Colourful Butterflies

I've seen quite a few cards around on blogs and on facebook which are using different bright colours in simple designs and really like the effect they give.  So I thought I would create my own version.  I've used two Memory Box Dies - Isabella Butterfly - which is the solid shape butterfly and the matching Pippi Butterfly which cuts out the filigree detail - but is perfectly sized with the Isabella design so the two can be used together to create beautiful layered butterflies.  These are both available on the website along with many other Memory Box designs. 

I cut out five of each butterfly out of white cardstock.  I then used memento dewdrop inks to colour the matching butterflies - the colours I used are Lady Bug, Tangelo, Bahama Blue, Bamboo Leaves and Lilac Posies.  They dry very quickly as they are being applied onto a matt cardstock.  I used a dab of Dries Clear Cosmic Shimmer glue in the centre of the top filigree butterfly and stick onto it's matching base.  I then arranged all five butterflies at different heights and angles onto a piece of white cardstock. The body of the butterfly is coloured with Memento Tuxedo Black and then stuck over the top of each butterfly.   Finally I added a 'Birthday Wishes' greeting using Archival Jet Black in and a stamp from the Woodware Salutations set and then mounted it onto a dark brown cardstock and onto a DL card blank.  You could add a little glitter to the butterflies for some extra bling!

I hope this inspires you to create your own colourful card - if you do - be sure to share your projects either on here - or post to our facebook page here.

happy crafting
Jane

Gilding Flakes and Butterflies

I've had such a lovely couple of creative days.  It's so nice when you have both the inspiration and the time to create!  I had a lovely morning with the ladies of Fressingfield creating the tags that were on my blog yesterday - and we all had great fun!  It's always so fulfilling when you see people who tell you that 'I'm not artistic' and 'I'm not really very creative' then follow your guidance and be brave and create a beautiful piece of artwork.

So I came home full of inspiration and continued to create lots of pieces today... but I'm going to be mean and make you wait to see them!  I'll be blogging every 2-3 days putting up my new projects over the next few weeks - so check back regularly for the next batch of pictures!

Today's project is what I've created for our Indigoblu and Gilding Flakes workshop at Attleborough this Thursday evening 6-8pm.  We still have some places available - if you would like to come and learn how to make this card - then give us a call on 01953 454976 or email me at aldridgecrafts@googlemail.com.

The stamp used is 'Love is' by Indigoblue.  The flakes used are 'Morris Dance' and the butterfly die is the 'lacewings butterfly' from Crafty Individuals.  I've created the scallop mask using the sissiz Bigz super scallop crescent die and I've used a mix of Distress inks to create the inked background.

I like the contrast of using a love heart stamp with a grungy brown background - but by using the metal flakes, the heart still jumps out on the design.

Happy crafting
Jane

Cute scallop tag cards

I have been getting ready for a die cutting workshop this morning and set myself the challenge of creating a card using no rubber stamps.. Just dies which is unusual for me! I used the large sizzix scalloped tag die that Sarah kindly lent me along with her sizzix bird die and the crafty individuals birdcage die. I cut out the tag and used my distress stains (antique linen and vintage photo) to create a background along with pearl and bronze blush misters.

I created three variations of backgrounds either by applying the stains directly, or onto my craft mat and sprinting with water before dabbing the card in the ink. I then gave each of the tags a border with a fine liner pen. I cut out my birds and embossed one with a polka dot folder and again decorated with distress stains and fine liner accents.

Finally I cut out the birdcage And inked with the vintage photo stain and then spritz with the bronze blush mister .. This creates a good rusted look I discovered! I then assembled my tags and cut a tag in white to stick on the back ... Just at the top so it is hinged to create a card. Great fun! I created a few more projects today. But I will blog them later this week... Don't want to overload your ideas bank!
Happy crafting
Jane

Getting inky with the misters...

Well the creative bug definitely bit this morning!...  After being inspired by Dyan Reaveley's Art Journal You Tube video.. I thought I would get out my Cosmic Shimmer Misters (I'm yet to add the dylusions to my stash.. but don't think it will be long!) and have a play.  Ideal timing as I'm running an Ink Misters and Mask workshop this Friday 6-8pm at the Shop in Attleborough (Places still available call 01953 454976 to book).
Here are the two pieces that I've created... and what fun I had!

My handy hints for these projects are:
- Don't be afraid to write your own greetings or draw your own borders.  As ever most of my crafting stash is at the shop so I couldn't use my usual favourite borders - but a quick few lines and squares drawn with a fineliner worked a treat
- people are often scared of handwriting words on their artwork as everyone thinks their handwriting isn't up to scratch... but just write slowly and precisely and you can then add whatever words you want!  Draw onto separate card and cut and stick on - that way you can write it as many times as you like until you are happy!
Most of all - don't be scared to get creative... start with some colour and a couple of stamps or toppers and see what evolves! - have fun!

keep crafting
Jane
Visit www.aldridgecrafts.co.uk for your supplies of Misters and masks.

Snowy Tag

Time for another challenge tag!
This week's tag has an icy snowy theme.  I've used Cosmic Shimmer misters over a snowflake mask to create the background.  I've used a large snowflake die to cut a snowflake out of dufex silver card and used the same card with alphabet dies to cut out the word.  Then assemble it together with some snowflake and star brads and some ribbon - easy peasy!...  Mind you this tag did have to be simple.  I was very organised at the weekend and spritzed the background as my misters were all at the shop.... but silly me then forgot to bring my toolkit home!... so my plans were to stamp & emboss over the background.... oh no - no embossing tool... then to stamp & colour a design in with Promarkers.. oops no - forgot them too!  I even had to rustle up some scissors & glue from somewhere... oh well.. surprising what you can achieve with very little resources!
Enjoy

Jane

Golden Butterfly Tag

For this week's tag challenge I've gone with a golden theme.  Firstly I cut two strips of card the width of my tag at two different heights.  I used a Martha Stewart punch to cut the border along the top of them both.  Use Versamark ink over the front of the smaller strip and emboss it using a sparkly gold embossing powder.  For a good coverage go over it again with the ink and with the powder.

I've used a Dreamweaver Butterfly Stencil for the main design - place your stencil in position and then dab your Versamark ink through it then emboss with the gold sparkle embossing folder - again if you need to then line up your stencil and go over again for a darker finish.  You can also use a Versamark pen for this job too - it's Versamark ink in a handy pen - ideal for more precise application... I would have used mine instead of the pad.. but it's gone into hiding in my craft stash!!

Line up your two punched strips and mark lightly on your card where the punched section of the tallest strip falls.  Then apply strips of double sided tape to be behind the punched pattern.  Then apply embossing powder to the sticky tape and heat gently.  Stix2 is a good tape to use for this - as long as you don't overheat the tape won't bubble.

Stick on your large strip and then the smaller strip over the top.

Take a couple of paper flowers and colour with a gold ink - I used a Krylon Pale Gold - set aside to dry thoroughly.  Add some line details to the top of your tag, and in between your strips using a gold gel pen.  Finally fix a decorative brad at the top and then fix the two flowers with decorative brads.

You could try this design in all sorts of colours and it would look just as effective!

have fun crafting

Jane

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