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

Harebell Butterfly

Hi Folks, my sample today uses lots of my favourite colours, namely purple and teal. I often try to work outside my comfort zone when I am making samples and do not often turn to these colours when making a project. it has been a real pleasure dipping into this colour palette.

I started my card by creating a wrinkle free background using smooth watercolour paper, using blue and lilac Distress Inks. I then created an oval mask, which I placed in the centre of the page. I used Paris Dusk Memento Ink and sponged around the edge of the mask, creating a shadow. This helps create a faux layer, which keeps the card flat and saves on postage! I also added the same colour to the edge of the background. Using a flower stamp from the Harebell Butterfly stamp set, I stamped around the edge of the background, and over the edges of the mask. I used a mixture of teal, navy and purple inks. I removed the mask and stamped the main image using Cobalt Archival ink. I stamped the butterfly from the main image again onto a scrap piece of watercolour paper and also onto sparkly acetate.

I bleached the image, and coloured it with pencils. I coloured the second butterfly, and stuck the acetate butterfly over the top. I added these to the main picture. The sentiment comes from the Amazing Birthday stamp set, and I have used a Dienamics die to cut out my little tag.

I added a bit of grey pencil directly around the edge of the mask to deepen the shadow, and this helps the contrast between the background and foreground 'layers'. Thanks for stopping by, xx

Fabric Journal and CSQ Project

Hi Folks, well it's my turn to post my project on the Craft Stamping Quartet blog. We are all making a little accordian style book as suggested by Elaine, and inspired by Kate Crane.

I decided very early on that I wanted to use fabric as the basis for my book inspired by the work of Lin Brown whose work I admire so much. I was very lucky to attend one of her fabric journal workshops recently covering this very subject, so it helped my project along enormously! Here is a sample of what I made at the workshop, and you will be able to see that I was very much inspired by this in my book:

I started by cutting out some watercolour pages to 5" x 5", as this was the size that I wanted to work on. I covered all of the pages with fabric, using Bondaweb, and gave them a wash of colour using Paper Artsy paints. I added stencilling, stamping, and in some cases, some texture paste through stencils as well. I coloured some of the texture paste before I used it with paint for my front and back covers, saving time colouring the paste afterwards.

I stamped several images onto sparkly acetate, and also onto spare watercolour paper, which I painted with the paints to co-ordinate with my backgrounds. I then stuck the acetate to the painted images before I added them to the backgrounds.

I have used a couple of Lin Brown stencils on this page, which is the front cover of my book, and a Paper Artsy butterfly.

On these two pages, I have added some lace painted with paint to tie into my colour scheme, and some stamps by Jo Capper-Sandon join the Paper Artsy stamps.

 

I have watercoloured some stamped flowers directly onto the fabric on these pages, and added more stencilling. This time I have added script to the stencilling as well. The words are stamped onto painted fabric.

I have added a flower stamped onto black card to this page and another little Jo Capper-Sandon butterfly on sparkly acetate. The foliage was stamped in white, and given a colourwash of yellow and orange.

I have added fabric tags to these two pages, stapling the fibres to the tags instead of tying them in the traditional way.

Finally on my back cover, I have added scraps of tinted lace along with the Jo Capper-Sandon stamps. More textured stencilling completes the background.  I have dry brushed the edges of all of my pages with paint, using a variety of colours to tone in with each page. I also added some fabric tabs between the pages for interest.

My construction is not the same as Kate's, I have hidden the ends of my pages within the concertina folds, preferring an edge to edge look inside the book. I went for black card, like Elaine, as I felt that it complimented my bright colours and black stamping.

I have enjoyed the process of making my little book, and hope that you like the end result. If you have any questions, please ask, and I am happy to answer them. Thanks for stopping by, Judith xx

A Touch of Orange

Hi Folks, my samples have a definite orange feel today. I have used the stamp of the month sets from Chocolate Baroque to create these samples. Both sets are full of lovely flowers and butterflies which are suitable for so many different occasions.


My first card was created by masking the top and bottom of the card, and then colouring the middle of the card with Distress Inks. I stamped the flower sprigs across the bottom of the inked area before I removed the paper masks. I stamped two butterflies onto sparkly acetate, and added some coloured vellum behind them. Finally, I added a sentiment from the Amazing Birthday stamp set in the top corner of the card.

 

My second card was created by stamping the Big Bold Background Leafy Trails stamp onto a piece of kraft card with green ink. I cut a small rectangle of kraft card, and stamped the rosehip image using the same ink. I coloured the images with pencils, and edged the pieces of card with Distress Inks. I also decoupaged the butterfly. I matted the layers with dark green card, and added a piece of orange ribbon to finish. 

This little card would be useful for lots of different occasions, and would make a great notelet set if you made several of them.

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Summer Fairies

Hi Folks, there is now a fourth set of fairy stamps which has been recently released at Chocolate Baroque completing the seasonal collection. This one is the Summer Collection. This set is full of lovely fairy images, and some great floral images as well.
My first card uses one of the large silhouette fairies, which I have placed on an inked background, made using Distress Inks. I chose several colours which I blended across the page, and then placed a leafy stencil over the top, and used the same colours again to stipple colour through the stencil. I added some deeper colour around the edges of the background to create a frame, and then stamped the trailing ivy across the top of the page, using Paris Dusk Memento Ink. I added a border around the bottom half of the card, using a tree stamp taken from the Fantasy Woodland stamp set. The two trees are a stamp from the same stamp set. I added some shading underneath the trees using a paper mask, and Old Paper Distress Ink. I stamped the silhouette fairy, and the little butterfly, which comes from the Autumn Fairy stamp set, using Versafine Onyx Black Ink.

I added some glitter glue to the fairy and butterfly wings for a little bit of sparkle.

My second card uses a couple of the flower stamps from the collection to create a fairly clean and simple card. I cut a rectangle of smooth watercolour paper, and stamped the freesia stamp at the bottom of the card. I covered the image with a mask so that I could stamp the image again on either side of the original image.

I coloured the silhouette freesia stamp with Distress Markers, blending several colours, and stamped the background with the mask in place. I placed the mask on top of each freesia image in turn, so that I did not stamp over them. I then coloured the three freesia images with Distress Markers and a waterbrush.

I matted the picture onto a piece of dark green card, and then placed this onto a larger square of light green card, adding some orange and green ribbon to my main image. I added three Crealie butterflies to the large background. These Crealie butterflies are great, they co-ordinate to create dimensional butterflies. You can use them individually, or layer them together as I have done for my sample.

My last card was created using lots of masking again, and a hand cut stencil. It is very easy to cut your own stencils using blank stencil sheets.

I used one of the large fairies from the collection, which I stamped and masked off, before stamping poppies from the Poppy Meadow stamp set. I then masked these flowers and stamped the little silhouette flower from the same set. I love this little stamp and it is going to be a favourite from now on. That's the beauty of revisiting older stamp sets, you often discover stamps that you have never used before! I added the stencil and coloured the sun rays using Distress Inks, before inking the remaining sky with blue. I have added a shimmer spray over the top.

I have coloured the fairy and flowers with Distress Markers. The two tiny butterflies are half of a butterfly stamped twice, taken from the Spring Fairy stamp collection. I simply covered half of the stamp with masking tape before I inked it up, then removed the masking tape before I stamped it onto the page. I have decoupaged them, and added glitter glue to their wings. The sentiment is taken from the Fairyland Words clear stamp set.

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love poppies, and I had great fun creating this card. I hope that it has given you a few ideas as well. Thanks for stopping by, xx

Two colourful Tags

Hi Folks, I have a couple of tags to show you today, using the stamp of the month stamp sets from Chocolate Baroque

I wanted to create a peice of artwork reflecting the fashions of the twenties, when the dresses were often beautiful ombre shades, with fringing and feathers, with lots of decorative elements. I love the elegance of these dresses, and the way that the skirts swing from the hips. So my first tag tries to reflect these style features, using a background of Distress Inks, ranging from pale green to dark blue. I have spritzed the background with a shimmer spray to give the impression of a chiffon overlay.

I stamped a portion of the background with one of the slihouette flower stamps from the Nouveau Lovebirds stamp set, and added some fringing and a large feather. I used a tiny portion of one of the flapper ladies dresses from the Fabulous Flappers stamp set, which I coloured with pencils, and encapsulated it into a Nautical Frame with Dome charm. I have stuck the dome over the image using Glossy accents. These are great little embellishments, as they slightly magnify the image.

 

My next tag was made using Gelatos on the background. I had this tag lurking in my stash from a while ago, and decided to try and make something with it. I used a Crealie mask, and some stamping with gold embossing using a stamp from the Texture Fragments stamp set over the background. I stamped the flowers taken from both of the A5 stamp sets onto self-adhesive labels , and coloured them with Copic markers, adding some leaves from the Tangled Garden stamp set. Some funky crackle gems and ribbon complete the tag.

Thanks for stopping by, Judith xx

Crafting with Dragonflies One year Anniversary

Hi Folks, it's time for another challenge over at the Crafting with Dragonflies challenge blog. It's our one year Anniversary, and so we have chosen the theme of 'Celebration' for this challenge. You can make a project for this theme celebrating anything you like, Wedding, Anniversary, Engagement, Birthday, anything that falls under the umbrella of a celebration.

I have chosen to make a card using an image from one of our sponsors Handmade Harbour. I thought that this image was so versatile with the bunting, and was really pleased to see that the words 'Good Luck' would fit onto the number of triangles in the image. So I went with a generic idea of a Good Luck card initially, and my card just developed from there.

I created a wrinkle free Distress baclground, using Antique Linen and Shaded Lilac Distress Ink, building up the layers, until I was happy with the colour. I then added some Biscotti Perfect Pearls spray for a bit of shimmer. I only covered half of my watercolour paper, and once the paper was completely dry, and ironed flat, I printed the image twice, once on the patterned area, and once on the plain area. I die cit the image from the patterned area, using a large circle die cut, and edged the shape with more Shaded Lilac Distress Ink. I coloured the second image with Coloursoft pencils. I decoupaged the image onto the circle background.

I used some of the waste background which was left over from my watercolour sheet to die cut some little banners from a Joanna Sheen die cut. The waste hearts from the die cuts were used to decorate the bottom of the card. Waste not, want not! I added some cream lace to continue the cream highlights throughout the card. Finally, I chose some Magenta card as my mat layer for the circle and background card, which is a Prima Firefly paper.

Our very generous sponsors this week are Handmade Harbour, who are offering the winner six digis as a prize:

Make it Crafty, who are offering the winner $10 to spend in their store:

and Flourish with a Bling who are offering the Winner $15 to spend in their store:

There is also a DT call on the Crafting with Dragonflies challenge Blog, so be sure to pop over and check out all of the information.

Sadly this is my last post for Crafting with Dragonflies, I am hanging up my wings. Life has taken over somewhat and I am saying goodbye to my fellow dragonflies. I will miss them after a year of working on the team with them. I would like to wish them well as they head into another year of challenges.

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Fluttering By

I needed to make a Birthday card for a very dear friend recently, and my project here is the end result. I had a vague idea as I started out, and knew which main components I was going to use. They were purchases from my recent trip to Ally Pally, but I wasn't sure of the exact outcome, that's part of the fun of crafting sometimes!
I used some fairly plain background paper from my stash which was a soft golden colour, and stencilled a flower from one of Lin Brown's new stencil plates onto the background fairly randomly, using a soft pinkish acrylic paint. I then added a coral colour to the edges of the petals. I added some ferns from another one of the stencil plates, using an olive green. I added some stamping to the background, using a deep brown, but used second generation stamping, as I did not want the stamping to be too dark. I added a touch of Distress Ink around the edges of the background, using an olive green to blend with the colour palette that I was already using.

I stamped a large butterfly from IndigBlu onto watercolour paper, and coloured the image with Distress Markers and a waterbrush. I stamped the body and antennae part of the butterfly directly onto the background, which allowed me to cut the watercoloured butterfly out, omitting the fiddly antennae parts. I then attached the butterfly to the card.

 

My camera battery was flat when I needed to take a photo of this card, so I used my phone. The picture has come out fine, in fact, I think that it has probably turned out better! 

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Birds of a Feather

Hi Folks, I have a couple of bird related samples for you today using the stamp of the month stamps from Chocolate Baroque

For my first sample, I created a couple of backgrounds using Distress paints and water. I used some smooth watercolour paper, as I wanted to add lots of water to the paints to create a watery feel to the backgrounds. I have used Seedless Preserves, Crushed Olive and Antique Linen as my colour palette. On the larger background, I stamped a border using a tree stamp from the Woodland Dreams stamp set using gold embossing powder. On the smaller background I have used one of the lovely Lalique style birds, which I have coloured using Distress Markers. I simply matted the backgrounds with plum card, and added some ruffled ribbon.

One difference I noted between Distress paints and Distress Inks was that I could not bleach my central image to paint it, owing to the acrylic base of the paints. It did affect the final look of my project, however, I was still able to add sufficient colour to the image to achieve the look that I wanted.

My second project is a little altered notelet box, using Weathered Wood Crackling Medium and acrylic paint from my stash. I painted the little box using navy and and pale blue paint, applying the crackling medium in between the two layers. I used very cheap acrylic paint, so I am happy that it works very effectively. I stamped the bird onto tissue paper using silver embossing powder, and coloured it with Distress Markers. I adhered the tissue paper using Matte Medium, taking care not to wet the front of the image, as I did not want to make the coloured image run.

I used a sentiment from the Mackintosh Sentiments clear stamp set to stamp along a piece of ribbon to embellish the sides of the box, using Versamagic Ink. I added a couple of Crealie flowers to complete my project.

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Fabulous Flappers

Hi Folks, There are new stamps that have been recently released at Chocolate Baroque  I have really enjoyed working with these lovely stamps, as I am a real fan of the Art Deco/Art Noveau era. There are three plates, a large A4 plate called Fabulous Flappers  full of flappers and decorative elements, and two smaller A5 plates with some lovely Lalique style birds, and lovely curvy Art Deco flowers.

For my first card, I have created a marble background, using shaving foam and Golden acrylic paints. I have stamped the main image onto a piece of white card, and cut out an oval shape, just avoiding the bottom area where her dress overlaps the edge. I hand cut a black mat layer. I stamped some of the flower images onto some spare white card, and coloured all of the images with Distress Markers.

My second lady is resting on a stepper card. I have embossed some linen card, and highlighted the raised areas to show the texture. I have used one of the smaller stamps on the Nouveau Lovebirds stamp plate to create a border along the bottom of the card, and added some black gems for decoration. I have added a sentiment from the Mackintosh Sentiments clear stamp set.

My last sample uses the same lady again, but this time I have used a peacock theme for my card. I created a Distress Ink background, and used a peacock feather mask over the background. I stamped the peacock cluster stamp around the edges, using the corresponding colour inks that I used to create the background.

I stamped the central image, and then used some bleach to take away the colour within the image, before colouring it with pencils. I added some ribbon, and Memory Box die cuts to finish. I wanted to thread the ribbon behind the main image, so I cut two slits along the outline of her dress, and simply threaded it underneath.

Thanks for stopping by, xx

Edging into Spring

Hi Folks, we are having some lovely Spring weather at the moment, and the latest stamps from Chocolate Baroque just fit the weather and what is going on in the garden perfectly.
I have a couple of cards to show you today. My first card uses the lovely gingko leaves from the Elegant Edges stamp set. I stamped the single leaf over the background using Versamark and clear embossing powder, which I heat set. I painted the background with a Ecoline ink, and then ironed the background placing it under some greaseproof paper to remove the embossing powder. This technique leaves a lovely smooth background.

I stamped the gingko border, and partially die cut an oval beside the border, which I coloured with Distress Ink. I coloured the leaves with Distress Markers. I added a sentiment from the Loving Sentiments stamp set. I stamped three butterflies from the Spring Fairy collection onto vellum, using white embossing powder, and coloured the reverse with Copics. Finally, I coloured some seam binding with green Ecoline ink, and crumpled it as I dried it, for a distressed effect.

 My next sample uses a mixture of stamps from the Patchwork Landscape stamp set and the Elegant Edges stamp set.

I have made a step card as my base and created layers of planting in front of the house, representing a cottage garden. I cut two strips of card, one 5" x 9", scoring at 1.5", 3", and 6", then another piece of card which measured 5" x 10.5", which I scored at 5" and 10". I stuck the little half inch tab to the back of the three inch fold created on the other piece of card, and then I had my completed step card base.

I stamped all of the images onto cream paper, using gold embossing powder, and coloured them with Distress Markers. I added them to the various layers of the step card. 

EDIT: I have been asked by a commenter to explain the construction of my card base. I am happy to do so, as my card is a DT sample and therefore inspiration for other to make something similar if they wish. I scored the shorter piece of card at 1.5", 3", and 6", which then gave me two mountain folds of 1.5 inches, and 3 inches. The larger piece of card was scored at 5" and 10", which gave me a mountain fold of 5 inches, with a half inch tab left over. I attached the tab just behind the three inch mountain fold, but could have tucked it under if I had wanted to. (The three inch mountain fold is the one with the hollyhocks on in the photograph). I am including a photograph so that you can see where I have attached the tab.

 Thanks for stopping by, xx

Crafting with Dragonflies: Mother's Day/Special Lady Card

Here in the UK, Mother's Day has been and gone, but Internationally it has yet to be celebrated. The challenge over at Crafting with Dragonflies is to create a card for Mother's Day or a Special Lady.

I have chosen to use an image from one of our new sponsors this year, Heather Ellis. I thought that this image was so appropriate, as I get to have a day off on Mother's Day, a chance to relax. I have paper pieced the sofa and footstool, tying it in with the paper in the back circle. The paper has cute little hearts on it, which match the little hair accessory in the female character's hair. I have used some oddments from my stash to complete the card, some stickers, and some lovely fabric flowers. The sentiment is from Chocolate Baroque

Our generous sponsors this week are Heather Ellis, who is offering a prize of three digis from her website or Etsy shop:

and Meljens, who are offering a prize of four digis to the Winner:

Please hop over to the challenge blog to see what my team mates have made for your inspiration, and have a go at entering the challenge. Thanks for stopping by, xx