Featured Card ...

Hi Everybody,

Spectrum Noir  have added a new video I have made to their Blog page and you will find it here ...  Shaving Foam Technique

It is not a long video but it shows you what I have done to create the card and the end result ... and it is part of my commitment to being a Design Team Member.

There are many ways and many kits that you can buy that will create the marbling on your cards but they can be expensive.

This is a cheap way and it gives you the same result.  It is a simple idea and one that as been around for a long time and the whole thing is messy but fun.

 My tin of shaving foam cost me a whole 29 pence .... so it's not going to break the bank then ... and I can get a lot of use from the one can.

Once you have the foam on your card .... and any card will do... there are other things that you can do to it.

This panel has been embossed and then rubbed over with Gilding Cream and I have edged it with a black liner pen ... and it is not supposed to be a straight line !! ....

This one has been heat embossed and edged with the Spectrum Noir pen that matched the ink used in the background.

I think the whole effect is very striking and when other embellishment are added it will be a card that not even you can replicate.

Which is all part of the fun .... no two will ever be the same.

I hope you enjoy the short tutorial



Before I go I have been asked about the GNPE show in Harogate

It is on the 5th and 6th of October this year, at the showground, and you can buy your tickets from Craftwork Cards  ...

There is also a craft show on  12th 13th 14th September at Event City in Manchester 

The  "Sincerely Yours" Craft Fair  will be at  the Sports Village in Leigh, Lancashire is on the 12th and 13th October... some good dates for your diary and  if you go then enjoy yourself and don't spend too much

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Opposites attract ...

Hi Everybody

These two cards are created following the Create a Frame with Spellbinders   tutorial.   I have used the same black and white card, the same embossing folder,  the same sentiment,   the same backing paper under the filigree pattern.

They are made using the same die and I have added the same flowers along the bottom ..... BUT .... wherever one is white the other is black.

The top one is my favorite ... it seems to stand out more.

The die used is the new Tapestry from Spellbinders and I bought mine  from Sunrise Crafts

I haven't added the usual list at the bottom of the page today because the only other die used is the Grand Labels for the base and  to create the frames for the card.

 So start with the base and work your way through them.... one has a black base ...  the other is white.

One has the black centre ...  and the other is white.  One has black ribbon with white spots ... and the other is white with black spots.

The insides have been decorated the same and I have  added a label for a verse, a sentiment or a signature.

Even the pearly swirls are apposite on each card  and they are from Want2Scrap

The card did not look finished until the flowers were in place and sparkled with Glamour Dust and they are from Wild Orchid Crafts

Which ... if any ... do you like the best ??

More tomorrow...

Hugs xx

Griffs' Birthday ....

Hi Everybody,

This is just a short and scheduled post because today is Griffs' Birthday and we are taking the day off.

This evening  to celebrate we are going out to our favorite restaurant for dinner just the two of us and we know it will be special.

This is the card I have for him and the verse says it all.

It is one I made a while ago and put away for today ... and now it has pride of place on top of the cabinet for everybody to see.

He keeps all the cards I make for him and this one will also be kept with the others in his memory box.

So that's it for today ... more tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Blue on Blue ...

Hi Everybody,

What a mixed reaction to the Black card I showed you yesterday.  I didn't like it either  and many of you agreed with me about it  ...  but others did.

Having said that I do have a couple more dark cards to show you this week.

Personally I much prefer the lighter colours ...even for a sympathy card  ...soooooooo I won't be doing that again ... but thanks for the feedback.

In one of the comments on Fridays post for the  Crisscross Pattern,   Janice mentioned that she had read about the die bieng threaded with ribbon.

And I thought Ooooh!!  got to try that ...  and this is my take on the card.   I have used blue gingham ribbon and threaded it through all the slots.

So "Thank you" Janice for the comment ... I hope you like the end result.

I have added tiny pearls to each of the cross sections and the matching "Bling"  from  Want2Scrap   for the Fancy Tags Three

The ribbon was in my "Stash" and I have used the Bow maker to create a double bow  and I have added a larger petal to the centre to cover the knot.

In the close up photo you can see the weaving of the ribbon and I used super sticky double sided tape to hold it in place along the sides.

I created a double frame to go around it and added the layers with foam pads

The inside has been decorated to match the front and the card is a 6 x 8 1/2 " when finished ... and although it is a large card it will fit into an envelope for posting.

The sentiment is from Lili of the Valley  and is one of a group that are all on one sheet.

And once again there are no flowers on this card .... and that will have to change soon !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Black Card ...

Hi Everybody,

It's a well known fact that we all like white on white cards and even the cream variation .... but what about black on black ??

This is a card I have made with the new Crisscross Pattern die from Spellbinders that I showed you yesterday ... but I have to say I don't know if I like it really.

 What do you think?

The card has been made following the video tutorial for

Creating  A  Frame  with  Spellbinders    and the Crisscross has been layered onto a dull silver card.

The black pearls are some from Want2Scrap  and I have jsut added them to the cross sections of the die

The sentiment has been heat embossed in silver and double layered onto some of the silver card.

I added a large double bow using the  Bow Maker  from the black ribbon that I already had in my "Stash"

The question is ... do I like it  ... or not ??  Er!  I think NOT ....

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx