Woodland Fairy

Hello everyone, I have a Fairy project to share with you today, and have combined lots of different stamp sets to create a little scene using pencils and Pan Pastels.

I have created my project using Pan Pastels for the background, adding stamps from the Fantasy Castle stamp set initially in the back of the picture, and then I added images from the Design a Tree collection to create a forest effect. I used coloured ink to add the little flowers to the trees, and a deeper shade of Pan Pastel, with a touch of grey pencil to ground the trees, so that they did not float in mid air. I stamped the clouds with grey ink for a softer finish, and added pale pink Pan Pastel and white charcoal to create fluffy appearance.

I stamped the fairy from the Spring Fairy collection onto a separate piece of card, and coloured the image with Polychromos pencils, before cutting it out and adhering it to the background. The castle in the background was also coloured with pencils.

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Time for another challenge!

Hello folks, it's time for another challenge on the Chocolate Baroque Challenge Blog so please pop over to take a look at the inspiration from the Design Team, read the information and make something for the challenge. If you use Chocolate Baroque stamps for your entry, you will be entered in the monthly draw for a £15 prize to spend at Chocolate Baroque so it is really worth entering the challenge.

Here is the inspirational picture for this month's challenge using artwork originally created by one of our Design Team members Doreen:

The colours are so different from last month's challenge, and Doreen's original artwork is beautiful. I was inspired to make a card reflecting a recent holiday to Tuscany, so I fished out the Echoes of Italy stamp plate which is an old favourite of mine. I created two panels of colour at the top and bottom of my background using paper masks to cover the central area. I used various shades of Distress Inks: Scattered Straw, Dried Marigold, Wild Honey and Rusty Hinge. I stamped the large crackle stamp over the top using Sepia Archival Ink.

For the central panel, I stamped the image using Bamboo Leaves Memento Ink, and added some clouds from the Magical Landscapes and Fantasy Castles stamp sets. I coloured the images in with Distress Markers and a waterbrush.

Originally that was it as far as the design was concerned, but I felt that the balance of colours was wrong. So, I added some handmade flowers using scrap paper and some die cut Crealie leaves. Italy is bursting with flowers wherever you go, and so the addition of the flowers feels just right.

Thanks for stopping by,

Eastern Adventure

Hi Folks, I have been working with the new MagicalLandscapes/Fantasy Castles Multibuy stamp set again and wanted to show their versatility. I have made a card with a bit of an Eastern flavour which I am showing you today.

I created a wrinkle free Distress background using Ripe Persimmon and Antique Linen Distress re-inkers, and then stamped a large paisley stamp from Indian Elephant using Ripe Persimmon Distress Ink. I used a palm tree stamp from Peace on Earth showing that Christmas stamps can be used all year round, not just at Christmas! The sentiment is from the Artistic Affirmations stamp set.

I stamped the main image onto a piece of white card using gold embossing powder, and coloured the image with Distress Markers, sticking to the blue and orange theme of the card as much as possible. Finally, I swirled some blue and orange Distress Ink around the edge of the card to soften the white background. I used some Versamark around the edges of the main background card, and added some gold embossing powder, which I heated to melt. Some dark blue card to mat the layers completed the card.

I thought that this would make a great 'Bon Voyage' card for someone heading off on their travels. These castles are so adaptable, and I have lots of plans for different settings, so watch this space!
Thanks for stopping by, xx

Have a Fairy Happy Birthday!

Hi Folks, here's a project for you using stamps from the new Spring Fairy Collection stamp set combined with some older favourites. I wanted to create a gift set that comprised of a card, gift tag and matching wrapping paper, using soft pastel tones. I picked five shades of Memento Ink, and created a background on my tag, and a large piece of white card. I used brushes dabbing off the excess ink to avoid brush marks and blending the colours together where they met. I stamped the fairies and butterflies using Versafine Onyx Black Ink for a nice crisp impression. The extra fairies and buterflies are from the Winter Fairy and Autumn Fairy stamp sets.

To make the tag, I added a sprinkling of glitter on the butterfly wings and the trail of stars. The sentiment comes from the Fairyland Words clear stamp set. To make the card, I added some clouds from the Magical Landscapes/Fantasy Castles Multibuy stamp set and a flower from the Decadent Brocade stamp set, which has been decoupaged. I have added some die cut leaves, and a sentiment as before.

The wrapping paper was created using the same stamps as the tag, stamped with each of the ink colours, graduating across the paper.

Thanks for stopping by, xx