White Valentine

Hello from a cold, sleety Dublin with snow forecast for today.

Lots of challenges this week with a white theme which is so appropriate for snowy region. Hope you are snuggly warm wherever you are.

The background layer is Lace Paper - tissue weight paper is pulsated with high speed water jets through a silk screen to create the 'lace pattern'. I've then die cut 4 borders from velvet paper (by SEI) so that edges are lovely and soft. (Magnolia die "Old Swedish Lace"). The doily is cut from Bazzill CS using Cheery Lynn's Sophia's Heart die. I painted the primitive heart die cut with Paper Artsy's Fresco Finish in Snowflake. Then stamped and embossed swirls using Crafty Individuals stamp (CI-182) and embossed with Stampendous EP (Winter Wonderland). The top chip-board die cut was first painted in Paper Artsy's Nougat paint. I then applied their crackle glaze paint. When dry, painted again using Snowflake paint and the lovely cracks appeared. The top embellishment is a beautiful french enamel by 7Gypsies. I tried 'crackling' the enamel but it didn't work out so I've just dabbed it with Adirondack paint dabber in Snowcap to 'remove the bare look'. I received the pretty corrugated butterflies as a freebie with an order from The Funkie Junkie Boutique - thanks Linda! I've painted them with Paper Artsy's Snowflake paint and then dabbed the ridges with Paper Artsy's Metallic Glaze which gives a lovely pearly shimmer. I've completed by adding roses, pearls, Cheery Lynn flourish die cuts and lace.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Stay warm and have a lovely weekend.

Nicola x

I wish to enter my card to the following challenges;
Sugar Creek Hollow - Winter White
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Lace Love
Flutter By Wednesday - Winter White
The Pretty Little Ribbon - Flowers & Ribbon
Make My Monday - Diecuts and Punches
4 Crafty Chicks - Pearls, pearls, pearls
Crafty Ribbons - Love, Romance, Anniversary

Pretty In Pink

Hello from a very chilly Dublin. Thank-you so much for all your wonderful compliments on my last post - your taking the time and your words are so encouraging. A warm welcome and gratitude too to my new followers.

I needed to make a CAS Valentine card so I've come up with this card inspired by a beautiful card (photo here) at The Case Study Challenge Blog. The centre tag can be removed to use as a bookmark.

Ingredients;
Papers are a silk thread tissue embedded with hearts, Bazzill CS, vellum and a Japanese screenprinted Chiyogami paper
Butterfly punch by Woodware
Stamp by Limited Edition rubber stamps (LE4543G)
I used a dark blue versafine ink to stamp the sentiment so that the Sparkle and Sprinkle EP (Japanese Lacquer) that is a beautiful deep red became an even deeper red.
Metal hearts by Nunn Design
Satin Bow by Anna Griffin

Wishing you all a warm, happy and creative week.
Nicola x

Thank-you to the hosts, design teams and sponsors of the following challenges that I wish to enter;
Case Study Challenge Blog - #123
Craft-room Challenge - Valentines
Paper Creator's Crafts - Love Is All Around
Inky Impressions - Add A Sentiment
The Pink Elephant Challenge - TPE182 Pink, Red and White
There She Goes - TSG190 Love is in the air

Treasure Chests

Welcome to a special post today! As you may know I was previously featured at the stunning blog Our Creative Corner for twice winning their Top Talent Challenge. For that spotlight I crafted 'A Christmas Tree'. I was lucky enough to win again there recently for my 'Vintage Santa' card and was kindly invited to feature once more and make a project to showcase. So I took the term 'showcase' literally!

I very much appreciate Our Creative Corner hosting this spotlight piece. Their design team are a platinum talented group of ladies whose crafting will ALWAYS inspire. Please do pop over Our Creative Corner for more details of my showcase today and a q and a session. My first spotlight interview from last November is here.

I have altered a pair of miniature papier-mâché suitcases to turn them into little vintage Treasure Chests. Apologies for photographs that were tricky earlier this week given Dublin's dark skies.

Firstly I gave each case a coat of Gesso. Next I applied a coat of Paper Artsy's Fresco Finish paint in Nougat. Then painted a thin coat of Fresco Finish Crackle Glaze. Once dry I followed with a coat of Fresco Finish Vintage Lace for one case, Ice Blue for the other. Also painted the corners and leather strap elements with Fresco Finish 'Old Gold'. The resulting crackle effect was super (thanks Alison). I then (for the first time) stencilled using Crafter's Workshop mini damask stencil together with Dreamweaver embossing paste in white. It wasn't possible to tape the stencil down flat given the raised 'leather straps' either side so the stencils aren't as clean as could be if they had been entirely flat. I sponged Distress Inks liberally over both cases.

Next stamped a mix of script and scroll stamps using Archival Rose Madder and gold inks. I then painted a coat of Fresco Finish Metallic Glaze - resulting in a gorgeous pearlescent sheen. However given that I had used pale colours at the crackling stage I lost some of the detail of the crackle and paler stamping as I applied the glaze. Paper Artsy's site does explain that the metallic glaze can be mixed with Satin Glaze to lessen the pearlescent sheen and I will follow their advice next time. I re-sponged a mix of Distress Inks for layering effect.

I 'recrackled' the leather handles and straps to 'age' and nubble further. Using my finger I applied a gilding wax (LeFranc & Bourgeois Pale Gold) over the damask stencilling and left to dry overnight. The next day I did a second stencil layer with the embossing paste to heighten. Again it wasn't possible to lay stencil flat but the second layer gave the pattern a better definition. I then did my gilding wax trick again. (Whole project done over several days).

Given the wonderful results achieved by Joanna and others and tip from Anne I just had to try out some Stampendous Frantage. For the pink chest I used Stampendous Shabby Pink embossing enamel speckled with Melissa Frances pink glass glitter. On the blue chest I scattered Aged Ivory embossing enamel flecked with gold glass glitter. I ended up covering some stamping again but I loved the jewel encrusted texture so much that I didn't mind! I also embossed edges of cases with Ranger Queen's Gold EP. Added the little pearls to the case corners and handles with Viva Decor pearl pen.

I die cut the tags with a mix of Cheery Lynn and Spellbinders dies and some Brenda Walton tag and Nunn Design embellishments and charms from stash. I gave them the same paint, glaze and frantage treatment and attached with gold cord.

I 'aged and gilded' the crown charm and Melissa Frances resin bird and fixed to the pink chest. Similarly decorated the blue chest with bird charm and butterfly by Brenda Walton.

During the early stage of the project I also made 'linings' for the cases using silk fibre tissue with petals. I stamped the tissue and then fixed inside with modge podge. Inside the pink case is a sentiment by Paper Bag Studios (PBS-038-C Beauty) and Justrite Stamps (Damask Background) - stamped with Worn Lipstick DI. The blue case has Flourishes Stamp (Antique Map) and the very lovely Crafty Individuals Stamp (CI-101). Stamped with Chipped Sapphire and Broken China DIs. Also stamped mini flowers, fleur de lis and butterflies and dabbed with DIs.

Very many thanks once again to all at Our Creative Corner for giving me the opportunity to shine. Being invited to produce a special project inspired me to push my boundaries. This is my first 'altered item' - I have learnt a lot in the process and had fun along the way!

Thank-you so much for spending time at my blog. Your visits and comments mean a great deal!

Nicola x

I wish to enter my Treasure Chests to the following challenges;
Fashionable Stamping Challenges - Surprise Us
Vintage Stamping Challenges - Vintage
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Embrace The Old
Crafty-emblies - Toy Box or Toy or Box
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday - #202 New (with flourishes stamp)
Live & Love Crafts - Something Old
Craft Your Passion - Vintage / Shabby Chic
Kaboodle Doodles - Vintage
Crafty Creations Challenges - Something New - new stencil
Little Red Wagon - Bring On The Bling

Blue Snowland

Hello and welcome to my Big Shot inaugural post! I officially declare my new toy from Santa as active and much loved already!

I've used Bazzill CS. The beautiful top quality papers are from Maja Design (It's Christmas Time collection). Dies are by Cheery Lynn and Memory Box. I'm just loving how easy it is to create diecuts and the 'extra' punch that they can add (no pun intended!). Distressed the first layer and edged with Antik Metallic paste in silver. I've stamped the forest using stamp by 'Just for Fun' and little snowflakes stamp by Fiskars and embossed them with Stampendous Winter Wonderland EP. I daubed some 'snow' with Adirondack paint dabber and gesso. Added some frantage silver glass glitter. Snowflake punches by Martha Stewart, pearls from Kaisercraft, Bird House by Prima (Ingvild Bolme). Partly distressed the papers and 'house' with Distress Inks.

Thank-you so much for taking time at my blog. I hope that it's warm wherever you are!

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Maja Design - January Mood Board
Creative Craft Challenges - New Beginnings
LEJ Designs - New Beginnings
Try It On Tuesday - New Stash
Tuesday Throwdown - Shiny and New

Happy New Year!

Dear All,

I do hope that your Christmas has been very happy and peaceful (mine has, and thank-you to all who made it so). (SPOILER ALERT LOL - Santa brought me a Big Shot so there will be lots of die cuts coming to a blog near you very soon!!)

I wish you a New Year that brings an abundance of good health, fulfillment and happiness. I'm very much looking forward to your blogging company and to future creations from both you and I ...

Thank-you so much for stopping by.
Happy 2013!!
Nicola x

Thank-you to the hosts, sponsors and design teams at the following challenges that I am entering;
Tuesday Throwdown - Bright and Happy New Year
ABC Challenges - New Year Sparkle
Kaboodle Doodles - Anything Goes
Crafty Mess - Show Some Sparkle/Bling
Card Crafter's Circle - Anything Goes

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Hello and welcome to my last post for 2012 as I've tidied away the craft goodies and am taking a little break. I'm looking forward to getting back into full throttle in January.

I began my blog in September this year. My venture into blogging was a kind of unknown as I didn't know what to expect - I could not have been more happily surprised with how it has turned out. I wish to extend my warmest appreciation for the wonderful welcome that has greeted me and to each and every one who has taken the time to visit. I am amazed at how much I have learned over the past 4 months from you all - your blogs, creations, posts, challenges, design teams and tutorials are an incredible university and a never-ending source of entertainment and inspiration! Heartfelt thanks especially go to those who have posted such lovely compliments and those who became followers - doing so makes you so much more real and your encouragement is what spurs me on.
“Instruction does much, but encouragement everything." Johann W. von Goethe.

I'm also THRILLED to advise that my card 'Oh Jingle Bells' will be shown tomorrow (21st) on the wonderful Melissa Frances Blog. I genuinely love Melissa Frances creations and products so to be published on her blog is the cherry on top of this Christmas. Thank-you so much to all at Melissa Frances.

My very first post in September was 'Starting with Santa'. I thought it would be a nice balance to end 2012 using the same stamp. So without further ado - here he is!

Ingredients for my card today;
Papers: Maja Design (It's Christmas Time)
Stamps: Inkadinkado (A Visit from Santa 98223) and Stampendous (Christmas Wishes SSC1068)
Ink: Versafine (Crimson) and papers edged with Encore Metallic in Gold. Edges also distressed with Distress Inks (Brushed Corduroy and Vintage Photo)
Embossing Powder: Sparkle and Sprinkle (Japanese Lacquer) and Ranger (Queen's Gold)
Punches: Edger and snowflake by Martha Stewart
Free vintage images printed onto TAP (Transfer Artist Paper by Lesley Riley) and then ironed onto muslin
Bunting embellishment: Melissa Frances (Countdown to Christmas)
Ribbon: May Arts Silk
Dabs of Stickles Glitter
Everything else from stash

Wishing you a joyous and peaceful Christmas,
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
The Ribbon Reel - Nordic Noel
Holly Jolly Christmas - Vintage Christmas
LEJ Designs - Santa's Coming To Town
Loves Rubberstamps - Merry Christmas
Celebrate the Occasion - Christmas Anything Goes
Deep Ocean Challenge - Santa is coming to town
The Pretty Little Ribbon - Its Christmas
Simon Says Challenge - Merry Christmas
Charisma Cardz - Sanata Claus is coming to town
Craft Us Crazy - Merry Christmas

Doves of Peace

Greetings all - today 12.12.12 is the last posting day to the North Pole so be sure to get your letters to Santa in the post!

I am really pressed for time today (who isn't!) so will be brief and just give card ingredients as follows;

Stamps - Penny Black 'World Peace' (3040K), Flourishes Stamps - Antique Map, Stamped Sentiment by Crafty Individuals
Inks - Versamark (for clear emboss resist), Distress Metallic Stain in Brushed Pewter, DI in Chipped Sapphire
Embossing powders - Judikins Silver Twinkle, Stampendous Twilight
Lots of UTEE for Dove image and sentiment
Bird cage die cut glittered with Silver Twinkle
Backing paper for bird cage a free image courtesy of the wonderful Astrid of Astrid's Artistic Efforts
Doves punched with Fiskars / Jenny Bowlin sqeeze punch and glittered with Distress Dry Glitter in Clear Rock Candy
CS - Stardream and Curious Metallic
Other - glass glitter (Stampendous), bells, pearls (Kaisercraft), clock hand charm (silvered and glittered), Corner punches by Fiskars, Stars

Thanks for taking the time to visit today as I know everyone is super busy at the mo! Hugs to those lovely people who leave comments or better still become followers. It means a lot!

Have a great day.
Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Fashionable Stamping Challenge - To Die For
Penny Black Saturday - Glitter and Sparkle
Penny Black Allsorts - It's Your Choice
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Celebration
Sweet Stamping Challenge - Dies and / or Punches
Crafting Ireland - 12 Days of Christmas
LEJ Designs - Sentimental
No Matter Which Challenges - Christmas
Glitter n Sparkle - Use some metal
ABC Christmas Challenge - Y is for your favourite punch/die
Creative Card Crew- Use A Star
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Christmas with a background twist
Inspiration Emporium - Inspiration Journal - Joyful Creations

Let's Ice Skate

Happy Sunday everyone! I am delighted to see so many visits, comments and new followers. I appreciate them all and thank everyone for hopping on board!

I saw and saved an ice skate shaped card some time ago (can't remember from where). I printed out the shape and cut templates for the skate and boot. I am forever bookmarking tutorials and was glad to put one of them into practice today - please see Shelly Hickox's tutorial on Faux Tarnished Metal here as it is so effective.

I cut out the skate shape from grungeboard and gave it a coat of Metallic Stain in Pewter. Following Shelly's tutorial I gave the skate a few coats of silver embossing powder heating each as I went along. I then sprinkled some UTEE randomly and heat blasted it. The whole process caused the silver to bubble and tarnish beautifully. Just lovely for a vintage ice-skate.

The boot itself is cut from faux leather paper - bought in the most va va voom of Stationers - Kate's Paperie in NYC. The top of the boot is white Bazzill CS stamped using french text stamp by Andy Skinner (Simply Angelic set). Also edged boot top with silver glass glitter. I tucked in 2 types of venise lace from Linda's Funkie Junkie Boutique. Just for shopping balance the lovely lace ribbon used for bow comes from another beautiful Stationer Daintree (in Dublin). I added 3 little heart brads and bow for faux lacing effect.

The background is a square of red velvet SEI Velvet paper (love this for Christmas). I painted glue across end of the velvet and applied a thick layer of Melissa Frances mica flakes. I spent forever trying to see what worked best to highlight the red leather of the boot and eventually settled on a band of white CS stamped and embossed with Stampendous Christmas Background stamp (CRR144). All the stamping on card is done with Versafine crimson and EP is Sparkle n Sprinkle Japanese Lacquer.

Took the shine from some Darice jingle bells by dabbing with pewter metallic stain and tied them together and stitched to the white lace bow. I recently got a fab stash of freebies with an order from Crafty Individuals so stamped and embossed their lovely free Jingle Bells sentiment and backed with strip of red velvet. I punched snowflakes from CS and vellum, coated them with glue and dipped them in Distress Dry glitter in clear rock candy. Also added same glitter to rim of boot and skate for sparkle aplenty.

Lots to do today - I wish I really could skate! Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Nicola x

Thank-you to the many hosts, sponsors and DTs of the following challenges that I wish to enter card to:
Simon Says Stamp - Snowflakes
Crafty Mess Challenge - Vintage Christmas
Jingle Belles Rock - December to Remember
Craft Us Crazy - Its beginning to look a lot
Crafting Ireland - 12 Days of Christmas
Charisma Cards - Christmas
Stampin for the Weekend - Let it Snow
Glitter n Sparkle - Use Some Metal
Pixie Dust Studio - Sparkle and Snowflakes
Divas By Design - Let It Snow
Alphabet Challenge - V for Vintage
Sweet Stampin Christmas - Anything Goes
Just Us Girls - Embossing
Pile It On - Embellishments

The Mitten

Hello - You are most welcome to my blog! Thank-you so much to those who have begun to follow and/or posted lovely comments. I appreciate them all very much.

My card today has a lovely warm glow to it that hasn't come across in photo as today in Dublin it is just miserable outside. But never mind, it's cosy indoors!

I hand drew a mitten shape and cut out from SEI Velvet papers. Gave glove a double cuff with Martha Stewart punch along edge. I stitched the glove having marked out with my Seweasy. Then decorated the cuff with ribbons by Melissa Frances and May Arts. Using stamps by Stempelglede (Vintage Christmas) I stamped Angel onto TAP (Transfer Artist Paper by Lesley Riley) using archival ink in sepia. I then ironed the TAP onto white muslin so that the stamped image transferred to the cloth. I also stamped sentiment from same stamp set directly onto cream muslin. (One has to be careful with TAP and text as the ironing process reverses all images). The lovely papers are by Maja Design (It's Christmas Time). I distressed edges of paper and then rubbed paper and mitten edges with gilding wax which I left to dry overnight. Adhered the Angel image with 3D tape and attached the sentiment at top with brads. Punched various snowflakes (Martha Stewart and Woodware) and doubled them up for dimension. The larger ones have rose centres (petal edges gilded) and the smaller snowflakes have pearls as centres. Ribbons and charms from stash to complete.

Stay warm and a big thank-you for stopping by.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Crafty Mess - Vintage Christmas
Twisted Tuesday - Wintery White
Christmas at Sweet Stamping - Anything Goes
Crafting Ireland - 12 Days of Christmas
Sugar Creek Hollow - Distressing
Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Button or Bow
Eclectic Ellapu - Santa paws and/or Snowflakes
Crafty Bloggers - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Snowflakes
The Crafty Pad - Stitching Real or Faux
Loves Rubberstamps - Anything Goes
Celebrate the Occasion - Christmas - No Red or Green
Alphabet Challenge - V for Vintage
Crimbo Crackers - Wooden

Presents!

Hello again! Thank-you for visiting.

Just doing a quick card and post today. I havn't done any stamping for this card and I feel like a cheat without it!!

You can see that there are some little surprises to be found...

Recipe: Hand drawn Christmas Stocking template. Bazzill CS. SEI Velvet Papers. Faux leather papers edged with Martha Stewart punches. Gifts from Woodware punches. Charms, crystals and ribbons from stash.

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend and very many thanks for following.

Nicola x

I wish to enter card to the following challenges;
Eclectic Ellapu - Celebration with Sparkle
Card Crafter's Circle - Bearing Gifts #51
Moving Along With The Times - 3 elements with same letter: (Christmas Stocking, Crystals,Charms)
Tuesday Alchemy - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Crafting Ireland - 12 Days of Christmas