tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2436602067585948162024-03-13T02:45:14.833+00:00artfully distressedAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-16382144680531333002013-03-08T11:30:00.000+00:002013-03-08T11:30:06.757+00:00Andy Skinner book of secrets 'feminine' versionOkay, not exactly 'girly' but I made this version of the <a href="http://bosw.andyskinnercrafts.com/" target="_blank">book of secrets</a> using swirls and a butterfly as an alternative to the original version with cogs which had an industrial feel. I have aimed to achieve the look of aged copper patina (its difficult to get a true reflection of the colour here). I'm pretty happy with it. So I now have a pair of these boxes. What I think I will do with them is make 2 mini books to fit the drawers. These mini books will contain old family photos and identify the different people, who they are, perhaps basic info like their date of birth, occupation etc. I'm going to use the original box for the men and the new 'feminine' box for the ladies. That's the idea in my head anyway. We will see what happens. :-)<br />
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-89390663020038706532013-03-07T10:00:00.000+00:002013-03-07T10:00:05.992+00:00Butterfly birthday cardsI made these cards for a couple of February birthdays. The stamps are by <a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/" target="_blank">Indigo Blu</a> - (Wild Meadow and Aloysius - Happy Birthday) and they are coloured using distress inks. I usually just swipe my pads on my craft mat, spritz with water and use a paintbrush, love that technique, so simple.<br />
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-78655168433487763532013-03-06T16:22:00.000+00:002013-03-06T16:22:15.230+00:00Felted notebook coverLast post I talked about making a piece of felt using the techniques described by <a href="http://www.moymackay.com/" target="_blank">Moy Mackay</a> in her fabulous book. This is what I turned the piece into - a notebook cover decorated with free machine embroidery and beading for Mum's birthday present. I used ribbon stitched to the back cover to make a tie closure. (The whole process, felting and making the book cover, was done the same day as despite being quite thick the felt dried quickly on a radiator). <br />
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Detail of the machine embroidery and beading</div>
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Moy's method starts with a base layer of white fibres and I loved the look and feel of the reverse so much that I decided not to back the felt on anything so you can see the stitching.</div>
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For the notebook pages I cut some cartridge paper to size, folded it and pierced holes through and then stitched the pages in.</div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-36929615544123475662013-02-02T16:23:00.001+00:002013-02-02T16:23:11.859+00:00FeltingHad a lovely night last night with a couple of friends - chinese takeaway, few drinks and a chick flick. :-) After a lay in, bacon butty and a couple of paracetamol I thought I'd spend a few hours crafting. Bliss. So this afternoon I took over the kitchen and had a go at some felting. <br />
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I absolutely love this book by Moy Mackay and would love to be able to produce felted pictures even a fraction as good as her designs. I thought I'd follow her instructions from start to finish and learn the process she uses as it's slightly different to what I've done before.<br />
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I had a go at carding to mix colours, it worked okay but I definitely need to practice getting the fleece off the carders, it sounded easy but of the 5 or 6 times I tried once it worked perfectly and the other times not so much. Practice might eventually make </div>
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perfect I guess?</div>
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After laying out the fibres this was my piece before felting:</div>
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I used Moy's tip for applying the soap - mix soap flakes and warm water in a plastic bottle and make holes in the cap so you can sprinkle the soapy water over the picture.</div>
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and scrunched up bubble wrap to rub over the picture</div>
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then a ribbed roller</div>
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then rolling in the bamboo mat</div>
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Here's the finished piece, I'm really pleased with it, just got to dry it out then I think I'll do some free machine stitching over it and hopefully make it into a notebook cover. It's going to be a present for someone special (Mum - hope your not reading this or at least not until after next weekend!). <br />
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-23971099148980992202013-02-02T15:22:00.000+00:002013-02-02T15:22:29.435+00:00Andy Skinner book of secrets <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I signed up to Andy Skinner's online class to make the 'Book of Secrets' a few months ago. I was really pleased with the finished result and apparently so was my brother as he asked me to make him one. So I have been a busy bee this last couple of weeks and here is my second book of secrets all finished & ready to give to him tomorrow. Hope he likes it, I can't help but think it's better than the first one I made, I love the way the cogs on this one interlink. But I'm very attached to the the first one as it was my first experience of trying out the amazing techniques of Mr Andy Skinner. I've just signed up to his 'Book of Ruination' online workshop which starts in march. Can't wait!</div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-29417116412983790562013-01-27T15:25:00.000+00:002013-01-27T15:25:04.137+00:00Silk paper making<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, it's a great time of year to be a crafter, gives me an excuse to stay indoors when its cold and snowing. I'm glad the last snow has all gone here after it rained last night. It was really strange at work on friday night in the early hours of the morning watching it snow, then rain, then snow, then rain again. Make your mind up! Unfortunately, although the rain melted quite a lot of the snow that meant it was really slippery in the morning. I have to say I love the snow - on fields and trees - just not on the roads. My other half has had 1 snow day already when it was too bad to risk driving. I'm lucky enough to live not too far from work. Now that the snow has gone I have been out bulb spotting in the garden. I planted crocus and fritillary bulbs in the lawn as an experiment and I can just see them coming up so can't wait to see that little show of colour. </div>
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I thought I would share some of my work with silk paper which I started last year. I learnt how to make silk paper before christmas at a local community craft group. We used both the dry iron method and the wet (wallpaper paste) method and both gave fab results. I used the dry method to make a journal cover for my textile journal. Here's a close up showing the detail: </div>
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and the whole cover:<br />
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There are pieces of dried rose petals and lavender embedded in the paper with various thin threads, angelina fibres, flower details from net curtains and silver skeleton leaves.</div>
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I loved the dry method because it was so quick to do and not at all messy. Once you have made your layer of silk fibres and any embellishments on baking parchment you spray it with water (or a water based ink, I used antique gold colour spray) to activate the gum in the fibres, place another sheet of baking parchment over the top and iron it. </div>
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I stamped on the paper with a large flower stamp in gold ink to add more interest and mounted the paper on iron on vilene to stabilise it. To make sure all the embellishments stayed put within the paper I used free machine embroidery. I first outlined the skeleton leaves in silver and the flowers in gold. Then I went over the rest of the paper just doing loops. I started off with purple thread (bottom left corner) but when the bobbin thread ran out I thought I'd continue in cream and I love the effect this gives just having one section in purple. </div>
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In class I tried lots of different colours and embellishments and I've put all these in my journal to inspire future ideas. </div>
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I used the wet method with wallpaper paste to make a background for an 8x8 inch summer inspired piece for a challenge set by a textile group I belong to. The poppies were inspired by a piece in stitch magazine but I've used different techniques to make my picture. </div>
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The silk tops used for the wet method have a lovely sheen to them so although its more messy and takes longer I really love this method. I don't think its easy to see on the photo but using netting also gives a slight texture to the finished piece from the pattern of the netting. I incorporated lots of threads of various colours into the paper to give the background and once again mounted on vilene and secured everything with free machine embroidery. Then I hand stitched on the lovely ribbon with leaves all along it and the poppies which are made of 2 colours of cotton. I particularly love the poppy stalks which are recycled bag handles from brown carrier bags couched on by hand. </div>
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If you haven't tried silk paper before its great fun and you can get some very interesting results. It's certainly something I will use again and again. </div>
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-14876970628252404642012-09-13T16:07:00.001+01:002012-09-13T16:07:25.268+01:00Summer spent in the gardenWell it's been a while since I posted, erm okay, a really really long time! So what have I been up to? Well, it was my 30th birthday and I had a garden party (although it was so cold the 'garden' part didn't really take off). Lovely day though.<br />
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And most of my spare time over the summer was spent in the garden. So that's my excuse for not sharing anything crafty. It's been a busy summer. Here's some evidence if you don't believe me! Ha ha. <br />
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This greenhouse was a birthday present from my other half, Martin, and came in handy for growing lots of flowers from seed and then for my veggies. I dug two large veggie plots in the garden too. I've grown tomatoes, cucumbers, radish, lettuce, green peppers, courgettes, carrots and parsnips (which I am hoping will be ready in time for christmas day, yum!). <br />
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And these are my flower borders which had been neglected by the previous tenants for a few years so they were pretty much a jungle of weeds before I started. Prettier now...</div>
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As the spring bulbs are starting to come through I definetly need to get outside and weed and have a general tidy but it will be really exciting next year to see how much of this year's hard work pays off next season too. And there is plenty more garden left that I didn't even manage to get round to this year. A lovely job for the winter months to try and plan what to grow.</div>
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Anyway, back to crafting....I have actually been making things, just havent got around to blogging. Here is something I finished a few weeks ago and just found a use for...</div>
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It's a stitched journal cover made up of scraps of fabric and ribbons and has loads of hand and machine stitching, beads and buttons on it. This is a project inspired by Christine who leads a local craft group that I have started going to at North Hykeham Memorial Hall. The projects are mainly textile based but everyone is at different stages or trying different things and Christine is there to help and encourage. Tomorrow those that want to will be able to learn silk paper making - can't wait. <br />
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I decided to use this as a book to write in my favourite quotes. Here are the first two pages done. They are not heavily decorated, mainly it will just be the quotes but I thought it would be fun to add a little stamping. </div>
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'Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you will land amongst the stars.' </div>
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'No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.'</div>
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Hope you liked my post today, thanks for reading.</div>
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Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-45619103374454190522012-05-21T20:02:00.001+01:002012-05-21T20:02:53.187+01:00Indigo Blu samples<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of cards I made last week for show samples, hope Kay likes them...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Collecting Flowers</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stamps used (</span><a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/?page_id=55" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">shop here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">):</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Collecting Flowers, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take The Time, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sarah's Choice (text stamp), </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Music Hall (swirl)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I didn't use all of the 'Collecting Flowers' stamp here, I wiped the ink off the part I didn't want to give more room for the sentiment. This main image is stamped in archival ink and coloured using various distress inks by swiping them onto a craft mat and picking up colour with a wet paint brush. The sentiment is stamped in FlitterGlu and then I have applied 'Yorkshire Dales' Mega-Flake (both available from <a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/?page_id=50" target="_blank">Indigo Blu</a>). Lastly the swirl and text stamp were stamped with vintage photo and bundled sage distress inks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Write soon</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stamps used (</span><a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/?page_id=55" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">shop here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">):</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Circus alphabet , </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Take The Time</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I stamped the whole alphabet and all the numbers from the 'Circus Alphabet' stamp plate using Faded Jeans distress ink to make a background. Then on a seperate piece of card I stamped the cogs and the 'write soon' sentiment from the 'Take The Time' stamp set using weathered wood distress ink. The hand was stamped in black archival ink and masked and then the pen nibs were stamped in stormy sky distress ink. I tore around the images and inked the torn edges with faded jeans distress ink. </span></div>
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<br /></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-19387502669914922562012-05-15T12:43:00.002+01:002012-05-15T12:43:41.757+01:00Indigo Blu book of stamps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A while ago I set myself the task of stamping each and every one of my Indigo Blu stamps into a cheap spiral bound sketch pad so that I had a quick, easy reference guide to which stamps belonged to which plate. As I was stamping I found seeing the images on the page made it easier to visualise ideas for projects using the stamps. I decided to decorate the cover of the book just for fun and that I would then take the book with me wherever I go so that I can always leaf through and get ideas. For me, decorating the cover was a daunting prospect as by that point I had already stamped inside and I was a bit hesitant to start slapping paint on the cover in case it went horribly wrong. I'm sure many people can relate! Anyhow, I got over my nerves, got out the paintbrush and you can see the result above. I'm quite pleased with it overall.<br />
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Here's what I did:</div>
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As the sketchpad cover had a glossy finish </div>
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and was dark blue and yellow I first applied a </div>
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base coat of gesso and white acrylic</div>
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Next I got out a few colours of acrylic paint and </div>
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just liberally painted the cover in random patterns. </div>
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While the paint was drying I used a scrunched </div>
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wet wipe to remove some of the colour and give</div>
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a bit more texture to the finish.</div>
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I stamped some of my favourite Indigo Blu images </div>
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onto a large tissue using archival ink, tore or cut around </div>
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the images and peeled away the bottom layer so that</div>
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the tissue was just one sheet thick. Then I started to </div>
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lay the images onto the cover.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5tAuCzoM3bQ/T7I8n9_kqGI/AAAAAAAAAgk/tedNPuXgkYk/s1600/20120511_214856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5tAuCzoM3bQ/T7I8n9_kqGI/AAAAAAAAAgk/tedNPuXgkYk/s320/20120511_214856.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Using a brush I applied matte medum to an area </div>
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approximately the size of the image, laid the tissue</div>
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over the top and then painted on more matte medium</div>
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to seal. The tissues go almost transparent.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ulZ8E50Wq0/T7I8wP6YOdI/AAAAAAAAAgs/yjRQ0Q5rXcI/s1600/20120511_215249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ulZ8E50Wq0/T7I8wP6YOdI/AAAAAAAAAgs/yjRQ0Q5rXcI/s320/20120511_215249.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I kept going until I had filled the whole cover and </div>
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left it to dry then I applied another coat of matte </div>
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medium. Finally I added a title and rubbed Inka Gold </div>
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(in silver) around the edges. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IA0G0OhcXSk/T7I7kQlKeYI/AAAAAAAAAgM/l2FWO-xpmeQ/s1600/20120515_114734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IA0G0OhcXSk/T7I7kQlKeYI/AAAAAAAAAgM/l2FWO-xpmeQ/s320/20120515_114734.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Inside the book:</div>
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A useful project but good fun and I got over my fear about decorating the book cover!<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-75529433765208082812012-05-10T20:57:00.002+01:002012-05-10T20:59:40.152+01:00More Pan Pastel fun and the new Indigo Blu sewing plate...I've just shared these two cards on the <a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/?p=1836" target="_blank">Indigo Blu blog</a> as I used the new 'Sewing Mends the Soul' stamp plate. Check out the blog for full details of how I made the cards and loads of other inpiration for Indigo Blu stamps. I had great fun creating these cards last night and practising with my Pan Pastels. I also found my Pan Pastel colour boards (see post below) really useful for picking which colour to use. So that's great they are not just for decoration! <br />
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For this card I used Magenta Tint Pan Pastel to colour the </div>
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edges of the card that I stamped on. I love how easy it is </div>
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to get smooth, even coverage. (It is actually more pink in </div>
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'real life' honestly, the camera doesn't do it justice really). </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x-wK8_GyD30/T6wZvr2YkcI/AAAAAAAAAfw/MjGHQDalEYY/s1600/20120510_164754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x-wK8_GyD30/T6wZvr2YkcI/AAAAAAAAAfw/MjGHQDalEYY/s320/20120510_164754.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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On this second card I used Turquoise Pan Pastel and created </div>
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a background with the thimbles and tape measure images from </div>
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the sewing plate by first applying an even coverage of Pan</div>
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Pastel, then stamping with versamark and carefully adding </div>
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more of the colour over the top. The versamark picks up more</div>
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of the Pan Pastel colour so these areas are darker. Really easy </div>
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background. Just 'set' the image with cheap hairspray.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-61kEQkhV0uI/T6wZ8CRvdvI/AAAAAAAAAf4/cl-d6Kljb3Y/s1600/20120509_232342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-61kEQkhV0uI/T6wZ8CRvdvI/AAAAAAAAAf4/cl-d6Kljb3Y/s320/20120509_232342.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Finally here's a birthday card I made with a Pan Pastel background using a mask. Basically a larger version of the sample pieces I made for my colour boards. Tim Holtz butterfly stamps and the Happy Birthday is from the Indigo Blu stamp <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1477248928">'</a><a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/?page_id=55" target="_blank">Aloysius / Happy Birthday'</a> which as well as the sentiment has a lovely teddy bear image. The silver strip is double sided tape covered with <a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/?page_id=50" target="_blank">Sheffield Steel Mega Flake</a> from Indigo Blu. <br />
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<br /></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-45403895980654459612012-05-02T17:16:00.003+01:002012-05-02T17:16:42.291+01:00WOYWW 2/5/12It's wednesday so it must be time to share what's on my desk today. To have a nosy at some other desks join the fun at Julia's blog <a href="http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/whats-on-your-workdesk-wednesday-152.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I have been playing with Pan Pastels this week, yummy! I want to get to know how to use them and so was practising a technique that Lin Brown uses a lot, (check out her blog for loads of great inspiration at <a href="http://yoursartfully.blogspot.co.uk/">http://yoursartfully.blogspot.co.uk</a>). <br />
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<br />Basically you put a layer of pan pastel on to your smooth card using a sponge and then dab versamark through a mask before putting more pan pastel of the same colour over the top. The colour will come out darker where the versamark is so it gives a really nice effect. Spray with hairspray to fix and stamp over the top. I used archival ink and the stamp is from a paperartsy hot picks plate. I have 12 colours of Pan Pastel at the moment so I decided to make these sample boards so that I could see how all the colours look using this technique. I think my favourites at the moment are the first three here...<br />
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I really like them all though, might save up for some more bold colours like orange, red and yellow.<br />
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<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-53519200687192727072012-05-01T17:32:00.001+01:002012-05-01T17:32:31.298+01:00More Creative Chemistry 101 tagsHope everyone had a fab easter. I've had a busy few weeks at work (fire brigade) and in the garden when it hasn't been raining. I have also been to visit my brother and sister-in-law near Preston and me and Martin spent a day in Scarborough the weekend before last and although, yes, it rained, we had a fabulous time as always. <br />
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Scarborough </div>
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So, not so much crafting done the last few weeks hence the absence from the blog but I'm determined to make up for lost crafty time and get loads done this week.<br />
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I thought I'd share some more of the tags I've made using the techniques from Tim Holtz's online class.<br />
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Day 3 using archival and alcohol inks</div>
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Day 4 using re-inkers</div>
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I've also been playing with Pan Pastels. Something to share soon I hope. </div>
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<br /></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-28563973553167880622012-04-07T17:17:00.001+01:002012-04-07T17:23:05.859+01:00Happy Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qm4hjSFIPlM/T4BlXg4HE8I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/lyfjoIjNrYA/s1600/20120407_154410+CROPPED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qm4hjSFIPlM/T4BlXg4HE8I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/lyfjoIjNrYA/s320/20120407_154410+CROPPED.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy easter everyone. These are some simple easter decorations I made to bring some of the bright spring colours from the garden inside the house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><strong>Supplies for eggs:</strong></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Polystyrene eggs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Heavy duty tissue paper - (I found the packing paper you sometimes get inside new shoes ideal for this)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">PVA/Matte Medium</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Paint e.g. Lumiere</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">thin ribbon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 flat headed pins</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><strong>Instructions:</strong></u></div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cut desired length of ribbon, make a loop and pin each end of the ribbon close together at the top of the egg with the loose ends of ribbon facing the opposite way from each other to make a neat loop.</div></li>
<li>Cover egg with torn tissue paper and PVA / matte medium making sure to cover pin heads and ribbon so that they are totally hidden.</li>
<li>Allow to dry</li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Paint</div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><strong>Supplies for flowers:</strong></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Small amount of yellow felt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Felt flowers with cut out centres</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">ribbon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Strong glue</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u>Instructions:</u></strong></div><ul><li>Cut circles from the yellow felt</li>
<li>Glue together 2 flowers with a yellow circle in the middle and a loop of ribbon from one edge</li>
</ul>Done!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-23607917776682126602012-03-31T19:28:00.000+01:002012-03-31T19:28:41.639+01:00Creative Chemistry 101 day 2 tagsJust a quick post to share my day 2 tags from Tim's online class. I know I am doing these out of order - just picking whatever medium I fancy that day. Really enjoyed doing these techniques with the distress ink pads. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was my favourite background and I thought the stamp complemented it very well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-65VRhwCmv8E/T3dLXlSWcQI/AAAAAAAAAcA/zCpZlyie38A/s1600/20120329_222250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-65VRhwCmv8E/T3dLXlSWcQI/AAAAAAAAAcA/zCpZlyie38A/s320/20120329_222250.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
I loved it so much I made it into a card.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MIkPUY8cn3E/T3dLmNpaswI/AAAAAAAAAcI/W8Eb0jLwYN8/s1600/20120329_213632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MIkPUY8cn3E/T3dLmNpaswI/AAAAAAAAAcI/W8Eb0jLwYN8/s320/20120329_213632.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-21020447542480647942012-03-29T14:01:00.000+01:002012-03-29T14:01:52.305+01:00Creative Chemistry 101 day 8 tagsHad a go at the paint tags last night from day 8, here are my attempts...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr3xkd_WmOg/T3RafAU4GcI/AAAAAAAAAa4/eJYC6b9tK5s/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr3xkd_WmOg/T3RafAU4GcI/AAAAAAAAAa4/eJYC6b9tK5s/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used watercolour paper and a paperartsy stamp for the dabber resist technique. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AVgSXteyamM/T3Ra3MaRp7I/AAAAAAAAAbA/MewCdVJOJwg/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AVgSXteyamM/T3Ra3MaRp7I/AAAAAAAAAbA/MewCdVJOJwg/s320/004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
My first attempt at rock candy crackeglaze was on the letters. I was too impatient and tried to dry it with my heat tool. It just doesn't give the same effect so I tried it again on the heart and left it to dry overnight. I decided I like both effects though.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rxZgkeG4mM8/T3RbmtCPuDI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/fuNGaW5uh4w/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rxZgkeG4mM8/T3RbmtCPuDI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/fuNGaW5uh4w/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s_ZpWjGa6M4/T3RcShewkUI/AAAAAAAAAbY/gerhcGvfjLg/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s_ZpWjGa6M4/T3RcShewkUI/AAAAAAAAAbY/gerhcGvfjLg/s320/003.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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Published my first blog post for the Indigo Blu design team yesterday. See the pics of some of my favourite samples <a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/?p=1660" target="_blank">here</a>. I'll be back there soon with a tutorial. <br />
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</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-15036720226418835422012-03-28T13:32:00.001+01:002012-03-28T13:34:30.617+01:00WOYWWCan't believe it's wednesday already, where did last week go? I have been playing with the techniques from day 5 of Tim Holtz's online class 'Creative Chemistry 101' so that is what is on my desk today...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q83yGAAjTRs/T3L--D1KrnI/AAAAAAAAAaY/9fwNNfXA5bA/s1600/28.3.12+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q83yGAAjTRs/T3L--D1KrnI/AAAAAAAAAaY/9fwNNfXA5bA/s320/28.3.12+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Here's a close up of my tags<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QpuA4ghY68U/T3MCB8SMp0I/AAAAAAAAAao/CHJOOpgVUcI/s320/28.3.12+2.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the tag on the left I used Inkylicious flower stamps, Indigo Blu tree and a Personal Impressions butterfly. Middle tag I used Indigo Blu stamps, tag on the right a copy of Tim's as it was sooo nice so just Tim Holtz stamps. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also did you spot the tins in my window. They are from Tesco, I thought they were fab, not sure what I am going to put in them yet. Any ideas? Other makes of tins are also available. ;-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t--BiUUIMsU/T3MDsOwsj8I/AAAAAAAAAaw/WurwyZGVbd0/s1600/28.3.12+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t--BiUUIMsU/T3MDsOwsj8I/AAAAAAAAAaw/WurwyZGVbd0/s320/28.3.12+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
If you want to have a look at what is on other people's workdesks this week or join in the fun yourself then pop over to Julia's blog at <a href="http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/whats-on-your-workdesk-wednesday-147.html" target="_blank">Stamping Ground</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-43682701263410562602012-03-26T08:00:00.003+01:002012-03-26T08:00:00.487+01:00Jubilee themed scrapbook page & NEC photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lBhn6MdpaBg/T28JJBHmUZI/AAAAAAAAAZY/CPbwo_26ryg/s1600/IMG_0022a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lBhn6MdpaBg/T28JJBHmUZI/AAAAAAAAAZY/CPbwo_26ryg/s320/IMG_0022a.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of you may recognise this page from the </span><a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WOW embossing powder</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> stand at the NEC where you could pick up the accompanying instruction sheet. I just thought I'd answer one of the questions that came up and also show you a couple more pictures which might make the technique clearer. Any more questions leave me a comment and I'll reply asap.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>What Dies did I use? - </strong>The dies I used for the banner are from Whimsy stamps. I got the die set from my local craft store but there is a link </span><a href="http://whimsystamps.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=877&zenid=bb7b36653ca06c6e45d0fc0d19f12a1f" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to the product on the Whimsy stamps website.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are the instructions for anyone else who is interested plus photos:</span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; page-break-before: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Step 1 – Choose your background paper (I used Bazzill Dotted Swiss in a dark cream). Decide on the position of your photo and title.</span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; page-break-before: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Step 2 – Using masks (e.g. Tim Holtz) or alphabet stickers position your title. Using a sponge dabber quickly apply versamark ink generously around the letters and then remove the letters while the ink is still wet. Apply <b><a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/wh00-ebony-72-p.asp" target="_blank">WOW Ebony</a></b> embossing powder, (tap off the excess and return to the pot), and heat. </span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gcGNkkftqDc/T28NRuB0A-I/AAAAAAAAAZg/UgIDggr3_uw/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gcGNkkftqDc/T28NRuB0A-I/AAAAAAAAAZg/UgIDggr3_uw/s320/IMG_0003.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sorry, not the easiest colours to photograph! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-caBNkwbdXgA/T28NZSyLPYI/AAAAAAAAAZo/1LvleIytmLc/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-caBNkwbdXgA/T28NZSyLPYI/AAAAAAAAAZo/1LvleIytmLc/s320/IMG_0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NFjFUWsGAqs/T28NemP4cTI/AAAAAAAAAZw/Ba9hsY3z0Lg/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NFjFUWsGAqs/T28NemP4cTI/AAAAAAAAAZw/Ba9hsY3z0Lg/s320/IMG_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Step 3 – Stick your photo down using your chosen adhesive e.g. double sided tape. Add stitching around the edge of the page if desired. </span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Step 4 – To make the banner first cut a number of rectangles of white card slightly larger than the die(s) or size(s) required. Apply <b><a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/index.asp" target="_blank">WOWembossing powders</a></b> in a number of colours e.g. </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_643802302"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Metalline</b> </span></a><b><a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/wg01-red-68-p.asp" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Red</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/wh01-apple-red-75-p.asp" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Apple Red</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/wk13-azure-102-p.asp" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Opaque Primary Azure</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/wg02-dark-blue-69-p.asp" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Metalline Dark Blue</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/wd03-metallic-blue-54-p.asp" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Metallic Blue</span></a></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">. For some of the pennants apply embossing powder to give a solid colour. You could use one of the WOW Ultra high powders (e.g. Apple Red ultra high), use triple embossing, or both! To triple emboss - first apply versamark, then embossing powder, tap off the excess and return to the pot, heat the powder, whilst still hot apply more powder. Repeat the process for 3 layers if desired. For other pennants use <b><a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/stamps--blocks-36-c.asp" target="_blank">WOW background stamps</a></b> e.g. <b><a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/funky-border-strips---me-clear-stamp-set-819-p.asp" target="_blank">FunkyBorder Strips</a></b> or <b><a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/vintage-wallpaper---sw-clear-stamp-set-807-p.asp" target="_blank">Vintage Wallpaper</a></b></span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></div><div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Step 5 – Use the die and a suitable die cutting machine and cut out the pennants. <em>**I cut the top edge off some of the scalloped pennants to make a medium size.**</em> If not available use scissors to make a template out of thick card and cut around this. Attach the pennants to string to make a banner using double sided tape, (apply the tape over the edge of the banner from the reverse and then fold over the string). Add a knot at each end of the string and adhere banner to page using foam pads to give dimension.</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8k0s6v72Yjs/T28N9L-B4PI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/ODhTFcm7qzw/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8k0s6v72Yjs/T28N9L-B4PI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/ODhTFcm7qzw/s320/IMG_0017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Step 6 – Finish by adding themed embellishments of your choice. <em>**My buttons are from the Papermania Portobello Road collection.**</em></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Photos of my projects on display at the NEC...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KtgghFOOzwU/T28SEzF54TI/AAAAAAAAAaA/NgF5hwNQrtc/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KtgghFOOzwU/T28SEzF54TI/AAAAAAAAAaA/NgF5hwNQrtc/s320/001.JPG" width="236" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJHto40UCWc/T28SGfmYpRI/AAAAAAAAAaI/ELlSY4VmOek/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="109" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJHto40UCWc/T28SGfmYpRI/AAAAAAAAAaI/ELlSY4VmOek/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3CRgCOiwEiM/T28SHpHSg2I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/F0u4pzhmkxQ/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3CRgCOiwEiM/T28SHpHSg2I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/F0u4pzhmkxQ/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-89184099810010959422012-03-25T12:25:00.002+01:002012-03-25T12:59:37.915+01:00Scrapbooking by extending the photograph with embossing powdersThis is a layout I made for display on the <a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/index.asp" target="_blank">WOW embossing powders</a> stand at the NEC this weekend.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKzMaE_lP74/T275aTm0ysI/AAAAAAAAAYc/Ev5V14xzAYI/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKzMaE_lP74/T275aTm0ysI/AAAAAAAAAYc/Ev5V14xzAYI/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As some of you who have read my blog before may know, as well as papercrafts I also enjoy textile art and quilting. The inspiration for this page actually came from a textile course I took last year at <a href="http://www.thebramblepatch.co.uk/" target="_blank">Bramblepatch </a>- 'Blending photos with thread painting' with Brenda Boardman. We learnt in class how to print a photo onto canvas and then use free machine embroidery to extend the photo and 'blend' it into the larger background piece. When I picked up this photo to create a scrapbook layout I realised it had some elements which would be ideal for this technique but using embossing powders instead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's easier to see what I mean on the close up photo...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GIXiYAnPqkY/T27894dMeZI/AAAAAAAAAYs/4AX0ekFx2M0/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GIXiYAnPqkY/T27894dMeZI/AAAAAAAAAYs/4AX0ekFx2M0/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I extended the red carpet and brickwork from the bottom and sides of the photograph.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the red carpet I used <a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/wh01-apple-red-75-p.asp" target="_blank">Apple Red</a> embossing powder. I cut two pieces of card and laid them on to the page at the same angle as the carpet in the photograph. I then applied embossing ink in the gap. Allow the bottom edge to be less neat as it looks better than a straight edge. For the brickwork I used <a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/wc06-metallic-platinum-51-p.asp" target="_blank">Metallic Platinum</a> in the super fine grade. I made the lines using a ruler and embossing pen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Easy! Dig out those photographs with elements that can be extended into the page. I'd love to know how you get on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>Other elements on the page:</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chipboard hearts covered in <a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/ws13-red-glitz-140-p.asp" target="_blank">Red Glitz</a>, <a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/wh01-apple-red-75-p.asp" target="_blank">Apple Red</a>, <a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/wh08-burgundy-red-88-p.asp" target="_blank">Burgundy Red</a> and <a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/wp06-red-puff-ultra-high-117-p.asp" target="_blank">Red Puff</a> embossing powders. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Twiddleybitz chipboard scroll covered in <a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/wc05-metallic-silver-4-p.asp" target="_blank">Metallic Silver Ultra High</a> powder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll be back tomorrow with some additional notes for anyone who picked up my Jubilee layout instruction page from the NEC. </div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-63893875821492566542012-03-21T16:20:00.001+00:002012-03-21T16:21:27.193+00:00WOYWWWell, after joining in the WOYWW fun 3 weeks ago I haven't had a chance since but I'm back today. I'll try and visit as many as possible. If you don't know what I'm talking about pop over to <a href="http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/whats-on-your-workdesk-wednesday-146.html" target="_blank">Julia's blog</a> to find out more. Here is my desk today...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IIqzs9VqWbI/T2n9ZY2xE7I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/1VuqhFvamkc/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IIqzs9VqWbI/T2n9ZY2xE7I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/1VuqhFvamkc/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the back are my distress inks. I added a few colours to my collection at Harrogate and then was trying to figure out how to store them so I made all the labels and they are going to sit on my desk permanently. Then I can just grab the colours I want. I also have various dies out and the <a href="http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/whats-on-your-workdesk-wednesday-146.html" target="_blank">Indigo Blu</a> stamps that I need to make the next lot of samples. Yikes - which have to be posted tomorrow! You can also see my sketchbook though where I have been jotting down some ideas. If only there were more hours in the day and I didn't have to work I wouldn't be so late doing them....wish me luck! Have you seen the new Indigo Blu stamps? Yummy. Anyway, best go and get stamping, I'll drop by as many desks as possible tonight. </div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-69869660180661832572012-03-19T17:15:00.000+00:002012-03-19T17:15:24.451+00:00AFTH WorkshopsSorry I have been awol for a while, I have been so busy creating design team samples but I'm not allowed to share them yet! I made 3 new scrapbook layouts for <a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/" target="_blank">WOW embossing powders</a> which will be on their stand at the NEC next weekend and I have just posted my next batch of 12 cards for Indigo Blu ready for Wednesdays Create and Craft show. They are launching some fabulous new stamps - check it out at 11am or visit their website <a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. I'll also be doing my first blog post for Indigo Blu soon. <br />
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I did find a bit of time to just play on Saturday though. It was the GNPE show at Harrogate this weekend and my friend Sharon and I were going so we decided to drop in at Art From The Heart in the morning and take the opportunity to do a couple of the taster classes. We did the same last year when it was their 10th Anniversary and had such a good time we couldn't resist going again - especially when the classes are so cheap!<br />
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Each workshop was an hour. First we had Dyan, (owner of Art From The Heart and now a Ranger designer), and we played with her new line of sprays and stamps.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-48GFu8hBbZc/T2dlNjsR8eI/AAAAAAAAAVg/bfPW65s5vKs/s1600/20120317_110151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-48GFu8hBbZc/T2dlNjsR8eI/AAAAAAAAAVg/bfPW65s5vKs/s320/20120317_110151.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kj6phISH9Zw/T2dkJfeU33I/AAAAAAAAAVY/Ln_B_pMhc0o/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kj6phISH9Zw/T2dkJfeU33I/AAAAAAAAAVY/Ln_B_pMhc0o/s320/038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next, after a break to browse the shop and samples, we had a workshop with Kate Crane. Her sample was made using Dy's stamps but when Kate said we should feel free to have a look through the stamps on the shelves in the classroom and use those instead I went straight for the Stampotique range. Love these stamps but as they are wood mounted they cost a bit more so I need to save my pennies. Using them was such good fun though they are definetly on my wish list. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's my version, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wPtBkMvwLiM/T2dnlmXMXUI/AAAAAAAAAV4/G7r6Ii4aLCw/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wPtBkMvwLiM/T2dnlmXMXUI/AAAAAAAAAV4/G7r6Ii4aLCw/s320/035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YqkvzKnPGio/T2dn1RpQV0I/AAAAAAAAAWA/piN1ajj8WFE/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YqkvzKnPGio/T2dn1RpQV0I/AAAAAAAAAWA/piN1ajj8WFE/s320/037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D0zDLShcS0I/T2doC5V2Z_I/AAAAAAAAAWI/dmXlIZ3yFTQ/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D0zDLShcS0I/T2doC5V2Z_I/AAAAAAAAAWI/dmXlIZ3yFTQ/s320/036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Like many of you out there I have also signed up for Tim Holtz's first online class. It started today, I haven't had much chance to look yet and this week will be busy but I have some leave coming up so you know what I'll be doing! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-14349184807195022022012-03-02T16:24:00.000+00:002012-03-02T16:24:39.872+00:00Stitched postcard #1 - felted flowersThose of you who read my WOYWW post will know that I mentioned a piece of grey felt that was waiting to be sprayed with colour sprays. I was really pleased with how that worked, I sprayed several different colours on and then used kitchen towel to dab off the excess. Once dry this gave a really pretty background. <br />
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I've finished the project this afternoon. (Should probably have cleaned the house - oops!) It's a stitched postcard, (or artist mailing card). The basic idea came from a book called 'Stitched Postcards' by Christa Rolf. This inspired my layout of 3 felted flowers with free machine embroidery, the rest just came together as I played. <br />
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I took my sprayed felt and dry felted, (i.e. with a felting needle), 3 flower heads on to the background by laying red, yellow and orange wool fibres in a spiral. Then I used free machine embroidery to go over the flowers and to decorate the background. For the flower stems rather than use more felt I found an old paper bag handle (knew this would come in useful one day!). I cut slits in the felt to poke the ends through. <br />
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Once I had worked out where all the stems would go I cut a leaf shape from brown card to match and stitched this on with the machine first. I then put the stems back in place, couched these on by hand and added wooden beads to the flower heads.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pMwAIK-2BM8/T1DyTC-KDlI/AAAAAAAAAVI/RmoaP4xE9gw/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pMwAIK-2BM8/T1DyTC-KDlI/AAAAAAAAAVI/RmoaP4xE9gw/s320/IMG_0018.JPG" uda="true" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-__aA9i7fjKA/T1DygDJ3CnI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/UIssYpvotOU/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-__aA9i7fjKA/T1DygDJ3CnI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/UIssYpvotOU/s320/IMG_0019.JPG" uda="true" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The word ribbon seemed quite fitting since I love free machine emboidery, mixing textiles with paper, beads, the colours on this piece, the felting - I love it all really.<br />
The flower heads had popped up a bit when I embroidered them so I decided to exploit this before sewing the backing on by adding some wadding behind them. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope you like the finished piece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XHGQUy63tdg/T1Dxwc_gGyI/AAAAAAAAAVA/FK32AiyroCI/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XHGQUy63tdg/T1Dxwc_gGyI/AAAAAAAAAVA/FK32AiyroCI/s320/IMG_0017.JPG" uda="true" width="213" /></a></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-16442369090560738232012-02-29T08:50:00.000+00:002012-02-29T08:50:25.693+00:00WOYWWI am a WOYWW newbie but I have been a fan of 'Whats on Your Work Desk Wednesday' for a long time, well before I started my own blog, and I thought this week I would be brave enough to join in. Hop over to <a href="http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/2012/02/whats-on-your-workdesk-wednesday-143.html" target="_blank">Julia's blog</a> to join in too or just to have a nosy at some other desks. <br />
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This is the desk in my craft room<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7NuHbisqT9o/T01RZpnIcII/AAAAAAAAAUQ/MKhuL5Jgvts/s1600/IMG_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7NuHbisqT9o/T01RZpnIcII/AAAAAAAAAUQ/MKhuL5Jgvts/s320/IMG_0173.JPG" uda="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
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I have taken some time out from design team work for the last couple of days and have been indulging myself playing with my sewing machine. I am all ready to try out some felting next so the rather boring looking grey felt will (hopefully, if it works) be coloured with sprays and then I am going to add some felted flowers and finish with free machine embroidery over the flowers and background. Or at least that's the idea! Perhaps I can share the results next week...<br />
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Well that wasn't terribly exciting so here is a couple of pics of my shelves too<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xiICG4uLJ_I/T01RswjRGZI/AAAAAAAAAUY/ckQfy8g7fzQ/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xiICG4uLJ_I/T01RswjRGZI/AAAAAAAAAUY/ckQfy8g7fzQ/s320/IMG_0164.JPG" uda="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSDQfXLxIpA/T01RxaltUyI/AAAAAAAAAUg/rAIXASuQEuI/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSDQfXLxIpA/T01RxaltUyI/AAAAAAAAAUg/rAIXASuQEuI/s320/IMG_0165.JPG" uda="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Some class projects on display there from LB Crafts, Artsycrafts and classes with Kay from Indigo Blu. The printers tray in the bottom pic holds all sorts of treasures many of which are metal detecting finds which I snaffled from my other half. It also holds the metal stamps that my friend Louise got me from Portabello Road. Room for lots more treasures yet. <br />
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Finally this isn't on my craft desk it's actually in what is supposed to be the dining room. I have temporarily taken over the space so I can leave my sewing machine out. I am just a beginner when it comes to textiles and last night fitted the walking foot on my Janome for the first time so that I could practise quilting.<br />
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Ta dah!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LJeQB0BChJk/T01TnUO42HI/AAAAAAAAAUo/9gIgMY2mi7M/s1600/IMG_0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LJeQB0BChJk/T01TnUO42HI/AAAAAAAAAUo/9gIgMY2mi7M/s320/IMG_0176.JPG" uda="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Okay, so it's easy when you know how but I didn't! Resorted to Google as I had no instructions with the foot. This is what I will be quilting when I am brave enough...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWxODc9-bVY/T01UKSW9ajI/AAAAAAAAAUw/629pbaAvA2k/s1600/IMG_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWxODc9-bVY/T01UKSW9ajI/AAAAAAAAAUw/629pbaAvA2k/s320/IMG_0175.JPG" uda="true" width="213px" /></a></div><br />
The blocks are not perfectly lined up but I made this over 4 years ago and it was my first ever attempt at patchwork so I can forgive that. This must get my record for length of time as an unfinished project but that won't be the case for much longer. I just love the bright colours. It's based on a design in 'Quick, Colourful Quilts' (edited by Rosemary Wilkinson). <br />
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Hope you enjoyed your visit.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-69396209576573483922012-02-28T22:00:00.003+00:002012-02-28T22:00:01.028+00:00Scrapbooking layouts with WOW embossing powders and Tim Holtz masksI decided to create scrapbook pages for my WOW submission... check out my post on the 22nd Feb over on the <a href="http://wowembossingpowder.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">WOW design team blog</a> for more details on these first two pages which I made using their great range of fluorescent embossing powders.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7IRDR6dw0s/T008Ydg9l5I/AAAAAAAAASQ/nGJ-RkmZwjo/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7IRDR6dw0s/T008Ydg9l5I/AAAAAAAAASQ/nGJ-RkmZwjo/s320/021.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HnyXX-RBizY/T0089Y-L5PI/AAAAAAAAASo/YIzHOEIaVaY/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HnyXX-RBizY/T0089Y-L5PI/AAAAAAAAASo/YIzHOEIaVaY/s320/026.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">For this next page I decided to go vintage and try something different using my Tim Holtz masks and metallic embossing powders.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ez2AnYaxVg/T008naba60I/AAAAAAAAASY/C0Jzks6FbVU/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ez2AnYaxVg/T008naba60I/AAAAAAAAASY/C0Jzks6FbVU/s320/043.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IMIEsJ5M9qk/T00_fssCFrI/AAAAAAAAASw/ONxu-TqvlE4/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IMIEsJ5M9qk/T00_fssCFrI/AAAAAAAAASw/ONxu-TqvlE4/s320/037.JPG" uda="true" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RK5NhBf9YwM/T00_qT2RRHI/AAAAAAAAAS4/vyasTRYGxMg/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RK5NhBf9YwM/T00_qT2RRHI/AAAAAAAAAS4/vyasTRYGxMg/s320/039.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
To achieve this effect place the mask on to the paper (mine is Papermania kraft paper) and use a sponge dabber to apply embossing ink around the mask. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LbHcKVTocmE/T00_035qdMI/AAAAAAAAATA/78b4FQUNJQ4/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LbHcKVTocmE/T00_035qdMI/AAAAAAAAATA/78b4FQUNJQ4/s320/032.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then apply your chosen embossing powder and heat set. I used <a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/wc02-metallic-copper-30-p.asp" target="_blank">metallic copper</a>, <a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/wc03-metallic-brass-46-p.asp" target="_blank">metallic brass</a> and <a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/wc06-metallic-platinum-51-p.asp" target="_blank">metallic platinum</a>. To make the letters of the title stand out more I went over this area with Vintage Photo distress ink. To finish the page I layered my photo onto sheet music and patterned paper and added ribbon, snap fasteners and tissue tape to complete the look.<br />
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Here is a little pic of my samples on display at the trade show. I couldn't make it to see them in person this time but a colleague on the design team shared this... (sorry about the quality - copied from facebook)... <br />
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Finally, (and I know these aren't scrapbooking layouts), check out these cool gift tags I made using the fluorescent powders and the <a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/gratitude---clear-stamp-set-758-p.asp" target="_blank">Gratitude stamp set</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dCLqVr4Gah0/T01DuyFEmqI/AAAAAAAAATI/KowuNxPbbQo/s1600/20120219_172408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dCLqVr4Gah0/T01DuyFEmqI/AAAAAAAAATI/KowuNxPbbQo/s320/20120219_172408.jpg" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-81452687257154725692012-02-28T21:37:00.000+00:002012-02-28T21:37:00.913+00:00Stitches and Create and Craft - Indigo Blu design team samplesI have had a busy time recently finishing design team samples for Indigo Blu and WOW - firstly, in the run up to the NEC show, then for my individual blog post for WOW (22nd Feb) and then samples for last sunday's Indigo Blu show on Create and Craft.<br />
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Here are a few pics of my Indigo Blu samples...<br />
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'Love to Create Canvas' - stamps used <a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/?page_id=55" target="_blank">Sarah's choice</a>, <a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/?page_id=55" target="_blank">Yorkshire Evening Post</a>, <a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/?page_id=55" target="_blank">Discover Your Passion</a>, <a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/?page_id=55" target="_blank">Crackleglaze background</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lMCCtkOv0qM/T01GjKi9TRI/AAAAAAAAAUA/YwImeAG-jR4/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lMCCtkOv0qM/T01GjKi9TRI/AAAAAAAAAUA/YwImeAG-jR4/s320/IMG_0020.JPG" uda="true" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/?page_id=55" target="_blank">Grand Tour II</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/?page_id=55" target="_blank">Grand Tour III</a></div><br />
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</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-243660206758594816.post-75128377012891710862012-02-20T19:55:00.001+00:002012-02-20T19:56:12.640+00:00Altered Alice - Hearts challengeI'm having such fun creating an entry each month for <a href="http://alteredalice.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Altered Alice</a> challenge. If you love all things Alice In Wonderland themed then check out the blog for some great inspiration and why not have a go yourself! <br />
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This months theme is Hearts. I love using my <a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/" target="_blank">IndigoBlu</a> stamps for these challenges. This month I decided to take all the things which are constantly on my workdesk for making design team samples and create something just for fun with them. I've used IndigoBlu <a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/?page_id=50" target="_blank">FlitterGlu and Mega-flake</a> and my <a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/" target="_blank">WOW embossing powders</a> as well as a cuttlebug embossing folder. I couldn't live without my cuttlebug, (doesn't stop me wanting a Vagabond too though obviously)!<br />
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Here is my entry:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kc7_D31v4P8/T0Kbi-8ir-I/AAAAAAAAAQg/biY1gsUpQ6k/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kc7_D31v4P8/T0Kbi-8ir-I/AAAAAAAAAQg/biY1gsUpQ6k/s320/IMG_0029.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've used the rabbit stamp from the Alice II plate by <a href="http://www.indigoblu.com/" target="_blank">IndigoBlu</a>. I stamped it with embossing ink and then carefully poured <a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/wh00-ebony-72-p.asp" target="_blank">WOW Ebony embossing powder</a> where I wanted it on the image avoiding the centre area where the hearts are. I tapped off the excess powder and poured <a href="http://www.wowembossingpowder.co.uk/wh01-apple-red-75-p.asp" target="_blank">WOW Apple Red embossing powder</a> into the centre area and heated. I then used my WOW embossing pen to go over the lines in the centre which needed to be black and added another layer of Ebony embossing powder. I stamped 'LOVE' which is also on the Alice II plate and perfectly sized for the banner and embossed this with Apple Red powder. (You have a choice of Love, Art or Happy Birthday which all fit the space - great idea!). </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I embossed a piece of white card using the cuttlebug hearts embossing folder and gently rubbed Barn Door distress ink over the top. After cutting out the stamped image I placed this in the centre. I then covered a small piece of card using FlitterGlu and applied 'Chariot of Fire' Mega-flake which is the most amazing brilliant gold colour. I punched out lots of small hearts and stuck these on using foam pads to give dimension, mounted this finished piece onto a black card and applied double sided tape in two widths at the top and bottom and more Mega-flake over the top.</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37ErXDvO6j8/T0KbxKZrPwI/AAAAAAAAAQo/i-iAZOccHaA/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37ErXDvO6j8/T0KbxKZrPwI/AAAAAAAAAQo/i-iAZOccHaA/s320/IMG_0032.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know it's past the date now but this would make a perfect Valentines card don't you think?</div>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03197800616073175976noreply@blogger.com5