Saturday 20 April 2013

CARDS for MEN in the family - sorted!


A lovely stamp design to PAPER PIECE!  
I like to call it "Colouring in with papers" then it does not get mixed up with "Paper PieRcing!"  I have used lovely papers by Woodware "OSLO" that have all the beige, brwon and tan colours for tthis card and i have teamed it with Tan linen card from our collection att Japonica.   Francoise at Woodware has designed lots of stamps for this method and of course any colour combinations could be used - but I think this JUST for U is one I shall be using again and again!  The are 5 other small greetings are in the set too for £6.00.


Close-up on embellishment on papers!  I used a Gelly roll pen - clear and white!

A mans easel card -using football square Peel-offs - the reverse image on this sheet is really effective on the black layer card  
CLose-up of watercoloured image and reverse image to.

Watercolour pencils on a piece of watercolour card. 
Stamped image using Versafine.  LOvely smple finish -add a panel of blue embossed card -using a swirl folder - Voila!

Blockart for BIRD -DAYS


THIS IS A GOOD IDEA FOR USING  obsolete wooden blocks from stamps to create art  for gifts and decorations!  I have used some pretty papers (double-sided ones are a good idea), some shading tecniques using inkpads and a MULTI PUNCH - Includes Dove, Owl, 2 wings, twig and lots of leaves!!

 The smaller one has different colours and  a little glitz!
More birds - doing foolish things!


Tuesday 9 April 2013

What garden seat do you prefer?

This is my Restful garden bench - restful because I've put the wheelbarrow and wateringcan down to have a rest!    I have used craft card and enbossed the background, added a lovely sq label shape to the centre and stamped (Artemio - Hedgerow) in shades of green.  3-4 Vellum butterflies were also die-cut and added along with apikcet fence, a garden bench and tools.  The wheelbarrow and Watering can have been sponged with a Versamagic - Niagara Mist to dullen the lime green card. Stickles have glistened on the branches of the FOLIAGE stamp (Hobby Art) and Liquid pearl dots to the wing tips of the butterflies (from the Topiary die set by Maranne). 

 See some of the detail in the pic below....

The next seat ...

This seat is a much more elegant style - maybe for a quiet corner in the sun....
I have made a box card from 2 x A5 of white card.  This concertinas at the sides to fold flat into an envelope easily.   An acetate window allows you to glue the seat to it and add a Silver Peel-off message too.  Behind the acetate, inside the card i have embossed "birds" and sponged with a soft blue inkpad.  I have also added a border of Tulips ( die by Crafts-too) that have been sponged with lovely pastel colours of Versamagic for a soft summer look.   The Topiary have been die-cut and embossed in green card and Liquid Pearl have created the "BUDS" in pale pink and white.

Victorian Portraits

I used my CUTTLEBUG for die-cutting the rectangle and the oval shapes and the flowers for these cards.  The Portraits come on a 12 x 12"sheet of paper (SKAGEN from Woodware) - there are 2 sizes on this sheet.

All items were cut using white card and colour was added from inkpads.  VERSAMAGIC chalk inkpads were used for sponging gentle colours to the edges of the images - Pixie Dust Pink and Sahara Sand - a perfect match to the tones in the cards.  The finish was gentle, feminine and Victorian without being dingy!

I usd my NEW FAUX SPRITZING technique for the Rosebud background and BRILLIANCE ink - Pearl Beige - one of my favourites!  The ribbon was a great idea using Organza ribbon (wide) shown to me by my good friend Crafty Debs!  Thank you Debbie!

MY FAUX SPRITZING TECHNIQUE

Faux Spritzing with BRILLIANCE inkpads
 When planning some projects for a CUTTLEBUG workshop recently - I used BRILLIANCE inkpads inside my embossing folders -only to discover that my embossed card looked like I had used a Pearly Spritz - but MAGICALLY avoided the embossed detail! 

So I have called this my FAUX SPRITZ technique!

Many BRILLIANCE inkpads are Pearlescent, so the finish has a lovely pearly sheen.   I am a big fan of BRILLIANCE inks already as they represent good value for money because they can be used in so many different ways.
I have used - Lightning Black (SIlhouette design),Sky Blue (Daisy design) and Lime (Birthday Wishes)


Detail of the Silhouette die cut in an embossed oval - Faux Spritzed with Lightning Black BRILLIANCE.  Add an organza ribbon and liquid Pearl (Silver) to embellish. TOP TIP - Always wash your embossing folder thoroughly after inking!

Thursday 4 April 2013

Just Black Peel-Off Stickers!


Stylised leaf in Jewel colours
This gorgeous NEW Peel-off sticker has been designed by Jane Gill for Woodware (in stock in JAPONICA along with both of her flowers in a similar style)
Stylised leaf in Autumn colours
  and is amongst my favourites this year. 

I have used SAKURA gelly roll GLAZE pens to colour onto Pearl card, as this allows the Sakura pen to remain wet enough to blend (note the bled colours).  Colour was added to each section and then Crystal glitter added whilst it was still wet - a lovely way to add colour and glitz! 
The black outline makes a bold outine to all the glitz and the tips of the pens are fine - so your colour can be very detailed.  These pens added to glitter create a VERY glitzy finish - and very ease to achieve too.

More ideas below of "JUST A BLACK Peel-Off sticker" - they are my favourites!

These NEW branches are separate to the leaves - so you can place the leaves...or not!  Great for winter!
 In this "BLOOM" card I have used the reverse sticker to create a background too.