Merry Christmas Everybody ...

This is to each and every one of you and may your Christmas be all you hope for.

Much Love

Friends Are ...

 Hi Everybody,

Todays card is one that I made as part of my commitment to Craft Stash and this and some of the other that I have made are featured on their Facebook Page

This die is the Scalloped Circle Frame  and I have cut the large circle several times and layered them together to give height to the die cut.

The sentiment has been added to the centre of the circle and some gingham ribbon placed at the top.

The buckle is from Wild Orchid Crafts and makes a pretty addition to the ribbon which is from Mei Flower

I have cut several flowers from the smaller die in the set and layered them onto the circle with some white leaves

The leaves and the glitter ball centres to the flowers are both from WOC

I have used Spellbinders  5x7 Matting Basics A&B  to create the hinged base card

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Pretty Girl ...

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is created with watercolours and I have used once again the Japanese Gansai Tambi paints.

The more I play with these the more I like them and all thirty six of the colours are very vivid and creamy.

The  digital image is from Saturated Canary and there are lots of really cute images for you to choose from ... you will be spoilt for choice

This one I have dressed with flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts  and matched them to the colour scheme of my card. The pearls are self adhesive from Want2Scrap

The background to the card is the embossing folder Shady Allure  and I have inked over the raised pattern

The card itself is created with 5x7 Matting Basics A and B and is much prettier in the hand

The sentiment is from the Phrases One  set by Spellbinders and I have cut it from card and craft foam to give it height.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Tuesday Tutorial - Edgeabilities

Hi Everybody,

Adding a decorative edge to your cards can be easily obtained with the aid of a die, and Spellbinders have several sets that all mix and match together.  This pretty card has been created with one of those sets but the same result can be done with any that you have in your crafting "Stash"

I am aware that these are old dies but some of you may have them and it is always good to re visit the older ones. After all you bought them because you liked them and you may as well put them to good use.

I have linked below to another style that is still available and at a really good price but these dies are being retired and so if you don't  have one,  but like the idea then grab them while you can.

 My apologies that I cannot link to the actual Classic Triple Scallop set that I have used.

Spellbinders Supplies:

• E8-005 Classic Postage Stamp
• S6-001 5x7 Matting Basics A
• S6-002  5x7 Matting Basics B 
• PL-001 Platinum Machine

Other Supplies:

• Oragnza and Satin Ribbons from Mei Flower
• Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts
• Pink Pearls from Want2Scrap
• Hat Pin handmade by me
• Embossing Folder

Instructions:

With die #7 from Matting Basics A cut two pieces and  Create a Hinged Card  for your base

With die #7 from Matting Basics B cut one more layer and dry emboss this with any folder that you have in your "Stash" 

(Please remember that die #1 is always the smallest)

In between these two layers you will need to hand cut another in the colour of your choice so that it leaves a tiny border around the edge. These layers can all be glued to the base card

I chose a deep pink for mine

With die #6 from 5x7 Matting Basics A cut two panels and these are the ones we are going to work on first. The edges on the long sides will be cut with the die so there is no need to emboss

Looking at the dies you will be able to see the difference. The one on the left is the cutting edge and the other two are the inserts to give you the pattern.  Any of the Classic Edges  will be the same and there are several insert sets that can be mixed and matched

With one of the white layers we have just cut and the  cutting edge die I have cut the card on one long side and then flipped it over to cut the other side.

Try to keep the pattern as symmetrical as you can.

Then with some deep pink card and the same die cut along one side.

Using the white panel as your guide place it so that a small border is visible and reposition the cutting die along the other side leaving the same size border.  Tape it in place so that it doesn't slip

Add these two together with foam tape in between the layers. Set aside

On the second white panel place the cutting edge on the outside and choose one of the inserts and tape together to cut. 

Make  this panel a little narrower than the other panel we have just layered and flip the two dies to the other side and cut this edge also. 

Keep the dies as level as you can on either side and once cut I have dry embossed my panel

With some deep pink card I have repeated the process from a previous step to get a small border around this embossed panel 

Layer these two together with foam tape.

I double layered wide and thin ribbon and added a bow at the bottom of the card

Here's a tip for you ... by adding the ribbon vertically down the centre top panel it will detract the eye away from any un-evenness in your edges 

Secure the ribbon at the back of the panels

Stamp and heat emboss your sentiment onto some parchment and layer it on to the same coloured card you have used. Wrap this also around the panels and secure at the back. 

Add all these layers to the base card and dress with the flowers

Push a hat pin into the knot of the bow for an added extra

This effect can be achieved if your dies have a separate cutting edge and fancy inserts to them. Take a look at what you have and improvise ... but most have all have fun making pretty cards for yourself.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Gansai Tambi Water Colours

Hi Everybody,

The card today is a complete change from Christmas and it is one I really enjoyed water colouring.

I used the Japanese  Gansai Tambi  water colours from  Kuretake  and they are amazing.

This is another Christmas present from ME to ME and I was so surprised when they came in the post. !!  Honest I was !!

They are so creamy and the colours are very vibrant. A little goes along way so use them sparingly

There are 36 pans in the set that I bought with some lovely colours that can be used as pastls by adding in more water.

In this set there is  a Pure White, Gold, Bronze and Pearl and they sit at the bottom of the display

They can be mixed with any colour to give a really pretty look and of course you can mix any of them to create your own colours in a separate palette

The images is called  Big Shoes   from Mos Digital Pencil and  will cost  you $3 which is about £1.75.

It is with you instantly so with no postage costs I would call that a bargain.  Save it to your PC and you can use it time and time again.

I really enjoyed playing with these images and paints and I will be doing a lot more. I find it so relaxing to sit and colour with whatever medium I happen to have in hand