Crafty Folk Shop Of The Week - CereusArt

This Weeks 'Shop of the Week'  is CereusArt  owned by Dana.  

What a wonderful shop full of gorgeous beach and coastal goodies.  The items are beautiful and the photography sets them off a treat too.  Living at the coast myself (although in UK) I find myself drawn to the lovely shells, starfish and all the amazing things that have been created with them.

Dana's Etsy shop can be found here:  https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CereusArt

Now as I was curating a Treasury and needed a theme, I chose Stars, as my eyes were so drawn to the starfish in this shop.  I had a lovely browse through the Etsy shops to find lots of other 'star' items to accompany the starfish.

Hope you enjoy browsing through them all too!! (Clicking' the pics should take you to each one)

'You're a Star!!' by pollypurplehorse

A Treasury created for CereusArt the CraftyFolk Shop of the Week!!

Beach Decor - Large Sugar S... CereusArt $1.5	Sea glass anklet with silver... EgyptianInspir... $15.99	Blue Star Ring, Real Flowers... JustKJewellery $10	Sunset Star Aceo original OO... thecurioustree... $8
50 Celebration card. onelittlepug $3	Modern Mosaic Panel in Blue ... michelewebber $27	Tiny Silver Star Studs DeborahJonesJe... $14	Purple and white felt Christ... SewGifted $9
Small Coin Purse - multi col... moodycowdesign... $10	Clearance SALE Silver stars ... AmazoniaAccess... $8.8	Star Hanging Ornament Pink a... averilpam $4.5	Beach Decor Starfish Canvas CereusArt $10
Sterling Silver 'You'... SilverbirdDesi... $25	bone china Royal Vale Star T... VerasTreasures $18	Felt Star Hair Clip, Baby Ha... ZNextDesigns $6	Verdigris Starfish Earrings ... gimmethatthing $10.85

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Playing with Bohemian Bazaar...Part deux!!

Wow can't believe I waited sooo long to get stuck into this collection and now that I have, I can't seem to tear myself away.  I've admired it for so long, stroked the papers, flipped through both the 12x12 and the 8x8, although I must admit that I haven't opened the little extras like the tags and pockets and chipboard embellishments yet.  Saving those treats for now :D

I like interesting card bases and I'm a bit choosy about quality.  So these elegant step cards from craftwork cards fit the bill nicely.  Again I think the colours of this collection really 'pop' when set off against a good quality intense black.  I've used many cardstocks over the years and never been 100% happy with the blacks.  Not sure why, but it seems really difficult to get a good even black.  So I was over the moon to recently re-discover Papermill Direct.  (Used to buy from there shops instore many years ago)  Anyway, I ordered some black card as part of a 'pick & mix' of 4 colours, which btw were all super quality and colours.  The black really caught my eyes though, at last a proper black to play with and i think it sets off the bright colours perfectly.

For the first card I inked around all the edges of the 'step card', that's quite a lot of edges, so i double-checked to make sure. Also inked up the paper edges using 'Broken China' distress ink before matting & layering the panels onto my new found friend, the black card.  Attached the panels to the card base using a combination of double sided tape and cosmic shimmer glue.  

I die cut the sentiment panels and the black accent shapes and flourishes, again using the papermill cardstock, perfect through my Big Shot.

After assembling the panels and adding the card accents, I turned my attention to the finishing touches.  I knew the card needed something extra, something tactile and to add dimension.  So I took some vintage rose lace ribbon, that was a cream colour, and decided to sponge it with 'broken china' distress ink.  I tapped some ink onto a mat, added a little water and sponged the rose trim all over.  After it has dried a little I then added a touch more of the blue ink (neat this time not watered down) just applying it to the raised edges of the rose folds itself, to add a little more definition.

A couple of wired fabric leaves (from my stash) and some black liquid pearls add the finishing touches.

Blue Roses Step Card

And next up is another step card.  Again using the papermill black card to set off the beautiful colours of the G45 papers.

This time I used 'Spiced Marmalade' to ink all around the card base edges and also the edges of the patterned paper.

Using the same method as before, I dyed my cream coloured American seam binding by adding a little water to some of the ink tapped onto a mat and dragging the seam binding through it, making sure it was completely coloured before setting aside to dry.  I love American seam binding, but I can't seem to find it locally, and am almost out!!  So if anyone can recommend a store for me?  

Okay I assembled the card panels as before using a combination of double-sided tape and cosmic shimmer glue.  I die cut the sentiment panels and some flourishes from black card.

As before, I needed to add something to the design.  I settled on making some die cut roses, using a die that cuts them as spirals, then I inked the cut edges and rolled them up into rose shapes, gluing the bottom of each with cosmic shimmer glue to hold them together.  Now I would normally use a hot glue gun for my rolled roses, but I thought I'd experiment and try the cosmic shimmer glue, and besides I wasn't sure where I last put the glue gun.  Anyway the experiment worked and the roses stayed rolled up in position.  I added a tiny faux pearl to the inside centre of each.  

Now I needed something to help set off my trio of roses.  out came the Big Shot again and I diecut some more flourishes in black and also some trailing ivy leaves in green bazzil cardstock.  I inked the edges of the ivy leaves to dampen down their greenness and co-ordinate with the rest of the card.

I added a bow made with the dyed seam binding and some black liquid pearls to finish the card.

Rose Trio Step Card

 I'm finding it hard to choose my favourite from these two.  They are both standing on my craft table looking at me :D  P.S. I must apologise for the quality of the photos, I'm not a good camera-woman :D

Crafty Folk Shop Of The Week - The Curious Treehouse

Wow a week goes so fast!!  

This time it's The Curious Treehouse that has been chosen as the CraftyFolk Shop of the Week'  Congratulations to Helen who owns this shop, which can be found here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/thecurioustreehouse

The Curious Treehouse not only sells ACEO's and Cards, but lovely digi sheets to download, and all items are in a wonderful style that is instantly recognisable. 

I chose one of the download designs, a lovely Panda themed giftbox, as my inspiration this week for a black & white themed treasury. I'm calling it 'Monochromatic Magic' as the striking contrast looks magical indeed!! 

Featuring lots of wonderful items I found whilst exploring Etsy, I was spoilt for choice and finally decided on this selection.  

Clicking' the pics should take you to each individual item. Lots of lovelies to explore.


 

'monochromatic magic' by pollypurplehorse

A treasury inspired by and created for The Curious Treehouse - Craftyfolk Team's Shop of the Week

Panda Gift Box A4 Digital Do... thecurioustree... $1.4	Black Flowers, Black Fabric ... NurichantCraft... $5.5	I Love You To The Moon And B... missbohemia $8.5	Cathedral window pin cushion... SewGifted $5
Silver Wire Wrap Ring Black ... gimmethatthing $9.85	white beaded wrap bracelet, ... jcudesigns $13	Cotton Wash Set in White & B... UniquelyYourDe... $7	Handmade Potholders, Quilted... LookingGlassDe... $9
Letter L Mosaic Wall Art GreenStreetMos... $40	Monochrome Black Butterfly B... dottiedesignsx... $24.95	Bandana dribble bib (large) ... accidentalvix $8	Pug card - Black & White Pug... onelittlepug $2.25
Steampunk Owl Ultra Slim mob... Loutul $21	Scarf Hand Knitted Lace Fine... ShooglyBeads $40	St David's Day lovespoon... BabanCat $10	Mothers Day Mum Mom and Chil... 78HappinessPla... $8.5

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Crafty Folk Shop Of The Week - Made By Eden Grace

I'm proud to be a member of such a great team over at Etsy, they are the 'CraftyFolk' team and have members from across all different crafty pursuits.   A very supportive team that offer help, advice and share in life's ups and downs, as well as helping to promote their fellow team members.  I was lucky to be chosen as the 'Shop of the Week' last week and it was a wonderfully hectic week for me, lots of Treasuries were made, tweeting, pinning, facebook linking, they all worked so hard, and it was all just for me!!   Thank you all so much :)


And so a new week brings us to a new Shop of The Week, this time it is 'Made By Eden Grace'  a shop owned by Kirsty.  Kirsty makes the most wonderful, beautiful and bright baby toys.  She hand sews them and even personalises them if required. They all have a unique style and I love the cute giraffes and owls, not to mention the little rainclouds.  Kirsty's shop can be found here https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MadeByEdenGrace

My contribution to helping promote the shop was by pinning, faving, tweeting and facebooking and I also managed to create this Treasury, using her beautiful bright creations as the inspiration for the baby theme.

Hopefully, if I've got this post right, then 'clicking' the pics will take you to each individual item. Lots of lovelies to explore.

'Baby it's Bright & Beautiful' by pollypurplehorse

A Treasury for and inspired by Made By Eden Grace, our Shop Of The Week!!

Baby Toy: Rainbow Hanging Pl... MadeByEdenGrac... $9.5	Congratulations New Baby Boy... CraftyMushroom... $3	Knitted newborn baby hat - r... TheYarnOwlsNes... $8	Personalised Kids Banner, Ra... MadeByEdenGrac... $15
Baby Aviator Hat, Pilot Hat,... LookingGlassDe... $10.75	Vintage Inspired New Baby Gi... picocrafts $3.8	Personalised Baby Toy: Name ... MadeByEdenGrac... $15	Hand knitted Baby Shoes, 0-6... Snugglescuddle... $12
Child/Baby Digital Nursery A... UniquelyYourDi... $6	Bandana dribble bib - Big br... accidentalvix $8	Personalised Baby Name Cloud MadeByEdenGrac... $25	Baby Bunting Card - Blue AuntyJoanCraft... $2.5
Pink Baby Card onelittlepug $2.25	Baby blanket, stroller blank... BabanCat $25	Personalised New Baby Girl M... dottiedesignsx... $24.95	Baby hat booties vegan brigh... SpinningStreak $30

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Playing with Bohemian Bazaar...

So I adore Graphic 45 papers and probably not alone in that.  I also have a problem that I can never seem to bring myself to actually cut into them!!  Probably not alone in that either :D.  Anyway, I decided enough was enough, time to just get the papers out, grab some distress inks and have a really good play and experiment the afternoon away.  I found that once I'd made that first cut, inked those first edges, that it became easier to tear more papers from the pads.  G45 papers are famous for having that 'old' look and they even 'smell' like something so vintage and exclusive. But 'Bohemian Bazaar' is just so vibrant, it manages to encompass all that is G45 and yet be something fresh and new all at the same time, sort of a contradiction. People who know me, will know that I am all for 'contradiction'.

So here is the result of my experimental play time, a card that celebrates 'mums', and using an 'old' yet new sentiment, which i thought was perfect for the papers.


Materials Used:
'Bohemian Bazaar' 12 x 12 pad - Graphic 45                         
Black card - Papermill Direct
White scalloped edged card blank
Tim Holtz distress Ink in 'Broken China'
'Onyx Pearl' - Liquid Pearls
Black & White Bakers Twine
Blue and pink buttons
Dark Card Cand - Craftwork Cards
Turquoise Ribbon
Sentiment
3D Foam Pads
Cosmic Shimmer Clear Glue


Tools Used:
Paper Trimmer
Die Cutter - Big Shot 
Accordion Fold Flowers Die Set - Sizzix
Bigz Tag Die Set - Sizzix

some of the materials used

Tips:
Inking around the edges of the white scalloped card blank and the cut edges of the papers helps to bring the design together. I used  'broken china' distress ink, applied using a small piece of cut & dry foam. 

Matting the 'Bohemian Bazaar' papers onto quality black card leaving a small edge all around, helps to frame and set off the bright colours and busy designs.

I die cut strips to create rosette flowers in matching papers from the same range.  I also used some of the strips as they were to add interest to the tags and paper edges.  Again I inked them with distress ink.

Close up

I cut 3 tag shapes with a tag die, one in black card, one in a matching paper from the range, and another in white that had the sentiment upon it.  Inking the edges to lose some of the bright whiteness and tie it into the whole design of the card.

Layering and adding height with 3D foam pads and embellishments really adds to the look.  here I also threaded bakers twine through buttons and the tags.  I also tied a bright turquoise blue ribbon into a bow for the top of the tags and wrapped a piece of the ribbon around a paper panel.

Adding dots of liquid pearls to sections of the design also helped to bring it all 'together'.

When creating the design, i was playing, experimenting and it just flowed. I wanted to not be confined by the straight edges of the mat panel, I chose to make some elements overlap this area deliberately, hopefully adding extra interest.

Overall I am surprised and happy with the result and I'm sure I'll be playing again with this range, now that I have convinced myself that nothing bad will happen to me if I actually do cut into it.

Mums are like buttons Card

New Years Resolution, better late then never....

My New Year's Resolution was to restart my Blog, I know, I know it's now February!!  

The last Blog was a Typepad one and I sort of got fed up of talking to myself there and besides Blogger seems THE place to be these days for crafty bloggy types :D 

So what's been happening in the Pollypurplehorse World?  well back in August I made a birthday card for my Daughter and I started to draft a Blog post shortly after that..........and well I forgot to publish it :D  So here it is:


"My Daughter turned 16 recently and I needed to make a special Birthday Card.  I knew she had a liking for my brand new 'Molly Rules' and 'Max Rocks' stamp sets from 'Visible Image' and so decided to use those as the basis for her card.

I thought a folding kinetic style card would work well and cut Bazzill cardstock to fit the various sized sections of the card.  for the front panel I used a brick stamp and versamark ink, to which I then applied a small amount of pan pastel in 'orange' to give a contrast to the rest of the brick pattern and the barbwire which was stamped in black ink.

'Molly' was stamped onto white smooth stamping card from Oakhouse Studio and I coloured 'Molly' using a selection of pro-markers.  Pan pastels in bright turquoise and pink shades were also used on the card base.  After colouring 'Molly' was carefully cut using a 'Go Kreate' die and the card was assembled. I also personalised it for her by stamping letters to spell out her name and added the '16' in black memento ink too. 

Anyway, Ellie loved the card and was extra thrilled when she found out it had been picked as a winner over at Visible Image.  :)