Christmas star hanging decoration created with Chocolate Baroque stamps

Good morning. Today I am sharing a fun and easy Christmas decoration created from toilet roll inner tubes. I embellished it with die cut snowflakes and stamped images from Chocolate Baroque; my favourite reindeer stamp from the Sparkling Trees set and sentiment from Christmas Candlelight.

Materials:

• Sparkling Trees and Christmas Candlelight stamp sets
• Toilet roll inner card tubes, white stamping card, pearlescent white and gold mirror card
• Hot melt glue gun
• Acrylic glitter glue and glitter (red mix and gold)
• Versafine Inkpad (Onyx Black)
• Fine tipped glitter pen (red)
• Dies: mixed snowflake and a decorative Xmas circle

How to make it:

Press the toilet roll inner tubes flat and cut into 1cm strips. Arrange into a 6 petal flower shape and glue with hot melt glue gun. Fold remaining strips in half and glue sections around the central ‘petals’ to make a star – building outward.

Apply wet glue to all the edges and coat with red glitter. I coated the front and back as I want to hang it in the window. Build up the centre further with folded strips and coat these with gold glitter.

Glue on the die cut snowflakes.

Stamp and cut out the reindeer and sentiment. Colour with glitter pen and glue in place.

Finally tie on a bit of string or cord for hanging.

Christmas Candlelight Card created for Chocolate Baroque

I have been busy with Christmas makes this week. This one was made with the Christmas Candlelight stamp set from Chocolate Baroque. I was aiming for a vintage style – think that it worked as it looks like something that has been dragged out of the attic! Tee hee.

I made the card blank with shaped die cuts using cream and Kraft card.

The background was created by stamping the pine cones and colouring with pencils.

The main image was stamped onto smooth cream card. The border was hand drawn. Again coloured with pencils before cutting out.

The image was mounted onto a scalloped mat cut from gold mirror card.

I finished the card with gold and green ribbons, dark gold PVA peals and gold glitter.

Quick and Easy Floral card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Today I am sharing another quick and easy card. I used a gorgeous stamp from the Wild Meadow set and Mackintosh Sentiments. I stamped the images onto an ink spritzed background and heat embossed with white embossing powder.

Materials:

• Wild Meadow and Mackintosh Sentiments stamp sets
• Cream card blank (approx. 12 X 19.5cm)
• Heavy cartridge paper (approx. 11.5 X 19cm)
• Versamark Inkpad
• WOW embossing powder (detail white)
• Ink sprays (red, green, yellow with gold mica)
• Alcohol ink marker (dark brown)
• PVA pearls

How to make it:

1. Spritz the background and dry fully. Tip: I tend to prepare large sheets of background papers in advance and then cut them down as I need. Great to use if you need something done in a hurry, or for batch making sets.
2. Stamp the flower and sentiment with Versamark and heat emboss with white powder. Tip: to prevent the powder sticking where you don’t want it (especially if your card is still a little damp), dust the surface with a little talc.
3. Edge with alcohol marker to frame and glue to the card blank. Finish with PVA pearls.

Quick and Easy Tall Trees Scene card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Today I am sharing a quick and easy card using stamps from the Tall Trees and Words of Wisdom stamp sets. The background was created by spritzing and splattering with lime green and bright pink ink sprays. I then quickly stamped the trees with lime and dark green ink. The sentiments were stamped in dark green ink. I used green alcohol marker to frame the image before gluing to the card and added faux stitching with a fine tipped pen. I finished with the obligatory PVA pearls and clear glitter glue for sparkle (I just cannot help myself – tee hee).

Materials:

• Tall Trees and Words of Wisdom stamp sets
• A5 blank card
• Heavy cartridge paper
• Spray inks (lime with mica and bright pink)
• Dye based inkpad (dark green)
• Alcohol marker and fine tipped pen (dark green)
• PVA pearls and clear glitter glue

How to make it:

1. Lightly spritz and splatter the background with lime green and bright pink ink sprays.
2. Quickly stamp some of the trees by picking up lime ink from your craft mat. Repeat stamp some without re-inking. Lightly spritz the stamp with water and stamp again to give some lovely splodged images and a watercolour effect. Repeat with the dark green ink.
3. Stamp the sentiments with dark green ink.
4. Use the alcohol marker to frame the image before gluing to the card and added faux stitching with a fine tipped pen.
5. Finish with PVA pearls and clear glitter glue for sparkle.

Christmas card created for Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge 29

I always enjoy the monthly Colour Challenge. Here is my contribution for this week – a Christmas card using the lovely new Christmas Post stamp.

I used watercolour pencils to colour the image and combined with a winter themed die cut to frame. The background was created by partial stamping, inking just the tree branches on the top edge of the stamp. I added some sparkling chunky ‘glass’ glitter to give added sparkle and dimension.

Materials:

• Christmas Post single stamp
• 6 X 6 inch white card blank, white stamping card, white pearlescent card
• Versafine Inkpad (Vintage Sepia)
• Watercolour pencils (green, red, brown and gold)
• Wax crayons (light gold and dark brown)
• Fine tipped permanent pen (brown)
• Glossy Accents
• Chunky ‘glass’ glitter (Pinflair Ice Diamond) and clear glitter glue (Stickles Icicle)
• Winter themed frame die (Create & Craft Couture – Winter Flurries set)
• Foam pads or 3D glue

How to make it:

1. Cut decorative frame from pearlescent card. If you don’t have a suitable decorative die a plain frame looks nice and you could decorate it with winter foliage or snowflakes (die cut or readymade).
2. Stamp the image and cut out to fit behind the frame. Extend the scene on the left and right by drawing with the fine pen.
3. Draw onto the bricks with wax crayons to give some areas of texture. The wax resists the watercolour. Colour the image with watercolour pencils. Use a damp brush to pull out and blend the colour.
4. Stamp the branches onto the card blank.
5. Mount the topper and frame with foam pads or 3D glue.
6. Finish with chunky glitter and glitter glue. Add Glossy Accents to the tree baubles.

Floral Notes With Love card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Today I am sharing a quick card using the lovely new Floral Notes stamp set. There are so many gorgeous images in this set.

Materials:

• Floral Notes and Mackintosh Sentiments stamp sets
• A6 scalloped card blank (red), white stamping card and a strip of copy paper
• Versafine inkpad (Onyx Black)
• Pencil and watercolour paint (red)
• Alcohol marker and fine tipped pens (black)
• Sparkle brush pen (clear)

How to make it:

1. Trim the stamping card to fit the card front. Cut a strip of copy paper and lay onto the card front (mask). Stamp the images in black. Stamp again onto spare card and cut out one of the flower heads.
2. Using the fine tipped pen draw the border and fill in any little gaps in the stamping (i.e. so that they join up with the border). Colour the lower edge of the border with pencil.
3. Colour the flower head with watercolour. Curl the petals slightly and glue to the card.
4. Brush over the flower petals with sparkle pen. Difficult to see in the photo but it just gives a little lift to the design.
5. Outline the topper with alcohol pen and glue to the card front.

Quick and Easy Still Reeds card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Today I am sharing another quick and easy card. I used the reeds border from the Owl Edges stamp set and sentiment from Words of Inspiration. I used ink sprays to colour the background and sparkling heat embossing powder for the reeds.

Materials:

• Owl Edges and Words of Inspiration stamp sets
• A6 yellow card blank (approx. 10 X 15cm)
• Heavy cartridge paper (approx 9.5 X 14.5cm)
• Ink sprays (red and yellow with gold mica)
• Versamark Inkpad
• Dye based archival inkpad (dark brown)
• WOW embossing powder (Halloween)
• Alcohol marker (dark brown)

How to make it:

1. Spritz the background and dry fully. Tip: I tend to prepare large sheets of background papers in advance and then cut them down as I need. Great to use if you need something done in a hurry, or for batch making sets.
2. Stamp the reeds with Versamark and heat emboss with the glitter powder. Tip: to prevent the powder sticking where you don’t want it (especially if your card is still a little damp), dust the surface with a little talc.
3. Stamp the sentiment with dark brown ink.
4. Edge with alcohol marker to frame and glue to the card blank.

Quick and Easy Tangled Christmas Tree cards created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. I hope that you like my quick and easy Christmas cards using the new Christmas Tree Tangle stamp. I split my stamp into 2 to give more versatility, and so that I could use them individually or change the arrangement of the sets of trees. I stamped them onto black card and heat embossed with glitter powder for sparkle. I used a water soluble semitransparent white pastel to add a bit of colour and an opaque white spritzer to create a snowy night scene. I also added a bit of clear mica spritz for added sheen. I finished with a metallic silver marker pen and peel off sentiment. Really quick and easy and great for batch making. Vary by using different colours of embossing powder and background card. I think that Kraft card and pale blue would look good – will have to try that.

Materials:

• Christmas Tree Tangle single stamp
• A6 white card blank and A6 black card
• Versamark Inkpad
• Glitter heat embossing powders (I used blue & silver)
• Metallic silver fine tipped marker pen
• Christmas sentiment peel off stickers (silver)
• Glitter gel pens (optional)
• Spritzer sprays (opaque white, clear mica)
• Alcohol marker (black)
• Watercolour brush
• Heat gun

How to make it:

1. Stamp with Versamark and heat emboss the image with glitter powder.
2. Dissolve some of the pastel pigment into water and paint over the scene with a brush. Add a little colour onto the trees with glitter pens if desired.
3. Spritz with opaque white spray to create the snow effect. Add some mica spray for extra shimmer.
4. Add peel off and trim the topper slightly to leave a border on the card front.
5. Quickly draw a border to frame using the metallic pen.
6. Glue to card front and add a border around the card blank with black pen.

Metallic Floral Notes card created for Chocolate Baroque

Materials:

• Floral Notes stamp set
• 6 X 6 white card blank and stamping card
• Inkpads: Versamark and Distress Ink (Peacock Feathers)
• Heat embossing powder (chunky metallic gold)
• Colourcraft Soft Form Relief Paste (Gold)
• Metallic pen (gold)
• PVA pearls (gold)
• Metallic braid (gold)
• Pricking tool

How to make it:

1. Spread the paste thinly over the stamp with a palette knife and leave to dry for 24-48 hours. Carefully peel away and trim off rough edges. This doesn’t harm the stamp and leaves the stamp clean.
2. Stamp the image with Versamark and heat emboss with the chunky powder. Note: using chunky powder gives a lovely distressed metallic effect but the image detail is lost. If you prefer a cleaner and more detailed stamped image then use a fine detail powder.
3. Trim the card and blend Distress Ink in around the edges. Colour the image with Distress Ink and a damp brush. Note: The embossed areas will resist the ink making colouring easy. When dry dab off any ink remaining on the embossed areas. The ink won’t dry when sat on top of the embossing, so this will avoid accidental smudging of the ink onto the background (as I had!).
4. Pierce the border and draw faux stitching and edging with metallic pen. Finish with a bow and PVA pearls.

Christmas Post card created for Chocolate Baroque

Here is my contribution for the Chocolate Baroque DT Blog this week – a Christmas card using the lovely new Christmas Post stamp.

I stamped the image and cut out elements to decoupage and add dimension. Distress Inks were used to colour the image and winter themed die cuts were used to frame and embellish. I added some sparkling chunky ‘glass’ glitter to give added sparkle and dimension.

Materials:

• Christmas Post single stamp
• A5 white card blank, white stamping card, blue glitter card and gold satin card
• Inkpads: Versamark and Distress Inks (Peacock Feathers, Tumbled Glass and Tea Dye)
• Pearlescent blue heat embossing powder (Lyndy’s Stamp Gang – Morning Glory Azure)
• Fine tipped pen (metallic gold)
• Wax crayons (blue)
• Glossy Accents
• Chunky ‘glass’ glitter (Pinflair Ice Diamond)
• Winter themed frame and edger dies (Create & Craft Couture – Winter Flurries set)
• Snowflake dies (Robert Addams and Marianne dies)
• Foam pads or 3D glue

How to make it:

1. Edge the base card by blending with Peacock Feathers Distress Ink.
2. Cut the background mat from gold card with edger dies. Cut the frame from glitter card. If you don’t have a suitable decorative die set a plain frame would look nice and you could decorate it with winter foliage or snowflakes (die cut or readymade).
3. Stamp the image with Versamark and heat emboss. Cut out to fit behind the frame.
4. Draw onto the bricks with wax crayon to give some areas of texture. The wax resists the Distress Ink. Colour the image with Distress Inks and use a damp brush to pull out and blend the colour. Add touches of gold pen.
5. Stamp and emboss the image again and cut out elements for decoupage. Colour with Distress Inks. Use 3D glue gel to overlay onto main topper. I used the tree top branches to create overhanging branches in the foreground.
6. Mount the background, topper and frame with foam pads or 3D glue.
7. Add die cut snowflakes (cut from gold and glitter card) to decorate.
8. Finish with chunky glitter and Glossy Accents on the tree baubles.

Christmas Gift Tag created for Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge 28

Good morning. I am really enjoying the Colour Challenge this month. Here I have created a pretty Christmas tag using stamps from the Sparkling Trees set. The tag was coloured and splattered with spray inks and the images stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with pearl yellow and white powders. Dark blue ink was blended in from the edges and an alcohol marker used to frame the tag. Finished with yellow and blue ribbon and of course some glitter glue for sparkle.
Materials:

• Sparkling Trees stamp set
• Watercolour card tag (approx. 6 X 12.5cm)
• Inkpads: Versamark and dye based (blue)
• Spray inks (light and dark blue, yellow and green – some with mica)
• Heat embossing powders (pearlescent yellow and detail white)
• Alcohol marker (dark blue)
• Yellow and blue organza ribbon

How to make it:

1. Spritz and splatter the tag with spray inks and dry fully.
2. Stamp the Trees with Versamark and heat emboss with the yellow powder. Stamp the snowflakes and heat emboss with white powder. Tip: to prevent the powder sticking where you don’t want it (especially if your card is still a little damp), dust the surface with a little talc.
3. Blend blue dye ink in from the edges and frame with dark blue marker.
4. Finish by adding ribbons and a little glitter glue for added sparkle.

Still Reeds card created for Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge 28

Good morning. Today I am sharing one of my projects for the Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge. I used the reeds border from the Owl Edges stamp set and sentiment from Words of Inspiration (Chocolate Baroque). I used ink sprays to colour the background and some die cuts to finish.

Materials:

·         Owl Edges and Words of Inspiration stamp sets

·         A6 white card blank (approx. 10 X 15cm)

·         Die cut white stamping card (approx 9.5 X 12cm)

·         Ink sprays (green, yellow, blue)

·         Dye based inkpad (dark blue)

·         Alcohol marker and fine tipped pen (dark blue)

·         Glitter glue (light and dark blue)

·         Die cuts to finish (Spellbinders)

How to make it:

1.    Spray green and yellow ink onto a craft mat and pick up colour onto lower half of stamping panel. Paint blue ink across the top and dry.

2.    Stamp the sentiment and reeds, use second generation stamping to create the fainter background reeds. Edge with blue marker and glue to card front.

3.    Glue on the die cuts. Finish by drawing a faux stitched border and adding glitter glue.

4.    If you don’t have dies just trim down the card base to fit the stamped mat and it will still look good.

Halloween Canvas using the Day Of The Dead Collection from Sheena Douglass

Oooh I do love Halloween. I so enjoy making spooky projects. I created this canvas for a couple of my friends. I used Sheena Douglass ‘Day Of The Dead’ stamps and dies, and I coloured the image so it looked like them. I also used Sheena’s Festive Ivy and Christmas Foliage dies to decorate.

Materials:

• Stretched canvas approx. A4 size
• A4 sheet white stamping card (Sheena Douglass)
• Black, white and green card
• Brother ScanNCut CM300 machine
• Silhouette Cameo machine
• Die cutting machine (EBosser)
• Sheena Douglass Day Of The Dead Collection (Eternal Love stamp and Dancing Skeleton, and Pawprint memories dies)
• Sheena Douglass dies (Festive Ivy and Christmas Foliage)
• Other dies: acorn (Spellbinders) and leaves (Tattered Lace)
• ScanNCut files: built in designs for the ‘Happy’ and ‘Halloween’ text
• Silhouette files: JM Rush for spiders (Spider Web Lantern), Bats Flying and Spooky Banner
• Gesso (black)
• Inkpads: Versafine (Tuxedo Black), Distress (Gathered Twigs and Tea Dye)
• Spray and Sparkle (Crafters Companion Diamond Pearl)
• Pebeo Gilding Wax (King Gold)
• Spectrum Aqua watercolour pens (pinks, oranges, greens, teals, turquoises, greys, yellows and reds)
• Brown pencil (to colour bats)
• Black fine tipped marker (to enhance shading & detail to stamped image)
• Stickles glitter glue (Crystal)

Cemetery Halloween Lantern created on the Silhouette Cameo

I created this Halloween lantern using my Silhouette Cameo and files from Carina Gardner (from the Silhouette store).

I had so much fun creating these and they are a quick make (compared to the other lanterns – see my posts below).

Carina has a range of spooky candle holders in the Silhouette Store . All are easy to construct, so great for last minute makes to decorate on Halloween Eve.

Materials:

• Silhouette Files: Cemetery Candle Holder by Carina Gardner (downloaded from the Silhouette store)
• Silhouette Cameo cutting machine
• 1 X A4 (approx 8.25 X 11.75 inch) sheet black card
• 1 X A4 sheet vellum for each (yellow)
• Stickles glitter glue (Crystal)
• Battery operated tea light or candle (flameless)

How to make it:

Cut the lantern in black card and the liner from coloured vellum. It is very easy to make as there is just one piece each for outer and inner liner. Construct by applying glue to the tabs.
Finish with glitter glue on the trees for a bit of sparkle.

Sail Away quick and easy card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning – I love stamping directly onto pretty background papers to produce quick and easy cards – great if you need to put something together in a hurry.

I stamped elements from the Seashell Collage and flying gulls from the Landscape Edges stamp sets using Archival Ink (Coffee) onto one of the pretty background papers from Crafty Individuals (Book 5 – Travels in Italy). The sentiment is from the Steampunk Travel set, and was heat embossed with white powder. I added a few details with a fine liner pen and quickly coloured some areas with brown pencil. I also blended a little pink dye ink around the edges and over the sentiment to make it stand out – the white embossing resists the ink colour.

Materials:

• Seashell Collage, Steampunk Travel and Landscape Edges stamp sets
• 6 X 6 inch white card blank (approx. 15cm)
• 6 X 6 inch backing paper from Crafty Individuals (Book 5 – Travels in Italy)
• Inkpads: Versamark, dye based (bright pink) and Archival (Coffee)
• Alcohol marker and fine tipped pen (dark brown)
• WOW embossing powder (Opaque Bright White Superfine)
• Pencil (brown)

How to make it:

1. Trim the paper down slightly (approx. 14.5cm square) and stamp the scene using Archival Coffee Ink. Add some quick colouring to the gulls and wooden posts using brown pencil.
2. Stamp the sentiment with Versamark Ink and heat emboss with the white powder.
3. Draw in some faux stitching around the sentiment to extend the scene (just add a few wavy lines) using the fine tipped pen.
4. Blend pink ink in from the corners and over the sentiment to make it stand out more (the white embossing will resist the ink).
5. Use the marker to outline and frame the edges and glue to the card front.

Lone Tree quick and easy card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning – I love stamping directly onto pretty background papers to produce quick and easy cards – great if you need to put something together in a hurry.

I stamped the tree from the Spinney Design-A-Tree stamp set and heat embossed with sparkly powder onto one of the pretty background papers from Crafty Individuals (Book 5 – Travels in Italy). I then added a ribbon and bow and PVA pearls – all done in a jiffy.

Materials:

• Design-A-Tree Spinney stamp set
• 6 X 6 inch white card blank (approx. 15cm)
• 6 X 6 inch backing paper from Crafty Individuals (Book 5 – Travels in Italy)
• Versamark Inkpad
• Alcohol marker (dark brown)
• WOW embossing powder (Halloween)
• Fine pink ribbon and PVA pearls (brown/dark gold)

How to make it:

1. Trim the paper down slightly (approx. 14.5cm square) and stamp the tree using Versamark. Heat emboss with the sparkly powder.
2. Use the marker to outline and frame the edges.
3. Add the ribbon and bow (use tape to fix to the back of the paper) and glue to the card front.
4. Finish with PVA pearls.

Skull and Spider Web Tea Light Lanterns created on the Silhouette Cameo

I created these Halloween lanterns using my Silhouette Cameo and files from Jennifer Rush Designs (from the Silhouette store). I also used the Festive Ivy die from Sheena Douglass to decorate.
I had so much fun creating these. Off to get some more spooky projects finished.
Materials:

• Silhouette Files: Spider Web Lantern and Skull Lantern from JM Rush Designs (downloaded from the Silhouette store)
• Silhouette Cameo cutting machine
• 4 X A4 (approx 8.25 X 11.75 inch) sheets black card for each lantern
• 1 X A4 sheet white card (for skulls)
• 1 X A4 sheet vellum for each (orange or yellow)
• Festive Ivy die (Sheena Douglass)
• Stickles glitter glue (Crystal and Icicle)
• Pebeo gilding wax (King Gold, Empire Gold and Silver)

How to make them:

1. Cut the lanterns and web layers from black card. Cut the windows from coloured vellum. Cut the skulls from white card. Construct following the instructions on Jennifer’s tutorial blog posts (links in the materials list above).
2. Rub gilding wax over the lanterns, buff up when dry to give them a metallic effect. You may find this easier to do before adding the web frames.
3. Die cut and emboss the ivy from black card. Rub over sparingly with gold gilding wax to give a metallic effect. Shape with a ball tool and glue in place to decorate the lanterns.
4. Finish with glitter glue for a bit of sparkle.

Halloween pumpkin tea light holder created on the Brother ScanNCut

I created this pumpkin lantern using my Brother ScanNCut and the Jack O’ Lantern SVG files from the Haunted Forest Collection (SVG Cuts). I used oriental papers and the Festive Ivy die from Sheena Douglass to decorate.

I had so much fun creating this. It looks lovely with the flickering electric tea light (no flame) glowing from inside. It would also work well if filled with sweeties for Trick or Treat callers.

I love this collection of SVG files and think that I will create the magnificent Haunted House next.

Materials:

SVG cutting files – Jack O’ Lantern from the Haunted Forest Collection (SVG Cuts)

Brother ScanNCut CM300 cutting machine

2 sheets 12 X 12 inch card (1X black, 1X orange - Tonic)

1 X A4 (8.25 X 11.75 inches) black paper

Patterned papers (thin card): 2X A4 double sided pattern for pumpkin and flowers, 1 X A4 for hat panels (Sheena Douglass Oriental Collection)

Festive Ivy die (Sheena Douglass)

Stickles glitter glue (Crystal)

Pebeo gilding wax (King Gold)

How to make it:

Cut the pumpkin from orange card.

Cut the flowers and the pumpkin panels from decorative card.

Cut the hat from black card and hat panels from contrasting patterned card.

There is a fabulous video on YouTube by SVG cuts on how to construct all the elements for this collection (SVG Cuts Haunted Forest Tutorial Video). Construct and glue together following the tutorial. I used a ball tool and embossing mat to shape my floral elements.

Die cut and emboss the ivy from black paper (I used 4 layers of paper in one pass). Rub over with gilding wax to give a metallic effect.  Shape with a ball tool and glue in place to decorate the hat.

Finish with glitter glue for a bit of sparkle.

Halloween Tea Light Holders cut on my Silhouette Cameo and Brother ScanNCut

I have been making some Halloween electric tea light holders using my cutting machines. The skull and spider lanterns were cut on my Silhouette Cameo using files from JM Rush (from the Silhouette store), the pumpkin lantern was cut on my Brother ScanNCut with files from SVG cuts (Haunted Forest Collection). I used some oriental papers and the Festive Ivy die from Sheena Douglass to decorate.

Working on some more spooky projects today.

Will be blogging later if anyone wants more info and links to the files and details of materials used etc. xxx

Floral Card created with Brother ScanNCut embossing on parchment

Good morning. I have just been playing with the new embossing kit for the Brother ScanNCut. I love it. I made this for one of my lovely crafting friends.

Have you seen the deal on the ScanNCut CM900 at the moment? Create & Craft Club members get a 20% discount. FAB price and includes lots of extras including luxury card bundle.

Materials:

• ScanNCut CM300 machine
• ScanNCut Embossing Starter Kit
• Design activation card for ScanNCut (included in starter kit)
• ScanNCut Canvas web App
• ScanNCut standard mat
• Parchment (Create & Craft)
• 8 X 8 inch white card blank (Lynda Chapman)
• 7.5 X 7.5 inch pink patterned paper (DCWV Floral Stack)
• Floral corner punch (EK Tools Eden set)
• Pergamano Pricking tools (scallop and 2 pin)
• Approx. 3mm ball hand embossing tool
• Alcohol ink markers (light green and pink)
• Used tumble drier sheet
• Pergaglue and acrylic glue
• Pergamano mapping pen and sticky ink
• Fine crystal glitter
• Parchment embossing and pricking mat
• Pergamano snips

How it was done:
 
Screen shot of the design on ScanNCut Canvas:

1. I activated the embossing designs in ScanNCut canvas (from the activation card included in the embossing starter kit). I created a new project and loaded designs to the mat: floral spray (LE-A06) and Text (LE_D03) line embossing designs, and the border from the basic shapes. I copied and pasted the floral spray and arranged the designs on the mat and downloaded to a USB stick.
2. I loaded onto the machine, grouped the designs and adjusted the size to approx. 7 inches square to fit my card blank.
3. I attached my embossing mat to a new standard tack mat. Note: take care when sticking down – avoid creating air bubbles. When I first tried the embossing my parchment ripped. When I check it was where I had large air bubbles beneath my mat. It was a little tricky to peel off again. I was worried that it was stretching as I pulled it off the mat but it soon regained it’s shape ok. When finished I left the embossing mat in place before covering and storing for future use.
4. I then embossed the design using speed set at 1 and pressure at -2 with the smallest embossing tool. I rubbed over the parchment with the tumble drier sheet before embossing (this helps the ball tool to glide more easily). Without unloading the mat I repeated using a pressure of -1. I was delighted with the results.
5. I repeated embossing the floral sprays for cutting out and decoupage.
6. I then manually embossed on the back with a ball tool to add a little shading to the leaves and flowers.
7. I coloured the leaves and flowers on the back with alcohol pens to add some subtle colour.
8. I pierced around the outside of the frame using the scallop piercing tool (from the front), and around the extra flowers with the twin piercing tool, ready to cut out.
9. I cut around the frame and extra flowers using Pergamano snips. I am a parchment novice and really struggle with getting a neat little picot snip. I know the theory but I guess practice will make perfect. Tip: With handle end overhanging the waste side (i.e. the bit you want to trim away) put the scissor points into 2 adjacent holes. Careful not to go too deep (definitely one of my problems) – you snip using the very tips of the scissors. Lower the scissors so that they are angled flat to the parchment, twist slightly and snip.
10. I outlined my card blank with green alcohol pen, punched the corners of my decorative paper and glued down. The parchment was glued down using Pergaglue – a tiny dot on the frame borders and behind the flower centres.
11. I then lightly shaped the flowers, added a little more pink alcohol pen around the snipped edges, and glued in place.
12. I using the mapping pen and sticky ink to draw over the lettering and flower centres, then added fine glitter for a bit of sparkle. I added dots of Pergaglue onto the frame borders and glittered. This dried to give little 3D glittery ‘gems’.

Butterfly card created for Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge 28

Good morning. Today I am sharing my contribution to the Colour Challenge this month. I am just loving these colours. Did you catch any of the shows recently on The Craft Channel where Lesley demonstrated the use of Angelina fibres? The butterfly stamps are just perfect for this technique.

I coloured a decorative card blank and tag with spray inks and made the floral embellishment from the waste pieces. I used stamps from Just Butterflies, Butterfly Blush and Mackintosh Sentiments stamp sets. The sparkling 3D butterfly was created by inking the stamp with black ink, overlaying with Angelina fibres and baking parchment, then ironing briefly on a hot setting. Note: Lesley recommends Black Archival Ink (Ranger). Mine did not work too well. However, I did manage to rescue it using a fine tipped alcohol ink pen to redraw my rather faint image.

I used a die cut scalloped circle (dark blue), ribbon, faux gems and glitter glue to finish.

Materials:

• Just Butterflies, Butterfly Blush and Mackintosh Sentiments stamp sets
• Decorative card blank, watercolour card tag, dark blue card
• Spray inks (light and dark blue, lime and yellow)
• Dye based inkpads (dark blue and black) – important: see note above
• Glitter pens (green and blue)
• Angelina fibre (Mint)
• Baking parchment and iron
• Organza ribbon and faux gems (blue)
• Alcohol marker (dark blue) and fine tipped marker (black)
• Glitter glue (light blue)
• Scalloped circle die (Tonic)
• High tac acrylic glue and 3D glue gel

How to make it:

1. Spritz the tag with light and dark blue inks. Stamp the sentiment with dark blue ink. Edge the tag with alcohol marker to frame.
2. Spritz the card blank with green, light blue and yellow inks. Note: I thought that the waste elements would make lovely petals. I left them in place while spritzing then used them to make a 3D flower. Alternatively you could spritz a ready-made paper flower to match.
3. Stamp the butterflies and sentiment with blue ink. Colour with glitter pens.
4. Ink up the large butterfly with black ink and overlay with Angelina fibres. Cover with baking parchment and iron on a hot setting without steam for a few seconds. If using the recommended Archival Ink you should see the image appear through the parchment – it will then be ready. Peel away from the parchment and trim out the butterfly. I made a bit of a mess of mine! I used Memento ink and it left a fairly feint image. To rescue it I used a fine tipped black marker to go back over the image and make it more visible. I made 2 butterflies to layer up.
5. Add a dark blue scalloped circle behind the decorative card front, add a ribbon and bow, glue everything together and finish with glitter glue.

Christmas Birches card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. I have had some little Xmas bauble stickers in my stash for years and thought that they would be perfect hanging from the Tangled Birch for a Christmas card. Think that I will make a few more of these and get my stickers used up.

Unfortunately I had a little trouble photographing this one. It is mounted on shiny mirror card and has lots of sparkly glitter texture which is very difficult to see in the photo. It looks lovely in real life. It would still work without the baubles, or perhaps with some gems of die cut snowflakes. I hope that you like it.

Materials:

• Tangled Birch stamp and sentiment from Christmas Candlelight
• 12 X 17cm black card blank, silver mirror card and white stamping card
• Ink sprays (blue, yellow, orange, opaque white and clear mica)
• Inkpads: Versamark and Memento (Tuxedo Black)
• Heat embossing powder (silver with glitter)
• Alcohol markers (black, mid and light grey)
• Watercolour pen (yellow)
• Glitter pens (red and green)
• Christmas bauble peel off stickers
• Fine crystal glitter

How to make it:

1. Stamp the tree and heat emboss with sparkly powder.
2. Cut a small circle to act as a mask and spritz the background with sprays. Remove the mask and colour the moon with yellow watercolour pen.
3. Add touches of colour to the stamped image with glitter pens. Add some shading around the outside of the trees and at the base of the scene with grey alcohol marker.
4. Trim the card, outline with black marker, mount onto mirror card and glue to the card front. Stick down the baubles.
5. Stamp the Christmas banner with Memento ink. Colour with alcohol and glitter pens. Cut out and glue to the card front.
6. Finish with fine crystal glitter on the foreground and tree branches.

Baroque Orchids for Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge 28

Good morning. I have so loved creating projects using the Challenge Colours this month. Here I have used the gorgeous Baroque Orchids stamp plate. I stamped it twice in pale blue on the background panel, and in black for the foreground panel. I stamped it again, coloured and cut out 3 of the orchid elements, shaped them and decoupaged them onto the main panel. I blended some die ink around the edges, added ribbon and a couple of die cuts and faux gems to finish – ooh and a bit of glitter glue of course (I go through gallons of it – tee hee).

Note: I actually used acrylic paint for stamping here, which will resist the dye inks blended in from the edges. I made these panels whilst doing some stamping on fabric so created some spare backgrounds on card to use up the paint. Heat embossing powders would give a similar effect. If you use dye inks for stamping you will lose the stamping detail on the edges of the lighter coloured panel.
Looking forward to seeing your creations, Anne x.

Materials:

• Baroque Orchids stamp
• A5 white card blank (approx. 21 X 15cm)
• A4 sheet of white stamping card
• Acrylic paints (pale blue and black)
• Cut-N-Dry Foam
• Dye based inkpad (blue)
• Glitter pens (green, light and dark blue, yellow)
• Alcohol marker (dark blue)
• Ribbons (blue and green)
• Die cuts to coordinate (Sizzix)
• Faux gems (green) and glitter glue (pale blue)
• 3D glue gel

How to make it:

1. Cut the A4 stamping card in half and stamp the panel twice with light blue and with black acrylic paint using Cut-N-Dry foam.
2. Trim the light blue panel (approx. 19.5 X 13.5cm), edge with alcohol marker and dye ink, and glue to the card front.
3. Colour the swirls on one of the black panels, and 3 of the orchids on the other panel. Trim the background panel, edge with blue marker and ink, and glue to the card front.
4. Trim out the coloured orchids, shape with a ball tool and embossing mat (or with fingers), and glue to the card with 3D glue gel.
5. Add ribbon, bow and die cuts. Finish with faux gems and glitter glue.

Quick and Easy Butterfly Cards created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning – I love stamping directly onto pretty background papers to produce quick and easy cards – great if you need to put something together in a hurry. I have created 2 variations using the Patchwork Butterfly stamp from Chocolate Baroque with one of the pretty background papers from Crafty Individuals (Book 5 – Travels in Italy). I stamped the butterflies and heat embossed them with pink sparkly embossing powder, then quickly coloured with watercolour and glitter pens. To give them a bit more depth I added a quick drop shadow around them using pencil. To finish I added a few highlights with white gel pen and a little glitter glue for added sparkle.

Materials:

• Patchwork Butterfly stamp set
• 6 X 6 inch white card blank
• 6 X 6 inch backing paper from Crafty Individuals (Book 5 – Travels in Italy)
• Versamark Inkpad
• WOW embossing powder (Florida Sunset – pink with gold glitter)
• Alcohol markers (dark green, dark red)
• Watercolour and glitter pens (green and yellow, purple and pink)
• Opaque gel pen (white)
• Pencil (grey)
• Clear glitter glue and PVA pearls

How to make it:

1. Trim the paper slightly to fit the card and edge with alcohol pen to frame.
2. Stamp the butterfly with Versamark ink and heat emboss with glitter powder.
3. Quickly colour with watercolour and glitter pens – the embossed areas resist the pens so colouring is really quick and easy. Add some highlights with white pen.
4. Outline with pencil to add a drop shadow and make the butterflies stand out from the background.
5. Glue to the card front and add glitter glue and PVA pearls to finish.

Autumn Medley Stepper Card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Today I have an Autumnal project to share with you. I simply love this Autumn Medley stamp. I have used an acorn die from my stash but elements could be cut out and decoupaged from the stamped image too.

Materials:

• Autumn Medley and Mackintosh Sentiments stamps
• A5 ready made stepper card, white stamping card, A4 thick cartridge paper and waste shredded paper
• WOW embossing powders (extra fine White and Metallic Gold Sparkle)
• Inkpads: Versamark, Versafine (Vintage Sepia), dye based (dark brown)
• Ink Spritzers: Reds, oranges, yellows and greens – some with gold mica (Mr Huey’s and Lindy’s Stamp Gang)
• Dye based inks: Orange and yellow (Spectrum Noir Aquatints)
• Watercolours with mica: Reds, oranges, yellows, browns and greens (Twinkling H2O’s)
• Alcohol ink marker and pencil (dark brown)
• Paper raffia (yellow)
• Dies: Acorns (Spellbinders), square (Tattered Lace Torn Edge), mini tags (Create & Craft Couture Deco Boutique Collection)
• 3D glue gel

How to make it:

1. Spritz the cartridge paper and waste paper strips with autumnal coloured inks and leave to dry. Trim the background panel, edge with brown marker and glue to the card front. Die cut tags and acorns from the remainder.
2. Edge the mini tag and sentiment panel with brown marker. Stamp the sentiments with Versamark and heat emboss with white powder.
3. Add some shading to the acorn and leaf die cuts using the brown dye based ink, and shape using a ball tool and embossing mat.
4. Stamp the Autumn Medley onto stamping card using Versafine. Quickly add gold sparkle embossing powder to the hair (avoiding the face) and heat emboss. Colour with watercolours (with mica) and inks. Use the brown pencil to add extra shading.
5. Lay the square die onto the image and mark the position of the overhang and trim around with a craft knife (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 brown marker and blend brown ink in from around the edges.
6. 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.

Matchbox Diorama Reindeer Scene show sample created with Cutting Craftorium Christmas USB (SVG Files)

Brother ScanNCut shows coming on Create & Craft TV tomorrow with new Christmas SVG files from the Cutting Craftorium. There is also a coordinating CD with fabulous printables, and a bundle (CD and USB) with both collections.

There is so much on this Christmas USB for creating 3D home decor items for Christmas: sleigh, reindeer, rocking horse, boxes, napkin rings, lantern, crackers, cake stands, and wreaths but to name a few. I have not seen the optional CD with images and background papers to coordinate with the cutting files – will have to catch the shows tomorrow. It will probably be a must to add to my Christmas crafting collection.

This is a fabulous set of cutting files in SVG format. SVG files are so versatile and can be used on many other electronic cutters, not just the Brother ScanNCut, e.g. Silhouette (with the Designer Edition software).

Here is a brief tutorial for my version of the Matchbox Diorama - TV show sample for tomorrow. Anne x.

Materials:

• Christmas USB (SVG files) from the Cutting Craftorium
• Brother ScanNCut CM300 cutting machine
• Card approx 220gsm: White, light blue, dark blue, Kraft card and Aqua glitter card
• Waste star cut from the star cake stand (light blue)*
• Fake snow (Pinflair Snow Dust)
• Brown pencil and fine tipped metallic silver pen
• Glitter glue (crystal clear)
• Faux gems and organza ribbon (aqua)
• Acrylic glue (Cosmic Shimmer), 3D glue gel (Pinflair)

*I saved this piece from my Victorian Lantern project (see post below). Alternatively cut a star from one of the machine inbuilt designs to make the sentiment panel.

How to make it:

It is a bit tricky to write an exact step by step but hopefully I have given enough info for you to make something similar and adapt it to your own taste x.

Generally my settings for around 220 gsm card is: Speed 5, cut pressure 0 or 1, blade depth 5 or 6. It will vary with card thickness and structure (density etc.). If you are a newbie, or trying out a new batch of card, use the test cut function to try out settings – then record for future reference.

I used the Matchbox Diorama files to create this project.

1. Cut the Matchbox Drawer in white card (wait before gluing).
2. Cut the Matchbox Wrap in Kraft card.
3. Cut the Matchbox Cover (Noel) in white, light blue and glitter card. Glue down the light blue layer onto the Matchbox. Snip away the swirly sections on the white cut out, leaving the border and snowflakes (keep the waste pieces). Glue on top and add gems and bow. Finally snip out the lettering from the glitter card panel and glue in place. Make up the box wrap.
4. Now cut the elements from the Woodland Reindeer Scene folder. Cut 2 reindeer (Layer 4) from Kraft card. Snip away the antlers from one. Add a little shading with brown pencil and clear glitter glue for sparkle.
5. Cut 1 each of the grass border (Layer 5), trees (Layer 2) and the foliage (Layer 3) from light blue card.
6. Load the background (Layer 1) and add a circle (inbuilt machine pattern) to the bottom right, adjust the size to make a moon, and weld. Cut X1 from dark blue card.
7. Hand cut a panel to fit into the base from the glitter card (or use a rectangle shape from the machine patterns and resize). You want it to have a little clearance all around so cut it approx. 2mm smaller than the box base. Glue in place. Next fold the tabs back on the back panel and box, glue in place and make up the box at this stage.
8. Next build up all the layers and glue in place. Add a couple of swirls from the box top waste. Write a sentiment on the star with the silver marker. Finally finish with plenty of fake snow and glitter glue.

Poinsettia T Light created with Cutting Craftorium SVG files available on Create & Craft TV tomorrow

Brother ScanNCut shows coming on Create & Craft TV tomorrow with new Christmas SVG files from the Cutting Craftorium. There is also a coordinating CD with fabulous printables, and a bundle (CD and USB) with both collections.

There is so much on this Christmas USB for creating 3D home decor items for Christmas: sleigh, reindeer, rocking horse, boxes, napkin rings, lantern, crackers, cake stands, and wreaths but to name a few. I have not seen the optional CD with images and background papers to coordinate with the cutting files – will have to catch the shows tomorrow. It will probably be a must to add to my Christmas crafting collection.

This is a fabulous set of cutting files in SVG format. SVG files are so versatile and can be used on many other electronic cutters, not just the Brother ScanNCut, e.g. Silhouette (with the Designer Edition software). There is a great deal on the ScanNCut machine too!

Here is a brief tutorial for Poinsettia T Light TV show sample. Anne x.

Materials:

• Christmas USB (SVG files) from the Cutting Craftorium
• Brother ScanNCut CM300 cutting machine
• Card approx 220gsm: White, light blue, Kraft card
• Battery operated T Light
• Thick card coaster
• Fake snow (Pinflair Snow Dust)
• Brown pencil
• Glitter glue (crystal clear)
• Acrylic glue (Cosmic Shimmer), 3D glue gel (Pinflair) and red liner tape (strong double sided)

How to make it:
It is a bit tricky to write an exact step by step but hopefully I have given enough info for you to make something similar and adapt it to your own taste x.

Generally my settings for around 220 gsm card is: Speed 5, cut pressure 0 or 1, blade depth 5 or 6. It will vary with card thickness and structure (density etc.). If you are a newbie, or trying out a new batch of card, use the test cut function to try out settings – then record for future reference.

Note: I have edited and resized various files to create this project. Remember to save the files as you go so that you can use them again. It also enables you to reload designs as you go to judge and resize subsequent pieces.

1. I used elements from the Matchbox Diorama (Woodland Reindeer Scene) to decorate the candle: Load the reindeer (Layer 4) and cut X3. Add a little shading with brown pencil and clear glitter glue for sparkle.
2. Load the grass border (Layer 5), resize to wrap around the T Light and cut from blue card. Use double sided tape to cover the candle.
3. Load the trees (Layer 2), and the foliage (Layer 3) and cut X1 from blue card. Trim the frame away from the tree sections and glue 2 halves together to make the tree. Trim the tabs away from the foliage. Glue the reindeer, tree and foliage in place around the candle. Add glitter glue and fake snow.
4. Cut the Poinsettia in white card, Poinsettia Foliage (Poinsettia folder) in blue card. Shape the elements lightly, layer up as desired and glue to the coaster (the candle sits on the poinsettia centre).
5. Finally finish with plenty of fake snow and glitter glue.

Victorian Lantern created with Cutting Craftorium SVG files available on Create & Craft TV tomorrow

Brother ScanNCut shows coming on Create & Craft TV tomorrow with new Christmas SVG files from the Cutting Craftorium. There is also a coordinating CD with fabulous printables, and a bundle (CD and USB) with both collections.

There is so much on this Christmas USB for creating 3D home decor items for Christmas: sleigh, reindeer, rocking horse, boxes, napkin rings, lantern, crackers, cake stands, and wreaths but to name a few. I have not seen the optional CD with images and background papers to coordinate with the cutting files – will have to catch the shows tomorrow. It will probably be a must to add to my Christmas crafting collection.

This is a fabulous set of cutting files in SVG format. SVG files are so versatile and can be used on many other electronic cutters, not just the Brother ScanNCut, e.g. Silhouette (with the Designer Edition software). There is a great deal on the ScanNCut machine too!

Here is a brief tutorial for my Victorian Lantern TV show sample. Anne x.

Materials:

• Christmas USB (SVG files) from the Cutting Craftorium
• Brother ScanNCut CM300 cutting machine
• 12 X 12 inch card approx 220gsm: White, light blue, Kraft card
• Battery operated T Light
• 4 X 6mm clear glass crystals, gold plated headpins and jump rings
• Flat nosed and round nosed pliers (for adding crystal drops)
• Fake snow (Pinflair Snow Dust)
• Clear embossing powder with blue glitter (Debbi Moore Print Magic)
• Gold ultra thick embossing granules (Debbi Moore Metal Magic)
• Versamark Inkpad and embossing pen
• Brown pencil
• Glitter glue (aqua and crystal clear)
• Gold gilding wax (Pebeo)
• Acrylic glue (Cosmic Shimmer), 3D glue gel (Pinflair) and red liner tape (strong double sided)

How to make it:
It is a bit tricky to write an exact step by step but hopefully I have given enough info for you to make something similar and adapt it to your own taste x.

Generally my settings for around 220 gsm card is: Speed 5, cut pressure 0 or 1, blade depth 5 or 6. It will vary with card thickness and structure (density etc.). If you are a newbie, or trying out a new batch of card, use the test cut function to try out settings – then record for future reference.

Note: I have edited and resized various files to create this project. Remember to save the files as you go so that you can use them again. I reload designs as I go to judge and resize subsequent pieces.

Load the star cake stand, group together, turn 45 degrees and enlarge all elements together to fit the 12 X 12 inch mat. Cut twice from blue card. Glue 2 layers together for added strength and leave dry. Note: I am using this upside down for my lantern stand.

Add Versamark ink to the stars and around the circular base, and heat emoss with thick gold embossing crystals. These give a nice vintage look. Slot together using a little acrylic glue to hold. Rub over some gilding wax. Note: keep the cut out star waste – great to use on another project.

Load the Victorian Lantern, enlarge slightly, and cut 1 base and 8 sides from Kraft card. Trim the tab sections off 4 sides and glue to tabbed sections (for added strength), leave to dry. Apply Versamark ink and heat emboss with the clear glitter embossing powder. Drop on some of the gold embossing crystal and melt. Glue together and finish with some blue glitter glue and gilding wax.

Load the Victorian Lantern Ornate Detail and resize to fit the lantern window. Cut X8 from Kraft card. Glue 2 layers together and dry (4 finished pieces). Heat emboss with the gold crystals adding more layers for a smooth covered metallic finish. Glue to lantern.

I used elements from the Matchbox Dioramma (Woodland Reindeer Scene) to decorate the Lantern windows: Load the reindeer (Layer 4) and resize to fit lantern window. Cut X 4 from Kraft Card. Trim the antlers away from 2, glue 2 layers together (for added strength). Add a little shading with brown pencil and clear glitter glue for sparkle.

Load the grass border (Layer 5) and resize to wrap around the T Light. Add 4 more and resize to fit inside the lantern windows. Used double sided tape to cover the candle. Glue grass borders inside lantern windows. Glue the reindeer in place.

Load the trees (Layer 2) and resize to fit inside the lantern windows. Cut X 4 then trim with scissors and glue inside the windows.

Next add the little crystal drops to the ornate elements using headpins and jump rings. I trimmed the front one and pierced a hole to attach the crystal so that it hung above the reindeer. Note: if you prefer just use some thread and tie on your crystal drops. Flat backed gems would also look nice.

Cut some small tabs in waste blue card and use them to make small right angle brackets to glue the lantern to the base (these will be fairly well hidden under the lantern base).

Cut several sets of the Poinsettia in white card, Poinsettia Foliage (Poinsettia folder) in blue and Kraft card. Shape the elements lightly, layer up and decorate the lantern. Glue fake snow to the poinsettia centres.

Cut several sets of Holly Leaf and Berries from the Cracker Toppers (Crackers folder) in blue and Kraft card. Shape and use to decorate lantern as desired.

Finally finish with plenty of fake snow and glitter glue.