Spooky Halloween Tassel

Good afternoon. I just had to share a Halloween make today. I hope that you like this creepy tassel that I made as a sample for Gina’s recent tassel making shows on Hochanda TV.

Materials:

• Polystyrene egg
• Orange mesh ribbon (approx. 1 inch wide)
• Commercial embellished cord – orange felt flowers, pearls, beads, sequins, pumpkin shaped metal bells attached to orange raffia cord (from my stash)
• Double knit wool (gold/ochre)
• Black ribbon and commercial black cord scraps
• Black die cut sentiment ‘Boo’ (Tattered Lace Die)
• Bats and spiders cut on my Silhouette Cameo machine from black card (Silhouette Store: ‘Spider Web Lantern’ from Jennifer Rush and ‘Bats Flying’)
• Gold and black flower shaped sequins
• Strong cotton thread for tying (I used warping cotton but a button thread would work too)
• Clear drying fabric glue or PVA
• Sewing needle & thread, extra-long sewing needle (e.g. Shashiko or doll needle)

Recommended Tools and Tassel Tutorials:

Gina B Silkworks has a fab selection of tools and publications which will help you to make a range of tassel embellishments: from soft tassels suitable for clothing, to more complex tassels for soft furnishings. Here are a few items that I can recommend for tassel making.

• Total Trimmings Table Deluxe – I used it to wrap the threads for the very long tassel skirt. A considered purchase but so versatile for many Passementerie techniques including making warps for tassels & weaving, cording, button making, lace making, holding thread spools, making bows etc.
• Tassel Tool Kit – great for making a range of tassel skirts, wired trims and chenille
• Total Trimmings Book 3 with Mini Tassel Boards – great for beginners with a host of lovely step by step projects for simple and more complex tassels
• Making Tassels Vol 1 (DVD) – Showing a range of soft tassel techniques
• Making Tassels Vol 2 (Double DVD set) – Showing a range of advanced tassel techniques

How it was done:

1. I first covered the egg by wrapping with the mesh ribbon. It was easiest to wrap in a top to bottom direction (i.e. turning the egg on a vertical axis as wrapping around). Secured with a couple of stitches and fabric glue.
2. I next made the long wool tassel skirt and tied with strong thread. I used the extra long needle to secure it onto the egg. I passed the needle up through the egg to anchor, and out of the top to make a hanging loop. The join was covered with black cord to neaten.
3. The neck of the tassel was then bound with strong cotton. I secured lengths of the embellished raffia cord into the binding. This was then covered with a black ribbon wrap and tied bow.
4. Next I glued on the spooky embellishments and sequins. I attached the bats and spiders onto the cords by gluing 2 cut shapes together sandwiching the cord between the card shapes.

Happy Halloween x.

Nothing to Fear Mixed Media Canvas

Hi all, today I am sharing one of my projects created during the Powertex Garden Party in July. It was an amazing weekend and I went along with my ex’s lovely daughter Marie. Living far apart we rarely get the chance to be together – so it was extra special to have a whole weekend crafting together.

Others also came along with friends or family but many came along on their own. Some were familiar with Powertex and some, like Marie, were completely new to the medium. Whether experienced or not, travelling with friends or alone, the Team at Powertex were wonderfully inviting and everyone soon felt relaxed and eager to get started. Tracey gave us all fabulous instructions to help us along the way. It was a wonderfully relaxed weekend and we made many new friends.

The huge display of different projects from the Powertex Team on display around the gardens was simply amazing.

The theme for this weeks Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is ‘anything but a card’ – so I have entered this one.

I completed most of this canvas project during the weekend but you know me – I just had to add a more embellishments and bling when I got home. We had great fun creating layers of texture and colour.

We first painted our 12 X 12 inch canvas with Black Powertex onto which we then built additional layers. We applied background texture layers with Powertex treated recycled corrugate card and mesh canvas. We then created a ‘dirty mix’ using Black Powertex, Stone Art, 3D Sand and Balls and applied to the canvas, adding more texture by pushing in and stamping with mark making tools etc. (sticks, bottle tops etc.).

The Team then provided us with a ready made mix of Easy 3D Flex and Ivory Powertex. This medium provides a gorgeous crackle texture on drying.

We were also provided with a small MDF frame and choice of small plaster embellishment. I chose to use a skull. We were helped and advised along the way on the easiest layout of different textures and elements for a successful arrangement.

I added more texture to my frame with Easy 3D Flex and small Sand and Balls. You can see the marvellous cracks that develop – yummy. We then chose from a range of Secret Art Loft Acrylic Ink and Paints for colouring. I chose a mix of turquoise, pinks and yellows (Acrylic Paints – Raspberry Sorbet, Lemon Meringue, Blueberry Pie; Acrylic Inks – Raspberry, Metallic Aqua and Aqua). These paints and inks are gorgeous and allow you to build up lots of layers of transparent colour. I used Colortricx Silver in Easy Varnish for some of the dry brushing to enhance textures.

On getting home I added more embellishments to my canvas – die cut birds, clock, circles and rings (cut from recycled thick card). I also used the Daisies Silicone Mould to make flowers and leaves from Powertex Clay (made with Ivory Powertex and Stone Art). The embellishments were painted with Black Powertex before sticking down. I also used some Easy Structure Paste tinted with a bit of Black Powertex as a 3D ‘glue’ to stick down elements on uneven highly textured areas.

I used some stamps from my stash to create the sentiments (using Versamark Onyx Black Ink) and used Easycoat Matt to stick them down and seal.

I finished with more layers of pigment and varnish, applying with a dry brush to highlight textures. I adore the new range of pigments from the Secret Art Loft (colours used – Interference Blue, Blue Curacao, Interference Violet and Green Ginger). I finally added some gold and silver gilding waxes applied with a finger (I just cannot help myself from adding more bling).

Here is Marie’s amazing canvas. I love the colours, textures and hidden surprise elements.

We all had so much fun and between us created an amazing array of individual and very different takes on this theme.

Bye for now, Anne x.

Art Deco Birthday Card and Gift Box

 

Good evening. I created this special card for a friend along with a co-ordinating decorative box. I made the earrings using some lovely sterling silver and amber droppers. I simply attached them to some pretty silver ball stud findings.

I rarely use ready made toppers and printed papers so this is a bit of a change for me. The card is definitely a statement at around 26cm wide and 23cm high. The side panels fold forward like a screen panel. The background papers and toppers are from an Art Deco themed paper crafting magazine (Debbie Moore). The fern and floral embellishments were created with dies from Tattered Lace, and the side panels created with screen panel dies from Tonic. No inkpads or stamping used on this one, however I did have to add a little extra bling with glitter glue (tee hee).

Blossom and Grow Cacti

Good morning. I created these samples for the recent shows on Hochanda TV using Captivating Cacti, Blossom and Grow and Scrumptious Succulents stamp sets from Chocolate Baroque.

My first sample was created using a 5 X 4.5 inch card blank. The lower third of the card blank was embossed using a lacy textured embossing folder. The background was stamped using the Square Bubbles stamp and Distress Ink (Tattered Rose). Distress Ink, purple dye based ink and pink glitter glue were applied over the embossed section to colour and highlight.

The sentiment was stamped from the Blossom and Grow stamp set using purple dye based ink. The card was edged using purple alcohol marker to frame and a ribbon glued down to create a base for the flower pot.

I used a flower pot die (Sheena Douglass Herb Garden set) to cut the pot from Kraft card. A little colouring was added using watercolour and clear sparkle pens before shaping and gluing to the card front with 3D glue gel.

Cacti from the Scrumptious Succulents set were stamped onto smooth stamping card using Versafine (Onyx Black). Images were then coloured with watercolour pens (Crafters Companion Spectrum Aqua), dragging out colour and blending using a damp brush, then cut out. The large ‘face on’ cactus image was stamped several times, cut out, shaped and layered up. Elements were shaped using a ball tool and foam mat then glued down with 3D glue gel.

 

For my second sample I used the gorgeous Captivating Cacti stamp and a sentiment from Blossom and Grow.

I prepared a decorative card blank from a 6 X 6 inch Kraft card blank, extending the edges by adding die cut borders from white pearl card (Crafters Companion Die’Sire strip die). Finished by adding faux stitching with a fine tipped pen (opaque white) and PVA pearls.

Images were stamped onto textured watercolour card using Versafine (Onyx Black). Watercolour and sparkle pens (Crafters Companion) were used for colouring. Colouring was extended at the base to give the cactus grounding.

A little gold sparkle pen was flicked across the image for added texture. I didn’t intend to do this initially but I had to cover up an accidental splodge! I liked the result, so a ‘happy accident’ as they say – tee hee. The card was edged with dark brown marker to frame before gluing to the card front.

Growing Blossoms

Good morning. Today I am sharing a couple of my samples for the recent shows on Hochanda with the Blossom and Grow and Scrumptious Succulents stamp sets.

This one was created with a 6 X 6 inch Kraft card blank. First the flowers were stamped onto scrap copy paper and cut out to create a mask. A little Zig 2 Way glue was dotted on the back to provide a temporary tac. Alternatively you could use the special masking tissue.

The images were stamped directly onto the card blank using Versamark and embossed with detail white powder. The foreground florals were stamped first, covered with masks before stamping the background foliage.

A little texture was added using a little ‘pricking wheel’ and a ruler. Just something I have in my tools, like a mini pastry crimping texture wheel. Opaque white pen was then used to add faux stitching and dots. Light colouring was brushed over with watercolour pens, using a clear sparkle pen to dilute the colour.

The flower was stamped again onto white stamping card using Versafine (Onyx Black) and coloured with watercolour and sparkle pens. The image was trimmed out and mounted with 3D foam. Finished with PVA pearls.

My second is a wreath created with one of the small flower heads. A 6.5 X 5.5 inch textured card blank was randomly stamped using the Square Bubbles stamp and Versafine (Majestic Blue). I used various dies to cut mats and layers and to build out decorative sides to the card blank (using white and blue card). Dies: Pin Dot Decorative Circles (Tattered Lace) and Florence (Crafters Companion Die’Sire).

I used the Inkadinkadoo Stamping Gear to stamp the wreath using Versafine (Majestic Blue). This can be done manually by dividing the circle into 8 segments (mark lightly with a pencil). Tip: Stamp the first image and turn the card before stamping the next, keeping the stamp orientation the same as you go. It’s easiest to stamp the 4 quadrants first then go around again and fill in between. Practice on some copy paper.

The flowers were coloured with watercolour pens and clear sparkle pen to dilute out colour and give shading. 3D foam was used to add depth and dimension to layers.

Floral Trinket Box created with Powertex

I have had a wire box frame in my stash for ages. Originally it had a woven straw covering that fell apart so I removed it with the intention of recovering it. It ended up as another ‘UFO’ (unfinished object) for years. I have finally dug it out and created this Powertex treated fabric box embellished with hand made fabric flowers. Now it’s a fabulous trinket box for storing some of my crafty treasures.

The bare wire frame is a strong construction – similar to the type of wire used to make coat hangers. It measures approx. 8 inches square across the top and 6 inches deep.

I used some recycled cotton bed sheets and treated them with Black Powertex to cover the box and lid. I lined the outer and inner panels to completely cover the wire frame. I gathered some cotton trims for the next stage; some crochet lace and a piece of gathered Broderie Anglaise.

I treated the crochet lace with Powertex and applied around the box base.

The gathered lace was applied around the lid. I also dug out some greyboard lazer cut foliage shapes to embellish the top. These were coated and stuck down with Powertex. When dry I started dry brushing over the surface using Easy Varnish and Silver Colotricx. Extra colour was applied to the foliage to make it stand out from the dry brushed background.

Here you can see the dry brushed lid next to the unpainted base. The dry brushing has emphasised the texture and added metallic highlights.

Next I made some fabric roses from 25mm and 15mm strips cut from recycled bedding. These were created using Ribbon Ruching Flower Combs from Gina B-Silkworks. Basically strips are marked out using the Flower Comb templates, a running stitch is sewn along the marked lines and the stitching is pulled up to gather and shape into a rose. I prepared my strips and treated with Powertex before pulling up the stitching. The Powertex holds and glues the gathering in place. I left the flowers to dry before adding to the box top.

To create the roses I followed instructions detailed in Gina’s new Ribbonwork Flowers Book: Twist Roses from 25mm cotton strips using comb 3a (Rococo Comb Set) and 1930’s Roses from 15mm strips using comb 13a (Venezia Comb Set).

I used one of my dies to cut a frame for the centre (Sizzix), applied to the top and finished in the same way as the greyboard foliage.

The flowers were dry brushed with Easy Varnish and Interference Lilac Pigment. Loving these new Pearl Pigment colours! Powertex was then used to glue down the roses to the centre. I added some ready made flower stamens around the group (purple), and some small ready made satin ribbon roses to the corners (Powertex treated and coloured).

Next I mixed some 3D Sand and Balls into Black Powertex and drizzled the mix around the flowers. A few untreated balls were also dropped into the wet Powertex. The untreated balls kept their original colour on the surface giving contrast with the black base. Once dry I coloured by brushing over the surface using Easy Varnish and Mojito Lime Pigment.

I also dry brushed a little of the Lilac pigment sparingly over the lace trims and used to colour some hand made air dry clay embellishments (created using a silicone mould from my stash) added to the box corners.

I used one of my large rubber stamps (lace design from Heartfelt Creations) to stamp some extra textural interest around the sides using Viola Metallic Acrylic Ink. Note: the fabric surface is already quite textured and not very flat so the stamping does not give a clear impression of the design but just adds a little more depth and interest to the surface.

I hope that you like my new treasure box.

Hugs, Anne xxx.

All about feathers, cards created with stamps from Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Today I am sharing a few cards created with the ‘I Shall Be Your Wings’ stamp set from Chocolate Baroque.

My first is a colourful bunch of feathers in a shabby chic style.

I first stamped the feathers onto copy paper and cut them out to create masks. A few dots of Zig 2-way glue were applied to the back to hold the masks in place. This glue gives a temporary tac if left to fully dry before sticking down. Alternatively this could be done using the special Masking Tissue which comes with a tacky back. These masks can then be kept and re-used multiple times.

The feathers were stamped with multi-coloured dye based ink, layering images with masks and working from foreground to background. The sentiment was stamped with Versafine (Vintage Sepia). A drop shadow was added around the feathers using pale watercolour pen ink applied with a brush (to add more 3D depth).

Kraft card and the stamped panel were trimmed to fit an A5 card blank. The craft card was distressed using the edge of scissors, the stamped panel edged with alcohol marker to frame. A little Stickles (Crystal) was added for sparkle.

My second is a 6X6 inch card embellished with 3D shaped cut out feathers.

Faux stitching was added around the edge of the card, and small dots drawn, using a fine tipped opaque white pen.

The feathers were stamped onto a slightly paler version of Kraft card using Versamark and sparkly aqua embossing powder (WOW Calypso). These were then cut out and lightly shaped with a ball tool before gluing to the card front with 3D glue gel. Finished with a ribbon bow.

My third is another 6 X 6 inch card using a lovely background paper from Crafty Individuals (Shades of Summer). This particular pad is usually available on the Chocolate Baroque website (but depends on stock).

The paper was glued to a card blank and faux stitching added around the edge using a fine tipped pen. The sentiment was stamped with Versafine (Vintage Sepia). A little watercolour pen was painted over the image to help at more ‘weight’ to the base.

The feathers were stamped onto Kraft card using Versamark and sparkly aqua embossing powder (WOW Calypso), cut out and lightly shaped before sticking over a die cut birdy (Tattered Lace die) using 3D glue gel. Eye and leg details were added with fine tipped pen. A little clear sparkle pen was brushed over the bird for extra shimmer.

Quick and Easy cards created with stamps from Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Today I am sharing three quick and easy makes using stamps from Chocolate Baroque. These are great for batch making or for creating something in a hurry.

For my first make I used the Square Bubbles background stamp and I Shall Be Your Wings stamp set.

The theme for this week’s Simon Says Stamp Blog Challenge (Wed) is ‘Frame It’ – so I have entered this one.

A black card blank (15 X 13cm) was stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with white powder. The feather was embossed with aqua glitter powder onto white card, and the sentiment with white powder. The card was sprayed with water and colours dropped on (sparkle pens) and blown around by puffing through a straw. Finished with a few sparkly sequins.

My second quick make was created using the Square Bubbles background and Rose Duo stamp set along with a sentiment from I shall Be Your Wings. I used dies to cut a fancy card blank and layers in black and watercolour card.

The card blank background and sentiment were stamped with Versafine (Onyx Black). The foliage was then stamped using a multi-coloured dye based inkpad. Spritzing with water spread and softened the prints. A black alcohol marker was used to edge the card.

A strip of copy paper was then placed across the sentiment (acting as a mask) and images stamped again with Versafine, repeating the stamping without re-inking to create depth. I added a tiny die cut bird to finish the scene.

I again used the Square Bubbles background stamp and Rose Duo set to create a pretty floral card.

The image was stamped with Versafine onto watercolour card and very quickly coloured with watercolour pens. A little colour was added directly to the darker areas and colour dragged out using a damp brush to give quick shading.

I then covered my image and stamped the background with pale ink. I had already stamped the image onto copy paper and cut out to create a mask. You could also use special Masking Tissue, which has a tacky temporary adhesive back, to create masks. I often do this with a new stamp set keeping the masks in my stash for future use (I re-use these masks multiple times). If you don’t have masks prepared then obviously you will need a little more than 15 mins to make this one. Alternatively just randomly stamp around the background avoiding the floral image. I finished by edging with alcohol marker and faux stitching using a fine tipped pen before gluing to the card blank.

Monumental Wedding Card

Good morning. This summer I have several friends that are getting married. I wanted to come up with a special card which could be personalised and adapted to suit each couple. I made this one in a romantic wedding style adding some stamping using Mackintosh Beauty stamps from Chocolate Baroque.

The theme for this weeks Simon Says Stamp Blog (Wed) is Anniversary/Wedding – so I have entered this one.

How it was made:

I used one of the Monumental dies from Tattered Lace (Wedding) to create the shaped card blank. This is a massive die which uses a lot of card (28.2cm X 14.5cm). To make it robust I used 1 A4 sheet of Centura Pearl (300gsm) plus plain card lining (220 gms) for the front and 2 sheets of plain card (approx. 220 gsm) plus a thick patterned paper sheet to line and build the back.

From the leftover card I used Tattered Lace dies to cut the sentiment, heart (Pin Dot Hearts), mini hearts (Diamond Fold set), leafy sprigs (Fleurs die) and bunting pennants.

Lettering for personalisation was printed onto copy paper using a laser printer and foiled using Toner Sublimation foil and a Mink foiling machine (could be done with a laminator). The letters were then cut out and glued to the little pennant flags.

The front of the card and pennants were lightly sponged with Distress Ink (Old Paper) and randomly stamped using mulitcoloured (purples/pinks) Archival Brilliance Ink (Brilliance ink dries ok on the shiny pearl card). The pennants were hung from a fine satin ribbon.

The floral heart and a couple of small flower heads were stamped onto a spare scrap of pearl card and cut out. Light colouring was added using a damp brush and Distress Inks (Old Paper, Tattered Rose) and glued to the card using 3D glue gel for added depth.

Finished with a little clear glitter glue added to the flower centres. I really cannot resist a bit of sparkle.

 

I also had to make an envelope as the finished card does not fit any standard envelope sizes. The width of the card is almost full length of A4 so to leave enough space at the sides, and to create gluing tabs, I ended up needing 2 A3 sheets to create an envelope. I decided to use a couple of sheets of thinner white card and used my large score board to make a simple envelope. I used 1 sheet to create the front and flap plus tabs for gluing, and 1 sheet to create the back panel. To make it pretty I used an 8 X 8 inch lacy embossing folder (Doily – Tattered Lace) to add some texture and make the envelope look a little more special. I only embossed the central area on this one but the folder could be slid along to emboss right to the edges if desired.

Surreal Dreamy Tree Landscapes created with stamps from Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Today I am sharing a couple of projects using the Rose Tree and Essence of Nature stamp sets from Chocolate Baroque.

My first is a surreal dreamlike scene using the pretty rose tree as the main focal point.

The theme of this week’s Simon Says Stamp Challenge (Wed) is ‘use more than one stamp’ – so I have entered this one.

Materials:

• Rose Tree and Essence of Nature stamp sets
• 19.5cm X 14.5cm card blank, black card, white card (for backing), acetate (recycled packaging) and waste copy paper (to create masks)
• Clear double sided sticky sheet
• StazOn Inkpad (Jet Black)
• Alcohol ink pens and opaque white marker
• Bulb spritzer attachment to spray ink pen (similar to Ranger Distress Marker Spritzer)
• Nail varnish remover
• Glitters (green, gold and crystal)
• Viva Décor Kristall Gel (Holographic)
• Hexagon dies (Tonic)

How it was done:

1. The scene was stamped onto the acetate using StazOn ink.
2. Colouring was added to the reverse using alcohol ink pens. Strips of copy paper were used as a mask and alcohol ink spritzed using a bulb attachment for pens. Basically air is blown across the pen tip by squeezing the bulb, creating a spray. Some colour was dabbed away from the sky area using nail varnish remover.
3. Double sided sticky sheet was then placed on the back and coloured glitters were dropped onto the scene, burnishing into the sticky sheet using a finger.
4. A die was then used to cut out a hexagon shape from the centre of the scene. A little Kristall Gel was applied to the background panel for added texture and sparkle.
5. White card was trimmed and glued to the back to make the images stand out. These were then backed with black card to create a border around the background and hexagon cut shape. White faux stitching was added to frame the images.

My second project uses the lovely butterfly tree as the main focus to create another dreamy scene.

Materials:

• Essence of Nature stamp set
• 15cm square card blank, cartridge paper, metallic satin card (blue/silver), pink vellum
• Versamark Inkpad and pen
• Embossing powders (aqua sparkle and detail white)
• Ink spritzers (pink and green) and sparkle brush pens (deep pink and clear)
• Stickles glitter glue (Diamond) and PVA pearls (pink)
• Large decorative square die (Tonic)

How it was done:

1. The background was created using ink spritzers. The image was stamped with Versamark, embossed with sparkly powder and coloured with sparkle pens. The embossing pen was used to draw in extra hills extending the scene and anchoring the tree.
2. The image was stamped again onto the vellum, embossed with white powder. The butterflies were cut out, shaped and glued onto the tree.
3. The image was then framed with the decorative die cut and finished with glitter glue and PVA pearls.

Happy stamping, Anne xxx.