Essence of Nature created with Chocolate Baroque Stamps

Good morning. I have three makes to share with you today using Essence of Nature and The Rose Tree stamp sets from Chocolate Baroque.

I used one of my inky background papers from my stash. This was created by wetting a large sheet of cartridge paper and then painting over the surface with dissolved Brusho powders to make a blended watery background. Dishwasher salt crystals were then dropped onto the surface and the paper left to fully dry before brushing away the salt to reveal the lovely texture effect.

The theme on this weeks Simon Says Stamp Challenge (Mon) is ‘Ombre’  – so I have entered this one.

My first is using the lovely tree panel from the Essence of Nature stamp set (and bee from the The Rose Tree set).

The background panel was trimmed to fit the card front (21 X 14.5cm) and images stamped with Versamark Ink and heat embossed with detail white embossing powder. Faux stitching was drawn around the edge with an opaque white pen.

A white card backing panel was trimmed to approx. 9.5 X 15cm. The tree scene and sentiment were stamped onto recycled acetate packaging using black StazOn Ink. Double sided sticky sheet was then applied to the back of the acetate and the image ‘coloured’ using a variety of extra fine and chunky glitters in blue, green and crystal.

I have used the tree panel again on this one but this time to create a textured paper clay embellishment. The clay was rolled out and pressed with the stamp. After drying it was coloured by spritzing water based ink sprays with mica. Pebeo Gilding waxes were then rubbed across the textured surface.

The background was stamped and heat embossed with sparkly gold embossing powder, trimmed and mounted onto a 15cm card blank.

On my third project I went a bit off the wall – tee hee. Again I made some textured paper clay embellishments and thought that they resembled coral – hence a sea themed card was born.

I combined tree and leaf stamps together to make a jelly fish. The images were heat embossed with white powder and extra detail drawn on using pens, plus an embossing pen and white powder. A little white charcoal was used to add some shading to the jellyfish.

I further embellished with lots of sea themed die cuts and added some texture to the foreground with a mix of embossing powders and frontage fragments. Finished with lots of sparkly glitter glue – had to be done.

I hope that you enjoy my makes today. Happy stamping, Anne x.

Earth Laughs in Flowers Card

A birthday card that I made for a friend that loves pink and flowers.

The theme for this week’s Simon Says Stamp Challenge (Mon) is ‘Flower Power’ – so I have entered this one.

Materials:

• Big Bold Backgrounds – Belle Flower, Harlequin Rose and Rose Stem Script stamps (Chocolate Baroque); Flowering Dogwood Branches and Flowering Dogwood stamp sets(Heartfelt Creations)
• 6 X 6 inch card blank, white stamping card
• Versamark Inkpad, Versafine (Vintage Sepia)
• Embossing powders: Pale green with mica (Lindy’ Stamp Gang) and bright pink with glitter (WOW)
• Watercolour pens and water based sparkle pens (Spectrum Noir – yellow, greens and pinks)
• Fine tipped glitter pen (pink) and alcohol markers (deep pink and pale grey)
• Glossy Accents and Stickles glitter glue (Crystal)
• Large floral shaped die or template (I used Essential Flowers from Tattered Lace), Flowering Dogwood Branches and Flowering Dogwood Dies (Heartfelt Creations)

How it was done:

1. I stamped the background with Versamark ink and heat embossed with green powder.
2. The sentiment and border were stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with the pink powder.
3. I used a large floral die as a template to draw around using a fine tipped glitter pen. The background image was coloured with watercolour and glitter pens, using a damp brush to blend out colours.
4. Grey alcohol marker was used to add a little shading under the sentiment plate to make it appear more 3D.
5. Pink alcohol pen was used to edge the card blank and background panel before gluing down.
6. Next I stamped the flowers and leaves with Versafine Ink. These were cut out with dies and coloured with watercolour pens. I used balls tools and a spongy mat to shape and add dimension to the embellishments.
7. I finished by applying Glossy Accents over the sentiment plate plus extra sparkle with clear glitter glue.

Art With Everything Mini Hanger

Good morning. Today I am sharing a couple of mixed media projects created with Wisteria Lane and Artistic Affirmations stamp sets from Chocolate Baroque.

My first is a small decorative hanger.

The theme for this weeks Simon Says Stamp Challenge (Wed) is ‘add some texture’ – so I have submitted this one.

Materials:

• Wisteria Lane and Artistic Affirmations stamp sets
• White board panel (15 X 10cm) and circles (White Board Shapes kit), gold metallic satin card, pink card and turquoise glitter card
• Decorative Lace and Regal Border dies (Heartfelt Creations) and decorative element die (unknown brand)
• Acrylic paints (turquoise, pink, purple)
• Versamark Inkpad
• Embossing powders (yellow, pink, purple – Lindy’s Stamp Gang)
• Texture paste and gilding wax (Pebeo)
• Texture stencil (Claritystamp)
• Glossy Accents
• Scrap lace trim and pink ribbon
• Faux gems, pearls and sequins
• Glitter glue and 3D glue gel
• Variety of small plastic container lids and a straw (for printing)

How it was done:

1. Texture paste was applied onto the background panel through a stencil.
2. The white board shapes were coloured with acrylic paints. Plastic lids and a straw were used to print circles. Gilding wax was applied to the edges.
3. Images were stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with coloured powders.
4. The hanger was extended on the top and base using die cut panels.
5. Elements were glued down using 3D glue gel for added depth and dimension.
6. Finished with lace trim, faux gems, sequins and glitter glue for sparkle.

Key to My Dreams card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. This is another of my samples created for Chocolate Baroque using the Key to my Dreams stamp set.

 

Materials:

• Key to My Dreams stamp set
• A5 stepper card blank, Kraft card, copper metallic card, linen textured white card, paper cake doily
• Inkpads: StazOn (Jet Black), Distress Ink (Peacock Feathers), Encore (Silver), Versamark
• Ink Spritzers (gold and light blue with mica)
• Fine tipped pen (brown)
• WOW Embossing Powder (Gold Rich)
• Soft Form Relief Paste (Copper)
• Pebeo Gilding Wax (Antique Gold)
• Stickles Glitter Glue (Icicle)
• Embossing folder (Crafters Companion 8 X 8inch)
• Small suitcase die (Heartfelt Creations – Luggage and Tags), decorative heart die (Tonic – Fanciful Florals Large Heart), key dies (Trimcraft?)

How it was made:

1. A thin layer of copper paste was spread onto lock and key stamps and left to fully dry before gently peeling away. This can take up to 2 days so you need to plan ahead. StazOn Ink was then applied to the stamps and the moulded pieces pressed back on to transfer the ink into the crevices. The surface was then lightly rubbed over with gold gilding wax to add more depth of colour.
2. The card blank was textured with the embossing folder and rubbed over with Distress Ink. Faux stitching was added to the main panel using the fine tipped pen.
3. Background topper panels were created with linen textured card. The keys were stamped with silver ink and the background was lightly spritzed with mica inks. The paper doilies were also coloured with ink sprays and Distress Ink, trimmed and glued to the backgrounds. The edges of the panels were roughened up using the edge of my scissors, encouraging small tears. The edges were inked with Distress ink and edges and tears lightly shaped and curled.
4. The heart panel and keys were cut from copper card, and the suitcase from Kraft card. The sentiment was stamped onto the suitcase with Versamark and heat embossed with gold powder. Small snips of the coloured doily were glued down and the edges inked with Distress Ink. The handles were coated with Versamark and heat embossed with gold powder. After decorating the suitcase was folded and glued to make the 3D embellishment.
5. Mats, die cuts and embellishments were glued to the card using foam pads and 3D glue where needed. Finally a little Stickles glitter glue was added for a bit of sparkle.

Splendid Hat Steampunk card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. This was one of my recent samples for the Steampunk themed shows on Hochanda with Chocolate Baroque.

 

Materials:

• Steampunkery, Steampunk Travel, Punky Expressions stamp sets
• 6 X 6inch card blank, decorative background paper from Crafty Individuals (A Weekend in Seville Book), Kraft card
• Coloured pencils (browns. Blues, white) and Sansador blending solution
• Inkpads: Versafine (Onyx Black, Vintage Sepia), Memento (Tuxedo Black), StazOn (Jet Black), Versamark
• Embossing powder (Tim Holtz Antiquities Rust)
• Soft Form Relief Paste (Copper)
• PVA pearls (black)
• Dies to cut tag (Trimcraft?), small sentiment plate (Heartfelt Creations) and cogs (Tim Holtz Sizzix BigZ)

How it was made:

1. A thin layer of copper paste was spread onto the small hat and key stamps and left to fully dry before gently peeling away. This can take up to 2 days so you need to plan ahead. StazOn Ink was then applied to the stamps and the moulded pieces pressed back on to transfer the ink into the crevices.
2. The sentiments were stamped onto Kraft card with Versafine (Black Onyx) and were cut out with dies. Cogs were also cut from Kraft card.
3. The background was stamped with Versafine (Vintage Sepia). The edges of the decorative panel, sentiment panels and cogs were coated with Versamark and heat embossed with rust powder.
4. The large hat was stamped onto Kraft card with Memento, cut out and coloured with pencils. Note: I used Memento as I blended the pencil colouring with Sansador solvent (Versafine would bleed with solvent).
5. Elements were stuck to the card front with 3D glue gel for added dimension. Finished with a few PVA pearls.

Butterfly Poppy Collage card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. This is the last of my recent samples for shows on Hochanda using lovely poppy themed stamp sets from Chocolate Baroque. I have so enjoyed working with these gorgeous stamp sets.

 

Materials:

• Butterfly Poppy Collage and Pretty Poppies stamp sets
• 9 X 8 inch card blank (cream), watercolour card, white stamping card, scrap card (pink)
• Inkpads: Versafine (Vintage Sepia), Distress Ink (Forest Moss, Scattered Straw, Tea Dye, Tumbled Glass), archival dye inkpads (dark blue, dark pink)
• Watercolour pens (red, pink, blue, orange, green)
• Water based ink sprays (green, warm yellow and gold with mica)
• Alcohol ink pens: black and dark pink
• Pebeo Gilding Wax (gold)
• Glitter pens (blue and gold)
• Gel pen (opaque white)
• Stickles glitter glue (Icicle)
• Dies: Formal Flourish (Die-namics), Cut Mat Create rectangle (Heartfelt Creations), shaped square (Trimcraft?)

How to make it:

1. Wet the watercolour card and randomly spray with inks. When dry, lightly stamp all over with the large text collage stamp and Forest Moss Ink.
2. Cut to fit the card front leaving a frame of approx. 1cm base card showing. Stamp the right hand side using both blue and pink inks, and the left plus background butterfly with blue ink. Note: To get a good stamped image on textured watercolour card you will need to press the stamp down a little harder than usual. It will never be as clear and crisp as when stamping on smooth card.
3. Stamp the butterflies using blue ink onto the offcut piece of coloured watercolour card and cut out. Further colour the butterflies with alcohol and glitter pens. Add highlights to the butterflies and to the stamped poppy collage using white gel pen.
4. Cut the shaped square mat from smooth card and stamp the poppy image with Versafine. Colour the background with Tea Dye and Tumbled Glass Distress Inks, blending with a sponge. Splash with water and blot off colour to give a mottled background. Colour the poppies with watercolour pens and edge the mat with gold gilding wax. Add highlights with white gel pen.
5. Cut a rectangle mat in white card approx. 9 X 13cm (3.5” X 5”), stamp the text with Scattered Straw Ink, and blend in ink from around the edges. Further enhance the edges with black alcohol marker and mount the coloured poppy image to the left side using foam pads.
6. Align and position the mat onto the watercolour card and cut around the stamped poppy collage with a craft knife so that the mat can be tucked under the cut section. Cut 2 flourishes from pink card.
7. Finally glue everything to the card front, leaving the butterfly wings free for added dimension. Oooh, and add a bit of glitter to the poppy centres (got to be done – tee hee).

Thinking of you cards using papers, dies and stamps from Heartfelt Creations

We all need to make these sometimes to let people know that we are thinking of them through difficult times.

 

Sadly I have had to make a few of these recently. I used pretty printed papers, co-ordinated with floral and butterfly stamps and dies from Heartfelt Creations. I coloured the flowers to match the papers and added a pretty decorative mat to frame the design using a die from Tonic (the cards are large 8 X 8 inches). The big pink lace butterfly was cut with a die from TODO.

Fun cards for the guys

Thought that I would give you a short break from all the butterflies posted up earlier.

 

I had 2 male friends with special birthdays this weekend so I came up with a couple of fun cards that would appeal to their sense of humour. Thankfully they loved them and I haven’t damaged my friendships – tee hee.

 

The first is for my friend who was 70 this weekend. We had a great party and he had his guitar out for a sing along too. He has fond memories of the 60’s so I thought that the Day of The Dead Collection from Sheena Douglass would be perfect, done in ‘Flower Power’ style.

 

• The image stamps and dies are from Sheena Douglass (Day of The Dead) coloured with Spectrum Noir Aquatints and Distress Inks.
• I added some foiling bling using a Zig 2 way glue pen and transfer foil. The foiled sentiment was done on the computer with toner sublimation foil and my Minc machine.
• The curved ‘happy birthday’ , shaped card blank and bunting created with dies are from Tattered Lace. The letters cut using Create and Craft Couture dies.

 

The second card is very tongue in cheek. Shall I just say that my friend is renowned for being a bit ‘windy’!

 

 

• I used an Embossalicious folder and coredinations card to create the background – sanding it back to reveal the ‘vintage’ sentiment panel.
• The pipework and beer bottles were cut with dies from Robert Addams, the jug from Heartfelt Creations. The lettering dies are from Create and Craft Couture. The cogs dies are from a variety of sources including Robert Addams, Trimcraft, Sheena Douglass and Tattered Lace.

Wishing Tree Mixed Media Canvas created with Pebeo Fantasy Paints

Good evening (or is it morning?). I am sharing another mixed media canvas that I have just finished – playing with Pebeo Fantasy Moon and Prisme paints along with Vitrail (glass paints) and ceramic paints. I had fun with this one. I first spread my canvas with some left over acrylic texture pastes that I had coloured for another project.

 

I then poured on various paints and gold Cerne Relief Paste, making a fantasy tree. I dropped some acrylic gems into the wet paint for sparkle. I called it the wishing tree.

 

 

 

I mounted it onto a 12 X 12 inch background canvas ‘textured’ with die cuts (Heartfelt Creations Cut Mat Create set). I painted the background canvas with acrylic paints, stamped the words (Sheena Douglass) and heat embossed with sparkly gold powder. I then rubbed over the edges and some of the texture with Pebeo Gilding Wax (love this stuff).

 

I was fairly pleased with the results and thought it framed the smaller canvas nicely. I hope that you like it x.

Easter Treat Box created for Chocolate Baroque

 

Good afternoon. The recent shows on Hochanda featuring the Russian themed stamps and stencils from Chocolate Baroque were simply brill – great demos and such a lovely range of samples from my Teamies. If you missed the shows they do remain available online for a while so you can catch up on the FAB demos from Lesley Wharton.

I am sharing one of my show samples today created with the lovely Russian Floral egg and crackle stamps. These stamps are exclusive to Hochanda until the end of the month. After that they will be available directly from Chocolate Baroque.

Hope that you like my Easter treat box – ideal for filling with chocolates.

 

Materials:

• Russian Floral Egg and Large Crackle Background (sold out individually on Hochanda)
• 15 cm square egg stencil (Claritystamp)
• 21cm square white card (box base) and blue card (box lid), gold mirror card (for decoration) and 15cm square grey board
• Stazon Inkpad (Black)
• Soft Form Relief Paste (Gold)
• Pebeo Modelling Paste
• Gesso (black), Pebeo acrylic paint (Iridescent Gold) and Martha Stewart satin acrylic (Indigo)
• Pebeo Gilding Wax (Empire Gold)
• Boxer Board (Crafters Companion)
• Glossy Accents and PVA pearls (gold)
• Satin ribbon (blue)
• Happy Easter die (Heartfelt Creations Flowering Dogwood Collection)

How to make it:

1. To make the box using the boxer board, score around each side of the square at a depth of 3cm, choosing the box base and box lid score lines on the board. I used a 21cm square of white card for the base and blue card for the top. Using the score board makes it really easy. The score line measurements are slightly offset on the base side of the board so that it automatically makes a base slightly smaller than the top so that they fit together. Snip into the corners to create the gluing tabs. Before constructing the lid stamp the sides with the crackle stamp and gold paint.
2. Coat the egg stamp with a layer of Soft Form Relief Paste and leave to fully dry. This can take 2 days depending on room temperature and humidity conditions. Gentle peel away from the stamp and trim off any rough edges. Paint over the whole surface with blue acrylic paint. Quickly wipe across the surface with a damp cloth to remove paint from the upper surface level, leaving the blue colour in the deeper level. When dry, mount onto blue and gold card and glue to the box top with 3D foam for depth. I also added Glossy Accents into the blue leafy swirls for added shine, and added some PVA pearls.
3. Die cut the sentiment in both blue and gold card. Layer together slightly offset to create depth. Glue to the box top. Coat with Glossy Accents for added shine.
4. Stamp the egg 5 times onto gold mirror card with Stazon (only need the central area with the flower and leafy swirls). Cut out and shape the flowers slightly. Glue to the box sides and onto the paste egg topper. Add small PVA dots to flower centres. Initially I wanted to make these embellishments with the Relief Paste but I ran out of time rushing to get this ready to post for the shows. I don’t have central heating so the paste takes 2 days for each layer to dry!
5. To make the box topper coat the grey board with gesso to seal. When dry apply modelling paste through the stencil with a palette knife. Leave it to dry for around 10-15 minutes and press the crackle stamp into the paste to create texture. Leave to fully dry and apply another coat of Gesso. Stamp the crackle over the surface using gold paint. Rub over the surface and edges with gilding wax. Glue to the box top.
6. Finish with a large ribbon bow.