Always friends...

Hi there.  I know, it's been a long time again since I last posted.  There just never seem to be enough hours in the day.

Anyway, enough excuses;  I was asked to share how I made this card, so here goes.  I used yellow, orange, pink and purple, but feel free to try another colour combination for a different effect.

You'll need..
LINDA'S FRIENDS DANGLES STA-WO-10603-A5
FLOWER POWER STENCIL 7" X 7" STE-FL-00252-77
BASIC BACKGROUNDS A5 STENCIL SET + A5 STENCIL FOLDER STE-PA-00291-A5
TINA'S FLOWERS 1 + MASK UNMOUNTED CLEAR STAMP SET STA-FL-10515-A5
TINA'S FLOWERS 2 + MASK UNMOUNTED CLEAR STAMP SET STA-FL-10516-A5
Colour bursts or brushos
Artistry or distress inks
Black archival
PEBEO DRAWING GUM ACC-AD-30376-XX
Colouring pencils

Using black archival, stamp"friends" and a couple of the word trails flowing across the card
Mask "friends" using masking fluid
Spritz the card lightly with water and add the colour bursts.  Spritz on more water as desired
Once dry, brush and sponge the artistry/distress inks randomly through both stencils to add further interest to the background
Brush around the edges with a couple of the colours for an aged effect
Rub off the masking fluid and add some shade around the letters with pencils
Edge with a black Sharpie pen and mount onto a card blank
Glue a mop up sheet (mine was kitchen towel), to a piece of card and use this to stamp out a few flowers
Cut out and glue in place to highlight the design
Add pearl centres and a few sequins to finish

I'd love to see what you make if you have a go at this card.  Sharing my work and hopefully some inspiration is one of my favourite things about being on the Clarity Design Team.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Till next time.  Xxx

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