Saturday, 13 February 2016

Woof You!!

 Project image
I do love sausage doggies, dachshund doesn’t really seem a cute enough word for them.  Anyway I have this fun Dovecraft washi tape and the First Edition Animal themed die set and thought the lovely colours in the new Me to You ‘Sweet Shop’ papers would work well with them, so here’s my doggy themed Valentine card or maybe just a card to send to that special someone whatever the occasion?

Project image

Step by Step:
  1. Take a 6” x 6” square Kraft card blank and place with the fold across the top.  Add a length of the Dachshund printed wash tape across the bottom, smoothing down firmly and then trimming the sides flush with card.
  2. From the Sweet Shop 6x6 paper pack, cut a piece of green striped paper approx. 3 7/8”square.  Mat this onto  a die cut stamp shape cut from lemon paper (Sweet Shop) using the First Edition nesting postage stamp.  Adhere to card front using double sided tape.
  3. Using the First Edition Script alphabet die set, cut letters to spell ‘woof you’ from Dovecraft Chocolate glitter card.  Glue letters in place at top right of paper panel.
  4. Using the dachshund die from the FE Animal themed set, cut 1 from kraft card and add dark brown card to the back to show through the cut outs.  Add to card front using 3D foam pads to bottom of paper panel.
  5. Die cut balloons using the Belle & Boo die set from different pattern papers within the ‘Sweet Shop’ 6x6 pack.  I also cut one balloon from the chocolate glitter card. Glue a length of pink & white twine to back of each balloon then arrange balloons on card front using 3D foam pads to adhere.  Take the lengths of twine and take under the dogs head so they look to be held in its mouth, adding a dab of glue behind head to hold in place then trim twine ends to desired length 
     Project image


    All materials are from +Trimcraft Ltd  and this project also appears in my Trimcraft Design Team Gallery, link here: http://www.trimcraft.co.uk/projects/121361/woof-you-valentines-card-with-sweet-shop-papers-and-first-edition-dies
     
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Friday, 12 February 2016

Aurora's Dream ...with Moroccan Spice


I do love stamping and colouring the Santoro Willow characters and I thought they would work well with the new First Edition Moroccan Spice papers from +Trimcraft Ltd .  For this project I chose the character ‘Aurora’ and coloured her in bright blues and used corals for the flowers as these seemed to work so well with the papers.  I like Easel style cards and the way they pop up to display.

Step By Step:
Create an easel card base by scoring and folding the front of a Dovecraft 6x6” Kraft card blank.  Mat a piece of canvas effect ‘Moroccan Spice’ paper approx. 14cm onto a slightly larger square of blue card (I cut from a ‘True Blue’ card blank) and adhere to inside card using double sided tape.
Cut a panel of orange paper from the Moroccan Spice pad and mat onto blue card before adhering to card front panel.  Cut another panel of blue paper from the Moroccan Spice pad and mat onto blue card before adhering to the back panel of card front. 
Create a mat panel for the front of your ‘easel, cut Kraft card approx. 12.5cm square.  Cut pale patterned ‘Moroccan Spice’ paper to approx. 11.5cm square and mat onto a slightly larger square of blue card before adhering to the Kraft card square.
Using the FE Windows die set cut 1 long window and 1 shaped window from kraft card, add a double layer of Dovecraft vellum to the back using glue to adhere where it won’t be seen, and trim flush with window shapes.  Cut the shaped window again, this time form Moroccan Spice paper and use the waste squares as stained glass by gluing into the window shape.  I added a piece of the ‘gem effect’ paper as the centre pane of ‘glass’.  Arrange the window shapes onto the easel mat and glue in place.
Using black ink and the ‘Aurora’ character clear stamp, stamp image onto white card, also stamp a number of the flowers onto another piece of white card.  Colour images with First Edition Markers, shading and blending as required. ( I used Ivory for skin and a mix of Sienna, Copper, & Coral for hair,blues,reds,greens for dress and flowers, etc). Then outline using the 01 Light Grey marker and add extra highlights using a white pen. When finished cut out the character and individual flowers.
Die cut leaf stems from green Moroccan spice papers using the FE Foliage die set, (cut an extra stem and cut the individual leaves off to use with the stamped flowers) Arrange foliage at left of front panel, add stamped ‘Aurora’ character using 3D foam pads, and flowers and leaves using glue to create a scene in front of the windows.
Take a striped Moroccan Spice paper and cut a strip, attached across bottom of stamped scene using 3D foam pads, it will cover the bottom of the leaves, trim flush with front panel.
Create stopper for easel by matting a thin panel of pale paper to blue card, add a strip of the striped paper onto and then add a die cut loopy border from the FE Borders die set.  Attach this panel to card base using 3D foam pads to give height.
Using the FE Script Alphabet die set, cut letters to spell ‘DREAM’ and glue to card base.  Also add 3 stamped flowers and some leaves from the foliage dies, trimming to size before gluing in place at RH side of ‘dream’.  To finish, adhere a Diamante Charm (Mirabelle) and add Dovecraft adhesive pearls to easel stopper panel and 3 adhesive pearls to top left of front panel. 

Products Used:
 All materials from +Trimcraft Ltd  and the project can also be seen in the Trimcraft DT Gallery link here http://www.trimcraft.co.uk/projects/121282/aurora-s-dream-card-with-first-edition-moroccan-spice-papers-willow-and-fe-di


Thursday, 11 February 2016

Live Your Dreams ... with Moroccan Spice


Hello, today I have a bright vibrant card to share with you.  I am very lucky to get to work with the most gorgeous papers and this is my first make with the new First Edition 'Moroccan Spice' papers from +Trimcraft Ltd 

If like me you loved ‘Neroli’ then you are going to absolutely love these papers too as they have that very special ‘gem effect’ on some of the designs along with some fabulous patterns, textures and finishes.

I chose to highlight one of the ‘gem effect’ papers and didn’t want to cover up too much of the pretty pattern, and so made a simple 4 tile card design set off with FE Dies and a peacock feather to add the focal point.
 
 Step By Step:
  1. Take a sheet of green card from the Dovecraft Premium colour card pack, score and fold in half, then trim down to create a 15cm square card blank with fold across the top.
  2. Cut a sheet of ‘gem effect’ paper from the ‘Moroccan Spice’ 6x6 pad into 4 squares approx. 6cm each.  Mat each square onto a slightly larger square of Dovecraft black card and then arrange squares evenly and equally onto card front using double sided tape to adhere.
  3. Using First Edition ‘Foliage’ die set, cut 2 larger and 1 thinner fern / leaf from green coloured ‘Moroccan Spice’ paper.
    Using Santoro willow die set, cut 1 solid flower from blue ‘Moroccan Spice’ paper and 1 skeleton flower from orange ‘Moroccan Spice’ paper.

  4. Outline all the die cut elements with a Dovecraft Gold metallic marker pen. Add dots of Dovecraft 3D Pearl Effects in ‘Brights Blue’ to centre of orange flower and allow to dry.
  5. Assemble focal point by gently curving the foliage leaves and flowers before sticking down to card front, using 3D foam pads to raise some leaves and layer up the flowers.  Add a peacock feather and 2 leaf design stick pins (willow collection).
  6. Using the Santoro clear stamp set, stamp a sentiment of ‘Live Your Dreams’ using a blue ink onto a pale ‘Moroccan Spice’ paper, sprinkle stamping with clear embossing powder and then heat emboss.  Trim around sentiment and curve before adding to card front.
  7. To finish add some small Dovecraft blue and green adhesive gems to centre of orange flower, in amongst the 3D pearl effects.  Also add 3 small green gems to top right of card.


Products Used:

all materials from +Trimcraft Ltd  and the project can also be seen in the Trimcraft DT Gallery link here http://www.trimcraft.co.uk/projects/121269/live-your-dreams-card-with-first-edition-moroccan-spice-and-dies










Tuesday, 9 February 2016

Love is in the Air...

Hello, I have another make for you this week using Papermilldirect cardstocks.  This week the Design Team are looking at Free Printables and creating Valentines projects with them.  I found a set of printable mini notecards designed by The Tom Kat Studio and available for free from their website. The set I am using is the Printable Mini Notecards - Set #1
These printables are great for quick makes as they print out with 3 mini notecards per A4 sheet, simply download, print, colour, cut out and fold and they are ready to go, or if you have a little more time why not make them into a bigger design as I have done here.

I printed the design sheet off onto an A4 sheet of Papermilldirect Plain White card, there are 3 different designs on the sheet, I chose the Balloon design to work with.  I coloured the balloon using First Edition marker pens in shades of purple and pink, and the lettering in pink and yellow.

I used a light grey marker pen to outline the image and sentiment, then trimmed the image down to just under 3” square. A light grey marker pen was used to outline the cut edge before mounting the square onto a slightly larger square of Papermilldirect  Purple Grape Card.
Using a Sizzix embossing folder with a bubbles design I embossed Papermilldirect Plain White card and trimmed down to approx. 4” square.  I decided I quite liked the debossed side to work with the balloon image and matted it onto a slightly larger square of PMD Raspberry Pink card.

The card base was created by scoring and folding and A4 sheet of PMD Plain White card and then trimming down to create a 5.5” square card.  I added the embossed panel centrally to the card front using double sided tape and used 3D foam pads to adhere the balloon panel to create height.
To finish a touch of white gel pen adds a little highlight to the balloon.Choosing a simple image to work with makes colouring quicker and easier and teaming with a simple embossed panel adds extra interest. I decided to leave the card as more of a 'clean & simple' style but you could of course add extra embellishments or ribbons if you prefer.

Materials Used:
Plain White Card - Papermilldirect
Purple Grape Card - Papermilldirect
Raspberry Pink Card - Papermilldirect
Free Valentines Printables - http://www.thetomkatstudio.com/2013/01/freeprintablevalentinesforparenting
Craft Twin Markers - First Edition
Sizzix Embossing Folder
Double Sided Tape, 3D Foam Pads









Monday, 8 February 2016

Love Grows Here ...


Hello, today I'm sharing another make with the new and very pretty First Edition Love Story papers from +Trimcraft Ltd .  My cards often evolve by way of a phrase and this time in my mind I had the ‘Love Grows Here’ theme to play with.  It also gave me chance to try out the tree shape from the new First Edition Foliage die set and I added little hearts to 'grow' on the tree.

Here's my Step By Step:
  1. Cut a rectangle of peach card from the Dovecraft Premium Colour Card pack approx. 5 3/8” wide by 4 3/8” high. Cut a rectangle of floral patterned paper from the Love Story 6x6” pad approx. 6” wide by 4” high.  Ink around the edges of both with pink ink.
    Pierce holes around the edges of the floral rectangle paper and add faux stitching with a white pen. Mat floral paper onto peach card using double sided tape.
  2. Using the First Edition Border die cut 2 loopy borders from beige Love Story paper and attach across lower section of matted paper panel using glue along the centre section.  Adhere Dovecraft  ‘Love’ printed ribbon across the border slipping the ends under the border end sections and securing with tape at back of panel.
    Attach panel to card blank using double sided tape.  I have used a green scalloped edged 5” x 7” card from the Glad Tidings pack.

  3. Next cut 3 panels, 1 from green card (to match card blank) approx. 3 3/8” wide by 4 ¼” high, 1 from the peach card approx. 3 1/8” wide by 4” high, and 1 from the Love Story pale hexagon pattern paper approx. just under 3” wide by 3 7/8” high.  Pierce holes in pale panel and add faux stitching with white pen.  Ink around all 3 panels with pink ink.  Mat smallest panel centrally onto peach card panel, then adhere onto green panel at an angel (see photos).
  4. Using the Tree die from the FE Foliage die set, cut tree in green card and glue centrally onto panel.  Die cut hearts from pink Love Story paper using Santoro die set and glue 5 small ones direct to the tree, add 2 larger ones raised with 3D foam pads.  Die cut 2 heart borders from the Borders, Frames & Buckles set using 2 of the pink Love Story papers, trim them a little and glue across bottom of tree.

  5. Add the sentiment of ‘Love Grows Here’ to a rectangle of pale Love Story paper, ink edges with pink ink, and adhere to tree panel to look like a tab.  I used my Cricut Explore to write and cut the tab ( If you want to use my file already sized my Design Space Link is here: https://uk.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/35665234  )  but you could type and print out from your computer or handwrite wording if you prefer.  Cut a small piece of Dovecraft heart patterned ribbon, loop it and attach to tab.
    Position completed Tree panel to card front at an angle (see photos)
  6. Take 2 stick pins, a pink heart (Sweet Paris) and green leaf (Willow) and slide & secure into place just behind tree panel where it joins the ribbon border.  A dab of glue or tape just under the head of each pin and under the ribbon will help keep them in place.  Top pins with a little green ribbon bow (Sweet Paris).
    To finish add a small adhesive pearl to ribbon bow and 3 small pearls to top right of tree panel.


Products Used:

Santoro Pearls SNGE003


All materials from +Trimcraft Ltd  and the project can also be seen in the Trimcraft DT Gallery link herehttp://www.trimcraft.co.uk/projects/121223/love-grows-here-card-with-first-edition-love-story-and-dies




Tuesday, 2 February 2016

LOVE a simple Valentines card make

Hello, I'm back again to share a simple Valentines card make with you, and this one could not be more different from the card I posted yesterday.  This week the Design Team are working on Valentines Day cards that are easy to create and do not involve any die cutting or other expensive tools.
For my make I have simply used ready cut scrap booking elements, along with some ribbons and gems from my stash and teamed them with coloured card from Papermilldirect's fab range of colours.
I created a card blank by scoring and folding an A4 sheet of Papermilldirect Baby Pink card and then trimmed it down to 5" x 7" (a standard card size that for quickness will fit into a ready bought or made envelope)
Taking the Hedgehog glittered die cut from the pack I used 3D foam pads to adhere to a slightly larger piece of Papermilldirect Ruby Red Card and then layered again onto a slightly larger piece of PMD Baby pink card this time using double sided tape to create my image panel quickly.
For the sentiment panel I cut PMD Ruby Red card to measure approx 2 3/8" x 2 1/4" and matted this onto slightly larger PMD Baby Pink card the same as previous.  Taking the glittered alphabet stickers from the Sticker book I chose letters to spell out 'LoVe' and as these are self adhesive it is a quick way to create a sentiment.  There are a few different styles of letters in the sticker book to play with and I also added 2 of the arrows to frame the sentiment.
To create the back panel I simply cut a piece of pattern paper to approx 6" x 4" and matted to a piece of PMD Ruby Red card measuring 6.5" x 4.5".  I took a sentiment ribbon from my stash and added it across the paper panel, securing the ends on the back with double sided tape.  The back panel was then adhered to the card front using 3D foam pads to give a little height.
Adhere the hedgehog panel to card front using 3D foam pads so that it sits over the ribbon.  Adhere 'love' panel at an angle using double sided tape, just slipping the corner under the ribbin  at RH side.  To finish I looped pink & white bakers twine round the ribbon and tied in a double bow trimming the ends to suit, and added  3 Self adhesive heart gems to lower RH side of paper panel.
This is an easy make requiring only a paper trimmer (or craft knife and ruler if you prefer) to trim card to size.  Using coloured cardstocks adds more interest to simple makes and using ready die-cut shapes and sticker elements helps to create a quick and co-ordinated look. 

Materials Used:
Baby Pink Card - Papermilldirect
Ruby Red Card - Papermilldirect
Forest Friends 12x12 papr pad - Grace Taylor
Forest Friends Sticker Book - Grace Taylor
Forest Friends Paper Die Cuts pack - Grace Taylor
Sentiment Ribbon, Pink & White Twine, Adhesive Heart Gems
Double Sided Tape, 3D Foam Pads

Papermill Design Team:
if you have a moment, please do pop over and check out the other papermill teamies blogs and see what they got up to this week: 



Saturday, 30 January 2016

One Stamp Event with Oak House Studio


Hello, this weekend is the One Stamp Event from Oak House Studio taking place over Saturday and Sunday. This time the stamp set we are using is the Double Daisy and we are all exploring ways to use the stamp to create with, do pop over to the facebook pages to see the amazing projects, everything from cards, gift wrap and even jewellery have all been created with this versatile stamp set.

I set to work this morning to play with the stamps, inks and embossing powders and have this card to share with you.  I started by stamping one of the large OHS daisy stamps 3 times over a piece of Felt effect cardstock using a versamark embossing inkpad.  I also stanped randomly with the dots texture stamp from the same set, sprinkled with white detail embossing powder and heat set.

Using my largest waterbrush I watercoloured over the stamping using Peacock Green and Paris Pink OHS Colour Chemistry inks, allowing the colours to blend in places to give lilac tones.  The felt texture of the card is very similar to watercolour card and can easily cope with watercolouring.  

Extra detail was added by stamping the dots texture in the lightest blue of the OHS Triple Sky Blues inkpad using a 2nd generation stamping for the background to give a faded look.  I stamped again direct to cntres of the 3 flowers, sprinkled with clear embossing powder and gently heat set to blen in with white embossing.  I also added the texture stamp in blue to the background to add subtle texture.
When dry I then went back in with my waterbrush, this time a smaller one and painted in the petals on each daisy with ink straight from the bottle, 1 in Peacock Green, 1 in Paris Pink and the other in Regal Claret.  When the panel was dry it was trimmed down to approx. 5" square.
The sentiment 'Thinking of you' is also from Oak House Studio and I stamped it in black archival ink onto a scrap of watercoloured card trimmed off the main piece.  Both the daisy panel and the sentiment were matted onto PMD black card.  For the card base another sheet of A4 felt card was scored and folded in half trimming down to create a card of just under 6" square with fold across the top.

I found a sheer black & white polka dot ribbon in my stash and wrapped it around the lower part of the daisy panel, securing ends on reverse with d/s tape before adhering the panel onto my card base.  The sentiment was added on top of the ribbon using 3D foam pads to give height and a little bow from matching ribbon was added to RH side.  To finish I added sequins in pink and teal to the daisy flower centres.

Materials Used:
Double Daisy stamp set - Oak House Studio
Peacock Green, Paris Pink, & Regal Claret - Colour Chemistry Ink in a Bottle - Oak House Studio
Triple Sky Blues - Colour Chemistry Pigment Inkpad - Oak House Studio
Sentiment Stamps - Oak House Studio
 Ivory Felt Embossed Card - Papermilldirect
Black Card - Papermilldirect
Sequins - Dovecraft Serendipity - Trimcraft
Sheer Ribbon
Black Archival Ink, Versamark Embossing Inkpad
White Detail Embossing Powder, Clear Embossing Powder
Double Sided Tape, 3D Foam Pads, Cosmic Shimmer glue