DT post

Hi everyone - well it's been a beautiful day here. Lovely to see the sunshine & the lighter nights & mornings. Hope you are all well.
I am really into ATC's at the moment and am busy entering a few swaps. Have been lucky enough to receive ATC's from as far a way as New Zealand, South  Africa, USA & France. Also lots from around the UK. I love seeing other people's take on a theme.
One of the themes at the moment is to use inchies - ideal for the lovely Stampendous stamps that Julie sent me!
After measuring out my ATC ( 21/2" x 31/2") I picked out some papers from the Forever in Time paper pad,Elderberry, to use as a background. I matted & layered these onto the ATC.
Chose one of the images from the Stampendous Fantasy Tiles stamps & stamped using some lovely burgundy ink. Once this was dry I stamped onto it with some clear Versa Mark ink, then covered with thick embossing powder & heated with my heat gu. I repeated this 3 times to give  me a tile effect.
I went around the edge of the tile & ATC with some gold Rub 'n' Buff.
I stamped the sentiment out onto white card with the burgundy ink, cut out the words & going around the edges with the ink. On the word flowers I went over this with some Ranger Sepia Accents.
I arranged everything until I was satisfied with the arrangement, then attached the tile with glue dots & the words with foam pads.
After looking at all my received ATC's I decided it was time to make something to keep them in. I did make a larger holder but I did not have enough of the paper pad left to cover that one, so I have made a smaller one so I could show it on here.
Here is a pic, complete with little envelopes.

You need some card - I used cereal box card - 11" long  by 3"" wide.
Score at 2", 21/2", 61/2" & 7".
Here's a pic showing the measurements.

Now is the time to cover your holder using any papers & embellishments that you have as it is a lot easier now. I covered mine on the inside too, but you could paint it.
A little bit of hook & loop will keep the box closed.

Next for the little pockets that fit inside the holder.
You need some paper - I used sheets from the paper pad - 6" wide by 4" long.
The next stages are easier to show in pics rather than writing it out.

Once you have done this you will have envelopes to store your ATC's in & these will live in the holder.
Hope you have enjoyed this post & will make some ATC's & enter a few swaps.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,
Bev x

Design team makes..using a Joanna Sheen cdrom

Hello everyone..Genny here. For todays design team make I am using a Joanna Sheen cdrom called One Summers Day. This cd features the wonderful artwork of Barbara Mock, For this weeks make I have made three cards, all using the same image and backing paper. I thought that it would be a nice thing to share and hopefully encourage you to look at how many ways that you can use the same image but make different style cards. The only thing that is different is the way in which I have embellished each card. As you know, I collect cutting dies and always try to buy ones that will work with either my favourite styles of card or will work alongside the ones already in my collection. All the dies that I have used on these cards are from the Signature die range by Joanna Sheen. I like to also create borders that match with the image. On the second card I have created a border that has one strip of lace and the third card has a border with two strips of the same. I love to play around and see what I can come up with.Also I like to use different edging card..on the first card I've used gold mirri and the other two with purple. I try to look at the image and find either a matching card, a toning card or a mirri. When I first started cardmaking, I found this quite hard but the more you play, the easier it becomes. Now I have great fun seeing how many different cards I can make using the same image. This is only one image from this fabulous cd..there are so many it's hard to know which one to pick. I will share some more images from this cd tomorrow.
I love working with these images on a miserable day, dreaming of the warmer weather. It does seem to be be a long time coming. So until tomorrow...take care and happy crafting

DT Post

Hi everyone Bev here with another DT make. Hope you have had a good week & weekend.
I have just discovered this new shaped card - tepee card, so thought I would have a go. I was surprised how easy it was & loved the finished result.
I started by picking which sheets I wanted to use from the Forever in Time paper pad - Elderberry, that Julie sent me.
To make the basic card you need 3 squares of card. The sheets from the paper pad measure 6", so I made the base squares 63/4" from cream card. These squares are creased diagonally, then glued together to make the tepee shape.
The patterned paper is also creased diagonally, but these are cut along the diagonal. These are used to decorate the card.

Here are a few pics to show the stages (sorry about the quality but it was really dull today).

The squares of cut card with the diagonal creases:

How to arrange the squares ready for gluing together:

The patterned paper cut on the diagonal ready for gluing onto the card:

The patterned paper glued onto the card:

 

Now the card is all ready to decorate - you can really go to town on this part, using all your bits of paper up. I made some flowers using the papers from the paper pad using a Marianne Creatables Die - English Rose.

The sentiments are die cut using Tonic dies - everyday sentiments.

I arranged the flowers & sentiments onto the card, added some bling around the bottom. A little Stickles glitter on my roses.

The last thing, to make the card stand properly, is to add some hook & loop at the point where the two sides overlap.

I can see me making this shape card for Christmas cards!

Here are a few more pics.

You can just see the tab of velcro above the roses on the left hand side of the card.

All finished:

I hope you have been inspired to try this shaped card - it looks really good when it's all decorated & stands really well. Also it folds flat for posting.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,
Bev xx

Design team makes...Joanna Sheen

Hello everyone...Genny here. Today for my design team makes, I have been lucky enough to be able to work with this cdrom brought to us by Joanna Sheen. The cd is called Janet Kruskamp...The Collection. There are just so many wonderful images on this cd...I didn't know where to start and when to stop. For some reason unknown to me, this cd came out very quietly and a lot of Joanna fans I know didn't even realise it had been released and are only just discovering it. It has so many delicious images and backing papers on it.A lot of the images have decoupage included on the one sheet, so it becomes a cheap version to print out. There is so much detail in each image..you can imagine yourself there.The only background paper from another cd is on the 2nd card and that backing paper is from another Joanna Sheen cd...The Age of Elegance, another of my favourite cds. This was another cd that arrived very quietly but again has fantastic images and stunning background papers...many of which feature the work of William Morris. In the next couple of weeks, I may do a feature on that cd, as I'm sure many of you would love it. Any of the cds that I use are all available from Julie here at JB-Crafting. Also Julie is a wonderful source of embellishments for your stash...I know because I have many of them in my own.

I'm sorry that it is a short write up today..only I'm having some trouble with my computer..but of course, if you have any queries, pleasedo not hesitate to get in touch with me and I'll be more than happy to help. So until next week..take care and happy crafting.

DT Post

Hi everyone! Sorry about the late post this week -but here it is.
I have used the Stampendous Fantasy Tile stamps & the Forever in Time Paper Collection to make a plain box into something special.
I coated the top with a dark acrylic colour, let it dry then applied some weathered wood medium. Allowed this to dry & then applied a thin coat of white acrylic & watched the magic happen.
I covered the sides & inside of the box with a some of the lovely paper, then covered this with PVA to seal it.
I chose which stamps to use then stamped in various places around the box.
I then went around with my gold Rub 'n' Buff, and some other waxes to give everything an aged feel.
Now I have somewhwere pretty to store my bit 'n' bobs.
As usual I forgot to photograph the box before, but I managed to find a photo on the site where I bought it from. Here it is -

 

Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,
Bev xx

Design team makes

Hello everyone ...Genny here. For todays design team makes I have used a paper pad called Perfect Prints..Blue Dawn. I really loved the papers in this pad and wanted to share with you different ways of using them. For my first make , I have created this little wall hanging for the bathroom. The paper pad has 6 different styles of paper, 5 of each design, and they all tone beautifully. The one paper is covered in dragonflies and it was this one that gave me the initial idea. Over the years I have collected little quotes and have always wondered what to do with them.Well this year I've decided to make little wall hangings for my home. To make the wall hanging. I took a small canvas and covered it with two of the papers, one being the one featuring the dragonflies. I then wrote the quote onto some card and then mounted the saying onto some rainbow holographic. I took some of the same card and mounted some peeloff dragonflies onto it. I cut them out and mounted them onto the canvas. I like the rainbow holographic because the colours change depending on the light.

For my second make, I looked at one of the papers and thought that it had a chinese feel to it, so I decided to use one of my chinese inspired peeloffs to form the focal point on the card. I mounted the paper onto some dark blue card and then put that onto the base card.I stuck the peeloff to some white card andthen coloured it with my copics. I then cut it out and fixed it onto the card. I then took some flower shapes and coloured them to match. I tried to stay within the same colour palate as the colours used in the background paper.

I find it a good idea to have a go with different papers, using them as the starting point for a card..instead of having an image and finding paper to match that image. It's just a different way of looking at your stash and using it in a different way. On days when my mojo has gone off on a trip, I need to do something different and I always find myself looking through my stash and finding a paper that I love and make a card paper led instead of image led. I hope that you all have a great wee..so until next time..take care and happy crafting.

DT Post

Hi everyone! Another weekend rolls around - can't believe we are midway through February already!
I have made a card today using the Stampendous Fantasy Tiles & Forever in Time Paper Collection - Elderberry. All sent to me by Julie - thank you.
I picked out a backing paper - with lovely swirls. I matted this onto some white card.
There is a lovely border stamp that comes with the tile stamps. I stamped this onto white card, using a lovely Burgundy ink, to make a frame.
I picked out the tiles & stamped these onto white card with the Burgundy ink. Carefully cut them out. I matted these onto a smaller piece of the patterned paper using foam pads for a bit of dimension. Inked around the edges. I then matted this onto the white card with the frame.
All this was now matted onto the main card.
I stamped the border stamp onto some white card, but stamped on some scrap paper first to give a faded look. Stamped the sentiment onto this & added this to the card with foam pads.
There are some lovely papers in this paper pack - useful for all kinds of projects. I'd better get my thinking cap on for next week.
Hope you like this week's make.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,
Bev xx

Design team make featuring Joanna Sheen

Hello everyone...Genny here. My first card is made using the wonderful stamp plate from Joanna Sheen. The two stamped images are from the Enchanted Forest range and this stamp sheet is called Magical Day.I have coloured both images using my promarkers and then cut them out. I mounted some backing paper from a wonderful little pad called Perfect Prints..Blue Dawn onto some blue card. I also created a little border using the same blue card. I then added one of my favourite sayings and some peeloff butterflies.

As part of my design team work I was given this little paper pad to work with and I have to say it is such a pretty pad with lots of different papers that will come in so handy in your stash.As most of you know by now and this is one from the Perfect Prints pad...my stash is an ever growing thing and I always keep my eye out for things that I think will come in handy, that are a great price. This pad is just the thing. Below is a card that I was having a little problem with as I couldn't decide what backing paper to use. That was until I looked through this pad. This paper was right to use with this decoupaged image. I was looking for a paper that would allow the decoupage to be the main focus

The decoupage is one from the Le Shu range and as you know I do have a bit of a passion for cats. Sometimes there is nothing better than sitting down, watching the television cutting out some decoupage. If I'm in the mood, I cut a load out and put them into cello bags until I need them.
It certainly keeps me quiet..lol. So until next week...take care and happy crafting

Dt post

Hi everyone! The snow has just about gone here. Hope you are all well & have had a good weekend.
Julie sent me some new crafty goodies! Fantasy tile stamps from Stampendous. As you can see above there are 12 lovely tile sized stamps & one lacy border stamp.
Here is the ATC I made with 3 of the tiles & the border stamp.

I cut out my ATC from thick card, covered it with white card. I picked out 3 tiles to use & stamped them onto white card using blue Distress Ink & cut them out. I edged the tiles with a dark blue marker.
I stamped down the long edges of the ATC using the border stamp & the blue DI.
Placed the tiles onto the ATC using foam pads for a bit of dimension. Added some blue gems for a bit of bling.
Edged around the ATC with a dark blue marker.
I have made this for a swap where the theme is the colour blue.
Hope you like my make this week.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,
Bev xx

Design team make using a Joanna Sheen stamp

Hello everyone..Genny here. I hope that you are all managing to stay warm and cosy. It's very cold here in the mountains of Wales but I have to admit that the snow does look magical. And as far as I can see it's the perfect weather to stay in and craft.

Today as my design team make I have used a Joanna Sheen stamp from her Enchanted Forest range. This particular stamp is on the Magical Day sheet. I have stamped the image using my memento ink pad and have coloured her using my promarkers. I then glittered her dress and wings and cut her out. I die cut a plain oval shape and the created a background on it. I used some paper from my stash to cover the card and then added a glittery peeloff around the edge. I decorated the oval using some die cut ivy leaves and sequin flowers. I then finally added a large die flower, colouring it to match in with the card.

All the little embellishments, can make such a difference to a finished card. As you probably know by now, I love all the little extras. Julie stocks some really wonderful ' just have to have it's' in stock and if you get the chance please pop over to the shop..either online or in person and take a look. It's always worth taking a look at the die cutting dies that are available...they are great to have in your stash as well.

I shall hopefully be back later in the week with some cards from some different Joanna Sheen cdroms. So until then..take care and happy crafting

DT post

Hi everyone - hope you are all well & didn't get too disrupted by the snow.
For this weeks DT project I decided to make a pin cushion using the Stampendous Teacup Cupcake stamp.
I found some lining material & cut myself a piece large enough for the stamp & with a bi extra for seam allowance.
I inked up the stamp using black Stazon ink & stamped this onto the material. It didn't come out very black, as you can see on the cupcake wrapper on the photo.
I coloured the image using Sharpie pens.
I decided that the main image needed outlining so I sewed around it using some black thread - I didn't go over the wrapper though as I thought this would look too much.
Once I had done the outlining I drew a circle around the image, cut another piece of material for the backing.
I wanted to use the pincushion on  my wrist so I found some elastic to attach to it.
I placed the piece with the image face down onto the backing piece, with the elastic across the middle between the two pieces. I pinned these together  where the elastic was to hold everything in place.
I sewed all around the edge of the circle, leaving a small gap to enable me to turn the piece the right way out.
I snipped around the seam - hopefully to give it a more smooth look.
Turned the piece the right way out, inserted some stuffing then sewed the gap up.
On my wrist when I'm sewing - just to remind me to stop for tea & cake!
I thought it would look good in a proper teacup & saucer as well - might have to have a look around the charity shops next week!
Here it is on my wrist - have managed to crop my gnarly old hand out of the pic! Didn't want to frighten anyone!

Have a good week, thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,
Bev xx

DT post using Stampendous stamp

Hi everyone - hope you have all had a good weekend & are ready for the week ahead. I'm just glad all the snow has gone here.
I wasn't sure what to do for this weeks make, then I happened to empty my teabag box! I would transform the box into a lovely caddy for my teabags.
Here is how the box started out -

- ok but not pretty enough & not sturdy enough to keep reusing.
I started by strengthening the box using some card to stick to the inside.
I picked out some green card to cover the box - a lovely green that matches my kitchen.
I then stamped the lovely Stampendous Teacup Cupcake image onto some white card. I coloured this using Inktense pencils.
I cut out the image & adhered it to the front of the box.
I stamped out 'Time For Tea' in green distress ink onto some white card, cut out each word & adhered to the lid of the box.
I think this is so much prettier than the original.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,
Bev xx

Design team make...Stampendous stamps

 Hello everyone..Genny here. Today I've been lucky enough to be able to work with this Stampendous stamp again. I just love the way that you can change the colours used for the flowers, as well as the backing paper. I wanted to do a blue and white theme today. Probably because I've just washed one of my teapots and that was blue and white. So I wanted to do a blue and white teapot but keep the background a soft blue. I had a look in my scrap box and found this lovely piece of blue and white patterned paper. I mounted this onto some blue card and also mounted the image and the greeting onto the same blue.

The greeting and the flowery border are peeloffs, They have come on so far in the last few years, with all the colours and styles border  peeloffs are now in a whole new place. I have to admit to having a bit of a thing for the glittery ones..lol. For the stamped image, I have stamped it using my memento inkpad. and for a change coloured it with my promarkers. I always enjoy colouring...I have done since I was a child..and I have a wide range of colouring mediums...copics, promarkers, glaze,  watercolour pencils and paints, intense pencils, H20s, pastels, acrylics...I never know from one day to the next what I'm going to use..but that's half the fun.

Wherever you are I hope that the weather is being kind to you. It is so cold here..my winter socks are on my feet..alongside one of my cats who has taken up residence on my leg blanket..lol. If you fancy having a go at this card or something similar why not pop over to the JB-Crafting shop and see what goodies Julie has to offer. So until next time...take care and happy crafting.

DT post using Joanna Sheen papers

Hi everyone! Here is this weeks DT make using those lovely Joanna Sheen papers designed by Janet Kruskamp.
I had bought myself a notebook - it looked a bit boring so decided to decorate it using those papers.

I chose which sheet I wanted to use from the pad - which took time as there are so many lovely designs. I cut out the elements & arranged them on the notebook until I found an arrangement I liked.
I thought it need something around the edges, so after looking through my stash decided on some lovely lace.
I adhered the lace onto the notebook first using some of that super sticky double sided tape, then placed the elements from the paper pad & adhered these using a wet glue.
I wrote my name on the tag, adhered this with foam pads & placed a gem on top of it.
I love my notebook now! Much better than the boring one I started out with. Go on - make yourself a lovely notebook! I'm sure Julie has lots of other paper pads in her shop you could use.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,
Bev xx

Thomas Kinkade Paper Pad..Design Team Makes

 Hello everyone..Genny here. Well we have certainly had some wild weather to deal with. As far as I'm concerned it's the best time to lose yourself in a little crafting. For this weeks design team makes, I have worked with the fabulous little paper pad by Joanna Sheen. It features the wonderful work of Thomas Kinkade. It is available to buy from Julie here at JB-Crafting Supplies. It's a small pad at a really great price and provides a wide range of images to work with. There are two of each image..so if you really like one, at least you know you have one to keep.

On each card I have mounted an image onto a co-ordinating card and have used the same card to mount the backing paper on. All the backing papers that I've used are from the Thomas kinkade triple cd. I used that cd just because it was to hand but you could use any backing paper that you have in your stash. I have picked to us some very plain backing papers simply because there is so much detail in the main image.

On the paper pad there is a lot of other detail as well...greetings, decoupage and other embellishments. What is really nice is the fact that the size of image allows to to make a wide variety of size of card. The cards I've used today are all 7x7 and the size of the image makes a great size focal point.

I have used some rub ons from my stash to embellish the cards. I would have to say that rubons have come on such a way over the past few years. I can remember years ago fighting to get them to work and have to say the ones that I've used on these cards were a joy to use.

I hope that you are managing to stay nice and warm during this bad weather. If in doubt..stay in and craft..lol. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

Dt Post using Stampendous stamp & doilies

Hi everyone! Bev here with this week's DT piece.
I have used the lovely Stampendous stamp - teacup cupcake. I had some doilies & thought that these together with the stamp would make a lovely wall hanging.
I cut the middle from a white doily 7 stamped the image onto this using black Versamark ink. I coloured the image using watercolour pencils - being careful not to tear the doily.
I adhered this to a pink doily - it was a lot larger  so I cut it down so as to make a smaller border.
I used the outer edge of the doily I had cut the centre from to make another border. This doily had some roses & leaves in the pattern so I coloured these using the pencils, to match the image.
I found yet another doily & placed this behind as a base.
Cut a circle of card, adhered this to the back just to give the hanging some strength.
Added some ribbon to hang it with & stamped the sentiment onto white card. Arranged the words around the image.
I hope you like this week's make & it inspires you to have a go!
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,
Bev xx

Design team makes using a Stampendous stamp

Hello everyone..Genny here. First things first..I would like to wish you all a happy new year and hope that you all had a fabulous christmas.For my first make of the new year I decided to make a little piece of art for my kitchen wall. I had a small piece of canvas board and painted it with acrylic paint..Buttermilk and then I edged the board with some burgundy acrylic. I then stamped the image 5 times. The image is from the Stampendous range and is called Cling teapot Posies. I stamped the image using my memento inkpad and coloured the pieces I wanted using my copics. I kept one whole image and cut 4 pieces using just the roses. I mounted the four groups of roses in the corners of the board, having cut off the rosebuds to space them on the sides. I then added the whole image at the base of the board. I then added the little quote at the top. The only thing that I have left to do is to use a spray varnish to cover all the board.

While I was playing creating the board, I looked at the image and decided that it would be perfect to use for my thankyou cards. I used an embossing folder by Crafters Companion which featured roses and thought it would be perfect to use as a background on the card. I have to admit to the fact that I couldn't decide whether to use the pink or the cream..so in the end I used both. I cut 4 squares and added them to the card and then mounted the image onto some pearlescent card. I edged the squares with a pink glittery peeloff.

  I haven't decided whether or not to add a peeloff greeting.I would like to say just what a pleasure it is to use this stamp...it's so easy to use and stamps perfectly every time. Over the years I must have tried hundreds of different brands and some I have to say have been a pain. Every stampendous stamp I have ever used has been a joy. Lovely detail and a cleanly stamped image every time. I know that Julie has a fabulous range in the shop   and they are well worth a look. I have ordered quite a number for my crafting in this new year. I have to admit that there are a lot of cat images which I just have to have..lol.

If there is anything else that you would like to know about the work that I do for Julie..please do not hesitate to get in touch. I love to share the work I do. So until next time..take care and happy crafting.

DT post using Joanna Sheen papers

Hi everyone! Bev here with this weeks DT post.
I have used the Joanna Sheen paper pad designed by Janet Kruskamp & a Crafter's Companion embossing folder - flower garden from the Vintage Floral collection.
Each page of the pad contains all you need to make a card - images, sentiments, 'ribbon' edging.
I decided that a get well card would be a good idea to make as everyone seems to be suffering from this awful cold/flu bug that is going around - us included! If you are suffering I hope you get well soon & looking at my card will make you feel a little better.
I embossed the front of a white card. I was going to ink over the design, but decided that the pattern is so deep that it can easily be seen & I think it suits the images from the paper pad better.
I cut out the images, 'ribbon' & sentiment, then arranged them on the card until I liked the arrangement.
I adhered the 'ribbon' using wet glue, the images & sentiment using foam pads.
The papers are so lovely there really is no need for any other embellishment & there is a lot of choice of images & sentiments to choose from.
Hope you like this weeks make.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,
Bev xx

DT post using Stapendous stamp

Hi everyone! Bev here with this week's DT post. Hope you all had a great Christmas & are ready to welcome in the new year - 2015 - cant believe it!
Totally forgot it was Sunday yesterday so am a day late with my post.
Looking at the Stampendous stamp - teacup cupcake - I thought it would make a cute thank you card. I have a few of those to send so got straight onto it.
I folded some white card in half - slightly larger than the stamp. I inked the stamp with some black Versamark ink & positioned the stamp so that a small part overlapped the fold of the card. I stamped the cream, rose & leaves again, then the rose & leaves & lastly the rose - all to be used as decoupage.
I carefully cut around the images. On the main image I made sure to straighten off the botto of the saucer so the card would stand up.
Next came the colouring using watercolour pencils. Once that was done I layered up the decoupage pieces with foam pads.
I found a cut little 'Thank You' from the Joanna Sheen paper pad that Julie also sent me. Adhered this just under the rose.
I think it makes a lovely 'Thank You' card & I'm sure whoever receives it will love it.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs & Happy New Year!
Bev xxx

DT make - Teddy Bear's Picnic

Hi everyone Bev here with this week's DT make using Joanna Sheen papers - designed by Janet Kruskamp.
I love these papers & I don't think anything else is needed when these are used. There are some lovely pages in this paper pad. each page can be used to make a card with a main image, sentiments & embellishments.
I cut out the main image & the parts for decoupage. Adhered these with foam pads for depth.
Matted this onto white, then green card & added the sentiment.
There are some lovely Teddy images & the quality of the paper is really good with a lovely glossy shine to it.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas & hope you all have a lovely time, whatever you're doing.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,
Bev xxx