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.