Dreaming of the Beach card created with stamps from Chocolate Baroque

Good afternoon. Here is another sea themed project. I have stamped, cut out and layered up the shells on this one. I grew up by the sea but now live inland. I really miss being able to walk to the ocean, clamber over the rocks and look deep into the rock pools. Simply magical. Maybe I’ll get to visit this summer?

As the theme on the Simon Says Stamp Blog Challenge (Wed) this week is ‘Layer It Up’ – I have entered this one. I have entered lots this week. Unlike me as I rarely get time but the themes just coincided perfectly with projects I have been working on this week so I thought that I would share.
Materials:

• Seaside Dreams, Underwater and Mermaid Queen stamp sets from Chocolate Baroque
• A5 scalloped card blank (cream), blue card and cartridge paper
• Inkpads: Versafine (Vintage Sepia), Versamark
• Ultra thick embossing powder (UTEE clear)
• WOW Embossing Powder (Daytona Sands)
• Frantage Elements (Stampendous)
• Polyester glitter (clear)
• Ink spritzers (blue mica, opaque white, red, gold mica)
• Coloured pencil (brown)
• Alcohol marker (dark brown)
• Acrylic paint (opaque white)

How it was done:

1. The blue card was spritzed (blue mica and white) and clouds added by sponging white acrylic paint.
2. Shells were stamped onto the background and onto cartridge paper using Versafine. They were coloured with inks and some pencil shading. The shell embellishments were cut out, lightly shaped and glued to the card with 3D glue gel for dimension.
3. When stamping the card background I accidently dropped the Versafine inkpad onto the foreground – eek! No problem, I just streaked more ink across to create added texture and depth to the foreground. I then added a layer of Versamark ink and covered with a layer of UTEE. I also embedded sprinkles of glitter, sand embossing powder and Frantage elements for added texture. Tip: When using UTEE with added sprinkles etc. it is best to apply heat from underneath the card surface to start the melting process (otherwise everything just flies off all over the place – yep done that many times – tee hee).
4. The sentiment was stamped with Versafine onto a strip of blue card, cut out and edged with brown marker. Glued to the card with foam pads for dimension.

Take Me to the Ocean card created with stamps from Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. The sun is shining here today so dreaming of rock pools and the fresh sea breeze – summer is on its way.

This one was created by stamping and adding textural embellishments (created by spreading Soft Form Relief Paste over the stamp) onto a patterned background paper. I also added a little ‘step’ and layered up stamped images in the foreground for added depth.

As the theme on the Simon Says Stamp Blog Challenge (Wed) this week is ‘Layer It Up’ – I have entered this one. I have entered lots this week. Unlike me as I rarely get time but the themes just coincided perfectly with projects I have been working on this week so I thought that I would share.

Materials:

• Seaside Dreams, Mermaid Queen, Underwater and Ammonite stamp sets from Chocolate Baroque
• 8 X 8 inch white card blank, 6 X 6 inch patterned paper from Crafty Individuals (The Seaside), strip of white stamping card
• Soft Form Relief Paste (Silver)
• Inkpads: Versafine (Vintage Sepia), Distress Inks (Forest Moss, Peeled Paint, Wild Honey)
• Gouache paint (white)
• Ink Spray (gold with mica)
• Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen (Clear)
• WOW Embossing Powder (Clear Gloss)
• Texture elements (Frantage)
• Stickles Glitter Glue (Icicle)
• PVA pearls
• Pebeo Gilding Wax (gold)
• Fine tipped marker (black)
• Spectrum Noir Alcohol Marker (dark brown)

How it was done:

1. The front of the 8 X 8 inch card blank was scored at 4 and 2 cm up from the base (sorry that I tend to work in mixed units – depends on what I am doing – tee hee). A 4cm strip was removed from the base of the back. The side of the card was then trimmed away to make square. This created a stepper style card with an approx. 6 X 6 inch panel for the main image.
2. Soft Form Relief Paste was spread onto the Ammonite stamp and left to fully dry. This generally requires overnight or sometimes 2 days (my room has no heating). When dry the flexible paste embellishment was peeled away from the stamp and rough edges trimmed away with scissors. I used a fine tipped pen to add back a bit of detail into the crevices, then rubbed over the top with gold gilding wax.
3. The shell was stamped onto the patterned paper with Versafine ink and heat embossed quickly with clear powder. Thinned gouache was painted over the shell and parts of the background to tone down the printed pattern (gouache is basically an opaque watercolour). I then added some sparkle pen over the shell. Background weeds were stamped with Forest Moss Distress Ink.
4. Peeled Paint Distress Ink was blended around the edges. I also edged with brown alcohol pen to frame before gluing to the card front. The ammonite embellishment was glued with 3D glue gel for depth.
5. The shell border and sentiments were stamped with Versafine and trimmed to fit the front stepper of the card. I used Peeled Paint and Wild Honey Distress Inks and a damp brush to add colouring. I also added a bit of gold mica spritz spray. Brown alcohol pen was used to frame the edges.
6. The sentiment was glued with 3D gel for dimension. The decorative panel was glued to the card stepper. Frantage elements were also added to the base for texture (you could use washed and smashed up egg shells) using PVA glue.
7. Finished with PVA pearls and glitter glue.

Steampunk Travellers Mixed Media Canvas with Powertex

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dreaming of the Beach card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. This one was created using Seashore Scenes and Seaside Dreams stamp sets from Chocolate Baroque.

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

 
Materials:

• Seashore Scenes and Seaside Dreams stamp sets
• 16.5 X 10 cm Kraft card blank, blue card with white core, white stamping card, Kraft card
• Versafine Inkpads (Vintage Sepia and Onyx Black), Distress Ink (Wild Honey)
• Watercolour pen (grey)
• Alcohol ink pen (dark brown) and fine tipped pen (dark brown)
• Clear Sparkle Overlay Pen (Spectrum Noir Sparkle)
• Koh-I-Noor White Charcoals
• Colourcraft Expand-IT
• PVA pearls

How it was done:

1. Strips of blue card were torn and glued to the card to create the sea effect.
2. The gulls were stamped onto white card with black ink and cut out (note: snipped away from their scene sitting on the post). A little grey watercolour was used to add shading. They were shaped and glued to the card with 3D glue gel.
3. The sentiment was stamped onto Kraft card with brown ink, cut to make the flag strip and edged with brown marker. Foam pads were used to glue it down.
4. Expand-IT was added along the waves and heated to make it bubble and create a sea foam effect.
5. The shells were stamped onto Kraft card with brown ink and coloured with a little Distress Ink using a damp brush to blend. Highlights were added with white charcoals and shading detail emphasised using the fine tipped pen. The shell strip was then cut out and glued to the card using 3D glue gel for dimension.
6. Expand-IT was mixed with a little Distress Ink to colour, applied along the base of the shells and heated to make the foreground sandy texture.
7. Clear sparkle overlay was added to the waves and shells, and a PVA pearl added to the central shell.

Beach Huts card created with stamps from Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. I hope that you like this sea themed project created by layering up a stamped and cut out image over a patterned paper background.

As the theme on the Simon Says Stamp Blog Challenge (Wed) this week is layering up – I have entered this one.

Materials:

• Seaside Dreams and Seashore Scenes stamp sets
• 6 X 6 inch white card blank, 6 X 6 inch background paper from Crafty Individuals (The Seaside), white stamping card
• Coloured pencils and watercolour pen (pale blue)
• Inkpads: Versafine (Onyx Black) and dye based (purple)
• Mixed embossing powders and Frantage Flakes

How it was done:

1. The beach huts and sentiment were stamped with Versafine (Onyx Black) and cut out. The huts were coloured with pencils, colouring the background (sky) with pale blue watercolour pen. Colouring the background to blend with the coloured paper made cutting out easier. Dye based ink (purple) was applied with a sponge around the sentiment panel.
2. The embellishments were glued to the card with 3D glue gel to give added depth. Grey pencil was used to add a drop shadow around the beach huts.
3. The foreground texture was created by dropping mixed embossing powders and Frantage flakes into wet PVA glue and heating to melt and bubble.

Seahorse Tag Card created with stamps from Chocolate Baroque

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

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

Materials:

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

How it was done:

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

Sea World Tag Card created with stamps from Chocolate Baroque

Good afternoon. This mini tag card was created with Gothic Fragments (background), Mermaid Queen and Underwater stamps from Chocolate Baroque.

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

Materials:

• Mermaid Queen, Underwater and Gothic Fragments (on background paper) stamps
• 7.5 X 10.5cm card blank, inked background paper from my stash (overstamped with Gothic Fragments texture stamp), scrap and white stamping card
• Inkpads: Versamark, Versafine (Onyx Black)
• WOW Embossing Powder (Gold Rich, Clear Gloss)
• Watercolour and Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens
• Alcohol marker (black)
• Pebeo Texture Paste (Cement)
• Glitter glue (aqua)
• The shell embellishments were made from paper clay and moulds from my stash (coloured with water based inks)
• Texture Stencil (Texturised - Crafters Workshop)
• Recycled fruit bag netting and satin ribbon (red)
• Die to cut tag (Tattered Lace)

How it was done:

1. The background panel was an inked paper from my stash overstamped with the Gothic Fragments stamp. A tag die was used to cut the paper plus a background panel from scrap card (to support the paper), glued together and edged with black marker to frame.
2. Texture paste was applied through the stencil with a palette knife to add a little texture – coloured over the top with sparkle pen when dry (the Pebeo Cement dries very quickly). The shell and weeds were stamped with Versamark and embossed with gold powder. Ribbon and the netting were attached before gluing to the card front.
3. The seahorse and weed was stamped with Versafine and embossed with clear powder. The image was then cut out and coloured with watercolour and sparkle pens.
4. The embellishments were glued down using 3D glue gel. A little glitter glue was added to finish.

Nautical Seahorse card created with stamps from Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. I created this nautical tag card using Underwater, Ammonite and Seaside Dreams (sentiment) stamps from Chocolate Baroque.

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

Materials:

• Underwater, Ammonite and Seaside Dreams stamp sets
• A5 Kraft card blank, card scraps in blue, white and Kraft card
• Versamark
• WOW Embossing Powders (Clear Gloss and Detail White)
• Sparkle brush pens (clear and blue)
• Fine tipped pen (opaque white)
• Bakers twine (red & white)
• Starfish and seahorse embellishments - made from paper clay and moulds from my stash
• Die to cut tags (Tattered Lace)

How it was done:

1. The card background was stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with clear powder. Clear sparkle pen was brushed over the shells and ammonite.
2. A strip of white card was overlaid with small strips of blue and glued to the background to give the striped panel.
3. The starfish was stamped with Versamark, embossed with white powder and cut out.
4. The tags were cut from blue and Kraft card. The images and text were stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with white powder. The seahorse was coloured with blue sparkle pen. Faux stitching and edging were made with the fine tipped white pen.
5. The tags were tied with the bakers twine and embellishments glued to the card front. Foam pads were used to add dimension.

Seaside Mini Hangers created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. I made these mini hangers for the recent sea themed shows. I had so much fun making these, although one of them almost ended up in the bin – tee hee.

On my first project I used stamps from Mermaid Queen, Seaside Dreams, Underwater and the large Ammonite stamp.

1. I started with one of the white board panels (approx. 10.5 X 14.5cm) from a mixed media white board pack (Chocolate Baroque). I used a swirly stencil from my stash and spritzed through the stencil with blue ink containing mica. I then applied blue acrylic paint mixed with sand texture paste through the stencil with a palette knife for texture. When dry I added some sparkle with gold glitter glue and applied silver gilding wax to the edges.
2. I trimmed a piece of greyboard to make the top panel, stamped the sentiment with Versamark and heat embossed with WOW embossing powder (Detail White). Shells were stamped onto the background using blue pigment ink. The edges were finished with silver gilding wax and gold glitter glue. Holes were punched into the header and main panel and they were joined with string for hanging.
3. I applied Hollographic Crystal Gel over the Ammonite stamp surface and left it to dry for several hours before carefully peeling away. I rubbed over the surface lightly with gold and silver gilding wax to emphasise the detail. I then painted the surface with DecoArt Antiquing Cream (Titanium White). After drying I rubbed away the colour from the surface with a damp cloth (this medium remains water soluble when dry – so can be used to add detail to crevices).
4. I applied StazOn Ink onto the Ammonite and seahorse stamps, then I applied Soft Form Relief Paste (Silver) over the top and left to dry overnight. The embellishments were peeled away from the stamp and rubbed over lightly with gold and silver gilding waxes. The seahorse was glued to the background. I used a fine tipped pen to add in a little more detail (the ink didn’t transfer too well).
5. I stamped the shells onto cartridge paper using Versafine Ink (Onyx Black) and spritzed with orange/yellow and gold inks with mica to colour. The images were cut out and shaped lightly using a ball tool and sponge mat. I die cut a decorative star shape from black card and coated with gilding wax. The embellishments were glued in place with 3D glue gel.
6. White pen was used to add highlights to the pearls and seahorse eye, then Glossy Accents added for shine. I finished with some small embellishments created with air dry clay and silicone moulds from my stash.

On my second project I used stamps from Mermaid Queen, Seaside Dreams, and Underwater sets.

1. I started with one of the white board hearts from a mixed media white board shapes pack (Chocolate Baroque). The background was spritzed with blue ink containing mica. The background weeds were stamped with blue pigment ink and the foreground weeds with Distress Ink (Peeled Paint) and embossed with WOW Embossing Powder (Clear Gloss).
2. I stamped the seahorse and sentiment with Versamark and embossed with WOW Embossing Powder (Silver) and coloured with dark blue sparkle pen then added a layer of Glossy Accents over the seahorse. At this stage it all looked a complete mess and nearly went in the bin – tee hee. I stamped over the top using StazOn Ink (White) and decided to continue with ‘the mess’. Maybe it would be ok when other bits & bobs were added?
3. A fine tipped marker was used to add a drop shadow around the sentiment lettering which made it stand out better.
4. I spread some Viva Décor Crackle Paste (Teal) around the base of the heart and dropped in some blue seed beads for texture. When dry I rubbed over the surface and edges with a little silver gilding wax. I punched a couple of holes in the top to attach a hanging ribbon, and holes in the sides and base for attaching hangers.
5. The seahorses and weeds were stamped onto blue card with White StazOn Ink, cut out and glued with 3D glue gel.
6. The shells were stamped onto cartridge paper and spritzed with blue and gold inks with mica. The shells were cut out, shaped and acrylic modelling paste applied to the backs to make them a little more robust. I applied clear glaze onto the fronts for shine. When dry I created attachment holes and added them to the base of the heart using recycled jewellery chain loops.
7. Finally finished by adding some glitter glue sparkle – just had to be done – tee hee.

Hydrangea Tag cards created for Chocolate Baroque

Good afternoon. Catching up with a little blogging while watching the snow fall outside. Looks gorgeous but rather stay in the warm today.
 
I am sharing some of my samples created with the Hydrangea Tag and Birthday Words stamp sets from Chocolate Baroque.

The first is a birthday card. I used a plain white card blank (approx 12 X 17.5cm) and added a die cut border to the left edge (Crafters Companion) along with a pretty organza ribbon.

The Hydrangea collage was stamped onto cartridge paper with silver Encore ink and heat embossed with clear powder (WOW Clear Gloss). I used ink spritzers (purple and pale blue) with mica to colour the background. Purple die ink was used to edge the background and to stamp the sentiment.

On a scrap of card the Hydrangea was stamped again with Versafine (Onyx Black) and quickly heat embossed with clear powder. I used watercolour pens and a damp brush to colour, then cut out the flower and lightly shaped before gluing onto the card using 3D glue gel. I brushed over the flower with clear sparkle pen, added PVA pearls and a bow to finish.

I gave my second variation a more vintage feel. The card blank was created in a similar way to above using a decorative die cut border in pearl card.

The Hydrangea collage and tag images were stamped onto smooth stamping card with Versafine (Vintage Sepia). The Hydrangea were coloured with watercolour pens and a damp brush to blend. I brushed over the flowers with clear sparkle pen for added shimmer.

The tag and topper panel were cut out, edges roughened using the edge of my scissors. Antique Linen Distress Ink was blended in around the edges.

The sentiment from Birthday Words was stamped directly onto the card blank with Versafine and quickly heat embossed with clear powder (WOW Clear Gloss).

Finished with a bit of blue glitter glue for added sparkle plus a few faux gems and a bow.

For my third sample I went for a more colourful opulent feel. I used a 15 X 21cm white card blank and light chocolate coloured card to create the background. I stamped the Hydrangea Tag image, and corners from the Breath of Spring stamp set, with Versamark and heat embossed with Wonder Powder (Hochanda Pink). I rubbed the card edges into Versamark and embossed with pink powder.
I used a decorative oval die to cut the frame from black card. Mounted onto pink card and hand trimmed around the edges. Mounted onto the card front with foam pads for added dimension.

Stamping card was coloured with watercolours, painting wet on wet (red, yellow, green). The background was stamped, and overstamped, with Versafine (Onyx Black). The sentiment was stamped from the Birthday Words set. The decorative oval frame die was used to cut out the background image which was then glued into the aperture.

The flower was stamped again onto scrap card and coloured with watercolour pens and a damp brush for blending. After cutting out a layer of Versamark was applied over the image and heat embossed with WOW Clear Gloss powder (this added a shine – not really visible in this pic). The flower was then lightly shaped and glued to the card with 3D glue gel. A little dilute black watercolour pen was used to enhance the shadow behind the flower.

Finished with touches of glitter glue, sparkly faux gems and a bow.

Kanzashi Flower Pincushion

Good afternoon. I entered this pincushion with Kanzashi flower top (tools and instructions from Gina B Silkworks) into the Create and Craft Gallery and to my delight I won Crafter of the Month. How wonderful is that. I got a voucher for £20 which didn’t take me long to spend. I bought some yummy Tilda fabric that I had been eyeing up for a while.

Materials:

• 100% cotton fabrics (mixed red and white – was from Create & Craft but now out of stock)
• Recycled old button, tapestry wool and metallic thread (to make wrapped button)
• Small plain button (for the base)
• Narrow ribbon (gold satin) and faux gem (gold)
• Toy stuffing
• Bradawl (sharp ‘pointy tool’) and tapestry needle (to attach button)
• Kanzashi Project Card Pack
• Kanzashi Hanabira Ruler , Rotary Cutter and Cutting Mat (optional for cutting small fabric strips and squares)
• Kanzashi Flower Making Tool Kit (optional: Gluing Table, Glue Spreader, Turntable and Drying Station)
• Kanzashi Petal Holders (optional: includes Petal Holder and Medium Drying Table)
• Kanzashi Starch Adhesive
• PVA glue (clear drying) and GemTac glue (for gluing gems to fabric)
• Tweezers (for holding and manipulating petals)
• Needle and thread plus sewing machine (optional – could stitch by hand)

How it was made:

1. Four 3 ½ inch squares were cut from the cotton. Two pieces were sewn right sides together to make each cushion pad using a ¼ inch seam, leaving a small gap for turning. The cushions were turned out through the gap, stuffed and the gap hand stitched to finish.
2. The wrapped button was created by wrapping an old plastic button with wool and then weaving with metallic thread. I made this one a while ago using instructions from Gina’s Button Making Workshop Manual. A brilliant book covering thread wrapped buttons, ring buttons, knot buttons and embroidered buttons. Narrow ribbon was thread through and tied to the back of the button. A bradawl was used to push a hole through the pincushion stack and the ribbon passed through with a tapestry needle. A small plain button was used on the base and the ribbon passed through the holes and tied tightly to indent the cushion shape.
3. I used the instructions from Gina’s pattern card pack to make the Kanzashi Flower. I adapted the Maple Leaf Pattern and made 8 sets of petals using the pointed petal folding method. I used 30mm fabric squares for the outer patterned petals and 25mm squares for the inner plain red petals. I used the Hanabira ruler, rotary cutter and self healing cutting mat to cut the squares. These are not essential (you could use scissors) but if you like this craft these are definitely worth getting as they make cutting out the tiny squares so much easier and quicker. Tweezers really helped with the folding and manipulating. Kanzashi Starch is an essential to hold everything in place while constructing these.
4. Although not essential, I found the Gluing Table, Petal Holder, Turntable and Drying Table really helpful too. You sit the petals in a layer of Kanzashi Glue while building more (stops them pinging back open). Petals are then glued in place with PVA onto a scrap of cotton on the Turntable. The built flower is then placed on the drying table.
5. After drying the base cotton scrap was snipped close to the petals. Ribbon and the finished flower were glued to the button and a gem glued to the centre.

Birthdays are Good for You Quick and Easy Card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. This is one of my quick and easy samples created for Chocolate Baroque. You can make it in around 15 minutes.

Materials:

• Lily and Birthday Words stamp sets
• 13cm card blank, white stamping card
• StazOn Inkpad (Jet Black), Versafine (Onyx Black)
• Sparkle pens (green and red)
• Alcohol marker (black)
• (Pencil)

How to make it:

1. Stamp the background card randomly with black ink. Note: I used StazOn as my card blank was shiny (if you are using mat card then Versafine will be ok).
2. Trim the stamping card to fit the front leaving a border and edge with black pen. Draw a circle lightly in pencil and divide into quarters. Stamp using 3 small stamps on the block at the same time and Versafine, turning the card between stamping and stamping into each corner to create a wreath design. Tip: Lay your stamps onto the card placing them around your drawn circle and then pick them up onto your acrylic block. A gridded acrylic block will help you to line up while repeat stamping. Note: This can also be done with a stamping gear if you have one, or using a stamp platform, turning the card 90 degrees between each stamping. Do a quick practice on copy paper to get the placement. You need to leave enough space for the sentiment in the middle. This sounds complicate but it really is easy – honest.
3. Stamp the sentiment with Versafine and colour the images with sparkle pens. Glue to the card front.

Quick and Easy Birthday Card created for Chocolate Baroque

Quick and Easy Buttercup Birthday Card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Another quick and easy make for you.

Materials:

• Fuchsia and Birthday Words stamp sets
• 10 X 14.5cm card blank, white stamping card
• Low tac masking tape
• Versafine Inkpad (Majestic Blue), Distress Inkpad (Tumbled Glass)

How to make it:

1. Apply the masking tape to the base of the card and stamp the buttercups with Versafine ink.
2. Blend Distress Ink in around the edges and along the border using a sponge or blending tool.
3. Carefully remove the tape and stamp the sentiment with Versafine. Glue to the card front.

Quick and Easy Seahorse card created for Chocolate Baroque

This one is a quick and easy make using Underwater and Seaside Dreams stamp sets from Chocolate Baroque.

The seahorse and sentiment were stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with blue powder. The background was then spritzed with blue, green and gold ink sprays with mica. While wet the surface was then puffed with air to move the inks around. Lesley Wharton has demonstrated a similar technique on her shows using a computer keyboard cleaner ‘air spray’ can. I used an ‘air brush’ attachment for pens, but it could be done by blowing through a straw. I used an alcohol marker to edge the card and added PVA pearl bubbles to finish.

Materials:

• Underwater and Seaside Dreams stamps sets
• 15 X 10.5cm card blank and white stamping card
• Versamark
• WOW Embossing Powder (Blueberry)
• Lindy’s Stamp Gang ink spritzers with mica (Time Travel Teal, Azure Sea Asters, Glory of the Seas Gold)
• Alcohol ink pen (dark blue)
• PVA pearls

Lighthouse Scenes created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. Today I am sharing a couple of my recent samples using the Seashore Scenes stamp set (plus Mermaid Queen and Underwater for embellishments). The first is a sunset scene mounted onto a patterned background paper from Crafty Individuals, the second a mini wall hanging.

Sunset Scene Card:

1. The patterned paper was trimmed and edged with black pen to frame before sticking to the card blank.
2. The background was painted with water based inks (orange and yellow) and the image stamped with Versafine (Onyx Black). Some areas of colour were lifted out using water and blotting. The image was coloured with watercolour pens and pencil. White pencil was used to emphasise highlights.
3. The foreground was created using Expand IT tinted with watercolour pen, heated to puff and create the texture. Mounted onto black card to frame and glued to the card with foam pads for dimension.
4. The shells were stamped with Versafine (Vintage Sepia), spritzed with blue and gold ink sprays, cut out and lightly shaped before gluing down with 3D glue gel.

Materials:

• Seashore Scenes, Mermaid Queen and Underwater (for shell embellishments) stamp sets
• 6 X 6 card blank, 6 X 6 background paper (Crafty Individuals – The Seaside), black card and white stamping card, scrap cartridge paper (for shells)
• Inkpads: Versafine (Onyx Black and Vintage Sepia)
• Alcohol ink pen (black)
• Watercolour pens and pencils
• Water based inks (yellow, orange)
• Ink sprays (blue, gold with mica)
• Colourcraft Expand IT (puff paint)

 

The scene looks so different done in an alternative colourway.
Follow the river hanging:

1. The scene was stamped onto whiteboard with Versafine. A fine tipped pen and additional scene building stamps were used to extend the scene. Drawing Gum was used to mask the gull image while stamping the background images (i.e. grasses behind the gull and post).
2. The scene was coloured with watercolour paints. Extra details and texture were added with coloured pencils. Drawing gum was used to mask some areas while painting (e.g. clouds, water highlights).
3. Grey board was trimmed and cut with a rope edger die (top edge) and overlaid with red card cut to match. Holes were punched in the top to tie on the hanging string.
4. The starfish and shells were stamped onto cartridge paper, coloured with watercolour and mica paints. After shaping they were glued to waste acetate pieces with 3D glue gel to make them more robust (particularly as they overhang the ‘canvas’ edges).
5. The rope and ships wheel were cut 2-3 times each from Kraftcard, layered up and glued together to make them more robust. Colouring was added using Distress Ink, glaze and glitter pens.
6. The scene, embellishments and string were glued to the hanging. Finished with PVA pearls and touches of glitter glue.

Materials used:

• Seashore Scenes, Mermaid Queen and Underwater (for shell and starfish) stamp sets
• 15 X 10cm whiteboard shape (Chocolate Baroque kit), Grey board, red card, white stamping card, Kraft card, scrap cartridge paper and acetate
• Watercolour paints and water based paints with mica
• Coloured pencils
• Pebeo Drawing Gum
• Glaze pen (red) and glitter pen (gold)
• Fine tipped pen (black)
• Inkpads: Versafine (Onyx Black), Distress Ink (Scattered Straw)
• PVA pearls and glitter glue (clear)
• Bakers twine (red & white)
• Dies to cut ships wheel, rope edge (top of hanger) and rope embellishment

Floral Rocker card created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. This rocker card was one of my samples using the Tangled Garden stamps from Chocolate Baroque. The stamps went perfectly with one of my embossing folders from Sheena Douglass. Something bright and cheery on a gloomy day x.

Materials:

• Tangled Garden and Words of Inspiration stamp sets
• Hammered card and stamping card (white)
• Inkpads: Marvey Matchables Dye based (Violet), Versamark
• WOW Embossing Powder (Fuchsia)
• Brusho Powder (Purple)
• Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens (peacock, orange, pink and Clear Overlay)
• Gel (orange) and glitter pens (blue)
• Spectrum Noir alcohol pen (purple)
• Fine tipped pen (purple)
• Glitter glue (aqua) and PVA pearls (orange)
• Glycerine
• Glass seed beads (silver lined green)
• Circle Rocker die (Tattered Lace), sentiment panel die (Sizzix)

How it was made:

1. The circle rocker card blank was cut using the die and embossed with the floral embossing folder. The sentiment was stamped with purple ink and cut out. Peacock Sparkle Pen colour was blended over the surface using a sponge. I used the technique recently demonstrated by Sheen Douglass: Add a drop of glycerine to the craft mat and work into sponge. Then pick up some pen colour, after scribbled onto the mat. The glycerine makes it blend onto the card like a Distress Ink.
2. The card and sentiment panel were edged with alcohol marker and the fine tipped pen used to draw faux stitching.
3. The flowers and leaves were stamped with Versamark and embossed with pink powder, cut out and coloured with sparkle, glitter and gel pens. While wet a little Brusho powder was dropped onto the petals for extra colour and texture.
4. The flowers and leaves were shaped and glued to the card with 3D glue gel.
5. Glass beads were glued to the flower centres. Finished with PVA pearls and glitter glue.

Bold Blooms T-Light Holder created for Chocolate Baroque

Good afternoon. This was one of my recent samples using the Bold Blooms stamp set from Chocolate Baroque. I had a bit of fun creating this little T-light holder. The sentiment verse reads ‘Bread feeds the body, indeed, but flowers feed also the soul’.

Materials:

• Bold Blooms stamp set
• 15 X 10cm mixed media white board (Chocolate Baroque), metallic card (silver satin)
• Gesso (Black)
• Inkpads: StazOn (Jet Black), Versamark, Encore (Metallic Silver)
• WOW Embossing Powders (my own mix - pinks and purples)
• Sakura Glaze Pen (pink)
• Lose glitter (silver) and glitter glue (silver)
• Floral stamens (pink, yellow)
• Hot melt glue gun with clear glue sticks
• 2mm aluminium craft wire (Beads Direct) and scrap 0.6mm wire (pink coated)
• Electric T-light (battery operated)
• Jewellery pliers and mandrel (e.g bottle or jar)

How it was made:

1. The base and candle casing were coated with Gesso. The candle was then stamped with the sentiment using silver ink. Tip: roll the candle onto the inked stamp. Alternatively use a separate strip of black card and wrap it around the candle after stamping.
2. The base panel was stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with pink mix powder.
3. The 2mm wire was shaped into a spiral around a bracelet mandrel (use a bottle or jar if you don’t have one). To work harden the wire so that it keeps it shape gently tap along the wire (while still on the mandrel) using a nylon jewellery hammer (or use a wooden hammer, or even your acrylic block if you don’t have these). You will feel it stiffen and it will hold shape better.
4. I made an upright strut (seen just behind the small floral embellishment) and attached using loops created with round nosed pliers. I then used scrap wire to wrap to hold sections together where needed. Don’t worry if this looks scrappy, joins can be covered up later. You just need the structure to hold and not flop or spring around.
5. The images were stamped onto metallic card using StazOn ink and coloured with glaze pen, then cut out. The small leaves were cut from the larger leaf and combined with the small flower to make the small embellishment.
6. The large flower was stamped 3 times and was cut out, snipped into and shaped to make it 3D (i.e. into a cone shape). The outer layer of the large flower was backed with another stamped image to make it double sided (i.e. 2 images used to make the large flower outer). The middle of the third image was trimmed to make a central layer of petals. The middle of the flower was trimmed to leave a hole to glue in the stamens and attach it to wire.
7. Hot melt glue was used to attach the flower, stamens and embellishments to the wire, and the wire structure to the base. I dropped in some glitter before the glue set to add sparkle. Again you don’t need to be super neat with this. I then added blobs of glittered glue along the wire too.
8. Finally I used standard glitter glue to further embellish the flowers and base.

I was really pleased with the result – it has a sort of Indian feel. I may need to make another of these for myself.

Pretty Owl Necklace created for Chocolate Baroque

Good morning. This was one of my show samples using the Bold Blooms stamp set from Chocolate Baroque. I decorated an MDF owl and added it to some recycled chain and bead strings to make a pretty necklace. I made a little gift tag to match.

Materials:

• Bold Blooms stamp set
• Gesso (white) and acrylic paint (turquoise)
• Inkpads: Versamark, Stazon (Jet Black)
• Coloured pens (Pentel – pink and turquoise)
• Glitter Glue (clear)
• Ultra thick embossing powder (UTEE - Clear and Clear with mica)
• Recycled chain and bead strings, clasp findings and jump rings
• MDF owl and mini tag

How it was made:

1. The MDF owl was coated with gesso (primer) then acrylic paint. The image was stamped with StazOn and coloured with pens. A little glitter glue was added for sparkle.
2. When fully dry the piece was coated with Versamark and coated with pearlescent clear UTEE. Two more layers of clear UTEE were added to give a sealed shiny finish.
3. The pendant was attached to the recycled bead and chain to make a necklace, A little gift tag was stamped and coloured to match.

Oriental Mixed Media Canvas with Teneriffe Lace and Powertex

I created this mixed media canvas using acrylic paints and various elements treated with transparent Powertex. Powertex is great for stiffening, gluing down and protecting porous substrates such as fabric, card or wood.

The lace elements were my first attempts at making Teneriffe Lace (yes the lace name has 2 f’s - as in the original spelling of the island) using the newly released looms and instructions from Gina-B Silkworks. I struggled a bit with getting my knotting secure at first (until I read the instructions properly – tee hee), plus my weaving and tensioning was pretty uneven too. My technique soon improved but I wasn’t sure what to do with these first experiments. They nearly went into the bin! However, I then thought of Powertex treatment. The lace would be stiffened and sealed so no worry about any of the knotting coming lose.

The variegated blue threads that I used inspired me to create something with an Oriental theme. Incorporating my ‘imperfect’ lace elements into a canvas was perfect.

I was really pleased with the results and my lace pieces ended up being showcased very nicely.

Materials:

• Teneriffe Lace Complete Starter Kit (comes with Looms 1 and 3)
• Total Trimmings Project Book – Teneriffe Lace (comes with a Heart Loom 11)
• Strong thread (for the holding threads on loom) and pearl 8 embroidery thread (plain blue and variegated blue) for the lace work
• Transparent Powertex
• Card (approx. 230 gsm – white and blue)
• 12 X 12 inch stretched canvas
• Gesso (white), acrylic paint (blue) and Starlight Paint (gold metallic)
• Alcohol marker and PVA pearls (blue) – to colour edges and add centres to flowers
• Bamboo barbeque sticks
• Thread wrapped button embellishment, bead and tassel
• Dies to cut branches and blossoms (mixed brand and Spellbinders)
• Mandala stencil
• Rubber stamp (for background texture)
• Plastic sheeting to protect table and to dry Powertex treated elements
• 3D glue gel

How it was done:

1. The butterfly was created on the outer ring of Loom 3. This was a result of a bit of play and trying out the technique. I didn’t use a specific pattern but added darned areas to get a stylised butterfly shape.
2. The large circular motif was worked on the outer ring of Loom 1 following the design for the Teacup Pincushion Pattern included in the Total Trimmings Book.
3. The 2 small circular designs were again worked on Loom 1 (small inner ring) using the Lace Button Designs included in the book.
4. I treated the lace with the transparent Powertex and laid out to dry overnight on plastic sheeting (Powertex doesn’t stick to plastic). I snipped out the butterfly from my circular lace design. I also cut up some of my rough trial pieces to use as extra texture in the background.
5. The canvas background was painted with white gesso to prime. Rubber stamps were used with acrylic paints to add a little background texture. I also sponged acrylic paint through a mandala stencil to complement the lace elements. Starlight paint (which contains crushed gilding flake) was used to blend in from around the edges.
6. The branches and blossoms were die cut from card, shaped with an embossing tool, then painted with transparent Powertex. Likewise the fan was created using card and bamboo barbeque sticks. Again I treated this with Powertex.
7. Flat elements were glued to the canvas with Transparent Powertex. More dimensional elements were stuck down with 3D glue gel.
8. I also added a thread wrapped button embellishment and tassel. Gina has some wonderful instructional DVD’s and books which are fabulous if you would like to learn these techniques (Making Buttons DVD , Button Workshop Manual, Making Tassels DVD)