Clair's Thursday ...

...workshop this week - foiling.  I've done gilding before but not foiling.  As it turns out there's not a lot of difference except the foil isn't as delicate as gilding sheets or flakes which makes it 'cleaner' to use.  No chasing bits of fine pieces as it doesn't need cleaning and burnishing like gilding sheets or flakes do.  We used WOW products for the foiling - a bonding powder and the sheets.  The bonding powder is used like embossing powder.  The image stamped with versamark, the powder sprinkled on and then it's heat set until it looks 'plasticky' and has a sort of shimmer to it.  The foil sheet is then laid over, sandwiched between a couple of sheets of copy paper and fed through a laminator to reheat the bonding powder and make it sticky enough for the foil to stick to (I wonder if an hot iron would work as well???).  It's then allowed to cool for a while and, when completely cold, the sheet is lifted off, leaving the image foiled and the residue is left on the sheet for use on something else.

My thoughts on this are that a) the bonding powder may not be necessary and b) if it's not then the laminator probably isn't either (or iron).  My thinking is that any glue, left to go 'tacky', would have the same effect so you could stamp an image and then, possibly using a glue pen, put the glue where you want the foil, allow to go tacky as opposed to wet and then use the foil - pretty much as you do to gild things.  Probably the bonding powder and laminator would be better if the image being used was a solid one but a glue pen would be better for highlights.  How about triple stamped flowers .... either highlight or do one of the layers with bonding powder ..... ??? Lots of potential methinks.  Not sure I'd be too interested in doing sentiments, although that's a possibility.

Anyways ... my card from the workshop.  Pretty obvious what was foiled. Sentiment was stamped in black versafine and then clear embossing powder was used.  The only embossing powder ever really needed if truth be told - if you've lots of different ink colours.  Possibly a clear sparkly one as well for when a touch of sparkle may be needed but then a touch of glitter sprinkled on could work just as well.

Greeting stamp was from MFT Chalkboard Greetings set.  The 'leaves' are supposed to be feathers but think they actually make better leaves - WOW Flights of Fancy.  A leaf die, 8x8 texture embossing folder and a 6x6 frame embossing folder was also used.

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I've been to ...

... a couple of different card workshops recently.  One was an all day one from which I've still to photograph the cards.  Mainly 'cos I messed one up when I got it home and I've not yet put it right.  Really need to sort that out and get them done.

The other one has been with a lady I've known a while but saw very little of.  She does several workshops a month but that's because they're in her home and she is very restricted on space so can only take 4 people at a time.  I managed to get in on the first one I did because I took somebody else's place who couldn't go.  We played with brushos and other media to make backgrounds.  We also decorated glass block money boxes.  I've yet to photograph my glass block as I want to decorate it a tad more and I haven't made anything with my backgrounds but .... I've since done another workshop with her and we made 3 cards.  Well, we actually made 2 and prepped the 3rd so it had to be finished at home. They're mainly Stampin Up dies and folders although the greeting dies may not be.  A lovely afternoon and really liked what we came away with.

Paper pieced that face, hat, specs and background

Heat embossing.  Star is a die with red card background and glimmer paper filigree.

That SU pine thinlets set again ..... cable embossing folder and SU bow punch.

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A couple of ...

... weeks since the last missive and not much has changed.  OH is still in the hospice and he's still in pain. He's had a partial MRI.  Only partial because he couldn't keep still long enough to have the whole spine done.  I don't know, but I'm thinking that they never scanned the bit that would give any clue as to what's going on. I got called away from a workshop as the hospice had nobody free to go with him for the MRI so I went.  I was 'nurse' for the duration, having been given his drugs to dish out. He tells me they're looking at taking him to the pain clinic now.  We'll see.

He's quite funny at the moment.  I've never seen him drunk or really, even tipsy, in the 30+ years we've been together but whatever drugs they've got him on at the moment gives the impression he's permanently in a happy place *ROFL!*  Not only is he having oral drug therapy he also carries a syringe driver around with him (sitting on his lap in the pic) and then there's occasionally 'extra' intravenously.  It can be very difficult getting any sense out of him at times and trying to understand anything he's saying is pretty hard work.  He's speaking quite clearly - just doesn't make any sense - *lol*

He had his birthday a couple of days ago.  We never have a birthday cake but, as he wasn't home, I bought him one.  Apparently they made him one at the hospice as well, although I never got to see it as it had disappeared by the time I got there *lol*

This past weekend I went to see my nephew in his first lead role.  He's a student at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts doing a degree course.  It's his final year so it's all shows and showcases for agents and the like. He's been lucky enough to have already been signed to an agent so he can do open auditions for work.  If he gets work before the course ends, his finals will be assessed from wherever he is, whatever he's doing, otherwise it will be done in college.  Saturday matinee was virtually a full house and the show got an excellent response from the audience.  Apparently the best up to then.

I'm getting confused as to what I need to catch up on and what's been done.  I'm not organised enough to have made a list, checked it twice and then checked things off as done.  Perhaps I need to do that now before I go too far - but first ... 

The workshop I got called away from to escort OH to his MRI was for a shaker card.  I got as far as cutting the first matt and no further.  I asked Clair to stamp the image for me then I cut and ran, thinking I'd be able to finish it at home except ..... I had none of the things Clair used to make card.  I'd decided I wanted to make it for OH's birthday card so I improvised with what I had.  You can see the original card here - and a video on how it was put together here.  This is my version ....

I used Prismacolors, Zest-It (as my blending fluid) and blending stumps to colour LoTV's James with Heart.  The embossing folder was a new one from Crafter's Companion - Sunbeam and the white matt was edged with a Martha Stewart frame punch.  First time of using and I need to practise, or use it in a full light, not half light and then, perhaps, I can see how things are lining up - *lol!*  I used the punch outs in the shaker bit (coloured with Sharpies) and yes, that is a peel off Happy Birthday - stuck to the stripey paper under the acetate - so shoot me!

That's about it for this time.  Off to visit OH and think about making that list *lol*

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Chris decided ...

... to go Christmas for her shoebox card. Another really pretty but simple card however it could have been even more simple if I'd read the instructions - *lol* I was going by the look of the sample card and cut all my green squares and then the embossed bits to matt and layer.  I matted them all up and then found the ribbon, which I thought was very long for just a tiny bow. Then I read the instructions - *oooops!* The green card should have been kept whole and the ribbon wrapped around it to make the squares. What I had thought was white card (remember, looking at sample card but from a distance) between each white embossed square was, in fact, the white ribbon.  Anyway, it was too late for me to do anything other than matt and layer and hope to get the spacing right.  It doesn't look it in the photo but it is in fact pretty good - *LOL* 

Some glitter glue was used on the roofs of the buildings to make the snow sparkle. Embossing done with Cuttlebug embossing folders and nestabilites used to cut the greeting plaques.

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Afternoon workshop ...

... with Alex Kamann, 3rd June.  White on White and they were stunning cards!

The first card was a small 4" x 4" one.  The card was embossed with a Sizzix embossing folder.  A strip of white card had a greeting stamped on a lower corner and then stuck to card base and trimmed to size. A plaque was cut from white Bazzill Bling (or similar) using the Spellbinders Labels Eighteen.  The flower was made from several layers of tissue paper cut with the Spellbinders Blossom 3, although any circle die/punch with a bit of shape to the edge would do.  Each layer was joined with a brad through the middle. Every layer was scrunched up then 'fluffed' out to make the flower.  Brad colour doesn't matter as it can't be seen.  A few leaves were punched and the flower and leaves were mounted onto the plaque which was then stuck to the card base.  Stickles glitter glue was dotted over the flower to lift it.

The second card.  This one was a 6" x 6" card.  A square, slightly smaller, was cut and embossed using a Sizzix embossing folder.  The edges were then distressed with Antique Linen from the Distressed Ink range. A plaque was cut using the Labels Eighteen set and the edges distressed as before.  A greeting was stamped in one corner of it, in the same ink so it all tied in.  

Using a slightly larger die from the Blossom 3 set, several layers of tissue paper were cut.  This time, before they were all put together, the edges of the shapes were lightly distressed and then they were all put together and 'scrunched' in the same way as the first flower.  A piece of vellum was stamped with a text background stamp using white Stazon and a couple of Martha Stewart butterflies punched from it.  Another piece of vellum was used to hand cut some leaf shapes and veins were embossed onto them.

The embossed square had a length of ribbon wrapped round it at the point where the embossing folder join was and then it was adhered to the card blank.  The label was attached using foam pads.  A foam pad was also used to attach the flower and then the leaves positioned and stuck with wet glue.  The butterflies were also attached with wet glue and, although the sample card didn't have them, I chose to add diamanté gems to lift them as the butterflies were a bit 'lost' against the textured background without.

I love these white on white cards although they're not the easiest things to photograph to show the detail involved.  I also love this flower.  It's so easy but so effective.

Managed to get instructions printed for the shoebox card and put into packs so they're now all done.  Just got to decide what I'm taking to our weekend and start getting it together.  Kindle, MP3 (perhaps), tools, and .... no idea!

Had a Groupon day yesterday. First I had a facial deal that was an experience!  Never had a facial like it before but for £14 it was exceptional value. Lasted 1½ hours and included a neck, shoulder and face massage - mind you, some of it seemed more of a slap around but it was very therapeutic. A young Chinese lady so think it was all based more on oriental methods than European.  Will I be going back?  You betchya! Even at the full £36 it would be well worth it.Thinking of trying her manicure, pedicure and one of her massages. If they're anywhere near close to what I've had by Balinese ladies she will be getting my repeat business.

The second one was the meal at The Brasserie in the Marina.  Paid £25 for a meal to the value of £52.  What I like about this Italian restaurant is that there's very little pasta on the menu. I had fillet steak medallions cooked with bacon and sliced parmesan with rocket garnish and seasonal veg, not that I had any veg as there was plenty on my plate without it - there being 2 steaks and 2 rashers and enough rocket and other leaf to make a small salad. Paul had veal cooked in some Italian way as his main and calimari as his starter (I had tiramisu for dessert, no starter). I tried his calimari but it's not something I've ever liked, no matter how many times I've tried it however ... this time I've got to say it was lovely. The best I've ever tried.  Beautiful meal and everything cooked to perfection.  We cabbed it there and back so were able to have a bottle of wine to round it all off and bonus, although pretty breezy and hence, chilly, it didn't rain, sleet, hail or snow - *lol* Lovely day all told.

A Ruby Wedding

I've been waiting to post this card because I wanted to make sure that the recipients had received it.  Unfortunately they haven't!  I sometimes wonder about our postal system. 

UPDATE:  Card arrived ... a week after posting 1st class!

Anyway, dear friends of mine, Greta and Roger, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on Sunday.  I didn't find out about it until the early part of last week and I didn't have much time to make a card.  Firstly I had no working room as my crafty space was doing a good job of hiding itself under all the 'junk' I'd piled in it and secondly, we had our night away and I had Dad to deal with amongst the normal 'stuff' I don't normally have to do but have at the moment - until OH is able-ish again.  I managed to get crafty space cleared and, after getting home and having a 'rest' from out night away I set to work .... trying to find mojo!  I had a sketch to follow for a challenge on the forum but I had no idea what to do.  I cobbled something together which I hated so it all came apart and I started again.  Hubby is thinking I'm mad 'cos he liked what I'd done but I didn't.  Still actually didn't like what I ended up with - mojo well and truly left me, or I never really had any in the first place and I can only make cards when I go to a workshop and told what to do :0(  Fact was, I'd run out of time as it had to go in post to get there on time .... or not, as it turned out 'cos they're still waiting!

Ingredients:

Plain white card blank.

Cuttlebug A2 embossing folder Tiny Bubbles.

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Set - Wedding.

Woodware clear stamps - Anniversaries.

Red ink pad for distressing card edges.

Red mirri card.

Ribbon from stash.

Gems from stash.

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Christmas meet shoebox project #7

Well, it wasn't my project #7 as these are the cards I made the kits up for. I made several samples as I'd used different colours in my kits and wanted to show that, depending on how the snow couple were coloured, any colourway could be used.  There was one more, in  a pinky colour, but seems I've omitted to photograph it and it's now gone to a good home - lol!

Ingredients:

Penny Johnson stamp from Stampavie - Snowy Cuddles

Promarkers

Digi sentiment from Create with TLC

Snowflakes embossing folder (Cuttlebug exclusive to Kars)

Stickles glitter glue

Snow writer

Papermania paper

Mirri card.

Enjoy!!
 

Christmas meet shoebox project #3

I love this one ... well, I love them all but like the simplicity and impact that this has.

Jan's shoebox kit

Ingredients:

A6 card blank

Score board for scoring lower part of card and border (Hougie board in this instance)

Strip of DP paper

Circle nesties for matting.

Nellie Snellen Multi frame circles or Nestie Lacey Circles

Stamp or Digi image (this one was from Pink Gem)

Colouring medium (promarkers used here)

Greeting and SU window punch

Stickles glitterglue

 Enjoy!!

 

Christmas meet shoebox project #2

A second card made at the Christmas crafting day.

Carolyn's shoebox kit.

Ingredients:

3 inch square card blank.

Contrasting card for backing

Scalloped and plain circle nesties

SU window punch and a stamped greeting

Stamped or digi image and colouring medium

Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder

Enjoy!!
 

Beautiful Bubble Baubles Workshop

Friday 4th November - Morning session with Jane Gill (I love that designer - lol!)

2 cards made in the morning session.  One using the Woodware stamp set Bubble Wreath designed by Jane and the other using a Woodware peeloff of the same design.

This card was originally an A6 card (approx 6x4 inches) but I've altered it since I bought it home and it's now a 7x5 inch card.  A piece of A6 size cream card was embossed with the Crafts Too embossing folder, Baubles. A peeloff of one of the bubble ornaments (available in silver, gold, black & white) was stuck on and then blinged with anything to hand ... buttons, brads, sequins, gems, beads, microbeads, glitter glue, peeloffs - anything blingy that fits and glitter to fill the odd shapes.  The ornament string was drawn in using a toning Sakura Gellyroll pen.  After I got the card home I decided to cut the front off, ink the edges, layer it onto some toning mirri card and mount it onto a 7x5 inch pearlescent card blank and added a greeting. 

The following card used the bubble wreath from the stamp set previously mentioned.  The card was an A4 sheet folded in half lengthways.  The wreath was stamped onto the base of the card and, as with the peeloff, was blinged up with anything suitable to hand.  Narrow 3mm ribbon was stuck down for the string and a small bow tied and added.  A peeloff greeting was added for the finishing touch.

Once again photos are bad because of poor light.  It's the reason these are so late being posted because I've been trying to get pictures that do them justice.  I've given up!  You'll just have to believe me when I say that they are soooooooo much better in real life - *lol*

Enjoy!!
 

Christmas Trees Workshop #2

Saturday 30th October - Afternoon at the Glitterpot with Jane Gill.

More Christmas trees in the afternoon but this time different and based on Jane's Woodware clear stamp set ... Rocket Christmas. It is an extremely versatile set.  You can use as many or as few of the sections that make up the tree as you wish so you have choice as to what size your finished tree is.

With this card the tree, using some of the sections that make up the tree, was stamped with Versafine onto pearlescent cardstock and embossed with silver embossing powder. The inner parts of the tree sections were cut out and the pearlescent card was mounted onto some contrasting card stock.  The base card was covered with DP and the matted tree adhered to card.  A border was made from a piece of card matching the backing of the tree and punched with a Martha Stewart edging punch before being trimmed with a toning ribbon and placed on card.  The rosette was made from a 12 x 1 inch strip of DP matching the base of the card, scored  at regular intervals (approx 1/8inch or 1/2cm), fan folded then joined and flattened, adding a snowflake to cover centre hole.  The sentiment was stamped onto a shrink plastic label and, once shrunk, was tied to the tree with a piece of ribbon matching that used on the border.

The following card was so different but made using the same stamp set.  This card is ideal for using up those scrap oddments we save and then rarely do anything with. 

The base card was a piece of A5 card folded in half lengthways so, where the cards in the previous post were BIG, this one was quite small!  The base card was covered with a piece of Bazzill after having it's edges distressed.  A selection of the shapes were stamped onto the wrong side of Bazzill card in a variety of colours.   The shapes are then cut out, distressed with ink and a tree shape, of sorts, formed.  A couple of the pieces were put on using foam pads and a ribbon knot tied to one of them.  The tree pieces were then decorated - in this instance with glitter peeloffs and gems.  Quick, simple, funky and effective.  This tree could be larger or smaller and is certainly one to keep in mind for that oddment box!

Enjoy!!
 

Christmas Trees Workshop

Saturday 30th October - Morning workshop with Jane Gill

Large cards.  A4 card folded in half lengthways.  Trees were made using templates designed by Jane.    The base card was covered with a DP and the base of the tree was cut out in Bazill.  Further layers were added having been bordered with Martha Stewart border punches, holly and a snowflake.  The snowflake punch outs were kept for further decoration (would be good in shaker cards as well *grin*)  Extra decoration was added with stickles and eyelets, using Cropadile to punch holes and set eyelets.  The 'Christmas' was a stamp and the 'tree' was made using a Crafts Too embossing folder and the letters cut out.

Unfortunately I had to go buy envelopes for this size of card as didn't have any in my stash but don't reckon it was too much of a hardship as I'm sure I'll be making more this size.  I love it!

 Sorry, photos are not good - light bad as we're having such dismal days lately :0(

Enjoy!!
 

Embossable Christmas Workshop

Thursday 22nd October - morning at the Glitterpot with Jackie Huckstepp.

Yep, 2nd day running and another workshop at the Glitterpot. This time with Jackie using Crafts Too embossing folders and another selection of designer papers, punches, dies and embellishments.  Again, I'm not sure of the DP used but guess it's not really important as long as you can find what you like.

Ingredients

Embossing folders - Crafts Too: Noel,  Christmas Greetings & Cuttlebug: Swiss Dots

Core'dinations card for embossing/distressing

Nestabilities Labels One

Punches - Selection of snowflakes, corner rounder

Gems, ribbon, stickles, brads

DP - Noel card, Echo Park.

Enjoy!!