Sunday, 23 December 2018

Peace & Joy

Signing off my little ole blog for this year. Sending warmest wishes of peace and joy to friends and followers. It's always lovely to have your 'company' in 'blogland'.

Ingredients

Papers: Pion Design - various collections'.

Dies: Sizzix Thinlits / Tim Holtz 'Globe', Sizzix Bigz / Tim Holtz 'Angel Wings', Sizzix / Tim Holtz 'Vintage Tidings', Sizzix framelits 'Enchanted'.

Stencil: Snip Art 'Magic Lights'.

Media: Dreamweaver texture paste, Ranger 'Clear Rock Candy' glass glitter. Stickles 'Mercury Glass'. Distress Ink 'Weathered Wood'.

Embellishments: Angel and Wings hand-made using paper clay and moulds. Lace trim by Prima.


Have yourself a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Nicola x

Tuesday, 18 December 2018

Christmas Cheer

Hi there and thank-you for visiting.

When I'm making Christmas cards, I usually make a couple of the same design as a production line approach is fastest. You might have seen my 'Snow Bird' card recently. This is its 'twin', with alternative paper pattern.

Ingredients

Papers: Maya Design 'I wish'.

Dies: 'Meadow Bird, 'Holly Leaf Trio', 'Stitched Circles' and 'Woodland Branch' - all by Memory Box.

Stencil: Snip Art 'Magic Lights'.

Media: Stampendous Frantage 'Aged Ivory' embossing powder, Dreamweaver texture paste, Viva Decor pearl pen 'Ice White', Snow-Tex, Paperartsy 'Snowflake' paint, Ranger 'Clear Rock Candy' glass glitter.

Embellishments: Berries, sisal and wooden branch from stash.

Very many thanks for taking the time, especially now when most are very busy.
Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Memory Box, Outside the Box - #44 Holiday Sparkle & Shine
Winter Wonderland - Anything Christmas Goes
Crafty Cardmakers - #224 Christmas
Fussy & Fancy Friday - Christmas / New Year
Simon Wednesday - Christmas
Christmas Cards All Year 'Round - Anything Goes
Sweet Stampin Challenge - December
Creative Inspirations - Feeling Festive
Use Your Stuff - Christmas
Scrappelyst - Jul (Christmas)

Saturday, 15 December 2018

Wish Upon A Star

Happy Greetings to you!

Yep, another one ...

Ingredients

Dies: 'Reindeer Flight', 'Birch Trees', 'Vintage Tidings' and 'Mini Reindeer' - all by Sizzix / Tim Holtz. Also used woodware mini snowflake punch.

Embossing: Tim Holtz 'Birch' Texture fade.

Stamp: Stampers Anonymous / Tim Holtz 'Stripes and Holiday'. Using Sizzix Stamp Platform I 'turned' stripes into plaid.

Embellishments: Tim Holtz Idea-ology 'Christmas Adornments' and 'Christmas Story Sticks', Ribbon, string and pearls from stash.

Media: Ranger Distess Ink in 'Candied Apple' and Cracked Pistachio'. Snow-Tex. Glossy Accents. Ranger Distress Glitter Dust 'Vintage Platinum'. Ranger Stickles 'Mercury Glass'. (Last is same shade as glitter dust so if fine glitter dust rubs off one can cover any blips with stickles). Distress Crayon 'Picket Fence'.


I'm glad to say I'm in for the rest of the day to stay warm as a storm brews up outside.
Wishing you a cosy evening too,
Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Simon Monday - Warm Winter Wishes
A Vintage Journey - Star Light, Star Bright
Scrapyland - Anything Goes, using a die brand carried by Scrapyland(sizzix)
Alphabet Challenge - S is for Seasons Greetings
Country View Crafts - Christmas
52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Challenge from 2017 - April 'Musical Notation' - Jingle Bells
Merry Little Christmas - December Anything Christmas Goes
Scrap & Me - Anything Goes
Double D Challenges - Run Run Rudolph
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Create a Winter Scene

Wednesday, 12 December 2018

Wrap Up Warm

Hello and thanks so much for taking time to visit during this hectic crafting period.

My card today is very much inspired by a beautiful canvas created by Monika at Mistletoe Home Decoration with Tim Holtz's umbrella man die as central focus.


I've closely followed the steps outlined by Monika. First I painted watercolour paper with 3 graduating shades of grey acrylic paint. By the end however I covered up the bottom third with Snow-tex. Stamped trees twice using Penny Black 'Snow Dust' stamp and Archival 'Watering Can' ink. Then splattered on oodles of white paint. (It helps to make the first lot of splatters more watery and then use thicker paint towards end of process). I didn't have sufficient space on card to incorporate any fence so unfortunately I haven't at all achieved the depth that Monika did but hey ho - it's just a card. I thought that black cardstock looked a little stark on the card so painted my die cut umbrella man with Dina Wakley's 'Night' paint which is a lovely dark navy. Similarly I painted the backing card mat, and 'Merry' text with 'Night' paint to tone in. Note to self - buy navy cardstock! I bought this Merry Christmas die in sale last January so this is it's first use. I love the font on 'Christmas'. I've sparkled up the brollie, star and text with glitter dust in 'Vintage Platinum'. It has a fabulous sparkle that I just can't capture on camera.

Ingredients

Dies: Sizzix Bigz / Tim Holtz 'Umbrella Man', Sizzix Thinlits / Tim Holtz 'Retro Merry Christmas',

Embellishments: Tim Holtz Idea-ology 'Christmas Adornments', Muslin 'scarf' to keep warm,

Media: Paper Artsy acrylic paints, Ranger 'Watering Can' archival ink, Dina Wakley 'Night' paint, Ranger Glossy Accents, Ranger Distress glitter dust 'Vintage Platinum', Ranger Stickles 'Mercury Glass'. (Last is same shade as glitter dust so if fine glitter dust rubs off one can cover any blips with stickles).

Thanks again for stopping by,

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Simon Monday - Warm Winter Wishes
A Vintage Journey - Star Light, Star Bright
Scrapyland - Anything Goes, using a die brand carried by Scrapyland(sizzix)
Alphabet Challenge - S is for Seasons Greetings
Country View Crafts - Christmas
Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes plus a sentiment
Merry Little Christmas - December Anything Christmas Goes
Simon Wednesday - Christmas
Sir Stampalot - Winter Sparkle
Papirlosjen - Alt er Lov (Anything Goes)

Sunday, 9 December 2018

Christmas Bauble

Hello, a warm welcome to you.

Sorry to be so predictable, but of course it's another Christmas card...


Ingredients

Papers: Inkido (sadly no longer in production and using up my last sheets now). Bazzill card stock.

Dies: Spellbinders 'Heirloom Ornament', Sizzix / Tim Holtz 'Festive Greens',

Embellishments: Wycinanka chipboard 'Wonderful Time'- Bauble with reindeer, Studio Calico wood veneer stars, Spruce pine cones from ground at Botanic Gardens Dublin, twine and rusty bells from stash,

Media: Stickles 'Mercury Glass', Paper Artsy 'Snowflake' paint, Winsor & Newton 'Gold' watercolour ink, Ranger Distress Ink 'Tea Dye' and 'Ground Espresso'.

Thank-you for visiting and enjoy the rest of your day,

Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Simon Monday Challenge - B is for Bauble
Country View Crafts - Christmas
Scrapyland - Anything Goes (using die brand carried by Scrapyland - Sizzix)
Cherry Craft - Z GAŁĄZKĄ SWIERKU - Use a Spruce branch - Użyłem świerkowych szyszek
Bastel-Traum - Winter / Christmas
Apple Apricot - Simply Neutrals #51
Double D Challenges - Run Run Rudolph
Alphabet Challenge - S is for Seasons Greetings
Scrap & Me - Anything Goes
City Crafter - Santa Claus

Sunday, 2 December 2018

Fun in the Snow!

Welcome and thank-you for visiting!

Yikes, the big day is getting closer!


Ingredients

Papers: Prima 'Sweet Peppermint' collection.

Dies: Sizzix Bigz / Holtz 'Window', Sizzix / Holtz 'Holiday Greens', Poppystamps 'Chirping Birds', Memory Box 'Winterberry Sprig', Marianne Design Snowflakes,

Stencil: Memory Box 'Tiny Snowflakes'.

Media: Dreamweaver texture paste, Ranger 'Clear Rock Candy' glass glitter, Snow-Tex, Ranger Distress Ink 'Cracked Pistachio'.

Embellishments: Berries from stash.


Thanks for taking time out to stop by during this busy count-down.

Enjoy your week,
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Simon Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Country View Crafts - Christmas
Merry Little Christmas - #5 Anything Goes
Scrapyland - Anything Goes using die brand carried by Scrapyland
Bastel-Traum - Winter / Christmas
52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Theme from 2017 - Oct 2017 'Winter Sports'
Winter Wonderland - Christmas or Winter characters (people only)
Christmas Crafts All Year 'Round - December - Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments - Christmas or Winter Sentiment
Fussy & Fancy Friday - Winter / Christmas

Monday, 19 November 2018

Snowy Mittens

Happy greetings to you!

Yet another Christmas make ...

Ingredients

Papers: Maja Design 'Joyous Winterdays' collection.

Dies: Poppystamps 'Let It Snow' channel, Memory Box 'Star of Wonder', Spellbinders Shapeabilities 'Mittens', Sizzix Bigz L / Tim Holtz 'Stacked Snowflakes'. Also, Woodware and Martha Stewart snowflake punches.

Embossing: Sizzix / Tim Holtz 'Tiny Dots' texture fade.

Stencil: Memory Box 'Tiny Snowflakes'.

Media: Dreamweaver texture paste, Ranger Gesso, Ranger 'Clear Rock Candy' glass glitter, Snow-Tex, Sparkle & Sprinkle Silver Tinsel embossing powder.

Embellishments: Tim Holtz Idea-ology adornments ice skates, Tim Holtz Idea-ology Silver tinsel. Pompoms, string and gemstones from stash.

Thanks so much for your visit,
Wishing all a lovely week ahead,
Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
Simon Monday - Let It Snow
A Vintage Journey - Paper Stash
Merry Little Christmas - #4 November Anything Goes
Bastel-Traum - #71 - Winter / Christmas
Creative Inspirations - November Chill
Winter Wonderland - What you love to do at Christmas
Lets Craft & Create - #143 - Anything Goes
Fussy & Fancy - #225, Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - #412, Anything Goes Christmas

Friday, 9 November 2018

Snow Bird

Hello and welcome.

I've vowed not to buy any new Christmas papers this year - way too much already stashed. Here's a card using one of last year's lovely Maja Design papers.


Ingredients

Papers: Maya Design 'I wish'.

Dies: 'Meadow Bird, 'Holly Leaf Trio', 'Basic Circles' and 'Woodland Branch' - all by Memory Box.

Stencil: Snip Art 'Magic Lights'.

Media: Stampendous Frantage 'Aged Ivory' embossing powder, Dreamweaver texture paste, Viva Decor pearl pen 'Ice White', Snow-Tex, Paperartsy 'Snowflake' paint, Ranger 'Clear Rock Candy' glass glitter.

Embellishments: Berries, sisal and wooden branch from stash.


Thank-you for taking the time to visit.
Have a lovely weekend,

Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:

Apple Apricot - Simply Neutrals 50
A Vintage Journey - Paper Stash
Scrapy Land - 101 - using die brand carried by Scrapy Land - used Memory Box
Simon Monday - Make Your Own Background
Cute Card Thursday - Snowflakes
Scrap From Your Heart - #27 - Jul/Christmas
Merry Little Christmas - November Anything Goes Christmas
Sparkles Christmas Challenges - Embossing Heat or Dry
Scrapki Wyzwaniowo - November - Monochrome

Monday, 5 November 2018

All is Calm


Hi there and thank-you for visiting.

Showing another Christmas card, this time in calm and peaceful hues ...



Ingredients

Cardstock: Bazzill and Neenah.

Dies: Simon Says Stamp 'Holiday Frames', Sizzix / Tim Holtz 'Mini holiday greens', Cheery Lynn Cutie Fringe (to make the pine branch).

Embossing Folder: Sizzix / Tim Holtz 'Holiday Knit' texture fade.

Stamp: Stampers Anonymous / Tim Holtz 'Stripes and Holiday'.

Media: Ranger white gesso, WOW 'Opaque Bright White' embossing powder, Versamark ink, Ranger 'Clear Rock Candy' glass glitter, Ranger Stickles 'mercury glass', Paper Artsy 'Snowflake' paint for lots of splatters.

Embellishments: Angel hand made using mould and paper clay. Seam binding and berries from stash.


Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by.
Wishing all a kind and fruitful week ahead.

Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:

Simon Monday Challenge - Make Your Own Background
Simon Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Mix It Up - Anything Goes with optional aperture
Merry Little Christmas - November Anything Christmas Goes
Crafting By Designs - Get Ready For Christmas
Sparkles Christmas - Embossing Heat or Dry (used both)
The Ribbon Girl - November Anything Goes
Crafting From The Heart - Anything Goes 227
Scrap from your Heart - Utfordring #27 - Jul/Christmas
Frilly and Funkie - Impress Us

Sunday, 16 September 2018

99 more sleeps!

Happy greetings to you.

Just sharing that there are 99 sleeps left until Santa's arrival. Time to start getting Christmas makes in train... Here's another card made with beautiful papers from Pion Design.


Ingredients

Papers:  Pion Design, mostly from 'Christmas in Norway' collection

Dies: MFT  Die-namics 'Stitched fishtail flags', MFT Die-namics 'Postage stamp stax'. Simon Says Stamp 'Believe' die, Sizzix Holtz 'Mini holday greens'

Stencil: Memory Box 'Tiny Snowflakes'

Media: Stampendous Frantage 'Shabby White', Dreamweaver Texture paste, Ranger Distress Glitter 'Clear Rock Candy', Krylon '18ct Gold' Gilding Pen, Ranger Holtz Distress 'Candied Apple'

Embellishments: Berries and peg from stash.


Delighted that you stopped by - Thank-you!
Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Pop It Up
Let's Craft and Create - Anything Goes
Little Red Wagon - Bling It On
ABC Christmas Challenge - S is for Snow
Merry Little Christmas - September, Anything Goes
The Merry Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
Try It on Tuesday - Childhood
Wednesday Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft - Anything Goes
Mix It Up - Anything Goes + Layering

Tuesday, 21 August 2018

Summer Memories

Hi again,

The record setting hot and dry summer seems to have departed our shores, but I've gone ahead and made a summer themed card. It was very kind, and apt, of the sun to shine whilst I took photo!


Ingredients

Papers: Maja Design (multiple collections)

Dies: Sizzix framelits and Cheery Lynn border

Media:  Stampendous Frantage 'Shabby Blue', Paper Artsy white and blue paint, Ranger white crackle paste

Embellishments: Anchor, rope and lifebuoy from stash (heldover from a workshop several years ago). Little flowers by Anna Marie Design.

Thanks so much for your visit,
Nicola x



I wish to enter card to the following challenges:

Maja Design - July/August Moodboard














Country View Challenges - Sun, Sea and Sand

Scrapyland - Anything Goes (using die carried by Scrapyland - Sizzix)
Lets Craft & Create - Anything Goes (with layers)
City Crafter - Under The Sea
Paper Craft Challenges - Summer
A Bit More Time To Craft - Anything Goes
Cards 4 Galz - Dies and or Punches
Cinspirations - August - Holidays
Vintage Cafe Card Challenge - Sea, Wave of Inspiration

Saturday, 11 August 2018

Busy Little Elves

Hello!

Thanks everyone for your lovely messages welcoming me back in my last post. You have spurred me on...

Surely its never too early to craft for Christmas, so this is my first Christmas 2018 post...hope you find these Pion Design elves as adorable as I do!



Ingredients

Papers: Pion Design, mostly from 'Christmas in Norway' collection

Dies: MFT Die-namics Fishtail Flags, Magnolia Heart Flower Lace Edger, Martha Stewart Edge Punch

Stencil: Memory Box 'Tiny Snowflakes'

Media: Dreamweaver Texture paste, Ranger Distress Glitter 'Clear Rock Candy', Krylon 18ct Gold Gilding Pen

Embellishments: Wycinanka chipboard candy cane and stocking. Berries, pearls, string and straw from stash


Thank-you very much for stopping by.
Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:

Crimbo Crackers - Anything Goes
Christmas Crafts All Year Round - Use Hot/Warm colours
Merry Little Christmas - Anything Goes
12 Months of Christmas - Challenge 44 (Optional Greenery)
The Merry Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas
The Holly & Ivy Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes 33
Christmas with the Cuties - Add Some Sparkle
Dream Valley challenges - Christmas in July
Creative Inspirations Challenge - Holidays
Alphabet Challenge - J for Jingle Bells

Friday, 3 August 2018

Wildflowers

Hello and Welcome!

A quick post to share a card made to fit several challenge themes.


I've been crafting very little this year as visitors here may have guessed. I haven't given up, just taking a very long 'sabbatical'!

Ingredients


Papers: Maja Design

Dies: Sizzix Thinlits 'Wildflowers', Cheery Lynn 'Sophia's Heart' doily

Media: Stampendous Frantage 'Shabby White', Ranger Distress Inks in 'Chipped Sapphire', 'Broken China' and 'Salty Ocean'. Krylon Silver gilding pen

Embellishments: Seam binding, lace, beads and chipboard butterflies from stash


Thank-you so much for taking the time to visit.
Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:

Maja Design - July/August Moodboard














Simon Monday Challenge - Wild Things
Scrapyland - Anything Goes - using die brand carried by Scrapyland
Vintage Cafe Card Challenge - Botanical Sketches ""Ботанические зарисовки""
Crafty Friends Challenge - Lace / Ribbon
Creative Crafters - Anything Goes (6)
Double D Challenges - Don't Bug Me
A Bit More Time To Craft - Anything Goes
Bastel-Traum - #67 Alles Erlaubt - Anything Goes

GDPR - EU Data Regulations

You likely are aware that changes in the law regarding EU Data Protection (GDPR) came into force on 25th May 2018.

My blog Privacy and Cookie Policy is in line with these regulations.

I do not use your personal information for anything other than sending you a notification of a new blog post (for email subscribers) or for clicking through to your blog to enjoy a visit. I do not store any of this information, it is all contained within Blogger / Google functionality. All blogger blogs use cookies - these can be disabled in your internet settings if you wish.

Email subscribers may unsubscribe at anytime by following the link at the base of the email notifying you of a new blog post.

Now, enjoy the rest of your evening.
Nicola x

Friday, 9 March 2018

Treasure our Planet

Hi there and thank-you for stopping by.

I'm delighted to be featuring today at A Vintage Journey - one of my very favourite challenge blogs, as one of their Pinworthy mentions. It is an honour thank-you ladies!

Brenda and team are celebrating their 4th Birthday this month and so Brenda has chosen the theme of 'Treasure' for their current challenge. I decided to use gold foil cardstock that came with perfume bottle packaging as I've been 'treasuring' it in my stash for quite a while. Somehow I ended up die cutting a globe, creating a galaxy by altering a chipboard shadow box, and then turning the whole scene into a kind of protest with Tim Holtz paper dolls carrying placards with 'suggestions' as to how to treasure our planet more and help slow climate change. Here it is ...
































How-to and Ingredients





I began with a chipboard shadow box by Snipart that I won over a year ago
















To get the background 'Blue Planet' I whooshed some Tim Holtz distress inks around watercolour paper. (Used Broken China, Peacock Feathers and Salty Ocean). Later diecut a circle from this paper that I applied to rear of Goil Foil 'Earth' that I diecut using Tim Holtz / Sizzix mini Globe die.






Cut a new sheet of chipboard to fit inside the shadow box and blended layers of Tim Holtz distress inks (Chipped Sapphire and Black Soot).

Reason for new sheet, (as opposed to the original backing that came with the shadow box), was that I knew the sheet would begin to curve when heat was applied and I didn't want to end up with a bent back for the shadow box.







Splattered on Ecoline liquid watercolour in white and gold plus Winsor & Newton ink in gold.

Not shown in photo but I also swirled around some Ranger Perfect Pearls for a milky resist.









Dabbed Versamark on card, coated with embossing enamel and heated with Ranger heat tool until melted. Added 4 layers of embossing enamel whilst sprinkling crushed glass glitter between layers. (Stampendous Steel Blue & Prima Gold Rush). Splattered more watercolour ink, and flattened overnight under books. (If any cracks form when trying to flatten, just do a localised versamark / UTEE patch and melt to fill crack).






Cut 4 extra strips of chipboard to fit outer sides of shadow box and gave them the same 'galaxy' treatment as before.

I didn't want to risk bending the original sides of shadow box so painted them with Dina Wakley acrylic paint in 'Night'. (So glad I had this as I had exhausted my chipped sapphire ink!).












Here you can see the box begin to take shape before I adhered extra side panels (above)  using a combination of double sided tape and hot glue.














 
Some staging for the final edition. After this photo, the top flat panel was given the 'galaxy' treatment as before. I diecut all the letters using Sizzix / Tim Holtz Holiday Words 2 die set from my treasured gold foil.. This die set had all the letters I needed in its words except for 'U' so I used a 'C' on its side! The foil was fairly thick so it took an age to get all the fiddly letters. In the end I mounted the letters onto thick chipboard strips that had been 'galaxied' (!) so that the letters appeared to hover.




I edged the Tim Holtz paper dolls with a Krylon gold gilding pen. Using said pen I also gilded a chipboard square frame to hide the joins. Added Swarovski crystals and pearls (definitely 'Treasure' to me) to decorate the dolls. I'm glad that the new packs of paper dolls include a more ethnically diverse range of paper dolls, but sadly I don't yet have a new pack, as it would have been more apt for this creation.

The gold foil cardstock couldn't be printed on, so I printed text on Stix2 printable acetate and glued to foil with Ranger glossy accents. Gilded a few cocktail sticks so that the paper dolls could carry their placards! Diecut some tiny leaves from my blue inked paper to try to link the dolls to the 'blue planet'. As usual I had lots of plans to add other ingredients such as flowers, and clock dangling from a hinge clip, but it then looked overdone. So I just let the the words, globe and little people speak for themselves (and hopefully more and more of us!).


Thank-you so much to all the super talented team at A Vintage Journey for allowing me feature amongst their Pinworthys today. You should check out this months challenge of 'Treasure' to see the wonderful design team inspiration, and sure why don't you make your very own 'Treasure' project too!

Very many thanks for your visit,

Nicola x


I wish to enter shadow box to the following challenges:
Simon Monday Challenge - Whatever The Weather (I think climate change relevant)
Scrapyland - Anything Goes #85 using die brand carried by store (Sizzix)
Mix It Up Challenge - Anything Goes + make your own background
Alphabet Challenge - Y is your choice
Aud Sentiments Challenge - Anything Goes + a sentiment
Use Your Stuff - Anything Goes
An Inky Mess - Challenge 18 Anything Mixed Media Goes
Creative Artiste - 18, Anything Mixed Media goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - 63, Anything Goes



Thursday, 21 December 2017

Merry Christmas

A short post to say hello and wish all a very Happy Christmas. I'm sorry to have been so absent from 'blogland' during 2017 but my time hasn't always been my own. I'm wishing myself and everyone else a much more creative year ahead.

Just sharing one card, only a few were made.


Ingredients

Papers: Pion Design 'Glistening Season', Bazzill, Stardream and used Acetate to enclose the shaker snow globe

Dies: Sizzix Thinlits / Tim Holtz - Snowglobe 2, Sizzix Thinlits / Tim Holtz - Festive Greens, Sizzix Thinlits / Tim Holtz - Winter Wonderland, Sizzix Thinlits / Tim Holtz - Woodlands

Media: Snow-Tex, Ranger distress glitter in 'Clear Rock Candy', Ranger distress crayon in 'Picket Fence', White gesso and paint, Ranger transparent texture paste, Stampendous Frantage

Embellishments: Tim Holtz Idea-ology christmas wordband. Pearls and bells from stash

Thank-you so much to anyone who stops by during this busy Christmas countdown.

Wishing you a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas. May the year ahead be kind to us all, with the whole truth, and justice, prevailing.

Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:
A Vintage Journey - Winter Wonderland
Let's Craft & Create - Anything Christmas Goes
Country View Challenges - Christmas
Die Cut Divas - Anything Winter
Scrapyland - Anything Goes, using brand carried by store - Sizzix
Kort O Mania - 190- Jul (Christmas)
Scrap & Craft - Anything Christmas
The Sisterhood of Crafters - All About Christmas
Deep Ocean Challenge - Jingle Bells
Double D Challenges - Baby It's Cold Outside (with inspiration photo)
Vintage cafe card challenge - Holidays / Christmas
Craft Heaven shop challenge - Winter Wonderland
Little Red Wagon - That's a wrap (I used bow)

Wednesday, 19 July 2017

Alison's new stamps!

Hello and welcome!

I'm sure many of you are familiar with 'Words and Pictures', blog of the always inspirational Alison Bomber. Alison has long been a kind and loyal supporter of my little blog so I was especially pleased recently to see that She has designed 2 new stamp sets for Paper Artsy Eclectica range. I've finally managed to secure some playtime and have made the following card, using one of the quotations from Alison's EAB/02 set.

I must thank Autumn of the lovely 'Sew, Paper, Paint' for her card design here that I copied used for inspiration.

Ingredients

Stamps: Alison Bomber for Paper Artsy Eclectica 'EAB/02' set. Other foliage stamps from stash.

Dies: Sizzix/Holtz Bigz 'Baroque'. Poppy Stamps 'Resting Birds'. Leaves Marianne Design Creatibles

Media: Tim Holtz Distress Inks in 'Tumbled Glass', 'Broken China' and 'Salty Ocean' for 'wrinkle free distress' technique behind aperture and quote. Ranger Sepia Archival for stamping and Stampendous 'Detail Copper' to emboss

Other: Flowers, string, dew drops and brads from stash


You might like to check out Alison's wonderful Stamp Sets for lots of meaningful and thought provoking quotations...



Very many thanks for taking the time to stop by.

Nicola x


I wish to enter card to the following challenges:

Simon Monday Challenge - Get In Shape (Aperture cut in 'Baroque' shape)
Country View Crafts Challenge - Anything With Wings
Paper Artsy Challenge - Aqua
Scrapyland - Anything Goes (using die brand carried by store - Poppystamps)
Stamping Sensations - Anything with Flowers
Craft Stamper - Anything Goes
Crafty Cardmakers - Lots of Layers
Inky Chicks - Use a Sentiment instead of an Image
Stempelgarten - Anything that can Fly

Wednesday, 14 June 2017

Precious Baby Girl !


Hello! Long time no see!

I'm sorry to say that matters in the 'real world' have caused my absence over recent months from 'blogland'. I do hope to be back crafting and blogging very soon.

I'm popping by today to post the only creation I've made recently. I was thrilled to make an exploding box to welcome a very special new arrival - a beautiful Baby Girl.

I've used papers by Maja Design throughout, most are from the 'Vintage Baby' collection.

Some shots of the inside...











































































Finally, the four outer sides...

Ingredients

Papers: Maja Design - 'Vintage Baby' & 'Sofiero'
Dies: Simon Says Stamp 'Stacked Hearts'. Memory Box 'Corner Bow' and 'Precious Stars'. Magnolia 'Hearts Swirl'. Cheery Lynn 'Heart Chain Border'
Stencil: Heidi Swapp 'Confetti'
Metal Embellishments: Nunn Design and Making Memories
Chipboard Embellishments: Wycinanka, Scrapiniec, Agateria
Bow: May Arts silk - tied using BowEasy
Media: Krylon Silver Gilding pen, Decoart Texture Paste, Prima Art Sugar (Light Pink), Bo Bunny Pearlescent (Tutu), Ranger Multi Medium Matte
Other: Lace, Pearls, Resin Angel, Flowers and stick pin from stash


Thank-you so very much for visiting! Each and everyone is appreciated.

Nicola x


I wish to enter box to the following challenges:

Maja Design - Mood Board June


Simon Says Stamp Monday - 'Touchy Feely'

Scrap & Craft - Anything Goes adding string or ribbon

Frilly & Funkie - You're my Inspiration
(Project inspired by the soft and pretty celebratory images in the mood board)

Deep Ocean Challenge - Diecuts, Chipboards and/or Punches

Country View Crafts - June - Hearts

Scrapy Land Challenge 67 - Anything Goes (using die brand carried by store - Memory Box / Cheery Lynn)

Allsorts - Use At Least 2 Dies

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Use Your Imagination

Scrapki-Wyzwaniowo - June - See It In Pink


Monday, 27 February 2017

The Secret Garden


Hi there and thanks for stopping by!

https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/
Well I've thoroughly enjoyed my month as guest designer with Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. It's been an absolute privilege to feature alongside the esteemed design team and I'm very grateful to have been invited.
http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
For this final Monday in February the new challenge theme is 'Based On A Book'. Graphic 45's beautiful 'Secret Garden' paper collection is one of my favourites so I decided to alter a wooden book box based on 'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Here it is...

Front cover of book box

A view of the inside


A twirl to the front

Close-up of inside left

Inside right

Around to the back

Another look at the front

I'll list all of the products I used that are available from Simon Says Stamp Store at the end of the post. 

https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/



Step by Step


I took some snaps with my phone as I went along to show how I made the front cover...





Wooden book box for altering.




Painted cover with a couple of thick coats of white gesso. Made some texture marks before it dried.



Added light and medium grey paints for variation.

Used a 6" x 6" Bricks Stencil and Tim Holtz Grit-Paste to make the wall. The cover measures 7.5" x 7.5" i.e. bigger than the stencil so there were 4 separate stencil placements to go through.  To give extra dimension, I stencilled 2 layers of Grit-Paste so in all there were 8 phases when I had to wait for Grit-Paste to dry. The wall was thus built over quite a few days! (Area for door to fit into was masked off).



I recently won a fab prize from Prima Marketing that included Prima Watercolor pencils in 'Earth Tones', so they had their first playtime to colour in the bricks.



Then darkened the bricks by blending distress inks over them (used Fired Brick, Vintage Photo, Tea Dye, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Walnut Stain).



Swabbed some white and grey paints over bricks and splattered black ink around too. The paints kept being absorbed by the media below as they dried, so added a layer of multi matte to seal.

I haven't got a 'before' shot of the door. I dry embossed some cardstock with a woodgrain folder and adhered it to a thick arch shape. Darkened and aged various metal embellishments and used a sticker from the Graphic 45 Secret Garden Deluxe Collector's Edition


Diecut some branches with Memory Box Woodland Branch die. In the end I pruned away some of these as I had covered up too much of the wall I spent a lot of time on!

Also, randomly glued around little snippets of moss.



Next, adhered some chipboard ivy trails.


Coloured the ivy with Distress Inks using Tim Holtz Watercolor Brush. (Bundled Sage and Iced Spruce inks I think).

Topped off the leaves with Glossy Accents to help them pop. (I think this was done after photo).

Affixed a rustic looking trim at side.


Showing inside of box before it was 'dressed up'. I'm a big fan of Krylon Gilding pens and used the 18kt Gold pen liberally on box (the centre panel here has been gilded).
The outer side panel of the box was stamped in black with a text stamp by Prima and then heat embossed.




Here the inside has been adorned with the beautiful Graphic 45 Secret Garden papers and other little embellishments. The deluxe collection includes some great chipboards too.




I hope you like my altered box!

Do pop over to the Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge blog to absorb all of the brilliant inspiration and education from the fantastic design team there. Why don't you have fun creating something 'Based On A Book' and enter this week's challenge.

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/

Don't forget that every week a lucky entrant wins a generous $50 voucher to spend in store - it could be you!
https://www.simonsaysstamp.com/


Genuine thanks to all at Simon Says Stamp for placing me in their designer spotlight this month! It's been a real treat!

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I used products that are available from Simon Says Stamp Store as follows:


Papers
Graphic 45 'Secret Garden' 12 x 12 Deluxe Collectors Edition. The quotes on inside left cover are cut from scraps I had from the 8 x 8 'Secret Garden' papers.

Stencil
The Crafter's Workshop 6x6 Stencil 'Bricks'.

Media
Ranger Distress Grit-Paste. Ranger Distress Inks in Ground Espresso, Fired Brick, Vintage Photo, Tea Dye, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Walnut Stain, Rusty Hinge.  Prima Watercolor pencils in 'Earth Tones'. Prima Marketing Mixed Media Essentials for Black and White Gesso. Paper Artsy Fresco Finish Paint in Snowflake. Ecoline liquid watercolor in Black and White. Memento Ink Espresso Truffle. Krylon Gilding Pen 18kt Gold. Ranger Glossy Accents. Ranger Archival Ink in Black. Ranger Crackle Accents.

Embellishments
Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Hinges and Locket Keys. Prima Metal Knobs.

Dies
Memory Box - Woodland Branch

Tools
Prima / Finnabair Texture Brushes. Dina Wakley Stiff Bristle Brushes. Ranger Blending Tool. Prima Silicone Brush. Tim Holtz Water Color Brush.

Sticky Stuff
Scotch Double Sided Foam Tape, Ranger Multi Medium Matte, Aleenes Tacky Glue

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Thank-you for taking the time to visit!
Have a lovely week!
Nicola x


I wish to enter book box to the following challenges:
Mixed Media World - Anything Mixed Media Goes
Love 2 Create - Anything Mixed Media Goes
Stamps & Stencils - Texture, Crackle and Paint
A Vintage Journey - Words That Are Special
Frilly & Funkie - Out of the Cold
Allsorts Challenge - Metal and/or charms
The Ribbon Girl - Use Any Image Challenge
Creative Artiste - Anything Mixed Media Goes
4 Crafty Chicks - Stencils
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - February Challenge