark on the card.

I really enjoyed making it and it is really special  and creating my own background papers helps to make it even more personal as no one else will have that paper.

Not even you will be able to make the exact same background twice  ...no matter how hard you try.

I hope you will give some of these cards a try for yourself and there are now lots of videos with all the different ways that you can make easel cards

There is sure to be one that takes your fancy, and I have more variations to come yet 

I have used my own DL box die set to make the box and if you have it all well and good but if you don't then you may find that it is no longer available for you to purchase.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Triple Twisted Snowflake Easel - Design 2

 Hi Everybody,     

I am trying to feature many styles to create this Triple version of the easel card and this one is also Twisted.

It is easy to make for yourself and I have kept the tutorial precise and easy to follow so that you will have no trouble crafting along with me.

Triple Twisted Snowflake Easel - Design 2

I have even more versions to share with you so be sure to come back and watch

For this card I have again made some of my own background papers but this time in a different way.

I am using the brushes that I bought from Lidl a few years ago. and they are specifically decorating brushes  ... but they work really well for blending inks  

I have all the Distress Oxides too so I may as well put them to some good use and this is such an enjoyable way to do it. 

Plus it saves me money on buying papers.

The same applies to any dies I have used. I already have them and so I may as well use them too.

This is my personal mission not to buy anything new for crafting.

 And it is working so far !!

Mire tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Triple Twisted Easel Card - Design 1

 Hi Everybody,  

Here is yet another version of the Easel Card and thus time I  have twisted the triple variety,

I have  a few versions of how to make this card to show you and rather than add them all in one extra  long video I decided to make a few and keep them shorter.

Here is the first one for the 

Twisted Triple Easel Card

Be sure to come back and check for more ways to make these easel cards.

The blue card to the left has used card from AnnaMarie Designs but for the one in the video I decided to make yet more of my own backgrounds.

It is fun to mix and match the colours and see what you like.

Some of them may not mix as you think and then you could end up with a muddy brown.

So be sure to dry each colour before you add another one to the top and that helps to keep the colours pure. But whatever you do ... have fun !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Trellis Card Variation Four

 HI Everybody.

Another quick and easy variation of the Trellis Card and this one is crated to look like a gate or fence panel.

I have used some card that looks wooden to make things easier and I have inked the edges to make it blend.

This video is not long  but I hope you enjoy it just the same.

Trellis Card - Variation Four

Click the link to open a new window in YouTube to view the video and be sure to leave me a comment. "Like" and subscribe if you haven't already.

It all helps to let YT know that you would like more videos from me. 

And a comment here on the blog would be very much appreciated too.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx