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.

Alice in Wonderland Clock created with Powertex

I have had so much fun joining the Alice in Wonderland Tea Party with Powertex UK. I love fantasy themes and wanted to make a working clock full of bright fun colours and sparkle. Hope that you like my Alice Clock. It certainly fills me with cheer and makes me smile.

The theme on this weeks Simon Says Stamp Challenge (Mon) is ‘inspired by a song’ – so I have entered this one. I feel that I am always running late so the White Rabbit Song ‘I’m Late’ fits me perfectly and is appropriately the main sentiment on my clock.

I have also entered it into this months Mixed Up Mag Texture Challenge.

I had an old heart shaped MDF working clock that really needed a revamp. I combined it with the Pocket Watch Kit to create my crazy clock. The kit contains a stand, solid back and frame to make up a 3D pocket watch. Also included are lots of smaller embellishments for decoration – great kit.

The stand was put together using Black Powertex to coat and glue everything together.

The open watch frame was coated with Black Powertex.

The back and outer rim of the solid pocket watch shape were also coated with Black Powertex. The central area was painted with Ivory Powertex ready for adding images. When dry, pocket watch images from a decorative Rice Paper were applied using Easy Coat Mat decoupage medium. The sheet I used does not appear to be in stock at the moment but the Victorian Steampunk sheet is similar. The surface was spritzed with a little Green Bister to knock back the harshness of the Ivory colour.

I coated my recycled MDF clock with Ivory Powertex on the front, Black on the back. Again Easy Coat was used to add Rice Paper images. You can still see the original painted numbers on my old clock face.

A layer of Crackle Accents (Ranger) was added onto the clock face images to give an aged crackle effect. When dry, more Green Bister was added to emphasise the crackle (the wet colour seeps into the cracks). Texture was then applied using Easy Structure Paste through the Wonderland Stencil. I dabbed over with a little black Powertex to cover some of the bright white colour. Easy Structure Paste was also used as a strong 3D glue to attach the watch to the stand.

Rice paper images were also applied to my recycled heart clock. Layers of kitchen paper were applied around the decoupaged images using ivory Powertex to give added texture. I also added Easy Structure Paste through the stencil to add hearts.

Several of the new Acrylic Inks and Paints were used to add colour to my project (Acrylic Inks in Egg Yolk, Tangerine, Golden Metallic, Viola Metallic and Aqua Metallic; Acrylic Paints in Raspberry Sorbet, Orange Marmalade and Key Lime). The inks are gorgeous fluid transparent colours ideal for painting over other colours or patterned papers. The medium bodied acrylic colours are semi-translucent and are great for heavier colour and layering. I LOVE them.

A piece of tree bark was treated with Transparent Powertex. I have had this piece in my stash for years (so it was fully dried out) just waiting for a suitable project to use it on.

The pocket watch frame was glued in place with Transparent Powertex ensuring that it was well centred. Easy Structure paste was used to glue 3D elements onto the base stand. Bronze Powertex was used to cover and colour the Easy Structure Paste where needed. At this stage I checked that the clock hands would be able to move freely around the clock face (once it’s all glued and dry it’s well and truly glued!).

The small MDF heart (from my recycled clock) was treated with black Powertex. I added some 3D Sand and Balls into the wet Powertex for texture. When dry I coloured with Easy Varnish and Interference Lilac Pearl Pigment. Have you seen these new Pearl Pigment colours? WOWeeee! I rubbed over a little Pebeo Gilding Wax (gold) to cover the edges and highlight the texture more.

Gilding Wax was also rubbed over the Pocket Watch tops and tree bark. A thick greyboard frame and rectangle was coated in Black Powertex to create a table. A piece of lace and scrap of knitted cotton was also coated in Black Powertex to fill in the base of the ‘tree’ and to create the table cloth. I started placing other MDF elements from the Pocket Watch Kit (but not glued down yet).

More colour was added with the Acrylic Paints. The metal clock hands were coated with Jade Patina (Ranger).

….. and yes my craft stash is encroaching inwards – tee hee.

I continued to build the scene, coating elements with Black or Ivory Powertex then colouring with Acrylic Paints before gluing down with Powertex.

The MDF sentiments and Flamingoes were from the Alice Collection; the butterflies, dragonfly, numbers and spirals from the Pocket Watch Kit. The sentiment plaque was a greyboard piece from my stash. I added some 3D Sand and Balls to the Flamingo wings for extra texture.

A layer of Glossy Accents (Ranger) was applied over some of the painted elements and fine crystal glitter dropped into the wet surface for added bling and sparkle. The piece was then left overnight, propping it in a horizontal position.

I also added an MDF Heart Flower, Lion, cat and small bird from Mini Hieroglyphs, MDF flowers and leaves plus greyboard flowers (from my stash). The little signposts were made from recycled wooden canvas stretchers and black alcohol marker used to write.

Then I had fun with my dies. Each element was built up using 4 layers of either black or Kraft card and layers glued together with Powertex to make them thick and robust. Coffee Archival Ink (Ranger) was used to stamp the chairs (Sizzix). The cake stand, cupcakes, small cup & saucer, spoon & fork and teapot cut (Intricutz); the larger cup & saucer and top hat (Sheena Douglass); the chandelier (Crafters Companion) were built and glued in place with Easy Structure paste where needed to give added depth. More Glossy Accents and glitter were added over some of the elements.

Finally a little dry brushed colour was added over some of the textured surfaces using Easy Varnish and the Pigment colours (Iridescent Lilac, Violet Valentine, Rich Gold).

I will leave it for around three weeks for everything to fully cure, then finish with Easy Varnish to fully seal everything and give added protection to painted surfaces.

I’ve popped in some close ups for you. Ooooh sparkly flamingos.

I am always running late so this sentiment is perfect for my clock – tee hee.

You can see that crackle texture on the watch faces here.

Lots of layering and sparkle.

I absolutely love my new clock. I hope that you love it too, Anne xxx.

Grunge Anniversary Card

 

Good morning. I have been having a little play at grunge. Think that I need to explore this a little more. There are some fabulous examples on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge (Mon) this week – totally in awe of the Design Team samples. I will definitely need to revisit this and have more play. Maybe even get my rusting powder out?

 

I thought that it might be fun to create a 25th Anniversary card that looks like it’s aged, perhaps discovered after being stuck in the loft for years – tee hee.

I used Distress Inks (Gathered Twigs, Antique Linen, Peeled Paint) and Versafine (Vintage Sepia) for the stamping and colouring. The background was created using a bird cage and heart stencil from my stash. The Love Birds stamps are from Darkroom Door. The celebrate sentiment was an odd one from a bundle that I picked up second hand (unknown brand). The grunge textures and splodges were from the Ageing Beautifully stamp set (Sheena Douglass). The personalised sentiments were home printed.

Steampunk Travellers Mixed Media Canvas with Powertex

Oh my goodness – I really enjoyed myself with this Steampunk canvas – I just love to get myself lost a bit of fantasy. I used lots of Chocolate Baroque stamps from my stash (Punky Expressions, Words of Inspiration, Steampunkery, Steampunk Travel, Punky Flowers, Steampunk SeaWorld) and two of the new stamps from Mark Gould (Sailor Jim and The Aviator).

As the theme on the Simon Says Stamp Blog Challenge (Wed) this week is ‘Layer It Up’ – I have entered this one.

I first cut 2 pieces of left over mount board and trimmed them to approx. 25 X 31cm and 31 X 41 cm. The back board was coated front and back with Bronze Powertex. The second board was coated with Ivory Powertex.

I used a page from an old atlas and glued it to the board using Easy Coat Mat decoupage medium. Note: There are some lovely map themed Rice Papers on the Powertex website.

I then applied some Easy Structure paste through stencils from my stash to create some wave and cloud textures.

Next I applied elements from decorative rice papers (sea themed and pocket watches) using Easy Coat medium. It looks like the pocket watches sheet I used is out of stock but there is a similar Victorian Steampunk sheet available. Tip: draw around the parts of the image that you desire using a water brush or pen, then gently pull away the image from the sheet. This avoids harsh cut edges and the images will blend better into the background.

I also applied a little of the new Golden Metallic Acrylic Ink through my stencils, and onto areas of the pocket watches.

I next stamped my images using Versafine Ink (Onyx Black) onto recycled tissue paper (packaging). I also stamped some onto white card using Versafine (Vintage Sepia), cut them into little sentiment strips and edged them with a dark brown alcohol marker. The images and text sentiments were applied to the canvas using Easy Coat decoupage medium.

I added a little colour over the decoupaged stamp images using Golden Metallic and Aqua Acrylic Inks. These inks have a lovely translucency so do not obliterate the image beneath. You don’t need to be super careful with colouring either.

My characters were stamped onto smooth stamping card using Versafine (Vintage Sepia), cut out and coloured with pencils. I applied Ivory Powertex to the backs to seal them, curving and doming them slightly. I coated the fronts with a layer of Powerwax to protect them. I chose this option as I was concerned that a slow drying wet medium might smudge some of the pencil colouring.

I used one of the MDF Heart Flowers (approx. 12.5cm across) to make an embellishment for the top. The moulded flower was from my stash. It had been made with Stone Art and Ivory Powertex mixed into a clay and used with one of my moulds. When dry it was painted with Easy Varnish tinted with Burgundy Powercolor, then dry brushed with more varnish tinted with Silver, Rich Gold and Copper Colortricx. The MDF flower was coated with Bronze Powertex and the moulded flower glued to the centre with a little Easy Structure paste. Easy Structure paste and Powertex were used to glue the embellishment to the top of the canvas.

Black cotton netting was treated with Bronze Powertex and applied to the canvas base and diagonally across the middle. The characters were then positioned and glued down with Easy Structure Paste (i.e. using it as a 3D glue). Care was taken not to smudge the images with paste or Powertex. Any slight mishaps were wiped away quickly with a damp sponge.

I gathered together lots of Steampunk and nautical embellishments from my stash including die cut ship wheels, anchors, gears, swirls etc. I also had a stash of shells created using paper clay and moulds (already coloured with ink sprays). The embellishments were all coated with Powertex (Transparent or Bronze) and glued in place, using Easy Structure paste where needed. I also dropped some 3D Sand and Balls into wet Powertex for added texture.

In addition I used some recycled gear cogs from the inside my finished double sided tape rollers. These are plastic so I used copper gilding wax (Pebeo) to colour the top surface (Powertex doesn’t stick to plastic) and embedded them well with Easy Structure paste and Powertex coated card pieces etc.

Finally I dry brushed Easy Varnish tinted with Bronze Gold Colortricx lightly over the embellishments to enhance them.

The canvas could be mounted into a 3D box frame to fully protect it from dust etc. It could also be hung directly – perhaps holes cut in the top edge and a string would look quite nautical? If hanging without framing I would advise that everything be fully sealed with Easy Varnish (the characters with more layers of Powerwax); particularly the areas coated with transparent Powertex (coloured Powertex is already weather resistant). It could then be cleaned with a damp cloth (or even rinsed under the tap).

I hope that you like my fantasy creation. I have included a few more pics for more close up views, Anne x.

Indian Bloom Card created for Chocolate Baroque

 

Good morning. This was another of my recent creations for Chocolate Baroque using the Bold Blooms stamp set. I have called it Indian Bloom. The stamp went perfectly with an embossing folder in my stash from Sheena Douglass (Indian Collection from a couple of years back).

Materials:

• Bold Blooms stamp set
• 15cm square card blank, black card, silver satin metallic card
• Pebeo Gilding Wax (Silver)
• StazOn Inkpad (Black)
• Sakura Glaze Pen (pink)
• PVA pearls (pink), faux gem flowers (pink, red), glitter glue (silver)
• Indian style embossing folder (Sheena Douglass)

How it was made:

1. The black card was embossed using the embossing folder and rubbed over with silver gilding wax.
2. The flower was stamped three times onto the metallic card, coloured with glaze pen, cut out and lightly shaped for layering. I used 3D glue gel to attach to the card front.
3. Gems were randomly glued to the front and it was finished with PVA pearls and plenty of glitter for bling.

Vintage Bike 70th Birthday Card

I made this one for a friend who is 70 today. The bike stamp is from Darkroom Door. The die cuts are from Various brands (Tattered Lace, Trimcraft, Robert Addams, Sheena Douglass) and the embossing folders (background and words) from Crafters Companion.

I embossed the background onto black card and rubbed over with gold, silver and copper gilding waxes, and used them to colour the cogs too. Another embossing folder was used to create the ‘vintage’ words. The main image was stamped with Versamark and lightly tinted with watercolour pens. I applied several layers of clear embossing powder over the top to intensify it and make it look like a photo.

The End–Halloween Mixed Media Canvas created with Powertex

I just love a bit of Halloween Fantasy. Have you seen the FAB new stencil – ‘The End’ – from Powertex? Perfect for Spooky makes.

I used Easy Coat decoupage medium to apply stamped images from the Chocolate Baroque ‘Texture Fragments’ to the background. I also used Easy Structure Paste applied through the stencils and some onto the background and impressed with the stamps for added texture.

No fabric was included in this one but I used a lot of paper cut shapes treated with Transparent Powertex; great for stiffening, gluing and sealing the embellishments.

I hope that you enjoy my spooky scene.

Materials Used:

• 30 X 22.5cm stretched canvas
• 30 X 30 cm Stencil (The End)
• Powertex Hardener (Transparent and Ivory)
• Easy Coat Mat Medium
• Easy Structure Paste
• Bister (Green and Yellow)
• Chocolate Baroque Stamps (Texture Fragments)
• Brusho Powders (Lemon and Leaf Green)
• Alcohol Markers
• StazOn Inkpad (Jet Black)
• Gilding wax (gold)
• Tissue paper, card (white and black)
• Electronic cutting files were used to cut the bats (Silhouette), spiders (JM Rush Silhouette Store) and ferns (Tattered Lace Brother ScanNCut USB). The skeletons and vines (Sheena Douglass), and Pumpkin (Sizzix) were cut using dies.

Special birthday cards using stamps and dies from Sheena Douglass

Good morning. Sharing a couple of cards created for a friends special birthday.

 

A friend commissioned me to make this one. She remembered so well the little boy (now 70) that used to call around to play with her sons when they were all young boys.

I used the Fields of Gold stamp set from Sheena Douglass and cut out the fence using the matching die (Original Perfect Partners die set). The leafy stamp in the background is from the Take it or Leaf it stamp set from Chocolate Baroque. The foliage was cut with Sizzix dies (Tim Holtz set). Size 8 X 8 inch.

 

He really loves his allotment so I made this one for him (12 X 4 inch). I used various stamps and dies from the Sheena Douglass Home Life Collection. The smaller pots and lavender  were created with Spellbinders dies (Lavender die set).

Cards for my little friend Daisy

Good afternoon. Today I am sharing a couple of cards made for my lovely little friend who was 7 this week.

The remit was something with dancing and something with a horse.

The first card was from Daddy. It is an extra large A4 size. I found the lovely silhouette of dad and daughter dancing in the Silhouette America store and cut out using my Silhouette Cameo. I added some clear embossing over the top for shine. The background was created with an 8 X 8 inch Embossalicious embossing folder and Spectrum Noir water based inks.

I inked some more panels for the sides. Scored the edges so that they folded inward slightly. I then cut border strips using some edger dies from Crafters Companion.

On the back I attached an 8 X 8 card blank – so it opened like a standard card and gave somewhere for Daddy to write a message etc.

The large lettering was cut with TODO dies. The bunting banner, stamp plate, curly foliage and birthday girl were cut using Tattered Lace dies. The butterfly was cut using a Create and Craft Couture die. I then embellished with a variety of flowers and foliage created in silicone moulds using air dry paper clay or moulding paste. The Lets Dance stamp was from Creative Expressions.

I just had to add masses of glitter glue for sparkle.

 

I used a variety of stamps to create the background scene for this one. I think that the horse is from Stampman. I used watercolour pens and Distress Inks to colour.

The sentiment was computer printed and cut out using a Tattered Lace die.

The tree frame and background tree were cut using dies from Sheena Douglass. Some of the foreground branches were cut using TODO dies.

The flowers, pretty branches and bird were stamped, coloured and cut out using coordinating stamps and dies from Heartfelt Creations (Flowering Dogwood).

Autumn Medley Stepper Card created for Chocolate Baroque

 

Good afternoon. This is another of my show samples using the Autumn Medley stamp from Chocolate Baroque. This is a variation of a previous project but this time I used some of the new stencils too.

I have used acorn and foliage dies from my stash but elements could be cut out and decoupaged from the stamped image too.

Materials:

• Autumn Medley and Mackintosh Sentiments stamps
• Useful Leaves and Seasonal Journey stencils
• A5 ready made stepper card (Hunkydory), white stamping card, A4 thick cartridge paper and waste shredded paper
• Ink Spritzers: Reds, oranges, yellows and greens – some with gold mica (Mr Huey’s and Lindy’s Stamp Gang)
• WOW embossing powders (extra fine Gold Rich, White and Metallic Gold Sparkle)
• Inkpads: Versamark, Distress Ink (Vintage Photo)
• Dye based inks: Orange and yellow (Spectrum Noir Aquatints)
• Watercolour and sparkle pens (reds, oranges, yellows, browns and greens)
• Fine tipped marker (brown)
• Paper raffia (yellow)
• Dies: Acorns (Spellbinders), foliage with berries (Sizzix Tim Holtz), leaves (Sheena Douglass), square and mini tag (Tattered Lace)
• 3D glue gel

How to make it:

1. Spritz the cartridge paper with autumnal coloured inks and leave to dry. Trim the background panel. Die cut the tag, foliage and acorns from the remainder.
2. Add further colouring detail to the foliage and leave to dry. Shape using a ball tool and embossing mat.
3. To finish the background panel apply Versamark through the leaf and sentiment stencils and heat emboss with sparkly gold powder. Use the fine tipped pen to enhance the lettering (adding a bit of a drop shadow). Blend a little Distress Ink in from the edges to frame, and glue to the card front.
4. Stamp the sentiment onto the tag with Versamark and heat emboss with white powder (‘with love’ – tricky to see in the photo). Add raffia ribbon and glue to the back step of the card (right hand side).
5. Stamp the Autumn Medley onto stamping card using Versamark and emboss with detail gold powder. Colour with watercolour and sparkle pens.
6. Lay the square die onto the image and mark the position of the overhang with pencil and trim around with a craft knife or scissors (i.e. the foliage and hair that extends beyond the die edge). Lay the overhang behind the die cutting edge (so it won’t cut through) and cut out the square. Edge with Distress Ink, blending in from around the edges of the square mat.
7. Scrunch up a bundle of the waste paper strips and raffia and lay the die cut topper over the top. Put everything together using 3D glue gel.
8. Finish by adding Glossy Accents to the stamped berries, acorns and some hair strands to give added shine.