Dare To Dream Card

Another of my Spin & Splash creations. This time the background was done on silver Mirri Board and incorporated some metallic Inks also. The finish on the silver Mirri is quite reflective and looks completely different to the gloss cards.





I matted the 4x4 inch background on maroon cardstock and trimmed to size. I then threaded a short length of 5mm satin ribbon through a cork 'buckle' and applied this to the base of the matt by wrapping the ends of the ribbon behind the background and securing with double sided tape. This was positioned so that a piece of vellum printed with the words 'Dare To Dream' could be threaded beneath the ribbon and secured vertically on the reverse of the front of the card with DS tape. The card itself was made from a piece of pearlescent pink cardstock which was trimmed to size and scored.

Spin 'n' Splash Card

Here is my first card made using a spin 'n' splash background.

I Used a 4x4 inch background rounded the corners and applied an image from Crafty Individuals with tacky glue and allowed this to dry. Then I matted this onto plain mauve & then pearlescent pink cardstock using DS tape. This was then applied to a 5x5 inch card made from pearlescent purple card and the word 'Dream' applied with black and gold epoxy stickers.

Acetate ATC's

As part of a recent UK Stampers swap I made these three acetate covered ATC's. Each had a stamped background with embellishments applied before covering with a piece of acetate which had been coloured with various Ranger Alcohol Inks. The acetate was held in place with eyelets in each case.

Spin 'n' Splash Backgrounds

Everyone but everyone, is trying this technique at the moment. So I thought why shouldn't I?

In fact, I remember when it was the 'in' thing to do at stalls at the seaside ( I am very old :D). Perhaps not so refined as modern day alcohol inks and craft techniques which I have used here. All these are done on 4inch x 4 inch cards of various materials.

This is really the first time I have experimented with my spinner from WH Smith at £4.49 !!!!! I am quite pleased but do need to do a lot more stuff before I have perfected my technique.

Canvas Tag

This tag was inspired by a challenge on Talkcrafts Forum and was kindly hosted by Glynis and my thanks go to her for hosting.

The tag is cut from canvas and has been decorated as follows: I tissue stamped two images, the Angel by Crafty Individuals and a word background with blue Stazon ink. These were then cutout. Meanwhile the tag was first sponged with chalk inks to obtain the desired effect. A coat of matt mod podge was applied thinly and quickly and then the tissue images applied over this with more mod podge, ensuring no air bubbles between the canvas and the tissue. The whole thing was allowed to dry thoroughly. The diamonds were stamped with black Stazon and a text stamp was overstamped with Brilliance pearlescent sky blue ink which I heat set. I then used the sewing machine to sew corresponding sides with a close zig-zag stitch in dark blue thread. Finally applying a beige eyelet to the hole in the tag and embellishing with assorted purple fibres.

Stunted Wings Card

This card was a while in the making. Some time ago I bought a couple of wing stamps and whilst trying them out (the stamps not the wings !!) Used some brush markers with water based ink and brushed on colour then stamped on light cream card and when dry spritzed with water and dried off with a heat gun then cut them out. This gave a watercolour effect on the background. I came back to the wings recently and applied glossy accents and then Gutermann seed beads as an embellishment, finally edging the wings with gold Krylon pen. They sat there for ages. Then I bought some more background stamps (rulers) and produced a mat which I edged with Versamark and dipped in gold detail EP and heat embossed it. Then I used a winged man/woman stamp from Paper Artsy and stamped with Adirondack espresso ink on cream card and varnished with matt modpodge. When dry I again cut out the image. I then used a cream card and applied Ranger distress ink in aged mahogony direct to the edges of the card. I then chose a stripey printed paper from DCVW cut to size and distressed the edges with sandpaper before applying to the card at an angle with double sided tape. I then applied the rulers mat with DS tape again off centre, the wings with foam pads and DS tape and the winged man/woman with foam pads. I then used MM magnetic alphabet stamps to stamp the words 'STUNTED' & 'WINGS' in black Stazon to finish. Only 'cause I thought the wings on the man/woman stamp were stunted ! and needed something to give them substance.

A weird one, I know................but I like it nontheless.

Two ATC's

Here are yet another two ATC's, done for a UK Stampers Swap, themes are Boys & Red.

Accordian Book in a Box

This is the undecorated version of my first attempt at a Accordian Book in a Box. The idea came from www.craftweekly.com and I really enjoyed doing it although it did prove tricky when it came to putting the folded pieces together. I persevered and managed it eventually, but I think it's marvellous that the whole thing can be done without any glue at all! I do, however, need to decorate this now and will post again when this is done.

The box was made using K & Co. 6x6 inch scrapbook papers by Brenda Walton (Brianna). The concertina inserts were made with Moss green pearlescent card and Maroon plain card and I added liners for both the top and bottom of the box in the pearlescent card to cover the interlocking papers inside the box to provide neatness and stability. These were glued in place with PVA adhesive.

My next box will be stamped and decorated but I think it's important to understand which surfaces of the papers will be exposed for viewing and which will not. The box I have pictured will help me understand the surfaces available for decoration.

VERY CHINTZY!!!! don't you think?

Inchies Displayed

Having now received a multitude of Inchies from a number of recent swaps I decided it was about time to make a start to display these. This display is in an altered frame on which I used Ranger Alcohol Ink mixatives in gold, copper and silver. It features 24 Inchies which make a marvelous display. I have used low tack repositionable adhesive so as not to damage the reverse of the tiny works of art.

Secret Houses

Using a dowloadable template I have prepared a couple of Secret Houses. So called because you can fill them with hidden goodies or, if you are a scrapbooker, pop ups with photos etcetera. I have not used any photos on mine but really enjoyed doing them. Click HERE for a link to the Inque site where you can watch a video and also download the template.

I have used Yellow and Mauve card, Ranger Distress Inks, Whispers Dye Inks, various rubber stamps, embossing powders, epoxy stickers, paper flowers and gold dimensional paint (flower centres), Felt hearts,gold rings and flat backed jewels as embellishments, mini tags and ribbons to finish. The tags are held in place with brads.

Oil Pastel Card

This card was made using oil pastels applied on white cardstock and rubbed in by hand to obtain the misty look. This was then overstamped with Black Stazon with a shell stamp and three words. A spotty stamp using Versamark was stamped randomly over the edges of the card and gold embossing powder was then applied and was heat embossed this was matted over pale blue cardstock. The second mat was done using blue dye ink and the same shell stamp and was finished with a bunch of fibres. The base card was sponged with denim Adirondack ink. The left mat applied with double sided adhesive and the right with 2mm foam pads to raise it slightly.

Triptych Card

Here is a card I have completed this morning I used black embossing ink, Stazon, embossing powders, Ranger Distress ink, whispers dye ink and numerous stamps. The purple outside mat is made from a textured background and this has been punched and tied through with purple assorted fibres in 4 places. The inside mat is made from ultra thick embossing and stamping into it whilst hot. Various rubber and clear stamps have been used to decorate both inside and outside and a metallic gold brushpen used to highlight the diamonds on the inside and all edged in Krylon Gold. Closed with two large gold brads and a piece of violet organza ribbon.

Glass Brooch & Tag

Further to my last post, this is the brooch & tag I made and sent to Di as part of the 'Deep Embossing Crystals' Swap this was hosted by Talkcrafts Forum .

Decorated Box

This is a fabulous box and tag received from a Talkcrafts Forum member as part of a 'Deep Embossing Crystals' Swap. Each of the participants was to use UTEE, Opals, Franklin or other ultra thick embossing powder in a project of any type. This absolutely gorgeous box and tag was crafted by Hilda Gale and I am now the proud owner of it. It features 'opals' embossing crystals on all panels and the tag which have been heat embossed and stamped into to give an impression. I think the finish looks 'opulent' and rich. I feel very honoured indeed to have this. Many thanks go to Hilda.

Pendant Gift - Faux Dichroic Glass

Just to show you one of the finished pieces of faux dichroic glass that I have made into a pendant for a friends birthday. I have applied a silver bellcap with epoxy glue and painted the back of the piece with pewter metallic Lumiere acrylic. The chain is a snake chain with a lobster claw clasp.

This Morning I Have Been Doing - ATC's

ILL REPUTE

Details in Vibrancy

Southern

Three to be precise, used gesso and permanent pen with acrylic paints to produce these.

One More Tag

This one was done using a green tag as a base and 8 various stamps. Inks used were mainly Brilliance and ColorBox Chalk. Finished off with a plain pink ribbon and a staple.

Tag Time

Firstly a very Happy Easter to everyone !

Produced four more tags last night using backgrounds made by applying Stewart Gill Alchemy paints. These paints have an interference quality which provides an interesting light play. Colours used were: Afterglow, Solarflare, Mistral & Tranquility (left to right), unfortunately not easily photographed. I used sponging to provide some depth of colours. I then overstamped with a variety of Brilliance pearlescent inks and dried these with a heat gun using mounted stamps from Crafty Individuals . I finished off with some plain coloured ribbons in complimentary colours.

Shell Canvas & Tag

Just bought a couple of 'SHELL' UM rubber plates from The Artistic Stamper . Like them very much and tried out one of the stamps on plate 2 on a 5 x 7 inch canvas. Did the background with Ranger distress inks in pine needles, broken china, weathered wood & shabby shutters to give a subtle and pastel effect. I then sealed this with a spray sealer. I then stamped the shell onto white tissue 4 times using Brilliance pearlescent sky blue and lavender and ColorBox aquamarine chalk ink. I quickly set these with the heat gun before applying with gloss Mod Podge to the prepared background and allowed to dry thoroughly. I then fused some Stewart Gill Peacock fusible fibres by ironing between paper and cut out the seaweed fronds which I applied carefully with glossy accents. I applied silver self adhesive letters to spell out 'Ocean Floor' and completed the canvas with numerous gold 'bubbles' with DecoArt dimensional paint in vintage gold. Finally edging the canvas with Lumiere Sunset gold acrylic paint.

I did a few spare tissue stamped images and applied these to a tag which had been pre prepared with Stewart Gill Alchemy paint in Pacific. I applied the tissue with Evo-Bond PVA sealer this time. I dried with a heat gun and trimmed off the tissue images. Finally edging the tag with Krylon silver and threading with three pieces of silver woven cord. Sort of matches the canvas but is ok as a stand alone tag also.

Dichroic Cufflinks

Two more pairs of cufflinks made using the faux technique.