Hi Folks, I have a sample for you today using the new Halloween stamps from Chocolate Baroque

My sample was created by masking off the top and bottom of the card with Post it notes, using a ruler, to get a nice straight edge.

To begin, I stamped a small castle from the Howling Moon stamp sheet onto the background, and used a small piece of Post it note to mask off the moon. I then coloured the background with Distress Inks by blending them in a sideways motion, to create a streaky sky. I ensured that I used some yellow around the moon, and extra shading underneath the castle. I added some pieces of branch along the bottom, then added the witch and a sentiment from the Bewitched Moonlight stamp sheet. I then peeled away the Post it notes, and added a lace stamp from the Lace Fragments stamp sheet at the top and bottom of the background.

To finish, I added white highlights to represent the moonlight. This technique is called the bandana technique, and on a more complicated pattern, would look like a bandana scarf.

There is a giveaway over on the Design Team blog  at the moment, so be sure to pop over there. You will find lots of inspiration from my Team mates over the coming days. Thanks for stopping by, xx

Christmas Greetings!

Hi Folks, there are new stamps over at Chocolate Baroque today. There are two sets of Halloween stamps, and some fabulous new clear Christmas greetings to use on your Christmas cards.

I have a Christmas card to show you today, using one of the greetings and my favourite feisty angel fron the Gothic Angels stamp set. I have used Pan Pastels to create the background, including one of the the new metallic Pan Pastel in a scrumptious coppery colour.

The greetings are large enough to be used as features on a card in their own right, and come in a great selection of fonts. Look out for these creeping into our samples over the coming weeks, as they are really fabulous.

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Tangled baubles

Hi folks, here are a couple more Christmas samples for you using the Tangled Baubles Big Background stamp. For my first sample, I created a background using alcohol inks. I dropped alcohol inks onto some water in an old ice cream tub, and then dipped my card into the tub, ensuring the background was completely covered with colour. Once I had dried the background with a heatgun, I stamped the image using archival ink. I stamped part of the image again onto another spare piece of card, also coloured with the alcohol inks, so that I could decoupage one of the baubles. I added some co-ordinating card to mat and layer the image, and stamped a sentiment from the Gothic Angels stamp sheet.I simply added some ribbon to finish.

My second card uses the Tangled Bauble stamp again as my focal point, and this time, I simply stamped the image with black archival ink. I then watercoloured the background using some red paint, adding shading for depth around the baubles. I stamped a sentiment from the Pears and Baubles stamp sheet onto a piece of card, slightly larger than the sentiment itself. I used a permanent pen to draw a design around the outside, and after making sure that it was completely dry, I used the same watercolour paint to colour the border. I used some co-ordinating card to add some matting and layering again.

These simple cards are quite quick to make, and would be great for anyone who loves Zentangle.

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Thanks for stopping by, xx

Yuletide Angel

Hi Folks, I have a project to show you today showcasing the new Gothic Angels stamp sheet from Chocolate Baroque. This stamp sheet is a fabulous mix of gothic images and background pieces, perfect for making your Christmas cards with a traditional feel.

I have chosen to create a card using a leafy background technique taught to me by my crafty friend Elaine a couple of years ago. I stamped the angel onto a piece of white card, and then stamped the holly stamp around her, creating a frame. I coloured the images with Polychromos pencils, and cut around the leaves, leaving a small border for definition. I added some purple ribbon to correspond with the colours in the image itself, and added a greeting from the stamp sheet.

This card would be ideal for someone who does not necessarily celebrate a traditional Christmas. I like to call this angel 'Feisty Angel' as she looks very strong and knows her own mind. However, in more delicate colours, she would look completely different.

I will be back in a couple of days, with some more samples to show you, thanks for stopping by, xx

Blog Hop Winner

Hi Folks, as promised, I am back to announce the winner of my part of the wedding blog hop that took place on the Crafting With Dragonflies blog a couple of weeks ago. The hop was extremely successful, and we were really grateful for the response that we received from you all.

The winner of my blog candy is commenter number two: Gail



So if you would like to get in touch, I will send your prize off to you as soon as possible.

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Altered Item

Hi Folks, it's time for another challenge over on the Crafting with Dragonflies blog. This time the challenge is to alter an item. I chose to alter an ordinary paper bag:

I have used an image from our Sponsor Crafts and me called 'Dusk', which I have coloured with pencils, and cut out using an oval die. I mounted it onto co-ordinating card. I used some lovely Prima Firefly paper, amd some cream lace to decorate my bag. I added a cream flower and some die cut swirls to finish.

Hop over to the blog to see what my Team mates have made for your inspiration this week. Let's see your altered makes for the challenge, and don't forget to take a photo of the item before you alter it as well!

Thanks for stopping by, xx