Time to Sparkle!

Good Morning All and a Very Happy Thursday!

I'm still bobbing around the Caribbean...check Facebook to see where I am (Pam Smith) but do not fear, I haven't gone away and left you without a project!

For this card, I've used a technique called "grouting" which John Lockwood showed me at Ally Pally in September.

Start be embossing a piece of Coconut White card with the A4 Poinsettia Folder.
Turn to the debossed side and spread Cosmic Shimmer Red Berry Sparkle Texture Paste over it, making sure to scrape off the excess.
Leave to dry.
Emboss another piece of Coconut White with the same folder.  Matt and layer onto Foundations Black Card.
Attach a piece of black seam binding before sticking onto the card blank.
Die cut 2 of the Labels using the Finishing Touches Collection from the card with the texture paste finish.
Matt and layer onto black card.
Die cut a smaller label.
Ink up the holly border from the Holly Tree Elements stamp set.
Stamp down the side of the tag and heat emboss with clear powder.
Ink up the words using black archival and stamp and heat emboss.
The stamp is from the Peace, Joy Love stamp set.
Matt and layer the tag.
Attach seam binding to the tops of the tags.
Stamp and heat emboss poinsettias from the Poinsettia Elements Stamp Set.
Cut out and glue into position.
Attach the tags with glue on one, then with 3d pads on the others.
Add some Dries Clear Glue to the flower centres and sprinkle Cosmic Shimmer Fire Red Polished Silk Glitter to finish.
Hope you like it!

It's worth making up a batch of the grouted backgrounds at the same time.  It looks very effective when done on black card and is so easy to do.  It also gives a different way of using your embossing folders.

Well, that's it for this week...I've got another sparkly card next week.

Everything used is from Creative Expressions.

Many thanks for stopping by and leaving comments.

Until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

Holly Trees

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday.

I've got another Christmas card for you this week that's quick to make and another way to use your Festive Collection - Christmas Joy Wreath Dies.

So let's get started.....

In the Die set, there are 2 holly dies, one is the main background die and the other is the overlay.
Die the cut the background holly using Foundations card Brunswick Green and the overlay from Foundations Ruby Card.
Cut 6 of these and glue together with Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue.
Glue the bottom layer of wreaths into position on a square of Coconut White Card.  Slightly overlap the wreaths.

Add the next two rows still overlapping.

Cut a tree pot from a piece of the Ruby card.  Add a strip of Brunswick Green across it.
Glue underneath the tree.

Emboss a larger square of Coconut White with the A4 Tied Holly Folder.
Matt and layer onto the Green and Ruby card.

Add the main image onto the card.
Die cut a bow using the Finishing Touches - Classic 3D Itty Bitty Bows from the same green card.  Glue into shape then glue onto the pot.
Add a small Black Dazzler to the centre of the bow.
Ink up the Noel stamp from the Holly Wreath Elements Stamp Set with Black Archival Ink.  Stamp onto Coconut White card.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Cut to size then matt and layer as before.  Add to the card with 3d foam pads.

And there's the finished card!  Hope you like it!  The size of the blank card is 8x8.

While you're reading this, I'll be working on a ship in the Caribbean, in fact I'll be there until January 4th.  I do have projects lined up for while I'm away so please stop by and take a look.

I'll be posting photos on Facebook of our travels and checking in on there, to let people know where we are.  If you want to see, please add me as a friend...my name on there is Pam Smith.

Many thanks for stopping by and leaving comments.  Everything used is from Creative Expressions.

Until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

Frosted Trees

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday!

I've got another Christmas card to show you today that uses the Frosty Mini Background Die and glitter.  If you can't use glitter this time of year, when can you!

Anyway, let's get started....

Die cut the Festive Collection - Frosty Mini Background from Coconut White Card.
Cut around the sides to make a rectangle.

Very strange light in the studio...but this is white...promise!

Apply some Flake and Glitter Glue to a piece of Cut 'n Dry Foam and dab over the die cut background.
Apply Cosmic Shimmer Glitter Jewels - Diamond Snow.

Place a piece of Double Sided Adhesive Sheet onto a piece of card.
Cover with Cosmic Shimmer Polished Silk Glitter - Ice Blue.
Cut to size and glue the die cut background over the top.

Emboss a piece of Coconut White card with the A4 Holly Lattice Embossing Folder.
Matt and layer onto a piece of Foundations Teal Card.
Attach the glittered background.

Die cut 3 trees from the Festive Collection - Winter Trees set and cover with the same Ice Blue Glitter as before.
Glue the first tree into position, flat, then add the others with 3d foam pads.

Place some double sided adhesive onto a piece of card then cut around the outer edge of the largest flag from the Frames and Tags - Pierced Flags.  Cover with Ice Blue Glitter.
Die cut the same Pierced Flag using Coconut White card.  Stamp the sentiment with Black Archival Ink then heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Matt and layer.  Shape the flag and glue into position.
Add gems from the Always and Forever Wedding Collection - Rhinestones to the flag and some of the snowflake centres on the background.

And there's the finished card!

I'm afraid it's another one where I wish you could see it instead of a photo of it!  Anyway, I hope you like it!

Well, that just leaves me to say a big thank you for visiting and leaving comments....all much appreciated.

Everything I've used is from Creative Expressions as always!

Until next time. have a happy, crafty week!

In Love With These Papers!!!

Good Morning All and a Very Happy Thursday!

I'm back from the dig and a fabulous ukulele festival and ready to craft again!

This week I've used more of the gorgeous Craft Consortium 12x12 patterned papers....I can't get enough of them!  Anyway, here goes with this weeks project....

Emboss a piece of Coconut White Card using the Rambling Blossoms A4 Folder.
Matt and layer onto Foundations Rich Plum Card.

Die cut the Eternal Rings Striplet Die from a piece of Coconut White card.
Cut a piece of the 12x12 Bloom Beautiful Paper 1cm larger than the striplet.
Cover the paper with Creative Expressions Double Sided Adhesive.
Remove the backing and apply Cosmic Shimmer Diamond Snow Glitter Jewels.
Matt and layer onto white and plum card.
Add the die cut over the top with 3d foam pads.
Glue into position on the card.

Add 5mm self adhesive pearls to the die cut.

Ink up the sentiment from the A5 British Wild Flower stamp set with Black Archival Ink and stamp onto Coconut White card.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Matt and layer as before.
Attach to the card with 3d foam pads.
Die cut 2 Finishing Touches-Magical Butterflies from the same patterned paper.
Shape the wings and glue into position.

And there's the finished card.  I hope you like it!

I really cannot stress how beautiful these papers are and the quality is first class.  As a bonus, they are all double sided!!

Anyway, everything used is from Creative Expressions as always.
I just want to say thank you for the birthday wishes and leaving your comments...much appreciated.

I'll be back next Thursday with another project so until then, have a happy, crafty week!

New Month.....New Goodies!

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday and pinch, punch, the 1st of the month!

As it's a new month, I've been sent new goodies to play with so without further ado...let's get started!!!

Cut 2 different sized squares of Craft Consortium Bloom Beautiful 12x12 paper.
Cut 2 squares of Coconut White Card using the Noble-Double Pierced Squares Dies.
Stamp the sentiment from Delightful Sentiments stamp set onto the smaller square of white card with Black Archival Ink.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Matt and layer all of the components.

Cut out the flowers with the 

Finishing Touches-Camellia Complete Petals Die Set using the same papers as before.

Shape and make up into 3d flowers.  Glue into position on the card.

Add 5 & 8mm white self adhesive pearls to the centres of the flowers.

Die cut one more flower (several layers) and some leaves to decorate the corners.  Glue into position.

And there's the finished card!

As always, everything I've used is from Creative Expressions.

I really can't praise the new 12x12 papers enough.  A lot of them have a sheen and some are glittered.  It's an outstanding collection and I'm just glad there are 4 sheets of each design otherwise I'd have serious trouble cutting them up!

I do love the Noble dies as well.  I've always had difficulty piercing around the edges but these have really solved the problem.

Well, that's it for this week.  I'll be showing you more of these beautiful papers as the month goes on.

Many thanks for stopping by and leaving comments....they do mean a lot to me.

Until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

A Change of Colour!

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday!

It was so lovely to meet some of you at the weekend....thank you for stopping by and saying hello.  We had a great time but it took all of Monday to recover!!

This week is the final time using the Butterfly Dream stamps and I've gone for a total change of colour.  I rarely use yellow but the Foundations Custard card is so pretty that it's tempted me away from blues and purples.  

Anyway, let's get started.....

Cut out 2 different sized squares of Foundations Custard Card using the Sue Wilson Noble-Double Pierced Square Dies.
Cut 2 squares of coordinating paper from Phill Martin's Sentimentally Yours Graceful Butterflies and Dragonflies Paper Pad.
Matt and layer the largest card and paper squares and attach to the blank card.

The Noble Dies take all of the hard work out of achieving that gorgeous pin pricking detail.

Ink up the largest Butterfly Dreams stamp with Black Archival and stamp onto the small square of paper.
Matt and layer onto the small square of card.
Attach a length of black seam binding.
Place on the main card with 3d foam pads.

Cover a piece of the Custard Card with Double Sided Adhesive.
Die cut some Butterflies from the Finishing Touches-Magical Butterflies Die Set.
Remove the backing paper and cover with Cosmic Shimmer Diamond Snow Jewels.
Stamp the sentiment onto Custard Card and heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Place some double sided adhesive over the top and cut to size.
Add more of the Diamond Snow over the top.
Attach to the card with 3d pads.
Tie 3 lengths of seam binding onto the piece that is already in place.
Glue the butterflies into position.

 And there's the finished card!

Everything I've used is from Creative Expressions.  I do wish that the sparkle showed up more in the photo...you'll all have to pop round to my house to see the real thing!

Well, that's it for this week.  Many thanks for stopping by and leaving comments....much appreciated as always.
Until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

Let Your Dreams Fly

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday!

I've been playing with the new Colour Cloud Blending Inks all week as I'll be giving a "Masterclass" Demo at Ally Pally on Saturday and Sunday.  As I had them out, I thought I would use them for this weeks project and here it is....

So, let's get started!

Apply Plum Cobbler Colour Cloud Blending Ink to a Smoothie.  Dab onto a butterfly stamp from the Butterfly Field Collection by Phill Martin.
Stamp onto Coconut White card then stamp again without re-inking.  Repeat all the way around the edge of the card.

Matt and layer with Amethyst Foundation Card.
Cut a smaller square of Coconut White and stamp around the edges as before.
Ink up the sentiment from the same stamp set with Black Archival Ink.  Stamp in the centre and heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Matt and layer with the Amethyst Card.

Cover a piece of Coconut White with the Plum Cobbler Ink, spritz with water then dab with a piece of kitchen towel.  Dry thoroughly.
Die cut Butterflies using the Finishing Touches-Magical Butterflies Dies by Sue Wilson.

Die cut more butterflies using the papers in the Graceful Butterflies and Dragonflies Paper Pad.
Apply Blueberry Cosmic Shimmer Twinkles to the butterflies using your finger as an applicator!
When dry, shape the wings and glue into position on the card.

I've also added a little of the Twinkles around the edge...should have done that before matting and layering the background but only decided after seeing how pretty the butterflies were!

Anyway, hope you like it!

I have to say how impressed I am with the new inks and Smoothie Tools.....they blend beautifully and don't leave lines.  I hope you'll be able to come to the demo area at Ally Pally and see them in action this weekend!

If I'm not in the demo area, I'll be on Sue Wilson's Rubbernecker Stand.  It'd be lovely to say hello to you.

Well, that's it for this week...better start packing my bags for the weekend.

Just a reminder that everything used in this project is from Creative Expressions.

Many thanks for stopping by and leaving comments.  Until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

Say it with Flowers!

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday!

I thought that this week I'd do things a little differently and show you the finished card at the start of the step by step.  Would you let me know if you prefer that to the reveal at the end?

Anyway, let's get started.....

Cut a square of paper from the Sentimentally Yours-Graceful Butterflies and Dragonflies paper pad designed by Phil Martin.
Apply Colour Cloud Plum Cobbler Blending Ink to a Smoothie and dab onto a butterfly stamp from the Butterfly Field Stamp Set.
Stamp directly onto the patterned paper and heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Cleat Powder.

Die the the Finishing Touches-Ornamental Corners from coordinating paper, glue into position and trim off any excess.
Matt and layer onto Coconut White card and the same paper as before.

Ink up the sentiment from the same stamp set withBlack Archival Ink and stamp onto Coconut White card. Heat emboss with clear powder.
Cut out using Californian Collection-Decorative Frames Set B.
Cut a matt from the patterned paper using Californian Collection-Decorative Frames Set A.
Cut a slightly larger one in white then matt and layer.
Attach to the card with 3d foam pads.

Rough cut some circles from the patterned paper pad.  Cut a spiral into them.

Roll up from the outside edge and glue to the middle to form a flower.  Apply some of the Blending Ink around the edges for definition.
Cut some Ivy using the Finishing Touches-Trailing Ivy dies from white card.
Glue into position on the card then glue the flowers on to finish.

And there's the finished card again!

I hope you like it!

That's it for this week.  I'm off to prep my demos for Ally Pally, hope to see some of you there next week! Many thanks for visiting and leaving comments. Until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

Anything is Possible!

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday!

I'm taking a break from the Christmas Cards this week as I've been sent some new "toys" to play with!

I've kept this design quite simple but I think it's very effective so let's get started....

Cut a square of patterned paper from the Phil Martin Sentimentally Yours "Graceful Butterflies and Dragonflies" paper pad.

Ink up the large stamp from the "Butterfly Field" stamp set with Black Archival Ink.  Stamp along the bottom of the paper.

Ink up the sentiment from the same stamp set and stamp in the top right of the paper.  Ink up some of the small butterflies and stamp randomly on the paper.

Pick up some of the Colour Cloud "Pretty in Pink" Blending Ink on a Smoothie Tool and ink around the edges of the paper.

Emboss a square of Coconut White card with the Fine Finials A4 Folder.
Matt and layer with the stamped paper.  Select a coordinating paper from the pad.  Cut a square larger than the embossed card then matt and layer onto the 8x8 blank card.

Die cut 3 butterflies from Black Foundations Card using the Finishing Touches-Magical Butterflies Dies.
Shape the wings and glue into position on the card.

And there it is, all finished!

I do love to use silhouette stamps, they're so versatile and make such quick cards.  They also always look fab stamped onto patterned paper.  I have to say that the quality of the paper and the stamps are so good that it makes it easy to do.

Well, that's it for this week....Just to say, thank you for stopping by and leaving comments, they're always appreciated.

I'll be back next week with more ideas for using these stamps and some die cutting ideas.  Until then, have a happy, crafty week!

Merry Christmas!

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday!

Still nice and warm for making Christmas Cards but I really enjoyed making this weeks project for Creative Expressions.  When the Classic Poinsettia Dies first came out, I fell in love with them so it was a great excuse to get them back out and have a play!

Anyway, let's get on with the card.............

Emboss a square of Foundations Ruby Card with the A4 Frosty Swirls Folder.
Matt and layer onto Coconut white and Ruby before adding to the blank card.

Did cut both parts of the Italian Collection-Calabria from Coconut White Card.
Attach the outer ring to the card with 3d pads and glue the inner one into position.

Ink up the Elegant Poinsettias stamp with Perfect Medium and stamp onto Ruby Card.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer True White.  Cut out with the Festive Collection Classic Poinsettias Dies.
Shape the petals and glue together.  Glue onto the outer circle.

Cut out some Festive Collection-Filigree Poinsettia flowers from Coconut White Card.
Die cut the Trailing Ivy from the same white card.
Glue into position on the card.

Ink up the sentiment (from the A5 Seasonal Snow set) using Black Archival Ink and stamp onto Coconut White Card.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Die cut with the Small Standard Circles.  Cut a matt from the Ruby Card with the same dies.  Attach to the card with 3d pads.

Just add some 8mm black pearls to the flower centres and you're finished!

Hope you like it!

Well, that's it for this week...I'll be back next Thursday with another Christmas project.  I will pop on here Sunday to announce the winner of the wall hanging.

Many thanks for visiting and leaving comments.  Would you like more giveaways of the samples I make, just let me know in the comments?

Until next time, have a happy, crafty week!

Ho Ho Hot....

Good Morning All and a very Happy Thursday!

Well, I've been tasked by Creative Expressions to make Christmas cards!  On the hottest day of the year (so far) I've been thinking snow, carols, trees.....

Anyway, this is the first one of the month for you.  

Die Cut the Illuminated Christmas Tree from Foundations Vintage Gold Card.

Emboss a piece of Coconut White Card with the A4 Snowflake Lattice Folder.
Die cut the Finishing Touches Classic 3d Bow using the Vintage Gold Card.
Glue the strip from that set onto the embossed card and trim to size.
Matt and layer onto Vintage Gold card
Glue the tree into position.

Die cut the Finishing Touches 3d Filigree Bow from Coconut White Card.  Glue onto the Gold Bow.  Fold onto a 3d shape then glue onto the gold strip.
Add a small black Dazzler to the centre of the bow.

Ink up the sentiment from the A5 Filigree Christmas Set with Black Archival and stamp onto Coconut White Card.  Heat emboss with Cosmic Shimmer Clear Powder.
Cut into a banner shape.  Matt and layer onto Gold Card.
Shape and glue into position.
Add a small Black Dazzler to the tree to finish.

And there's the finished card!

I wanted to make a card that was quick but elegant and would be suitable for a man or woman to receive.

Although the tree is very detailed, it cut beautifully but I would use wax paper to help lift it from the die.

I've used Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue to stick everything down.  Again, the filigree work on the bow and the tree is very detailed and there isn't a lot of room for the glue, but a few drops of this glue works beautifully.

Well, that's about is for this week....I'm going to stand under a cold shower and cool off!

Don't forget to leave a comment if you'd like to be entered for a chance to win the wall hanging.  Many thanks for visiting, it is much appreciated.

Until next time, have a happy, crafty week!