Vintage Paper projects

Hello everyone, I have been playing with a great mixed media pack available from Chocolate Baroque called the Vintage Style Play Pack. It is jam-packed full of bits and pieces, and will give you plenty of supplies to create lots of projects, combined with some of your existing stash. There are vintage book papers, pieces of grey board, mini envelopes, ribbons, buttons, and other embellishmebts to complete lots of cards and mixed media projects.

I have three projects to show you today, but hope to make several more projects using this great pack in the coming weeks.

For my first project, I took a piece of the book paper, and trimmed it to size, and then stamped and embossed a large flourish from the Nature Swirls stamp set over the background. I used vanilla white embossing powder, which is a lovely off white colour. I added some Fossilized Amber Distress Ink to the background, cleaning over the white embossing with  piece of kitchen paper afterwards. I die cut a flower in three different sizes from both book paper, and a piece of crinoline, and coloured the die cuts with the same colour Distress Ink. I simply patted the ink pad onto a craft mat and spritzed the ink with water, before swiping the flowers through the ink. I dried the flowers with a heat gun, scrunching them up, as they dried, to get them to stay crinkly. I attached them together using a brad, and then stuck one of the buttons from the pack on the top.

To finish the card, I chose a kraft card blank, and added a couple of toning layers of card to mat the book paper onto. I added some ribbon and a strip of hessian from the paper pack across the background, and then die cut some leaves from some extra kraft card, before finally attaching the flower.

For my second project, I decided to use some of the small greyboard panels, and attach them to a long skinny canvas. I stuck some of the book paper to the panels, using matte medium, and left them to dry. I painted the canvas and the panels with a range of acrylic paints in blue, green and yellow tones, using a baby wipe to blend the colours together. I created several layers of colour, drying each layer with a heat gun, and once I was happy with the blend, I added a touch of deep blue and purple around the edges.

I stamped a script stamp onto tissue paper and adhered this using matte medium. I stuck the panels onto the canvas, and then added some stencilling to the background using some coloured texture paste. I wanted to add a bit of interest to the greyboard panels, and so I embossed a cog texture stamp randomly onto them using Versamark, and some copper embossing powder. I also added a butterfly image from The Rose Tree stamp set, which I coloured with pencils.

To finish, I added touches of gilding wax, and a cog kindly donated by my hubby.

My final project was a happy accident, as I had some paint left on my craft mat after the canvas project. I hate to waste paint, and so I added it to another piece of book paper, and created a washed background. I cut a small piece of the hessian strip, and used it as a stencil, with some white acrylic paint randomly over the background.

There was an ATC sized  piece of Stampbord in the play pack, and I chose a pretty floral stamp from the Harebell Butterfly stamp set to stamp and colour on this piece. I used some ultra thick embossing powder to triple glaze the Stampbord, and created a tile effect over the image.

I cut two large rectangles from kraft card, and created a tag top to them, by chopping off the corners. I scored partway down one of the 'tags', and stuck it to the other one, so that the card would stand up, without collapsing. It has its own stand in effect. I added the book paper background, and some pretty tan ribbon from the play pack, before attaching the Stampbord tile to complete the card.

I hope that I have offered you some inspiration as far as this super pack is concerned. I promise to be back with more ideas in the future, thanks for stopping by, xx

Postcard Collage

Hello everyone, I'm back again with another project created using Floribunda Net, one of this month's featured stamps from Chocolate Baroque.

I decided to create a piece of collage in the style of an old postcard as the focal point for my card, and so I cut a piece of scrapbook paper to the correct size, and gathered a selection of stamps that I could use to create my postcard. I chose a couple of butterflies, and two stamps from a great little mini set found within this collection.

I stamped the butterflies first, and covered them with a mask, before adding the large flower stamp. I then added the little postage mark, and the postcard sentiment last. I coloured the images with Polychromos pencils, and edged the piece with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink.

I created a little tag from a piece of scrap card to fit a small paper wallet, and then coloured the tag with Wild Honey Distress Ink. I stamped a fitting sentiment, taken from the Amazing Birthday stamp set onto the tag and added some stamps from the Mail Art mini stamp set as before, to complete the tag, along with some dark brown ribbon.

I created a background for the card using a piece of smooth watercolour paper, and added first Wild Honey, then Peeled Paint Distress Ink, using the wrinkle free distress technique. I edged the background with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink, before matting it onto dark brown card.

There are still a few more days of inspiration using these lovely large stamps over on the Design Team blog, so be sure to check out what my team mates have been making. Thanks for stopping by, xx

Zingy Challenge

Hello everyone, there is a brand new challenge starting this week over on the Chocolate Baroque Challenge Blog. This month, the colours are very hot and spicy, really warm colours, just right to banish the chills that we are all feeling with the cold weather at the moment!

I am providing a project as part of the Design Team inspiration this week in the form of a Valentine's card. My project served a dual purpose, as it was also given to my lovely Hubby at the weekend.

I created the background to the card by stamping and embossing the heart fragment from the Punky Hearts stamp set using Versamark and clear embossing powder onto some smooth watercolour paper. I blended Squeezed Lemonade, Ripe Persimmon and Picked Raspberry Distress Inks across the background, and then added a touch of Fired Brick around the edges. I then placed the background between some sheets of cheap copy paper, and using an iron on a medium heat, I melted the embossing powder again, and removed it from the background. I randomly stamped a small script from the Mini Scripts stamp set, using Plum Archival Ink.

I diecut an oval, and leaving the die in place, I inked the oval using Squeezed Lemonade and Ripe Persimmon Distress Ink. After removing the die cut, you are left with a white border where the die cut has been. I stamped a sentiment from the Sweet Nothings clear stamp set, using Rhubard Stalk Memento Ink.

I placed the background and sentiment onto a plain white card blank.

Hop over to the Challenge Blog to see the inspiration offered by my other Team Mates, and to see how you can win a voucher to spend on Chocolate Baroque stamps. We would love to see you there. Thanks for stopping by, xx

Vintage Flowers

Hello everyone, I Have a couple of cards to share with you today, using the current stamps of the month from Chocolate Baroque. These beautiful large stamps make lovely focal images for cards, and they are suitable for so many occasions in the card giving year.
For my first card, I have chosen to use the Flora Musica stamp. I used a piece of vintage music paper, which I trimmed to size, and  then coloured the edges, using Fired Brick Distress Ink. I then stamped around the edge using an image from the Decadent Brocade stamp set. I cut an oval shape from a piece of smooth card, and coloured this with Antique Linen Distress Ink, and edged it with Fired Brick, as before. I stamped the Flora Musica image onto the shape. I stamped the image again onto another piece of card, and coloured it with Copic markers, before cutting it out, and attached it to the oval background. I used black card to mat and layer both panels.

This card would be suitable for lots of different occasions, and for now I have left it without a sentiment.

My second card uses the lovely Crackling Rose individual stamp, and I have stamped this onto some mosaic stickers to create a tiled effect. I coloured the background with Antique Linen Distress Ink, and used a pencil to draw along all of the sticker lines to make the tiles appear more aged. I used Copic markers to colour the image.

I die cut a shape, and coloured this with Antique Linen Distress Ink, and then stamped the shape with a large crackle stamp from the Echoes of Italy stamp set. I chose a sentiment from the For Mum clear stamp set which I stamped using Versafine Onyx Black Ink and then embossed with clear embossing powder. I created the background using the wrinkle free distress technique, and used Mustard Seed Distress Ink. I edged all of the backgrounds with Peeled Paint Distress Ink before matting them with green card.

To complete the card, I added some green organza ribbon, and pretty yellow grosgrain ribbon across the card, and some flat-backed pearls in the corners.

I hope that you have enjoyed my little bit of inspiration, thanks for stopping by, xx

Finishing off some WIPs

Hello everyone, I hope that you are enjoying some good weather today. We have had some really cold, windy days lately, and to be honest, I have just wanted to stay wrapped up in the warm. It has been a good excuse to get on with some of my unfinished crochet projects while I am still recuperating, and I thought that I would show you how I have been getting on.

My first project is a lacy shawl, crocheted in a bamboo cotton yarn. It is a great go with anything colour, and quite versatile for adding to my favourite black and plum outfits, as well as more neutral tones. I started this shawl ages ago, and it was the perfect pattern to crochet after my operation; simple without too much thought, as there are only two rows of pattern. I am pleased to have it finished now, as it was threatening to sit unfinished indefinitely in favour of more colourful interesting projects.

My second project was started last year, and before I began this project, I could not crochet much more than a granny square! I decided to tackle this project as a way of improving my crochet skills, and I certainly managed to do that. The project was designed by Jane Crowfoot, and the link to the project can be found here. She is a fabulous designer, and has created several other vibrant designs that you can access by following various links from her blog. Her Lily Pond design caught my eye, and I undertook the design, along with my dear friend Elaine, who is a more experienced crocheter than myself. It was great to have a crocheting buddy, even though we live hundreds of miles apart, we were able to talk about our experiences with the project as we went along. I was much slower in completing the project, and have only just finished mine, in fact. I had a few hinderances along the way....

I chose to change the colour of the edging from pink to green, as I love the green and mint combination. Here it is in its full glory:

I have already started my next project, another blanket, so I will keep you updated with my progress. Thanks for stopping by, xx

Some of my favourite stamps

Hello everyone, I am taking a look back at some of my favourite Chocolate Baroque stamp sets during this blog post. It was a tough call, but poppies featured heavily in my choices, so here are a couple of cards, that I came up with.

For my first card, I have chosen to combine stamps from the Poppy Meadow and Flora and Fauna stamp sets. I have stamped these images, and after masking them off, created a sponged background using Distress Inks, and a Crafters Workshop stencil. I wanted a crumpled finish to the background, and the soft grey ink really helped to achieve this effect. I have added a sentiment from the Loving Sentiments stamp set, and a grey mat behind the background.

My second card uses a stamp from the Poppy Edges stamp set, which I have stamped several times onto watercolour paper using Dylusions in red, orange and yellow tones to spritz the paper. I cut the images out, and stuck them onto another sprayed background, adding a smaller image from the Poppy Meadow stamp set. I used some black card to mat and layer the background, and then added a sentiment from the Mackintosh Sentiments stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Normal service will be resumed!

Hello everyone, I hope that you are keeping well. My house currently looks like a florist's shop as I am recovering from an operation, and need to take several weeks to rest up at home. The family are looking after me really well, but it is a shock to their normal routine as Mum is not doing all of her usual jobs.

This beautiful bouquet was waiting for me when I came around from the operation, and is in my favourite colours, my family know me so well! It has been joined by several more now. I hardly ever get flowers, so I am making the most of the beautiful display.

I have two little friends to keep me company, and they are not often far from my side. Poppy and Bella seem content to sit near me most of the time:

I will be back crafting soon, but for now, am making the most of being spoiled. Thanks for stopping by, Judith xx

Butterfly Duo

Hello everyone, I have a card to share using the Steampunk Butterfly stamp set featured on the recent Craft Channel TV shows. Followers of my blog will know how much I love to mix and match stamps, and I also love to revisit older stamp sets to use materials that I did not have the first time around.

I created a background using gelatos, and then stamped the cog fragment using Tattered Rose Distress Ink. I used some pretty background papers from the Crafty Individuals range to create a bit of paper weaving, and also stamped and embossed two of the large butterflies onto the same papers, using silver embossing powder. Once I had attached the paper weaving to my background, I covered it with acrylic wax to seal the weaving, and to protect the paper.

I stamped a sentiment from the Awesome Diva clear stamp set onto the background, using Teal Zeal Memento Ink. This particular sentiment makes the card really versatile, and useful for any number of occasions. Finally, I used some co-ordinating card to mat and layer the background.

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Berries and Birds

Hello everyone, it's time for another weekly posting on the Chocolate Baroque Challenge Blog, the first post of 2016. This week sees the monthly free download, designed as always by our lovely boss Lesley Wharton. I have created a card using the download, as part of the Design Team inspiration.

The download paper is a beautiful, vibrant design, entitled 'Chinese Goosberries', and it is very versatile, suitable for lovely Autumn, or even Christmas projects, but can be used for any occasion really. I have chosen to add a lovely stamp from the Woodland Dreams stamp set, I love the berries on this one. I stamped the image onto a piece of pretty pink scrapbook paper, that I have hoarded in my stash for ages. I have decided to use my supplies up this year, rather than hanging on to them. I used Versafine Onyx Black Ink, and clear embossing powder for a really vibrant image. I coloured the image with pencils, and then edged the panel with Barn Door Distress Ink. I stamped a sentiment from the Amazing Birthday stamp set onto another piece of the scrapbook paper, edging it with Distress Ink as before.

I matted all of the panels with black card, before attaching everything to a large card blank.

Pop over to the Challenge Blog to pick up the free download for yourself, and see Anne's fabulous card too. You can also read about how you can enter the challenge and win a £15 voucher to spend at Chocolate Baroque, we would love to see your entries.

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Oranges and Lemons

Hello everyone, I have a cheery project to share with you today, one that will hopefully banish the Winter blues, and bring thoughts of warmer days. I have made a card using the new Another Brick in the Walled Garden shutter stamp, and created a garden scene.

I drew a square frame onto a piece of kraft card, roughly the size of the walled shutter stamp, and then stamped the orange tree from the Fantasy Woodland stamp set on either side, with the leaves from each tree creeping over the edge of the frame slightly. I lengthened the stem of one of the trees by drawing in the extra stem to the bottom of the background, (this meant that the tree was not floating in mid air), by using a permanent dark brown marker. I created a mask for each tree, and then stamped the small brick texture stamp from the Abstract Fragments stamp set over the background. I then trimmed away inside the frame, cutting around the tree leaves where necessary.

I stamped the walled shutter image onto a spare piece of kraft card, and coloured the images with pencils. I added the foliage to the tree on the main image by colouring the stamp with a Distress Ink Marker, the colour I used was Abandoned Coral. I added some shading around the edge of the frame with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I adhered the frame to a piece of dark olive card, and trimmed inside the frame, leaving a narrow border of olive green card showing. I then stuck the main image inside the frame. Finally, I added some Glossy Accents to the lemons on the tree.

The orange tree stamp goes really well with this new stamp, and really creates a Mediterranean feel to the card. I hope that it has given you some inspiration. Thanks for stopping by, xx

Happy Christmas

Hello everyone, I have a post over on the Design Team blog today, giving me another opportunity to work with the fabulous background stamps aired on the recent TV shows on the Craft Channel.

I have chosen to create a Christmas card for my final offering of the year, and hope that you will accept it as a card from me to you. I would like to thank you all for the lovely comments that you have left over the year on my posts, here and on the DT blog.

I have used the Studded Lattice cling mounted stamp to create the background, and added some poinsettias from the Joyful Christmas stamp set. The background card was a piece left over from another project, and I used Distress Paints to create the wrinkle free background. I stamped and embossed the poinsettias using a sparkly red embossing powder, and coloured them with Faber Castell aquarelle pencils.

I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas, and offer my good wishes for 2016. I hope that Santa brings you lots of crafting goodies, and that you have time to relax and enjoy the festive season, whatever you are doing. Thanks for stopping by, Judith xx

Beautiful Background stamps

Hello everyone, I hope that you have been able to catch the TV shows featuring the Beautiful Backgrounds cling mounted stamps on the Craft Channel recently. The samples created by my Team Mates, and demos by Lesley were just amazing. I have a couple of projects to show you myself that were featured on the shows, and I hope that they will give you a little bit of inspiration in using these fabulous stamps.

My first project features the Floral Weave cling mounted stamp, and I have created an underwater scene, using stamps from the Seashore and Seadragon stamp sets.

I created a watery background on a piece of watercolour paper, by painting some Ecoline ink onto the background, and dropping sea salt onto the paper while it was still wet. I left the background to dry before removing the salt. This technique creates patterns that are reminiscent of bubbles in water, and it is such a fun technique, as the results are different every time. I stamped and embossed the background image using a lovely teal embossing powder, it works really well as a seaweed image on this card. I stamped and coloured the seahorse on a separate piece of card, using Faber Castell Aquarelle pencils, before cutting it out and adhering it to the background. I stamped the sentiment, and matted the background onto teal card. I added some little pearls to the flower centres to complete the card.

My second project is a canvas, combining a couple of the background stamps, Baroque Orchids, and Studded Lattice. I have added some flowers created using stamps from the Elegant Iris stamp set, and some die cut leaves.

I started my project by painting the canvas with acrylic paint, blending the colours with a baby wipe, using a mix of purple, orange and yellow. I dried the layers each time, and just kept going until I was happy with the overall look. I then stamped the Studded Lattice image randomly over the canvas using white paint. I did not use an acrylic block for this, as I just wanted to stamp part of the image each time, and I wanted a more random finish.

I covered the Baroque Orchid stamp with Gold Soft Form Relief Paste, and left it to dry overnight. Once the paste was dry, and had become a film, I painted it with a thin layer of white paint. I gently removed some of the excess paint, revealing some of the gold underneath, which gives a kind of faded elegance to the piece. I allowed the paint to dry and then gently peeled the stamp away from the film. For durability, I added a piece of thin card behind the film before attaching it to the canvas.


I stamped the flower image from the Elegant Iris stamp set three times onto a piece of spare card, and coloured the images with pens. I found that the flowers were a bit bright, and so I gave them a wash of thinned down white acrylic paint to soften them a bit. I added some die cut leaves, which I edged with Soft Form Relief Paste, and I also edged the canvas with some of the Relief Paste as well. Finally, I added a sentiment from the Artistic Expressions stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by, xx