Peacock feathers

Hello there!  Hope some of you are still here waiting for this long overdue blog post.  I thought I'd break myself in gently with a short post with instructions for one of the cards I made for Barbara's show from the NEC using a couple of the peacock feather stamps designed by Linda Williams. 

DISTRESS INK PAD - PEACOCK FEATHERS INK-DP-50091-XX

Wilted violet distress ink pad

Blueprint sketch distress ink pad

FRAMEWORK SQUARES STENCIL 7" X 7" STE-PA-00424-77

VERSAMARK INK PAD INK-VE-50221-XX

EMBOSSING POWDER - DETAIL GOLD ACC-EM-30237-XX 

Colouring pencils 

Black Sharpie pen 

Mask off 3 squares of the framework stencil

Blend the inks through with a sponge and sprinkle with a little water for texture 

Dust with talc, then stamp the feathers with versamark and emboss with detail gold powder

Add colour with pencils

Edge with a black Sharpie pen and mount onto a card blank to finish 

And there you have it.  Things don't always have to be complicated.  I will try harder to get back into the habit of blogging more regularly.  Till next time.  Love xxx

Christmas in July!

Hello there!  Hope you are all well and enjoying the sunshine.  As I've been asked for instructions on how to do this card, I thought I would blog some simple instructions.  Its actually very easy to do.

 

Here's where we're heading...

 

 

Ingredients

7" x 7" stencil card - Stencil Card 7" x 7" (50 Sheets) ACC-CA-30095-77

Potting soil/coffee archival - Archival Ink Pad - Coffee INK-AR-50037-XX

Distress or Artistry inks in yellow, green and red

Stencil brushes - Clarity Stencil Brushes (Set of 4) ACC-BR-30006-XX

Abstract square stencil - Abstract Squares 3 Stencil 7" x 7" STE-PA-00200-77

Jayne's Holly & Ivy stamp set- Jayne's Holly & Ivy Unmounted Clear Stamp Set STA-FL-10385-A5

Colouring pencils

Brown sharpie pen

8" card blank - CARD BLANKS & ENVELOPES X 10 8" x 8"DOVE WHITE INK ME!CBIM13

 

• Attach the stencil just to the top of the card with masking tape.  This will allow you to lift the stencil without moving its position so you can check on your progress.

• Brush through randomly with the inks;  building up and blending the colours until you're happy with the result.  Don't be tempted to go too dark.

• With the stencil still in place, stamp through with "the Holly and the Ivy" in the same colours in a few areas to add a little extra texture and interest.  (Its wise to check on a piece of scrap first, as you may need to use second generation ink). 

• With a make-up sponge, smear any ink left on the stencil onto the card.  This will make the edges of the design nice and crisp.  Remove the stencil.

• With potting soil archival, stamp the long embellishments and the words into place. 

• Add colour to the leaves and stems with pencils, and a drop shadow to the bottom of each square (if desired).  Trim and edge with a sharpie pen, then mount onto a card blank.

 

I hope you like, and maybe feel inspired to have a go at something similar yourself.  I'd love to see it if you do.

 

I'm off for now.  A few things to catch up with before Barbara launches the One Day Special on Hochanda at 6pm.  More wonderful Jayne Nestorenko designs.  Its been a real pleasure to be remembering her by bringing her artwork to life.  Till next time.  Xxx

 

 

 

Sew happy to be part of the Clarity Design team!

Hello there!  I can't believe how long it is since I last blogged.  How time flies!  I really must get back into the habit, as I do enjoy our little chats and sharing some of my projects to hopefully inspire you.

As I remembered to take photos while I was making it, I thought I'd share this card I made using the tag and haberdashery stamps.  Masking isn't difficult, but it does require a bit of logical thinking.  I'll often have a practice run on a piece of copy paper to make sure I'm happy with the layout and to make sure I'm clear on the order I need to stamp everything in.

Stamp the largest tag into place, the mannequin and the sentiment in sepia archival, then cover with a mask.  Its always worth while taking time to position the mask accurately, a task that's not always as easy as it sounds.

Stamp one of the smaller tags in place to the side, overlapping slightly.

And again at the other side.  Put the outie mask into position.

Stamp the pincushion and thimble into place;  remove the outie mask, and cover up with the innie mask.

Repeat the process on the other side, this time using the scissors and the tape measure.  Its always worth covering up your card with an extra couple of post-its to prevent any unhappy accidents (and, how does she know this, I wonder?)

Remove the outie mask and cover with the innie.

Repeat again with the last 2 tags;  using the outie mask to allow you to stamp through onto the tag, and then the innie mask which allows you to overlap the stamps if desired, and create the illusion of one being behind the other.

Here we are with all the tags covered with their innie masks.

Using second generation ink, randomly stamp the fabric scrap from the journaling set in pink to ground the tags.

To disguise a little paw print, I added a couple of stitching lines (also from the same journaling set).

Lightly brush pink ink across the bottom of the card.

Remove the masks and go round the edge with a brown sharpie pen.  Add a little bit of shading with coloured pencils.  For a final touch, I decided to decoupage the largest tag, splattering ink and adding ribbon.  I gathered a tiny piece of tulle for a skirt and glued onto the mannequin, leaving some of the threads loose.  Finally this was glued into place, then the card was mounted onto a card blank. 

 

Hope you like it and you feel inspired to try out something similar yourself.  I'd love to see what you do. 

I'm hoping Mr Postman arrives with the stamps for Maria's next shows tomorrow.  I think you're going to love them;  the designs look fabulous, I can't wait to get started.  Till next time.  Xxx