Harlequin Poppies

Hello everyone, I have a project to share with you today that featured on last month's TV shows on Hochanda.

This project was created using the fabulous Drawing Cartridge paper, which is such a great product. I love to use smooth watercolour paper in a lot of my projects, which can be a bit pricy. Cartridge paper is a cheaper alternative, and this paper from the website is perfect for adding water, and lightweight enough for fussy cutting. It is smooth enough for stamping as well, so a good all rounder for your projects.

I started my project by blending bands of Peeled Paint and Fossilized Amber Distress Oxide Ink across the background, and then spritzed them with water for a mottled effect. Once the background had dried naturally, I added a circle mask, and stamped a harlequin image from the Harlequin Fragments stamp set around the masked area, using a deep Fired Brick Distress Ink, mixed in with a little Gathered Twigs Distress Ink. I added some extra shading around the edge of the mask, before removing the mask.

On another piece of the cartridge paper, I added some colour using green, red, yellow and orange Distress Oxide Inks, and then stamped some of the flowers and a butterfly from the Butterfly Poppy Collage stamp set, using Versafine Onyx Black Ink. I heat set the images and cut them out. I stamped a sentiment from the Loving Sentiments stamp set into the circle aperture created underneath the mask, using the black ink as before.

I added large black brads to the flowers to loosely give the illusion of the flowers being poppies, before attaching them to the card, and added some leafy die cuts. Finally, I adhered the background to a large black card blank.

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Floral Collection

 Hello everyone, I have some floral projects to share with you today, that were featured on last month's TV shows on Hochanda. These cards were made using the individual floral stamps from the shows, and I used a range of techniques to create the cards.

For my first card, I coloured the background with Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink, using the wrinkle free distress technique. I then stamped over the top using a stamp from the Harlequin Fragments stamp set, using Distress Oxide Inks. I stamped the Harlequin Bouquet individual stamp onto a die cut oval, using Archival Deep Purple Ink, and coloured the image using Distress Inks and a water brush. I added a sentiment to the background from the Loving Sentiments stamp set. I edged the background with the Archival Ink to create a border, before adhering it to a large white card blank.

For my second card, I created a background using red, orange and lime green Brushos and kraft card. I stamped the Floribunda Net individual image onto another piece of kraft card, and embossed it using white embossing powder. I coloured the image using Brushos and a water brush. I stamped the sentiment from the Loving Sentiments stamp set onto a smaller piece of kraft card, again using white embossing powder. I have inked the edges of each piece of card using red ink.

For my third card, I coloured the background again using Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink, and used the Large Crackle Background for added texture, stamping with Shabby Shutters Distress Ink. I cut a postcard sized piece of card, and stamped the Crackling Rose individual stamp, adding images from the Mail Art stamp set, to create a postcard effect. I created a small sentiment strip using words from the Loving Sentiments stamp set once again. I edged each piece of card with Shabby Shutters Distress Ink.

Long term viewers of the blog will have seen a rendition of this final project, which I remade for the TV show. I hope that you will not mind seeing it again, using the Flora Musica stamp set. I used a piece of old music paper, colouring the edges with Distress Ink and then adding a border by stamping an image from the Decadent Brocade stamp set, but any scroll type stamp would do, there are lots to choose from in the Chocolate Baroque range.

I will be back later in the month to share some projects from the Christmas show that took place during the second part of August. Thanks for stopping by, xx

It's all about the Texture

Hello everyone, this month over on the Chocolate Baroque Design Team, we are exploring texture. It can be in a variety of ways, using stencils, stamps, patterns, layers, but as long as it represents texture in some way. I knew that I wanted to create this piece as my first project, as it incorporated lots of my favourite things. I hope that you enjoy what I have created, and use some of the tips along the way.

Those of you that know me, know that I adore poppies, and I decided to create a project using one of my all time favourite Chocolate Baroque stamps. I have used this stamp so many times over the years, and I decided to make it the focal part of my design. I covered a Tando plaque with a very thin layer of texture paste, do not make your layer too thick, or this will not work. I spritzed my poppy stamp with water, and stamped the excess off onto a non-stick craft mat, before gently pressing the stamp into the texture paste. I also used a small texture stamp from the Tangled Fragments stamp set around the edges. I set the plaque to one side to dry.

I covered a square canvas with gesso, and dried this completely. Using texture paste, I added some poppy heads to the canvas with a stencil. I let the canvas dry completely. I then took one of the Gold Aztec Paints, possibly Antique Gold, (mine do not have colours on them, so I do not know, but it is the duller of the gold options in the pack), and poured out two large blobs onto my non-stick craft mat. I added Vermillion Brusho to one blob, and Sea Green to the other blob. I painted the canvas using the paints, half red, half green, blending wherever they met. I also painted the Tando plaque, using mostly green, but added a small amount of red around the edges.

Once both of the pieces were dry, I added some stamping to the canvas, using a corresponding stamp from the Harlequin Fragments stamp set, using red and green Archival Ink. I added some gilding wax to the textured areas on both pieces, and edged both pieces with Gold Soft Form Relief Paste. This makes a super edging, as it is very easy to apply.

I added some pretty green/grey lace to the canvas before attaching the Tando plaque. I wanted this piece to provide a bit of a boost on those days when I am feeling a bit grey, and so I added an inspirational quote from the Words of Wisdom stamp set.

The picture taken outside shows the shimmer from the paint and the gilding wax, whereas the photograph taken inside shows up the texture detail a bit better.

I will be back later in the month with another texture piece to share. Thanks for stopping by, xx

A Christmas Flower

Hello everyone, I have another project using one of the large Flowerhead collection stamps from Chocolate Baroque to show you today. I have really enjoyed creating projects with these lovely large stamps, great for creating a focal point on a card. I have chosen to use the Circle Centre Flowerhead for this project.

I created my background by covering a gelli plate with turquoise ink, using a brayer. I used a piece of white card to take a print from the gelli plate, taking care to smooth the back of the card thoroughly. This is a really quick way of colouring a piece of card if you want a single colour. Once the card was dry, I stamped and embossed a harlequin design from the Harlequin Fragments stamp set onto the background, using Versamark and gold embossing powder.

I used Fired Brick Distress Ink and water to flick onto my background with an old toothbrush as I wanted splashes of red over the rest of the background, and a little bit of gold shimmer, using a Wink of Stella gold pen.

I stamped and embossed the flower onto red vellum twice, using Versamark and gold embossing powder, and cut it out. I added a leafy die cut, and matching dark green matting to complete my card.

Well, that's another Christmas card completed thankfully, not long to go now! Thanks for stopping by, xx

A supporting role

Hello everyone, I have a couple of cards to show you today using this month's sewing stamps from Chocolate Baroque in a supporting role. This way, you can stretch their usesand you can see how versatile these stamps really are.

My first card uses one of the lacy borders on a wrinkle free distress background. I used a simple colour palette of black and green to keep the card looking quite masculine. I added some background stamping using a stamp from the Harlequin Fragments stamp set. I stamped a heart image from the Punky Hearts stamp set onto a piece of scrapbook paper, colouring in some of the details with Inktense pencils, and then cut it out and used 3D foam pads to attach it to the card. Finally I added a sentiment from the Sweet Nothings stamp set onto a die cut.

My second card uses another one of the borders to create a masculine romantic card using the Key to my Dreams stamp set. This border reminded me of keyholes when I first saw it, so it seemed to match this stamp set very well. I stamped one of the locks onto the background before adding the border on either side. I coloured the background with an acrylic wash, and added some shading with Distress Ink around the edges. I coloured the images with Polychromos pencils and added some background detail with a stamp from the Lace Fragments stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Changing Colours of Autumn

Hello everyone, I have a couple of projects to share using the new stamp sheets of the month for November.

My first card uses the lovely artichoke stamp from the Mellow Fruitfulness stamp set. I stamped the image onto smooth watercolour paper and then masked the image before adding a thistle image from the Wild Meadow stamp set. I added some texture in two corners of the background using a Crafter's Workshop stencil and some texture paste. I coloured the background using Adirondack Inks, and then stamped an image from the Harlequin Fragments stamp set over the top. I added some metallic gilding wax to the stencilled area for a bit of interest. I coloured the stamped image using pencils. I stamped a sentiment from the Mackintosh Sentiments clear stamp set in one corner, and then added some plum shading around the edges of the background, before matting the whole thing onto purple card.

My second project was made using an oval cut from smooth watercolour paper, onto which I stamped and embossed the row of trees from the Autumn Edges stamp set. I used Versafine Onyx black ink and a clear embossing powder for a nice crisp image. I then used various tones of Distress Ink, and washed the colour loosely over the background with a large brush and some water. Once this was dry, I added deeper tones using Distress Markers for shading, and blended them  with a water brush. I added lots of little dots in Autumn tones to the grassy area to resemble leaves. I stuck the oval to a large kraft card blank.

I stamped the row of open leaves several times onto scraps of paper that I had left over from other projects. Some papers I had coloured myself, and some papers were ready made scrapbook papers, but I chose colours that were suitably Autumnal. I cut the leaves out and arranged them in a pleasing fashion around the edge of the image, before sticking them down. Finally, I added a sentiment from the Amazing Birthday clear stamp set. 

Thanks for stopping by,  xx

Angels and Penguins

Hello Folks, I have some more Christmas card ideas to share with you today. I am aware of Christmas creeping up on me now, with the nights starting to pull in and the festive television schedule starting. So, the more cards that I can get made, the better!

Mt first card is using the lovely angel stamp from the A Child is Born stamp sheet. I do love this image. I stamped the angel onto a piece of smooth watercolour paper, but any smooth card will do, and then masked the image, by stamping the image again onto masking paper. I then stamped a window taken from the Gothic Fragments stamp set onto the background, and masked this as well. I coloured the background using a range of Distress Inks; Tattered Rose, Scattered Straw, Weathered Wood, Tea Dye and Pumice Stone. I then added stamps from the Gothic Fragments, and the Harlequin Fragments stamp sets, using the same coloured inks. The last two strips were embossed with platinum Wow embossing powder. I removed the masks, and coloured the window and the angel with Distress markers and a water brush. Finally, I added a sentiment from the Christmas Sentiments Multi buy stamp set.

My second offering uses the Snowy Penguins clear stamp set. I have created a couple of gelli plate backgrounds, using Memento inks in shades of blue and teal, and then stamped the snowflakes directly onto the gelli plate using Versafine Ink, before taking a print. I stamped the images onto a piece of smooth white card, and edged them with blue ink. The images were coloured with pencils.

These images are perfect for children's Christmas cards, or for children to give to their parents or grandparents. Making gelli plate backgrounds ensures that you can run up a batch of these very quickly.

Thanks for stopping by, Judith xx

Christmas Circles

Hello Folks, I have some cards on circular theme for you today, using the stamps of the month from Chocolate Baroque

For my first sample, I created a background using gelatos in shades of green and purple, which I added to a wet background and blended with my fingers. I dried the background then added a circle mask in the centre. I stamped an image from the Harlequin Fragments stamp set around the edge of the mask, using Pear Tart Memento Ink. I sponged a little bit of ink around of the mask to add some shading, before removing the mask. I stamped and embossed the holly and bell images from the Holly Bells stamp plate using gold embossing powder. I also stamped another set of  images onto a spare piece of card. I coloured the spare images with Distress markers and a water brush  and decoupaged them onto the background. I added some hand drawn 'string'. The sentiment is from the Christmas Magic stamp plate.

I have a couple of CAS cards that I would also like to show you. In these days of rising postage costs, flat cards are always useful to make, and these two cards would make good batch cards, that you could make in lots of different colour options as well. The first card was made using blue, lilac and grey Distress Inks, and I simply created a reverse mask, sponging coloured ink through a circle aperture onto my card. I coloured the top and bottom circles first, and overlapped the middle one last. I then selected three baubles, taken from the Santa Baby/Holly Bells Multi-Buy stamp set, and stamped them in the same inks that I used to create the circles, giving a tone on tone effect. The sentiment was taken from the Christmas Sentiments Multibuy

The last card was made in much the same way, except that I created a single circle, blending Dandelion and Pear Tart Memento Inks, and chose Orange Blossom Archival Ink to stamp the bells, giving a stronger contrast. The sentiment comes from the Bold Christmas Words stamp set.

I hope that I have given you a few more ideas with these stamps, and I will be back soon. Thanks for stopping by, xx

Wooden Hanging

Hi Folks, I have a project to show you that is showcasing on the Chocolate Baroque Challenge Blog today. The challenge is based around an inspirational photo and a colour swatch. My colours are a slightly muted version of those on the swatch, but nonetheless true to the originals.

I have covered three wooden hearts with some scrapbook paper, and added some yellow ink to the background. I used Dandelion Memento Ink. I sanded the edge of each heart. I stamped each heart using a harlequin stamp from the Harlequin Fragments stamp sheet, using Olive green Archival ink. I stamped the image quite faintly, as I only wanted a hint of the harlequin on the background, so I used second generation stamping.

I stamped a poppy image from the Poppy Meadow stamp set three times onto tissue paper, and coloured this with pencils, before adhering it to the hearts. I then stamped three butterflies from the Briar Rose Butterfly stamp set onto Clearly for Art. I cut these out, painted them green on the reverse, and heated them to mould the shape slightly. I stuck one to each heart. I then tied all of the hearts together with some green and turquoise ribbon.

 

There is still plenty of time to enter the challenge, and you could win a £15 voucher to spend at Chocolate Baroque. So head over to the blog to find out how to enter.

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Diverse Textures from Chocolate Baroque

Hi Folks, I have some cards to show you today using the Harlequin Fragments/Tangled Fragments multibuy from Chocolate Baroque . I wanted to show how versatile these stamps can be and have created three very different looking cards, using these great new stamps.

My first card was created using the watery background stamp, which I stamped onto a strip of white card, using black ink several times. I then created three pieces of decorated stampbord, using three layers of embossing powder and stamping into them while the last layer was still molten. I brushed a little bit of gold Perfect Pearl powder into the crevices to pick up the detail of the stamp. By stamping my background first, I could work out roughly where on the rubber stamp I needed to press to create the UTEE pieces to achieve a pattern running down the card.

I matted the background onto a piece of toning card, and stuck this onto a larger piece of black card. I added a sentiment taken from the Artistic Affirmations stamp set.

 

My second card was created using a piece of smooth watercolour paper, which I sprayed with diluted Weathered Wood Distress Ink. I then stamped the dotty stamp, and the stone effect stamp using the same colour over the background. I embossed the single stone spine in the centre using platinum embossing powder. I added some ferns around the edges, taken from the Wild Meadow stamp set using Pear Tart and Sweet Plum Memento Inks.

I stamped and embossed a flower from the Tangled Garden stamp set, plus the leaf fragment using platinum embossing powder, which I then painted with Splash inks. I decoupaged the flower, added the larger leaves to the stem, and used the smaller leaves for a grass effect. Finally, I added a sentiment from the Amazing Birthday clear stamp set to the background.

 

My third card was created again using watercolour paper for my background. I sprayed the paper with turquoise Dylusions spray, rolling off some of the intense colour for a paler effect. I added a touch of Perfect Pearls turquoise spray at this point. I stamped the large bubbles stamp, and the dotty harlequin stamp with forget-me-not archival ink over the background, and then added some Vintage Photo Distress Ink to the edges to age the colour slightly.

I embossed the butterfly from the Steampunk Buterfly stamp set and some flowers from the Punky Flowers stamp set, using copper embossing powder. I coloured them with splash inks. I added a stamped swirl from the Artistic Expressions stamp plate to resemble leafy tendrils behind the flowers. The sentiment was taken from the Amazing Birthday clear stamp set.

If you love our DT blog then keep your eyes open for something new and colourful coming next week. All will be revealed soon, keep visiting the DT blog to make sure you don’t miss it. Getting excited yet?

Thanks for stopping by, Judith xx

Building Backgrounds

Hi Folks, I have a couple of samples to show you today, using the Harlequin Fragments/Tangled Fragments multibuy stamp set from Chocolate Baroque

I love to make my own backgrounds, and these large stamps are perfect for mixing and matching over sprayed or inked surfaces, or even patterned papers, to create layered backgrounds. For my first card, I have chosen a soft colour scheme, using a printed Julie Nutting tag, and embossed the dotty harlequin stamp using white embossing powder. I have used the large dotty stamp on the main background, stamping my image onto scrap paper first, then onto the card to get a fainter image. This is known as second generation stamping. I stamped three butterflies from the Briar Rose Butterfly stamp set onto beige vellum, using white embossing powder.

The poppy image is from the Flora and Fauna stamp set, which I stamped onto white card and coloured it using Polychromos pencils before cutting it out. Lastly, the sentiment comes from the Mackintosh Sentiments clear stamp set, and I have again embossed this with white embossing powder. I sanded the edges of all of my pieces of card to give a shabby feel to them, before assembling my project and added some cream lace.

I cut my card to 7" x 7" size so that I could use the tag without the top edges showing, I quite like this size, and may make more if I can find a ready source of envelopes. A bit of searching on the Internet, methinks.

My second project was made using a tag that I coloured with leftover inks from my project here as I did not want to waste the remaining ink. I coloured two further tags, and this was one of them. I am trying to create a stash of available backgrounds for future projects, saving me time when I am starting to make a card or tag. I do try to rummage through what I have already made to see if I have something I can use when I am making something. Like me, I'm sure a lot of you have a scrap box full of bits and pieces left over from previous projects.


I stamped the large background stamp using cobalt archival ink, and added white highlights with a signo uniball pen. I used a stamp from the Artistic Expressions stamp set on the background using forget-me-not archival ink, which I also used to edge the tag.

I stamped a peacock feather from the Tangled Peacock stamp set onto pale green vellum three times using navy ink and clear embossing powder. I coloured the reverse of the images with copic markers before cutting them out. A piece of emerald ribbon finishes the tag.

Keep popping over to the Design Team Blog to see what my team mates have made, they have some super samples coming up in July using these stamps. Thanks for stopping by, xx