More stamping delights from Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. This is the last of my guest posts for Chocolate Baroque this month. I had planned a completely different set of projects but just had designer block! Horrible when that happens, especially when working to a deadline. This happens to us all at times, particularly this year with all the added stresses.

After several days of wasted effort I just stopped working on my original plan, went away from my desk and tried to clear my head. I then went back and decided to just ‘go for it’ – no plan, no nothing. I just picked up stamps and got started. Finally ideas started to flow – phew. I find that this usually works for me, although it is not always easy to do – ha ha.

I hope that you enjoy my offerings. Everyone take care and enjoy Christmas as best you can. Spring will soon be here and I am hopeful for far better times to come soon. Big hugs Anne xxx.

Blue and White Mandala

This one is a quick and easy make using the lovely mandala style stamp.

Materials Used:

• 15cm square white card blank, decorative die cut circle in blue card and scrap white stamping card
• Palm Fan Silhouette stamp (Chocolate Baroque)
• Versamark Inkpad
• Dark blue embossing powder (WOW Earthtone Blueberry)
• White pen

How it was done

1. Faux stitching was added around the die cut circle to frame it. It was glued to the card front with 3D foam for added depth.
2. The Mandala was stamped and embossed with blue powder, cut out and glued to the card front with 3D foam.

Dazzling Butterfly

 

Chocolate Baroque have so many wonderful butterfly stamps – love this one.

Materials used

• 15cm square scalloped card blank, decorative die cut circle (light blue), scrap of white stamping card
• Stamp sets: Gerbera and Friends, Words to Dazzle and Sparkle, Butterfly Poppy Collage (Chocolate Baroque)
• Inkpads: Versamark, Distress Inks (Tumbled Glass and Stormy Sky) and Memento Dye Ink (Grape Jelly)
• Detail white embossing powder (WOW), and clear sparkle with extra fine glitter
• Alcohol ink pens (greens, turquoise, pink)
• Pink PVA pearls and Stickles glitter glue (Diamond)

How it was done

1. A mix of the Distress Inks were used to blend the outer edges of the card blank (this mix closely matched my blue die cut circle).
2. The blue card topper was stamped with Versamark and embossed with white powder.
3. The butterfly was stamped with Memento, coloured with alcohol pens. It was then heat embossed with a layer of clear sparkly powder and cut out.
4. Everything was stuck down and the card was finally finished with glitter glue and PVA pearls.

Hydrangea Card

 

When pushed for time I will often use some ready printed papers in the background. They can also help with inspiration at times too.

Materials used

• 15cm square white card blank, Crafty Individuals 6 X 6 inch background paper (Book 3 Springtime), white stamping card
• Stamp sets: Hydrangea Tag, Gerbera and Friends
• Inkpads: Versafine (Majestic Blue and Onyx Black)
• Brusho powders (Leaf Green and Purple)
• Alcohol marker and fine drawing pen (black)

How it was done

1. The background paper was trimmed and edged with black marker. The base texture was stamped with black Versafine.
2. The main image was stamped with blue Versafine, the card trimmed to approx. 9 X 13cm and edged with black marker. The floral section was stamped again with black Versafine. The stem was extended by drawing with black pen and the image cut out.
3. The topper was then spritzed with water and Brusho powder dropped onto the wet card. When dry the monochrome Hydrangea was glued on top, curling the edges up slightly for dimension.

Floral Thank You Card

This one was a super quick make. Ideal if you have a last minute card to do.

Materials used

• 10.5cm square watercolour card blank
• Stamps from Chocolate Baroque: Gerbera and Friends, Spring Bird Daffodil (sentiment)
• Inkpads: Versafine (Vintage Sepia), Distress Inks (Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed)
• Note: I used a stamping platform for this project. Not essential but it helps to realign when over stamping.

How it was done

1. The watercolour card was spritzed with water and stamped using a mix of the Distress Inks. These bled out giving a lovely watercolour effect.
2. When dry the image was overstamped with Versafine. Versafine was also used to stamp the border and sentiment.

Dreamy Elephant Card

I love the Indian themed stamps from Chocolate Baroque – definitely amongst my faves. To save a bit of time I again used a pre-printed background paper.

Materials used

• 15cm square white card blank, Crafty Individuals 6 X 6 inch background paper (Book 8 A Weekend in Seville), and scrap white stamping card
• Stamps: Artistic Affirmations, Indian Textiles, Indian Elephant, Gerbera and Friends
• Inkpads: Versamark and Versafine (Vintage Sepia)
• Versamark embossing pen
• Embossing powders: Metallic copper and detail gold
• Watercolour pencil (greys), sparkle pens (green, pink, purple, turquoise)

How it was done

1. The sentiment and base texture was stamped and embossed with copper powder.
2. The flowers were stamped with Versafine. The background was then edged and embossed using the embossing pen and copper powder.
3. The elephant was stamped onto white card with Versamark and embossed with gold powder. The image was then coloured with pencils and pens and cut out. The elephant was lightly shaped and glued down with 3D glue gel for dimension.

 

 

Gina Barrett is back on Hochanda TV tomorrow with more buttons

Gina Barrett is back on Hochanda TV tomorrow at 10am (Freeview Channel 85 or watch live via their website www.hochanda.com) bringing more of her marvellous button kits, book and DVDs.

Here is a sneaky peek of my button display. I used Tonic Kaleidoscope Box dies to create the box and adapted the sides to drop down and display the buttons. I used a variety of Gina’s instructions for the buttons (Macclefield & Leek Button Journal Kit, Button Workshop Manual and Making Buttons DVDs). There are brilliant Hochanda Freedom member prices on the show!

The mannequin die is from La Blanche.

I used a variety of papers to decorate (Crafters Companion).

I used plenty of glitter glue to enhance the flowers (got to have some sparkle – tee hee) and PVA pearls for texture.

The sentiment die was quite appropriate (Tonic Kaleidoscope Box set).

When the lid is removed 5 of the 8 sides drop down to display my selection of thread wrapped buttons. I used a honeycomb die (Tattered Lace) and various button dies (mixed source from my die stash). Lettering was cut using a font die set from Tim Holtz.

The mini flower dies are from the Susan’s Garden Hydrangea set (Elizabeth Craft Designs).

Death’s Head is the name of the historical wrapped button – name used here (England) and the USA in the 18^th Century.

Death’s Head buttons using a variety of threads.

More Death’s Head buttons using a variety of threads and different shapes of button mould.

The buttons on the right are my variants of Gina’s Union Jack Button (Button Workshop Manual). The far left shows an over wrapped fabric covered button (Open Square with Soutache Braid). The pink and blue buttons are my interpretation of a 17^th Century button that I saw on Pinterest (Death’s Head base overwrapped with cord and bound with silky thread).

 

More of Gina’s yummy buttons (Peace and Maze).

 

Various square wrap buttons (Silver, Decorative and Gimp Squares).

Square wraps and Leek Square.

Spiral and Wide Wraps.

I have had so much fun learning how to create all these but have barely scratched the surface of the huge variety that Gina covers in her books and DVD’s. It is also wonderful to contribute towards keeping knowledge of these techniques alive. Especially as many of these Passementerie techniques are now in danger of being lost completely.

Happy crafting,

Anne xxx.

Gina B Silkworks coming to Hochanda TV next week

Gina Barrett (from Gina B Silkworks) is having her first shows on Hochanda TV on Wed 16th Jan (Freeview channel 85 or watch live online via there website at Hochanda.com).  She has two shows:

 

10am show – Gina will be bringing kits and looms to make Teneriffe Lace.

 

Here is a little sneaky peek at some of my show samples.

 

3pm show – Gina will be showing us how to make vintage thread wrapped and ring buttons. There will also be some little journal kits.

I will reveal more of my samples over the next few days 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).

Floral Card created with stamps from Chocolate Baroque

Good afternoon. Today I am sharing two variations of a card created with Chocolate Baroque stamps and a pretty background paper from Crafty Individuals.

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

I have entered the other into the Simon Says Stamp (Wed) Challenge as ‘Anything Goes’.

 

 

Materials:

• The Rose Tree, Essence of Nature and Mackintosh Sentiments stamp sets (Chocolate Baroque)
• 8 X 8 inch card blank, Kraft card, pink card (pearl or satin mirror), pearl card (brown), Crafty Individuals Background Paper (Shades of Summer) and white stamping card
• Inkpads: Memento (London Fog), Versafine (Onyx Black), Distress Ink (Broken China)
• Alcohol ink pens (pink, yellow, green, pale blue plus clear blender)
• Watercolour pens (pale blue, yellow) and Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen (Clear Overlay)
• Fine tipped pen (opaque white, pink)
• Stickles glitter glue (Crystal)
• Flowersoft sprinkles (green, yellow)
• Dies: Venetian Lace Layering set (Tonic), flower pot (Trimcraft Pots & Vases), Butterfly (Sizzix)

How it was done:

1. Kraft card was trimmed and mounted onto the card front and faux stitching added with fine tipped pen.
2. The lace mats were cut from pink card and decorative background paper glued in place. The butterfly was also cut from pink card. Sentiments were stamped with Distress Ink.
3. The flower pot was cut from pearl brown card and lightly shaped before gluing with 3D glue gel.
4. The flowers were stamped with Memento Ink and coloured with alcohol pens. The floral spray and individual flowers were cut out for decoupage, lightly shaped before gluing down using 3D glue gel. A little clar sparkle pen was brushed over the flowers for sparkle.
5. The bumble bees were stamped with Versafine, coloured with watercolour pens and cut out.
6. Yellow Flowersoft was glued into the flower centres, green onto some of the leaves and onto the foreground (to ‘ground’ the pots).
7. Finished with touches of glitter glue for added sparkle.

Imagination Meets Reality scene card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good afternoon. I have had a bit of a play with Chocolate Baroque scene building stamps. I hope that you like my imaginary scene.

Materials:

• Punky Expressions, Townhouses and Landscape Edges stamp sets
• 10cm square card blank, white stamping card, black card, scrap copy paper
• Inkpads: Versamark and Versafine (Onyx Black)
• Heat embossing powder (silver)
• Sparkle pens (pink, orange, burgundy)
• Fine tipped pen (black)
• Glitter Glue (silver)
• Gilding wax (silver)
• Zig 2 way glue
• Organza ribbon (pink)
• Header and Strip Dies (Tonic and Crafters Companion)

How it was done:

The tree and building were stamped onto scrap paper and cut out to create masks. A few dots of zig glue were applied to the backs and left to dry (to create a tacky removable surface to hold masks in place while stamping). These masks can be re-used so I keep them in my stash for future projects.

The images were stamped with Versamark and embossed with silver powder. Silver powder was also applied around the edges. The images were then roughly coloured with sparkle pens.

The image was then spritzed with water and wet ink blown around using a straw. Some shading was added with the burgundy pen.

Masks were applied over the tree and building, then the tree line stamped with Versafine ink. The sentiment was also stamped with Versafine, cut out and coloured.

The fine tipped pen was used to draw in extra detail.

Black card was die cut and embossed to give texture. This was trimmed to create the frame. Gilding wax was lightly rubbed over the surface to pick up the texture. Die cuts and scene topper were then glued to the card front. Finished with ribbons and glitter glue.

Tranquil Meditation and a Happy Place

Good morning. Today I am sharing some of my recent show samples using Tranquility, Wisteria Lane and Artistic Affirmations stamp sets from Chocolate Baroque.

I created 3 different scene cards, one using vibrant happy colours, one in blue & white monochrome and my third was an attempt at Parchment. I hope that you like them.

The theme for this weeks Simon Says Stamp Challenge (Mon) is ‘a trio of something’ – so I thought that these would fit perfectly.

Happy Place

I love colour so I created this ‘Happy Place’ using a bright cheery colourway.

Materials:

• Tranquility, Wisteria Lane and Artistic Affirmations stamp sets
• 8 X 8 inch card blank, white stamping card, scrap copy paper
• Inkpads: Versamark, Versafine (Vintage Sepia), Distress Ink (Wild Honey, Dusty Concord)
• Pigment powders (Lindy’s Stamp Gang – Urban Amethyst, Poppin Pink, Luminous Lemon)
• Embossing powder (purple and pink mix)
• Watercolour, sparkle and glitter pens (Spectrum Noir and Sakura – yellow, green, purple, pink, orange, brown, clear sparkle) and coloured pencils
• Fine tipped marker (waterproof brown, opaque white) and alcohol marker (dark purple)
• Zig 2 way glue
• Cosmic Shimmer PVA pearls (Vintage Pink), Stickles Glitter Glue (Star Dust) and Glossy Accents

How it was done:

1. The lanterns were stamped onto copy paper and cut out to create masks. I dotted a little zig glue on the back and left to dry. This glue then gives a temporary tac to hold the masks in place while stamping.
2. The scene was stamped with Versafine, stamping the foreground images first then covering with masks while stamping the images set behind. The scene was extended by drawing with the fine tipped pen (i.e. water swirls).
3. The foliage across the top was stamped with Versamark and pigment powders were applied with a soft brush. Further foliage was stamped with Wild Honey Distress Ink. The sentiment was stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with powder.
4. The image was coloured with watercolour pens, dissolved pigments, sparkle overlay and glitter pens. Highlights were added with white pen and additional shading added with pencils.
5. The image was edged with alcohol marker and by blending with Dusty Concord Distress Ink.
6. Extra sparkle was added with glitter glue and Glossy Accents. PVA pearls were applied to the border.

Tranquility

I have been trying to have a go at Parchment craft as I love the delicate result. I thought that it would make a lovely tranquil version. No picot cutting as I am hopeless, so I cheated with a die. I tried to hide the glue but still ended up with a blob of showing through the parchment – eek! I was fairly pleased with the results but have a lot to learn and more practice needed yet.

Materials:

• Tranquility stamp set
• 6 X 6 inch scalloped card blank, parchment, gold satin board
• 6 X 6 inch decorative stencil
• Pergamano tools (embossing mat, embossing tools, mapping pen, Sticky Ink and Perga Glue)
• Inkpads: StazOn (Opaque White), Distress Ink (Tattered Rose)
• Scalloped circle dies (Pin Dot Scalloped Circle – Tattered Lace)
• PVA pearls (tangerine), extra fine glitter and sequins
• Used tumble dryer sheet

How it was done:

1. The gold card and parchment were cut out using dies. The background was created using Distress Ink through the stencil (using a blending brush).
2. The image was stamped onto the front of the parchment using white StazOn. I then embossed the outlines on the back of the parchment using a fine embossing tool, tracing the stamped image. To help aid the embossing tool to glide on the parchment I rubbed over the surface using the tumble drier sheet first.
3. Larger embossing tools were then used to add shading. Although it is generally called ‘shading’ it is actually ‘highlighting’ as embossing stretches the parchment and makes it whiter. You need to work gently and slowly, leaving the parchment to rest between layers of further whitening. I did tear her cloak (eeeeek) but managed to disguise it with a little Perga Glue which was later covered with glitter.
4. Sparkly highlights were then added to the front using a mapping pen (dip pen), sticky ink and extra fine glitter.

Meditation

I love creating monochromatic blue & white cards. Perfect for a tranquil meditation.

Materials:

• Tranquility and Wisteria Lane stamp sets
• 15cm square card blank, blue card for die cut panel, white stamping card
• Versafine Inkpad (Majestic Blue)
• Water based sparkle pens (Spectrum Noir – blue and clear)
• Alcohol marker (dark blue)
• PVA peals
• Decorative square and arched panel dies (Tonic)

How it was done:

1. The images were stamped with Versafine ink and were coloured with sparkle pens and a damp brush to create shading. Decorative stamped elements were positioned to frame the central image.
2. The panels were cut using dies and edged with blue marker to frame. 3D foam was used to mount the central image and give it more depth.
3. Finished with PVA pearls.

90th Birthday Card for a Friend

 

I had to make this card in a big rush for a friend when I realised that I needed it by the next day to deliver for her 90^th birthday! Eeek. It can take me hours to make a special card.

Searching through my UFO pile (‘unfinished objects’) I discovered that I had a background card base and panel already stamped. These had been sitting in my stash for over a year waiting to be finished into a project. Now was the time to complete it.

It’s ‘Send a Card to a Friend’ over on the Simon Says Stamp Blog this week – so I entered this one.

How it was done:

The card blank had been stamped directly using Distress Inks.

A little Distress Ink was blended around the edges of the card blank and patterned paper.

The birds had been stamped and heat embossed in gold powder. I coloured them with glitter and gel pens, mounted the paper onto green card and glued to the card front with foam pads for dimension.

The die cuts had also been sitting in my stash. I shaped them lightly with a ball tool and glued to the card front.

I finished the card with peel off stickers (great when you are in a super hurry) and added glitter glue for extra sparkle. Et voila card done. Phew!

Materials:

Floral Notes and A Little Bird Told Me stamp sets (Chocolate Baroque)

8 X 8 inch card blank, 6 X 6 decorative paper (Crafty Individuals Shades of Summer) and green card for mounting

Inkpads: Versamark, Distress Inks (Victorian Velvet, Tea Dye)

Glitter and gel pens (Sakura and Pentel)

WOW Embossing Powder (Gold Rich)

Glitter glue (Stickles Diamond and gold)

Die cut foliage (Sizzix Tim Holtz), electronic cut fern (Tattered Lace ScanNCut), punched flowers (Tonic Petal Pairs)

Peel off stickers (gold)

Mini Landscape ATC

I thought that I would give a mini artwork a try and make an ATC (Artist Trading Card). Generally I work much bigger than this so it was actually a challenge for me. I tried to be less planned and to free myself up a bit too and just ‘go for it’. I was quite pleased with my bright and cheery landscape.

The Simon Says Stamp Challenge (Wed) for this week is ‘anything goes’ – so I have entered this one.

How it was done:

1. I cut the ATC from a scrap of mount board and covered with white gesso to prime.
2. I cut the flowers from recycled packaging and a punch and edged them with black pen to enhance. I layered up the flowers and then dunked them into molten UTEE to create the glossy flower embellishments. Finished with a sparkly sequin.
3. I stamped the sun with StazOn and drew the abstract landscape with a marker. I coloured using watercolour pens and a damp brush.
4. I added some texture using paste through the stencil and plus a bit of acrylic paint. When dry I rubbed over some of the areas with Gilding Wax.
5. I edged the ATC with black marker to frame and added some sparkle over the sun and clouds.
6. I finished with some Glossy Accents over the sun and rays.

Materials:

• Country Views stamp set from Chocolate Baroque
• Texturised Stencil (Crafters Workshop)
• Scrap mount board, recycled multi-coloured card packaging
• StazOn Inkpad (Jet Black)
• Acrylic paint (turquoise)
• Gesso (White)
• Acrylic texture paste (Pebeo)
• Fine tipped marker (black)
• Spectrum Aqua Watercolour Pens
• Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen (Clear Overlay)
• Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE)
• Melt pot (or small foil food dish and heat gun to melt UTEE)
• Pebeo Gilding Wax (Silver)
• Glossy Accents
• Tonic Petal Pairs Punch
• Sequins
• Sizzix BigZ die to cut ATC (Artist Trading Card 2.5 X 3.5 inch)

Seahorse Tag Card created with stamps from Chocolate Baroque

Good afternoon. Another sea themed tag card created with Mermaid Queen, Underwater and Seaside Dreams stamps from Chocolate Baroque.

The Simon Says Stamp Challenge (Monday) this week is tags – so I have entered this one into the challenge too.

Materials:

• Mermaid Queen, Underwater and Seaside Dreams stamps
• 13cm square card blank, white stamping card, black card and scrap cream mount board
• Inkpads: StazOn (Jet Black, Green), Versamark
• Acrylic paints (metallic blue, peach and gold)
• Water based inks (blue, green)
• WOW Embossing Powders (Fuchsia and Daytona Sands yellow/gold mix)
• Pebeo Texture Paste (Concrete)
• Stickles Glitter Glue (Icicle)
• Swirly stencil (Claritystamp)
• Shaving foam and shallow tray
• Organza ribbon (pink)
• Die to cut tag (Sizzix BigZ), square decorative die (Tonic) and corner rounder punch
• Tonic crystal drops (orange)

How it was done:

1. Black card was cut with the decorative die and glue to the card front. The tag (approx. 5 X 11cm) was cut from mount board. The background panel was cut from white card with a paper trimmer and the corners rounded with a punch.
2. The tag and background panel were coloured using the shaving foam technique. Basically a layer of foam is spread onto a tray. Inks are dropped on the surface and swirled with a cocktail stick or similar. The ink is then picked up onto the card (by lowering onto the foam).
3. The background was stamped with black StazOn and glued to the card front. I have found that the shaving foam can leave quite a slick surface which can be a bit tricky to stamp and colour over. Note the ‘Dream’ sentiment was created by partially inking the longer sentiment.
4. The seaweed was stamped onto the tag with green StazOn. Concrete paste was applied onto the tag through the stencil with a palette knife. Coloured by rubbing over with acrylic paints when dry. The tag was applied to the card with foam pads for added dimension.
5. The seahorse was stamped onto white card with Versamark and heat embossed with a mix of powders, then cut out and glued to the card with 3D glue gel.
6. Finished with a bow, sparkly glitter glue and PVA pearls.