Saturday, 8 August 2009

Masking and stamping = ...

... another tutorial!!

Thought I'd share a little technique I accidentally came up with (although I'm sure someone else actually intended to and did a better job than me!!) but it kept me amused for a hour or so and most importantly its easy peasy!!

So here goes:

Using some whisper white card stock and a large scallop circle die, I ran it through my big shot.


Using a circle cutter, I cut a circle to form the 'mask' from some copier paper.


I adjusted mine to just under 9cm but you can measure it against the scallop circle to get a size that fits in nicely. (Which means you can do loads of sizes!)



Then I put it on top of the scallop circle an held it up to the light so I could position the 'mask' in the centre of the scallop. I then used some low tack tape to temporarily hold it in place.



I found some designer paper that I wanted to use on my final card and collected some inks that co-ordinated with it.
I used Stampin' Up!'s Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Cameo Coral and Bashful Blue.

(I apologise for the colours looking drained in the pictures, for some reason I couldn't get the camera to pick them up, hmm?)


I then chose a large image that would roughly fit into the scallop circle and inked with Old Olive.


With the 'mask' held in place with tape, I stamped directly on top of it trying to aim it so the majority of the image would be inside the circle.


I then carefully removed the 'mask' to reveal the stamped image.


Using the Cameo Coral on a sponge dauber, I positioned the circle which was cut away from the centre of the 'mask' and placed this over the stamped image.


It's pretty easy to position with the image already in the centre, you just need to cover this up.
I then colour tinted the scallop edges.


Using my acrylic block as a palette, I picked up the ink with my water brush and applied to the image.



To finish off my scallop circle, I tinted the edge of it with Old Olive.


When I had covered my base card with the designer card stock and some co-ordinating plain card I then positioned my scallop circle to one side of the card, cutting off two sections that would over hang.


I applied (quite a few - lol) dimensionals to the back of the scallop circle.


I then adhered it to my card base and added some ribbon.


I stamped a sentiment and punched out, then tinted the card with Cameo Coral and edges with Old Olive.


(The sentiment used is from a Stampin' Up! set called Fun and Fast Notes. I used some tape to cover the bottom of the image and inked up the wording, then peeled off the tape and stamped onto whisper white leaving just the sentiment - and in the words of Aleksandr Orlov famed for his appearance in the Meerkat adverts - Simples!! Hehe I Love that advert!!)



And finish off by adhering the sentiment!





I love this technique so much already, here's another card I made using the same technique with a different colour scheme.

On this one I didn't use the negative from the mask and opted to sponge the colour freehand for a different look.


On this card I used some jewels and added clear accents to the image.




You can do this with some many different stamps and I think it adds a bit more interest to some stamps you may have used to death!!

I'll photograph a card I made with another image and upload during the week.

I'd love to see your creations if you decide to give it a go!! Leave a comment with a link to your blog and we can check it out :o)

Thanks for stopping by,
take care
x



Saturday, 25 July 2009

The sun has got his hat on...

...hip hip hip hooorayy!!!!!!!!

Hi all,
I'm typing this weeks post from a sun lounger in Stu's back garden!
- Bliss -
Picture a smoking BBQ in the background with the sound of Now 73 and the birds! {I wont mention the rather loud neighbour who has decided to knock down an inside wall of his house with the loudest drill known to man..!!!} Now where is my cocktail...

So this week it feels as if I've done absolutely nothing except sleep and work, which is about right lol. I've actually managed to make 5 card projects along with organising my birthday night out - why couldn't Stu do that I hear you ask? Because he's a man!!

I'm sorry I've not had a chance to photograph the projects but I've got a little treat that will make you laugh your socks off as it did me when I seen it!!

Feast your eyes on Nicart!!!



It's basically Stu in a wig lmao!

The only problem with this site is you spend hours morphing everyone you have a picture of and at the end of it you feel you really could have been doing something else!

Right then, my veggie burgers are nice and ready so I'll be off!

Next week I'll share Birthday pictures - yay! -

Thanks for stopping by,
take care
x

Friday, 10 July 2009

The big bang...

... and tantrums!

Well, I'm so sorry I haven't blogged for a while, I've been cursed with such bad luck its unbelievable!!

Firstly it started when my laptop cable very kindly hissed and blew up on my leg (!!!) leaving me without a power supply to my life line not to mention a sore leg, it could only happen to me - seriously a couple of years ago my ghd straighteners blew up right next to my face. I'm jinxed!!

Anyway, Stu very kindly ordered me a new cable but I was still without power for a week and with my battery being dead I couldn't do a thing! When it finally arrived would you believe it... the Internet connection in the house couldn't connect - something to do with the micro filter?? - so I had a mini tantrum and was huffing and puffing for a good few days ! Haha, I really shouldn't be surprised, it's just my luck.

So, I'm in the middle of putting together a few tutorials which I hope I'll get a chance to finish soon and will upload.

While I was without the web I decided to bring my Christmas stash out of hibernation (I know, I know but I'm always rushing around at the last minute!!)

I have lots of gorgeous stamps from SU! and some fab forever friends ones from last year but my all time favourite stamp that comes out year after year is my Snow Bunny Bella. I love it soooo much! I've been playing with it loads and will share more cards with you soon.





I can't really grumble about the past couple of weeks, I won 2 sets of Molton Brown gift sets in work and have been pampering myself within an inch of my life :o)

I will upload a few more card samples I've been working one within the week (Internet connection permitting lol)

Thanks for stopping by,
Take care
x

Friday, 19 June 2009

Sniffles and sneezes...

Blah!! I'm feeling pretty sorry for myself all week, gone and got myself a full blown cold !

Haven't felt like crafting a lot this week - what with my runny nose and cheese grater throat - but have made a few little pieces that will share with you soon...

So, I've been meaning to blog about this for a while and completely forgot, the lovely Debbie has passed this on to me so here goes!


The rules are as follows :

- Thank the person for the award -- Thank you Debbie! -

- Post a link to their blog -- Click here! -

- List 10 honest things about yourself -- See below -

- Pass on to 7 people -- Also below! -

1. I am a qualified Make-up artist and have worked on films and TV


2. I sometimes stay up all night (literally through the night!!) and watch TV while I craft..


3. I have been with my boyfriend for 6 1/2 years, [we are high school sweethearts] and he is my best friend, aww... ! Lol


4. I have an addiction to nail polish and have at least 40 bottles of Nails inc..


5. I have the biggest crush on Robert Pattinson (who hasn't?)


6. My favourite chocolate is Bourneville, I could eat it all day every day, yumm...


7. If I won the lottery I'd sort out my family and friends then get a craft room and kit it out till it burst!


8. I have far too many shoes and handbags.


9. I love doggies and adore my little baby Paddy. Any chance I get I'll whip out my phone and bore you all to death with pictures !


10. When I'm cold my nose feels like an ice cube!

-----

So, I'd like to pass this on to the following people:

Bekka

Monica

Alex

Vicki

Caryn

Dawn

Steph

Hopefully I'll be feeling more creative next week and have something to share!

-- Off to try and get some sympathy and chocolate! --

Thanks for stopping by,
take care
x




Wednesday, 10 June 2009

American Adventure !

Hi all,

Hope your well.
Its been nearly 2 weeks since we got back from Florida but I still feel as if I'm chasing my tail !

It was great, we had a wonderful time. The parks were fantastic - I wish we had ones like that over here.

The villa we stayed in was amazing, quite central too. Hoping to go back with a few more couples next year which I'm counting down to.. hehe





I did manage to pop into Michaels towards the end of the holiday but because I treated myself to more than I probably should have while we were shopping, I had to set a budget lol! [See stash below]

I could have spent the whole day there but didn't think it was fair to expect my friends to endure that !



Can't wait to use that Hello Kitty die, been after one for a while :)



And just as we got back our good friends Lisa and Dave welcomed their beautiful baby boy into the world! Congrats guys!

I can't wait to go see him, I've made the new mummy and daddy some birth announcement cards (see below) which were very easy and fun to make. Hopefully I'll get a chance to post a tutorial on this (I keep saying this but I will get round to it!!)






I've also got really into the little punch animals that I've seen videos of on Youtube. You should check them out if you haven't already, and I sent this card off as part of a swap. The sheep are so cute, I love it! Hope you like it too. (Please excuse my messy work area!)



So that's all from me for today, think I need another holiday, phew :)

Thanks for stopping by,
take care
x

Saturday, 16 May 2009

The time has finally come...

and I'm soooo excited!

We fly out to Florida in the morning, for two fabulous, sun and shopping filled weeks :)

I will no doubt be eyeing up all the American craft goodies and promise to share photos with you once I'm back!




Last week me and my dad decided to take Paddy to the woods, he loved it and I managed to get some great photos so will leave you with these until I return.

Thanks for stopping by,
take care
x

Sunday, 3 May 2009

Drum roll please................

I would like to thank everyone who has ordered from me during April.

A list of you all is below.
I used random.org to generate the winning
number
(numbers shown below, all names added twice)


I hope to be able to offer another blog candy competition soon so watch this space!

1. Lynn W

2. Caryn D

3. Rajinder P
4. Lucy W

5. Fiona C

6. Chris B

7. Caroline
C
8. Vicki C

9. Lynn W

10. Caryn D

11. Rajinder P

12. Lucy W

13. Fiona C

14. Chris B

15. Caroline C

16. Vicki C


............. and the winner of my first ever blog candy is...................


Number 8 : Vicki C! Congratulations Vicki.
Ill pop them in the post for you on Tuesday :D


Well that was fun! { note to self : do more!!! }


And some exciting news from Stampin' Up!


If your a scrapbooker and have ever thought about becoming a SU! demo then we have the perfect starter kit designed just for you ! Offer ends 1 June so contact me for more info. And at a reduced price there really isn't anything to lose :o)

Also this month when you buy 3 packs of patterned papers you get a fourth pack free! The papers can be any of the ones in the main catalogue, the mini catalogue and while stocks last the ones on the retired list too so get choosing!


And for those of you who haven't yet visited the Stamp With Us challenge blog pop over there and check what all the fuss is about!

The first live chat and challenge went love on Tuesday night and I was thrilled to be able to take part. It was great to be able to have a live chat with so many people that I otherwise wouldn't have had the opportunity to 'meet' - hello girls!!

We were all sent a small envelope and told not to open until the launch, then at 8pm the challenge went up and we were told to open the envelope and create - but in 45 minutes!!!

So here's my attempt:


and it was surprisingly easy! I was panicking a bit beforehand because I like to be organised and know what I'm doing so I can plan ahead - it was definitely a challenge but so much fun.

Then it was time for the second challenge, which was a recipe and again only had 45 minutes!

Here's my 2nd attempt:


I had a bit of a moment when I couldn't remember where I had put my heat gun and was running around like a mad woman!

I would recommend it to everyone!

I'm hoping to get some more crafting done soon but since my mum has come back from Dubai I've been spending most of my time with her having a gossip, wine and some retail therapy!

Hope you enjoy your bank holiday weekend!

Thanks for stopping by
take care
x