Just Add Love

Graphicus Monthly Challenge - August

2009-08-31T22:39:00.002+01:00

Graphicus Challenge - August

August’s Challenge Theme: CHRISTMAS

August’s Colour Scheme: TWO COMPLEMENTARY COLOURS

See the Graphicus Blog for past and present challenges.

So here's 3 cards ....

The first: Christmas Card using Greens & Burgundy. This is a Joy-fold card made in the style of a gift.

Using Papers from the New Decadent Brocade CD which were cut and shaped to the design then I used a fine liner in gold to highlight the pattern. The papers were backed on to a bright green vellum and on to gold mirri board then on to burgundy card stock. Corners stamped with corner Holly flourish from the Christmas Flourish themeplate.

The main tag was stamped using with the matching design to the background which was from one of the Graphicus Guild members stamps. Stamped using Versamark on the burgundy card to create a watermarked effect. Another panel was stamped using the same stamp then embossed in gold. The poinsettias are from the Christmas Fusion themeplate which are stamped on to Acetate then gold leaf has been applied behind. Centre poinsettia is decoupaged. Burgundy glitter to centers.

When you open the card up there is another tag card inside tied with a bow so you can pop in a special message.

Now you can see the embossing and outlining a little better.

Second:

You may have previously met Oliver Twitter .... Well meet his cousin Robin ... no not the ice-skater that was Robin Cousins !!!

Here's Robin ....

Stamps used - All of A Twitter , Christmas Flourish , Seasons Greetings .

He visits every Christmas !

OK now for the third card .... Sunglasses at the ready as this takes Complementary to the extreme. Andy Warhol move over ....

Coming next ... Tall trees .. see you tomorrow !

Distress Inks

2009-07-14T12:05:00.002+01:00

I'm part way through (75%) writing a HUGE 'How To - Tips & Techniques' with Distress Inks at the moment.
At the Doncaster show I had so many comments on the card below which is one of the projects made by using some of the techniques.

The book pages used are from an old 1949 book about the Publican trade and makes for quite funny reading - lager didn't exist in those days and if you made £3000 a year as a publican you were deemed to be doing very well !!

As soon as I've finished all the pictures and the write up I'll pass the link on to you - but the most important thing with Distress ink is to play and experiment with them.

Relieved yet LIVID

2009-07-14T11:42:00.002+01:00

To follow on from one of my earlier posts - re how I just seem to be catching up and fate steps in again .... I don't normally put personal things up on here but this is one time I am also using this as a plea for information.

A week last Thursday I got one of those calls on the mobile .. funny how you know it's going to be bad news before you even answer it !

Hello is that Mrs .... it's West Yorkshire ambulance your daughters been in a car accident do you want to meet us at the hospital ? NO where are you I'm coming NOW .... 5 mins later I'm on the scene .... extremely RELIEVED that my daughter and friend although cut and bruised are in one piece. Even the police were amazed they weren't attending a fatality.

Now comes the LIVID part ... the person that caused this had driven off, despite all the witnesses but with all the carnage - no-one had taken their number plate.

My plea to anyone in the Morley area of West Yorkshire who may just stumble across this post is ... If you have seen a Blue Ford Ka - colour coded bumpers with a damaged front passenger bumber/side please get in touch with myself or the Holbeck Traffic division. This person caused the accident then drove off after seeing my daughters car flip over and didn't stop to consider if they were dead or alive.

Also a huge Thank You to all those who helped the girls, I wish I knew who the lady was who wrapped her towels around their cuts, I will hopefully find you.

Graphicus July Challenge Part Deux

2009-07-14T02:16:00.005+01:00

Artylicous will soon have a new CD out ....

Here's a sneak preview of one of the background papers which some of us have been sent out.

I've made two large A5 cards from the one sheet and have used the matching stamps.

The first card is a double styled card based on a half gatefold A5 and a standard A5. The tag on the front made using a brayered resist then over stamped.

Below: The backing paper has been overstamped.

I will add an insert to the card to match the overall colour scheme.

The second card is a more standard A5 card - again using the matching Brocade stamps the background paper has been overstamped and is enhanced by using a Vellum lattice - (courtesy again of Spellbinders) then coloured over gently with the colorbox ink. The front panel was stamped onto a pale greyish card stock and the white in the flowers was re-highlighted with an Inkssentials white pen.

Stamps: Elusive Images - Brocade Backgrounds UA4SP0239, Grungy Brocade UA4SP0238, Words of Wisdom UA6GW0193

Paper: New Artylicious CD paper. White card 350gsm. Silk Art Card tag. Grey card.

Ink: Ranger Adirondack Dye - Pebble, Slate. Colorbox.

Accessories: Flowers & Ribbon - Me. Spellbinders Lattice Borderabilities. Inkssential White Pen.

Graphicus July Challenge

2009-07-14T01:41:00.004+01:00

Graphicus July Challenge ....

July’s Challenge Theme: INSPIRED BY THE SEA. July’s Colour Scheme: TWO COLOUR HARMONY

I've gone for the second part 'Two Colour Harmony' and using the Green and Yellow and shades of those two colours. This is going to be a scrapbook page but until I take that certain photograph that I know will suit this page I'll leave it as a large 8" x 8" card for now

Stamps: Elusive Images - Flora & Fauna UA4SP0151.

Paper: Torn page from old book. Graphicus Guild paper pack. Gold Mirri card. Silk Art Card

Ink: Ranger Adirondack Dye - Butterscotch, Meadow. Ranger Archival - Olive. Ranger Distress Ink - Peeled Paint, Scattered Straw

Accessories: Button & Twine - Me

Yikes where did 2 weeks go ?

2009-07-14T01:08:00.005+01:00

There I was just getting on top of things and catching up - ready to begin uploading to here and yet again fate intervenes. More of that in another post tomorrow !

Ok lets get some pictures up ..... Here's Charlie - my sons newest addition and he's gorgeous !

The pink under his nose is actually his lip as he has no fur on it so he always looks like he's poking his tongue out at you !

Ok back to crafting ... Here's a card I made just messing about with some new Nestabilities - the new Lattice Borderbilities.

Stamps: Elusive Images - Fleurs et Parfum de Paris. La-Blanche - Flowers & Filigree swirl

Paper: K & Co from the Classic Collection, Satin Art Card

Ink: Ranger Adirondack Dye - Stream, Ginger, Terracotta, Espresso. Ranger Archival - Russet

Accessories: Spellbinders Lattice Borderabilities; Petaloo -Flowers, Ribbon & Gems - Me

Pandora's Box

2009-06-30T23:16:00.004+01:00

Whoooo hoo I'm back ..... well flying visit sort of !!!

Almost ran out of time to get this submitted for the Graphicus challenge .... Pandora's Box.

The Theme was Exotic and the colour scheme Pink and Orange

Ok let's give you a hint - Pandora's box measures 13" long, 6" high and 5" deep and is made from mount board. ( May I just say boy did it take some cutting !!!)

I just love the top on this and painting the colouring in and doing the shading was pure bliss - yep every single flower & leaf .

'but what's in it ? is it just a box ?' you ask! Ok let's turn it around for you ......

Oooooh so now you see ... let's show you some more then ....

Yep it's to store all those meter long Maya road ribbons that normally just get shoved in a box. I need to punch some more holes though as I've more ribbon than I realised !!!!

Back tomorrow with some more things for you x because tonight ( it's now 11.24pm ) and I have a 20th wedding anniversary card to make for my darling husband x

Ink Racks / Craft Racks Part II

2009-03-16T11:33:00.009Z

Thank you to everyone who has emailed me - I'm so overwhelmed by the response - we must all need a lot of organising !!

Here's a quickie web page for them CLICK HERE with all the sizes, prices etc.

Here's a few more photos of just how much you can store on these ...

Above:

Picture shows a large A3 storage box of various ink pads. Even if you stack your ink pads by type you still have to rummage to find the colour you want ! or do you empty the whole box on to your craft table ?

Why not pop them on an Ink Pad rack ? Everything in the box is now on a Double size rack - not all have been double stacked so there is still room for more. Plus there is space to put re-inkers and don't forget you can store more items on the top or why not display your craft work !

Above:

Pictures shows a typical craft table, with storage boxes full of embossing powders, glimmer mists and ink pads - not much room left to work ! Why not pop it all on an Ink Pad rack ? Everything in the boxes is now on a Triple size rack - not all have been double stacked and there are still some empty shelves - so there is still room for more. Plus there is space to put re-inkers and look you can store more items on the top or why not display your craft work !

Below:

Now see how much table room you have to craft on! Everything is fingertip ready to use. Or why not Wall mount it for even more table space !

To answer a few questions that have been asked :

Can I collect ? yes you are more than welcome to collect, we have workshops & a furniture showroom based in Batley, West Yorkshire.

Do they come ready assembled ? - Yes everything is fully assembled - just unwrap and start emptying those boxes !.

Are they heavy ? Weights etc are given on the link above.
For wall mounting we also include fixings. As wall types vary so much you will need to use wall plugs and screws that will be suitable for your wall type.

I have an awkward space - can you make a custom size ? Yes - just email me.

How do I label my ink pads ? - We include self adhesive labels that are just the right size - use your ink pad to colour them and stick them on the side of the ink pad - most ink pads have a space for this.

Do you make one with a ribbon spool ? - YES - Coming soon !

Keep an eye out on my Blog as throughout the process of designing these racks - we made several styles until we came up with the optimum style and sizing - so I have a couple that were draft design models in the single size.

You will be able to win one of these draft models !

Ink Racks / Craft Racks are here ...........

2009-03-13T18:42:00.003Z

Well I have nattered my other half to the bone - poor lad must be sick of me and ink pads by now and I think I am officially banned from our workshops as I seem to have put their normal production schedule in backwards motion !

These are what the ink pad racks are going to be like and for the small size of them ( only 8cm deep so won't clog anyones desk up or they can be hung on the wall ) - they will hold loads !!! Each single shelf will hold either 4 full sized ink pads double stacked, 6 distress ink pads double stacked, Adirondacks 4 full sized ink pads double stacked, yes even when the ink pads are double stacked you can slide each one out with ease .... I think the pictures will show just how much you can fit on these and not just for ink pads as the shelves are removable so other items can be stored. I've even sourced the right sized labels for inking and popping on the ink pads for ID.

Single: 12 shelves

Will hold a minimum of 48 ink pads - plus space for re-inkers / pens etc
Width 31cm , H 56cm , D 8cm

Double: 24 shelves

Will hold a minimum of 96 ink pads - plus space for re-inkers / pens etc
Width 56cm , H 56cm , D 8cm

Triple: 36 shelves

Will hold a minimum of 144 ink pads - plus space for re-inkers / pens etc
Width 81cm , H 56cm , D 8cm

So if anyones interested just let me know as they are going to be on sale shortly.

Graphicus Challenge - March - ' Yellow & Sing '

2009-03-10T22:21:00.005Z

Just a couple of cards to go with the Graphicus blog challenge:

All the items used except for card stock are from Graphicus:

The first is using the ' Good Deeds ' themeplate. The background is Glimmer misted in Honey Dew and Lemon Zest from the ' Spring Fever ' set and over stamped with one of the Good Deeds stamps and a flourish stamp. The ' Tag ' is flourish embossed and glimmer misted and rubbed to deepen the effect and a couple of organza ribbons. On the front of the tag is two 2" stamped , coloured and etched ' Stampboard ' pieces. On the right the matching verse and stamp from the Good Deeds set.

The card is an A5 - ¾ fold card which just adds a little more interest than a standard gatefold. Again the back ground is coloured and stamped as above.

This next one is just another pretty card which I made as I had some card left over with the over-sprayed glimmer mist so thought why not make a quickie card .....

This one uses the Fuchsia Themeplate for the main panel and also the small fern style leaves from the Hyacinth Themeplate and the Lily Themeplate . The stamping was inked with Memento and Versafine inks, the buttercup flowerheads were highlighted with 0200 Sun Yellow Inktense Pencil. Inktense Pencils .

I do have another in the making that will tie in more with the " Sing " part of the theme ... all will be revealed shortly !

Coming to a Store near you soon !!

2009-02-27T21:11:00.002Z

I kid you not ... Ink pad racks ...

This is just a demo model, the rest will be available soon in 12, 24, 36, 48 - all the way up to 100+ versions , they will be in horizontal and vertical versions and can be desk or wall mounted.

In the meantime I'm gonna paint and decorate this one ...

Vintage Rose & Tag for Moira

2009-02-19T22:12:00.004Z

Just a couple of quickies ...

First Vintage Rose .... Warm Pinks toned with chocolate ...... reminds me of Hot chocolate with pink marshmallows !!! oh how my mind works or am I hungry ???

ABOVE:

Background: The main background was made using a ivory cardstock. Using Anna Griffin Ink pads - Cream and Shell - the flourish from the 'Graphicus Guild' members stamp pack ( month to follow ) was randomly used to create the flourish back ground.
Over this I used one of the Anna Griffin single row Harlequin stamps in her Chocolate ink colour - after inking the stamp I first did a pre stamp on a rough piece of paper to give the real stamped image some distress to it.

The 'Roses' word is from Elusive images 'Rose Stem Script' . Using my Ink dusters I randomly dusted some Shell ink and also some Memento Angel Pink, the edges were dusted with the Chocolate . The background then matted on to some pink card stock and then on to a larger
chocolate cardstock with the same 'Guild' flourish stamped over the cardstock in the Chocolate ( Tone on Tone ). On the left I added some stitching detail and also some wooden floral buttons - coloured to match - to add some dimension. On the right a larger button with some grossgrain ribbon (coloured with the Shell ink pad ) and some Rafia.

The sentiment is from Stampin-Up - in the Chocolate ink, again dusted over with the Memento and Shell ink and matted on to chocolate card stock.

ABOVE:

Rose Topper: The Rose is from Elusive Images new themeplate 'Harlequin Rose' and was stamped in the Shell ink. I used a matching colour pencil to add a little extra depth to the shading of the petals. The edges were dusted with Shell ink and also some of the Chocolate Ink, matted on to some pink then chocolate card stock. Again this was sewn around for extra effect.

ABOVE:

Bit closer detail of the card.

Now on to Moiras' Tag

MOIRAS TAG: I just love those Alcohol Inks but big problem is when they come out I spend hours just creating Tags !!! This one below was just one of those that evolved as I was making it, no set plan.
I decided to send it to Moira - ( hope you don't see this before you get it ! ) but I'm sure that she'll agree that these pictures don't do it justice !

Please don't ask which colours I used as I just grab a few I think might work together and off I go. What I can tell you is what I did and what stamps were used:

Firstly I used the stamps as a clear resist with clear embossing powder - ( my preference when using Alcohol inks with resist ) - the watch is from Elusive images - 'Scripts and Timepieces' themeplate, the lower resist is from Elusive Images - ' Damask Squares ' themeplate. After applying the alcohol inks I then ironed off the clear embossing powder.

Using an Archival black inkpad I inked just the edging of the main rose stamp from the Elusive Images new themeplate 'Harlequin Rose' , now using a flourish from the 7 Gypsies NottingHillset I stamped around some of the edges. The Memories stamp is from the same set and even though it is supposed to be straight - the great thing with clear stamps is they are flexible enough to arch them !

The lady is from one of Joanna Sheens plates which were in her sale but I haven't seen them on again. In the lower corner I just added a few beads and an eyelet, at the top a gromet ready for a ribbon.

BELOW:

Just to show the shimmer of the mixatives - you really need to see this effect for real as it just can't be seen right on photographs.

It's in the post to you Moira x

I'm Back .....

2009-02-18T00:01:00.007Z

Well what a whirlwind since the New Year ... By the way if I haven't had chance to say it to you ... Happy New Year !!!

OK so what's been happening ???

Well Egypt was unbelievable .... just a few pics below to show some of the AMAZING sea life and scenery ... now I have been good and only put a few of my favourites on here but to be honest there is so many I'm going to have to do a separate blog for the bulk of my photos.

Upon returning from Egypt on the 25th we were then given 5 days notice that our house move was being brought forward from mid Feb to the 30th Jan .. so a mad rush then ensued to pack everything we have accumulated over 17 years in our beloved home. Lots of boxes still to unpack and a new dedicated craft room to design and I may then be back to a bit of normality !

I've alot happening during 2009 ... I'm so excited about it but more about that when the time is ready !

In the pics below you'll notice I took my copy of Craft Stamper with me, I was very good as I got it the day before we flew out and even though I was severely tempted to peek through it, I quickly packed it at the bottom of my suitcase. Whenever I wasn't diving you'd find me on the sun lounger reading avidly ! Hey I wonder if we could start a 'Where do you read yours ?'

Anyhow on to some of my photos of Egypt and the Red sea ..... If you find you are missing any pictures then try refreshing the page ( my server seems a tad slow tonight ! )

Below: Take one stunning region - Sinai Mountains, Sharm El Sheikh, Red Sea

Below: Sinai Mountains

Below: Add one Beach by Day

Below: Or by Dusk

Below: Or by Night

Below: Add a Craft Stamper magazine

And you have a perfect fantastic holiday .... but to make this a colourful holiday we need these .........

Now if these don't get those creative juices flowing ..........

Below: Giant Clams - these are almost 50cm wide each one

Below: Free Diving - Yet unidentified rare male species ... Ok it's my other half !

Below: Even the flora didn't go unnoticed .....

Well as they say in the cartoons ... That's all folks ....

Only for now .... back soon xxxx

New Toy - Alcohol Ink Box

2008-12-17T21:02:00.005Z

Oooh I've been waiting for this to come so I can start to sort out my huge ink collection once and for all ...

This is the Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink storage case.

And just to show how good I've been today I've part sorted out my ink storage cabinet, grabbed all the alcohol inks that were hidden in the drawers and then finally got around to making the inked coloured tabs and sticking them on to the bottle tops so I can see which colour they are ! Thank you for the great tip there Mr Holtz !

Next on my list is his huge Ink Pad case so I can keep all the Adirondack ink pads together !

Harlequin Rose Part II ( Deux)

2008-12-15T22:18:00.003Z

Well I finished the Card from one of the stamps from the Harlequin Rose Themeplate ( got more on the way ! ).

Ok so here's where we left off .... The card was at this stage - Tag stamped & coloured, background made.

Now at this point I needed some more colour and opted to go with a Lime green as a contrast to help bring out the foliage. I also needed an embellishment !

Below: Anyone ever make Paper roses when they were little ? Me too .... So with some more tissue paper and the Glimmer Mists from the vintage Lace collection off I went spritzing again with the tissue wet I scrunched it up in to a ball.

Below: Once opened and dried ( takes seconds to dry ) I stamped a few flowers from the Big Flowers themeplate and quickly cut them out. No need to be too precise as they are going to get scrunched up again.

Below: The finished rose ... just a few spots of glue around the flowers, some green papered wire and then just scrunched together.

Below: This was the card at the next stage with some Lime ribbons added but it still needed some more contrast.

Below: Back to the background and some more glimmer misted tissue this time using the Honey Dew mist. I like the tissue as it still allows some of the background to show through. The Love was from the Words of Love themeplate and stamped with Versamark and embossed in the Stamp n Stuff Rose Quartz.

Below: Still not happy with it .......

Below: Tag now offset .......

Round Robin Challenge

2008-12-15T22:04:00.001Z

Annette Lee from the Elusive Images team came up with a round Robin Challenge.

To be honest I haven't taken any pictures of the other parts I've done but this one made me laugh so I had to photograph it.

My husband after looking at some of my stamps saw the tiny sledge on the Seasons Greetings themeplate and asked if I'd ever used it - No was my reply - so this card part of the Round Robin Challenge ( the third to date ) was based around this teenie weenie sledge !

Apologies about the picture , as it's 10pm at night, I'm still in the office and I have no natural daylight. I'll take some proper ones tomorrow.

Delicious Autumn

2008-12-09T22:54:00.002Z

Delicious Autumn.

Well here's another set of Stamps from the Graphicus open day that are just so me !

"Fall Season" by Inkadinkadoo

Below:

Card stock was firstly inked up with the Tim Holtz Adirondack Colourwash inks in Butterscotch, Lettuce and a touch of Red Pepper . The main leaf stamp randomly stamped using various tones of browns, reds and greens.

Below:

Next came over stamping with the Delicious Autumn stamp: I really enjoy making back-grounds - just a pity that we often cover most of it up with our next layers :-(

Below:

The main topper was one piece - again inked up with Tim Holtz Adirondack Colourwash inks in Butterscotch, Cranberry, Red Pepper and Lettuce.

The large scroll leaf stamp was used down the edges and the tree in the centre. Over the Tree I embossed in a mix of Detail Gold and Pewter. The smaller leaf scroll was used at each side, embossed in the Detail gold. Next the whole thing was sliced in 3.

Below:

The three sections matted up on to green then gold, then on to the background, which was then mounted on to gold and finally on to a burgundy A5 card.

Below:

Card tilted to the light to show the embossing.

I'd also like to say a big Thank You to Lynn who has inspired me to get out all my Adirondack inks again and have an almighty play about with them again - I'd fogotten just how much fun they are !

Lynns' blog can be found on http://inkyartitude.blogspot.com/ so please go pay a visit x

Harlequin Rose Themeplate

2008-12-09T22:47:00.003Z

Apologies to all as I haven't blogged much lately ... I'm in the process of moving house and with Christmas coming I'm all in a dizz.

I managed to squeeze in a day trip up to Graphicus for their open day on the 5th and lots of goodies were subsequently purchased. Why is it though when you get home you then wish you had got the other things you'd been umming and arghing over ?

One of my first purchased was the New Harlequin Rose Themeplate which is due for release in January and they are absolutely scrumptious.

Here's a quick peep at what I started making when I returned home :

Below:

Main image stamped in Versafine Sepia , the new tags from Graphicus are a semi-gloss and as I have found out they absorb inks differently dependant on which ink type you are using. The Versafine took a little while longer than other inks to thoroughly dry so I had to make sure I didn't smudge it.

Below:

The tag was then Glimmer Misted using the Vintage Lace set which gave a lovely soft rose petal effect, some Adirondack Inks to add some rose highlights to the edges and lower corner. The rose was coloured with the Tinkerbella Inks

Below:

Now deciding on the background ?? I tried as shown in the first picture but wasn't happy with the style so I then took a piece of tissue paper and stamped the background using one from the Butterfly Whimsy Set in a soft chocolate brown from one of the Colorbox sets. Using Glimmer mists from the Vintage Lace set again I spritzed the tissue completely - picking up the tissue ( very carefully as it can tear ) I just scrunched it all up in to a ball in my hand. Unrolling this ball of tissue was a delicate operation as it became so fragile. Held over my little oil radiator it dried in seconds and the final result can be seen in the second picture.

Below:

Close up of the Glimmer misted tissue paper, the effect is a shimmery crackled one.

Below:

The card as it stands at present which should be completed in the next couple of days.

It's official ...

2008-10-31T23:55:00.003Z

Now when you see pictures like this ....

And this .....

It can mean only one thing ............. I'm off diving again !

(well in 4 weeks time )

This time to Egypt and the Red Sea, so the underwater camera is having it's O-ring overhaul, the diving gear is all coming out of the cupboard, having it's full inspection and testing.

My other half was so overwhelmed with excitment - he went to bed !

Oooh I feel like a kid at Christmas - can't wait !

Chocolate Resist .........

2008-10-28T21:25:00.007Z

Mmmmmmmmm must have been what I was thinking when I made this .............

Ok lets start ... This is a great and easy way to do a resist stamping technique and really quick for one of those last minute cards. All in this only took about 25 mins to make.

Main card in a mottled natural cream is an A4 scored and folded to make an A5 landscape card. Main matting layer is the tobbaco brown that I seem to use alot of.

The top layer is the mottled natural cream card which has the resist stamping as the main feature with an overhanging tag with a word phrase and some Grossgrain ribbon.

So lets start - everything apart from my basic card stock is yet again from Graphicus.

I used the cow parsley stamp from the "Wild Meadow" themeplate and the Fine detail embossing powder in white as I want this to stand out from the cream and also to soften the shadow effect.
So after embossing all the flowers I used a brown pigment ink pad to stamp the same images over the white embossed images - now you need a pigment ink pad as when it comes to the Glimmer misting you want this ink to slightly run to give a softer shadow. Don't worry if your colour is covering the white as in the next step this will be misted away !
So with the Crème de Cocoa Glimmer Mist just spritz away, any ink that remains over the embossed flowers can be gently rubbed with either a soft paint brush or cloth.
The white cow parsley heads were filled in with an Inkssentials White Pen to highlight them more and the edges were inked with the brown ink pad to give them some more depth.
The brown Grossgrain ribbon was in the sale items at the Graphicus open day - and anyone in the Graphicus Guild - read your monthly newsletter as there are ribbons in there at a knowdown price !

Below: The topper is one of the large Tags - simply folded over and the corners rounded, quick spritz of Glimmer Mists and the edges inked . The quote was a stamp made by myself .

I'm going to try this in a few other colourways as I think it could look fab in greens or russet reds.

Peacocks ....

2008-10-26T17:09:00.001Z

I often browse through the Galleries at Graphicus, there is some extremely talented people on there. I was taken aback by with a card made by Lesley Wharton - "Lesleys' Card" . Now it was my dear old friends birthday in September and I had began a card based on Lesleys' idea but the present I made was one of those - wow I've got to get one of those moments while at the Graphicus open day. So below is what I did .....

Now this is a big card, I used a lot of my scrap booking card stock for it and I think off-hand it ended up at about 10" square. The idea of the card is that it opens in an alternating fashion, so after opening the initial front covers left then right, the pages inside then open to the left, then to the right until the verse at the end is reached.

So what did I do ... The initial "Peacocks" from the "Peacock Ladies" themeplate were stamped in
"Versafine Lagoon Blue" and embossed in clear. I picked 3 vibrant "Glimmer mists" colours - Fully Purple, Patina and Yellow Daisy and spritzed each colour separately, waiting for them to dry before add another colour - this is because I wanted the brightness of each colour to show - if you spray them over each other whilst each is still wet then you can end up with a murky colour. When everything was dry I touched up the eye of each feather with a gold pen - this took flipping ages ! Behind the outer leaves I used some Patina Glimmer mists on some parchment paper to back them with which gives a lovely effect as the glimmer really shines on this.

Below: So after opening the outer layers this is the next layer. The background card was colour washed with the Glimmer mists, then the Peacock stamped and embossed in Gold detail powder, then
over painted using the Glimmer mists to deepen each ones colour. This section then opens to the left to reveal the next layer.

Below: The backs of any previous upper layers have been Ink dusted over so as not to leave them as plain white card. The Peacock lady from the same themeplate above was stamped in Versafine Onyx black, then using the glimmer mists as paints I just coloured her in, a few touches with the gold pen to add to the effect. This page now opens to the right.

Below: The final page with the greeting . The design is from the "Peacock Summer Party" CD and the verse was created on n overlay for the insert. Again the back of the previous upper card have been Ink dusted.

Now the present ....

At the Graphicus open day they had these brilliant Maya Road chipboard boxes which have a small book inside.

I first gesso'd the whole thing - box and all the pages ( every side ! ) Then glimmer misted the outer box before using various stamps from the "Peacock Ladies" themeplate all in a gold fine detail embossing powder.

Each one was coloured in using various glimmer mists as paints and some added sparkle in the way of gems.

Each of the pages was ink dusted and then on the front side either had a stamped image or sentiment on.

The reverse of each page had photographs on which are very special to Viv, I converted the photos to black and white and added some white edging detailing to them. A small vellum wrap with the date on written with a gold pen.

And I left two blank pages at the back so she can add a couple more in time x

Free To Good Home ........

2008-10-22T21:11:00.002+01:00

One dose of flu ! ( or severe cold ) ..... Maturing nicely but would prefer a different host.
I'll even chuck in the aches and pains for nothing !

Time for the beechams Hot lemon x

Duck Egg Blue & Sepia

2008-10-20T22:21:00.002+01:00

A few things have been used on this card, so lets start at the beginning with the main coloured card.

The main card was firstly run through my printer so I could print the background text. Over top I used a "Glimmer Screen" and sprayed "Patina and Creme De Cocoa - Glimmer Mists" over the top. The glimmer mist will slightly make the printed text run but this is what adds to the aged effect.

The stamping down the left side is from the "Filigree Fusion" themeplate and stamped in the Versafine sepia. A bit of dusting around the Edges with my Ink dusters. The flourishes on the right are from some Stampin Up stamps I've had for ages.

The tag was first embossed on the left side with a flourish, then using a few odd ink pads Ink dusted in the Sepia and duck egg blue, highlighting some of the embossing. The left hand then stamped using one of my favourite theme plates "Fleurs et Parfum de Paris" . The right hand stamp is again from the "Filigree Fusion" themeplate with some gem stones. A bit of grossgrain ribbon - slightly inked over to finish the tag off.

The flower is one of my bargain flowers - (which I must put a post up about these) - held in place C/o Crocodile large brad. The whole top was then matted on to some Tobacco brown card, then on to some duck egg blue card and finally on to the main card.

If anyone wants the old style Text to print out yourself on to your own card - just give me a shout and I'l email it over x

Inspiration from Nature

2008-10-20T21:39:00.002+01:00

A couple of pictures of my favourite trees & plants in my garden at this time of year.

The first is what is called a "Stag's Horn Sumach Tree" , and the colours are absolutely stunning.

During the beginning of the year the tree is totally bare and just resembles stag horns with a velvety texture, during Summer it is a luscious green, but it's true glory emerges during Autumn, as the leaves change to a deep carmine red, then through to a blazing crimson, then the oranges come, persimmon, amber, then finally through to the yellows. The yellows don't last long as that is the final colour change before they fall and then the cycle begins again.

Another of my favourites is this Jasmin, I had it for years and the flowers have the most irresistible scent during Summer.

Isn't nature wonderful x

Summer Evening

2008-10-20T21:13:00.002+01:00

This was a square card I did a while ago using the "Wild Owl" themeplate.

The card was done on watercolour paper and I used my Ink dusters with just regular ink pads to create the background scene and a fine line watercolour brush using Versafine smokey grey for the faint line clouds. The shadow tree from the "Orchard" themeplate was lightly stamped in Versafine smokey grey and the foreground grasses are from the "Wild Meadow" themeplate just stamped in various green inks. A torn paper strip, again coloured using my Ink dusters and then a gold embossed phrase from the "Words of Wisdom" themeplate and finally attached with brads.

The swallow was stamped with a Brilliance black ink, and the flourish bird was stamped on to an off cut from the background the cut out and placed on the torn strip to make it seem as though it was perching ( Not sure if that is a real word ! ) . Everything was then mounted onto a gold layer, and then on to a black card.