T'wit T'woo

Hi Folks, some of you may have seen the latest show from IndigoBlu yesterday on Create and Craft. There are some great new stamps available. I thought I'd show you a couple of cards that I made featuring the lovely large owl stamp hand drawn by Kay. Both of these cards got an airing on the show, so those of you that watched it, will recognise them.

The first card is an easel card, made using Distress inks. I stamped the owl onto the card, and then masked it to stamp the branch afterwards. I then decoupaged two layers over the top, which I coloured with Polychromos pencils. I used a sentiment from the 'Hocus Pocus' stamp plate which I felt went well with this image.

The second card uses Flitterglu and copper gilding flakes for the main image. I have placed this into an oval aperture which has been created partly by stamping some ivy leaves around the bottom. These leaves come with the owl stamp. This is such a useful little stamp.

I'll be back with some more samples soon, thanks for stopping by, xx

Favourite colour combinations

Hi folks, my last post was a scheduled post, so I haven't had a chance to say thank you for the lovely comments from you wishing me well for my tooth extraction. It went okay, the sedation kept me perfectly calm, which was just what I could have hoped for during an uncomfortable and tricky procedure. I am a bit battered and bruised now, but hopefully things will just settle down after a few days, and I'll be back to normal in that department, anyway! I'll be off to Hospital again for a procedure on my arm in a couple of weeks, as I have a frozen shoulder that needs treatment. It has been very painful for about four months, and the time has come to get it sorted out, hopefully. So, I'll keep you posted as to how that goes, but not in too much detail, lol!

Anyway, onto matters crafty now. Since I have been playing with Distress Stains recently, it has made me think about colour combinations, particularly when using the Distress family of colours. I am rediscovering combinations that I love to use; Barn Door and Wild Honey, Victorian Velvet and Antique Linen, and most recently, Scattered Straw and Weathered Wood. I really like this combination. I have used it on projects before, but most recently, used it for a couple of Indigolu samples that I'd like to show you.

The first one uses stamps from 'Grand Tour II'. I masked a triangle section of the background off, and inked it up with my two colours of Distress Ink, then stamped the background with the map from the stamp set, twisting it at different angles, to fill the space. I then dried this off, covered it over, and filled another triangle section. I repeated the processs until the background was covered.

I coloured a piece of white card with the two colours, working out roughly where the building would sit, allowing for where the sky needed to be, and then stamped the main image with Flitterglu, and added the gold gilding flakes.

My second sample uses 'Grand Tour I' and the same colours throughout. I used Distress Stains to create a wrinkle free distress background. I created a strip of bicycles using the Flitterglu and gold flakes again. The little bicycle charm is an almost perfect match for the stamp, I was really happy about that. I stamped the word 'Travel' on the ribbon with Versamagic Jumbo Java ink, it's a great ink for stamping on fabric, and I have several colours in this ink for this purpose. The lady on the bicycle is a great focal stamp, and the details have come out really well, although the photograph doesn't really do her justice.

So, for a girl who loves purple, and working with bright colours, I am definitely finding my softer side at the moment! What is your favourite colour combination? Do you like brights, or the paler shades?

Thanks for stopping by today, Judith xx

Brideshead revisited?

Hi folks, I had occasion to make some samples for Kay and Alfie to take to the 'Stitches' show at the weekend, and these won't be seen elsewhere at all. Some of the cards can't be shown yet, because they contain new stamps, but a couple of cards used stamps that are already for sale on the Indigoblu website.

The first one was using the set called 'Brideshead, which contains a great mixture of small stamps, great for collage style cards, or for using with some of the other stamps in the IndigoBlu range. I decided to go for quite an unusual colour scheme, based loosely on a peacock feather, as I used a stamp of that design for my background. I stuck to greens and purples throughout the project.

I created two small cameos, cutting a fluted oval shape from purple metal with a Nestability shape. I then stamped the man and woman on an oval piece of card, and placed these on top, covering them with Glossy Accents.

I stamped and embossed the car with a two tone purple embossing powder to carry through the purple theme. The gold gilding flakes feature heavily in my design, adding to the sumptuous feel of the design as a whole. I wanted to create a slightly Art Deco feel to the piece, as the peacock feather has that style about it.

Hopefully, the addition of a real peacock feather helps to add to that feeling too. I really like this stamp set, and there were a few more stamps that I didn't get the chance to use, so it is a great mixture of images.

The bank notes and champagne label look great coloured with Old Paper Distress ink, and then stamped with the Flitterglu and gilding flakes.

I'll have another sample in a day or two, thanks for stopping by, xx

A little bit of Pomp and Pageantry

Here's another IndigoBlu card that I made recently, using Flitterglu and gilding flakes. I've used the 'Pomp and Pageantry' stamp set, and the large 'Jack' stamp.

I wanted to use the typical red and blue, but to incorporate the gilding flakes, so they replace the white in my colour scheme. I have used gold embossing for the scrolls on the background.

I have masked the man and woman together, which I like to do, using Crimson red Versafine ink to stamp the images onto Kraft card. The flakes are so colourful, and you can really see them on the large flag.

I'll be posting a couple more samples this week hopefully in the run up to another TV show on Sunday 26th Feb. Don't forget to look out for my samples! Thanks for stopping by, xx

Keeping busy

Hi folks, another scheduled post from me today. I'm finally off to the Hospital to be seen about having my tooth out. I had an infection flare up in my gum back in October, and it was recommended that my tooth should be taken out. It's only now that I'm having my consultation appointment! It's complicated, and needs to come out under a general anaesthetic, as the roots of my tooth are near my sinus cavity, and could be awkward to extract. I'd rather not be awake for the whole process anyway!

I made a card for my niece's 16th Birthday, using Distress Stains for the background again, I love using these at the moment. I've used stamps from indigoblu
to complete the card. The colours of the butterfly are not supposed to be realistic in any way, I just wanted them to match my background.

  

Here's another card sample from the latest Create and Craft TV show featuring the IndigoBlu stamps as well.

This features a spritzed background using Distress reinkers and water. I've coloured the poppies with Polychromos pencils, and then used Flitterglu and gilding flakes for the sentiment, and the border along the bottom.

The weather forecasters say that we are in for some cold weather this weekend, a good excuse to stay inside, wrap up warm, and get some crafting done, methinks. Anyway, have a good weekend, and thanks for stopping by, xx

Poppies-what else?

Hi folks, here's another sample that I made for the recent Create and Craft TV Show, using the fabulous stamps from IndigoBlu Flitterglu and some gilding flakes.

This time, I have used stamps from the stamp plate 'Poppy Meadow'. I created a background using Distress inks, and used a swirl stamp around the edge. I cut an oval shape from black card, and stamped the large poppy with Flitterglu, and applied the flakes. Black card shows the flakes off so well.

You all know how much I love to make handmade flowers, and this time, I wanted them to represent poppies, which are my favourite flowers. I love using these brass rings, adding Glossy Accents, and dropping seed beads into the glue, it's so effective. I have used handmade paper, which I have spritzed with Barn Door reinker to get this lovely red colour, before cutting the flowers out with a Nestability shape.

I really like the multi-coloured nature of some of the flake options, this one has reds and coppers in it. I'll be posting another sample in a couple of days, so keep popping back. Thanks for stopping by, xx

A little bit Vintage

Hi folks, another IndigoBlu sample today, featuring Flitterglu and gilding flakes. However, today's sample is a little bit more subtle than my previous one!

This sample uses the stamp plate 'Sarah's Choice', which is a mixture of words and definitions. I have chosen a soft colour palette of Kraft and cream, to which I have added the red gold gilding flakes. I stamped the script with Flitterglu, and added the gilding flakes down one side of my background. I added the same script effect to my handmade flower, which I made from brown parcel paper. I chose a vintage postcard as my focal point for the card, the colours were just right for this project.

I stamped some seam binding, made a vintage label, using one of the definitions, and added some pearl embellishments. The white burlap detail is another stamp from the stamp plate, it is a great stamp.

Keep checking back, as I'll be posting another sample in a couple of days, thanks for stopping by, xx

Flittering on By

Hi folks, well it is still really cold here, how about where you are? My OH went to work yesterday morning, and it was minus eighteen degrees! That is mighty chilly!! I will be so glad when Spring decides to arrive.

Anyway, I have decided to show you a card that I made a few weeks ago for one of the Create and Craft TV shows, featuring the stamps from IndigoBlu
It is unusual in that I have chosen to use black card for my background, but I think that this shows the gilding flakes off to their full potential. I have matted the card with copper and gold card, bringing out the colours of the gilding flakes. I have stampd two butterflies, and coloured them with Polychromos pencils.

 

The stamp set I used was called 'Wild Meadow' there are some great stamps on there. I'll be posting several cards that I have made using the gilding flakes and the stamps from IndigoBlu over the next few days. There is going to be another TV show coming up on 26th Feb. Look out for some more new samples from me in the programme hopefully!

I hope that you are all keeping warm today, getting a bit of crafting done, or generally taking things easy, thanks for stopping by, xx

Just to remind you

Hi folks, I know two posts in one day, a rare thing for me! I just wanted to remind you that Kay from IndigoBlu will be demoing on Create and Craft again tomorrow. She will be on the 'Tool Shed' programmes at 12-12.30 and 1-1.30, so watch out for lots of Design Team samples. She will be demoing Flitterglu and the gilding flakes again. The stamps will be for the most part, different to those on the last show, so there will be a whole batch of new samples.

However, I've got one of the samples from the last Show for you today. This one is using 'Ella Bella' and the 'Harlequin' stamps. I have created my background using the wrinkle free distress technique, then stamped the harlequin stamp twice, using Versafine Onyx Black ink. I stamped 'Ella Bella' with Flitterglu and flakes onto a cream circle, and then edged the circle with Distress Ink. I made some rolled roses, added some gold leaves and some curled wire as an embellishment.

 

Don't forget to look out for my new samples on the show, and hopefully, I'll post some on here in the coming weeks. Thanks for stopping by, xx

Aloysius goes green

Hi folks, here's another sample that I made for the Create and Craft TV show that Kay from Indigoblu presented recently. I was so proud to see my samples on the TV, and had a lot of fun making these.

This particular sample is another one of those book cards that I enjoy making so much. You have seen me make them before, so I won't go in to the specific details of how to make them, but there is a tutorial on the Whiff of Joy tutorial blog.

I used some green Bazzil card as the base card for the book, adding some old book paper for interest. This paper was quite old, so I layered it onto card to make the flower, to give it some strength. I used Claudine Hellmuth Matte Medium, taking care not to get any on the top surface, as I wanted to colour the paper.

(My good blog friend Elaine gave me a great tip that matt Mod Podge works if you want to colour over the top. I have now bought some, and am going to give this a go. She has had great success, and made some stunning pieces of art.)

I coloured some card with Old Paper Distress Ink, and then stamped the card with Flitterglu, covering it with some of the flakes. The result is a lovely shimmery crackle effect. I distressed the edges and coloured these with Walnut Stain Distress ink. I stamped the bear onto a piece of card coloured with Scattered Straw Distress ink, using Versafine Vintage Sepia ink, and cut the image out. I assembled the front of the card, adding some lace and a bow for the bear.

For the tag, I created the background as before, using Flitterglu and flakes on the crackle stamp. I then stamped Aloysius onto shrink plastic using Stazon Timber Brown ink. I coloured the image with pencils before cutting it out and shrinking it. I added a piece of lace and ribbon to match the front of the book card.

The niche inside the book was simply coloured with Distress Inks and stamped with the crackle stamp. Although the bear stamp could be used for a child's Birthday card, I felt that the colours I had used meant that this card could be suitable for a bear lover of any age!

I'll be back in a couple of days with another sample using the gilding flakes and Flitterglu. Pop over to the IndigoBlu website to take a look at all of the fabulous stamps that they have. I'm working on the next batch as you read this, preparing for the next show. Thanks for popping by, xx

Feeling Flaky!

Hi folks, I thought that I would show you one of the designs that I made for Kay and Alfie over at IndigoBlu This is one of the cards that I made for the show for Create and Craft last week. Unfortunately, this one didn't get an airing, I spotted it, but I knew what to look for. It was in the wrong pile, but never mind.

I have used a gorgeous stamp called 'Love Is', which I have stamped with Flitterglu, and then applied gilding flakes to show off all of the lovely details of the stamp. I have used the same stamp to create a border around the edge of my card. The heart has little birds and dragonflies around it. I have chosen slightly unorthodox colours for a romantic card, but I really like these caramel tones. The gilding flakes have a great verdigris tinge to them, so I added a pearlescent green card as a layer behind everything else.

I have made another one of those handmade flowers using the brass ring, and pouring seed beads into the Glossy Accents. These are such fun to make.

I am prepping samples for the next TV show as we speak, which is due to be aired on 29th January. I'll show you some more samples over the next few days. Thanks for stopping by, xx

Forgotten Friday 44- Silver and Blue

Phew, what a day I've had! I've been trying to post these cards all day, and everything has just conspired against me. I did joke to someone earlier that I'd have to rechristen the post 'Slipped my Mind Sunday' soon!
I've been mighty busy the last couple of weeks with other crafting commitments, and unfortunately didn't manage a post last week. So, I'm making up for that this week with two cards. These are my first Christmas cards of the year, ta da!

I am working on a theme of silver and blue, as you can see from my post title. My first card uses some beautiful stamps from Art Journey, from a set called 'Noel'. I love these stamps, but it is the first time that I have used them, in fact I only cut them out for this card! I have gone for a clean and simple theme, unusual for me, but these stamps look lovely used this way.

I stamped the girl, masked her off, then embossed the words. I used a smidgen of colour, then coloured her face and her highlights in with Polychromos, before blending them.

My second card is made using IndigoBlu stamps. Now I told you a while back that I have been very lucky to have been asked to work with their stamps, producing samples for them. I am now officially on their Design Team, and on Sunday they have a programme on Create and Craft! Have a look at 11.00 a.m. and see if you can spot any of my samples. You all know my 'style', so you may think you know which ones I have made if they don't call my name out anyway! The show is to promote 'Flitterglu' and the gilding flakes that IndigoBlu sell, as well as several of their fabulous stamp sets. I have made a very quick card here, using the gilding flakes on the santa and reindeer, plus the sentiment, to show you how the glue and flakes will pick out quite fine detail.

Right, so that's two Christmas cards that I've got made already this year. How are you getting on? Why don't you have a rummage through your stash, I bet you haven't finished packing everything away after Christmas properly yet anyway. Make a Christmas card or two, and leave a comment on my post, and I'll pop along to your blog and take a look. Why not stick to the theme of blue and silver, as I have done?

Thanks for popping by xx