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

Workshops, New products & shop update

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Workshops, New products & shop update

Tags 3 & 4!

You have double tags this week as I was poorly last week and didn't get the chance to post up last week's tag & instructions...

This tag has been created using Cat's Eye inks and a selection of Crafty Individuals Stamp.  Start with a matt card black and apply your inks direct to the cardstock in light swirling motions.  don't be afraid of have a few lines and streaks - you do not need a perfectly blended finish.  Keep gradually building up the colour.  I used a couple of pinks and a purple shade.  Next I used a crackle stamp and  text stamp to stamp using the same innks on the background to create a bit further texture.  You can then select your motifs to stamp in Jet Black.  The girls are from a stamp containing 9 images in a block - I've cut them apart so I can use separately.  As is the wording - it's actually from the architecture stamp but is a nice little line of words.  I've then stamped my favourite fairy angel at an angle having covered the wording with some scrap card to mask it so the stamp didnt over stamp it.  Finally I used a little metallic Marker from Letraset scribbled onto my beauty wording (again one word highlighted from a bit mixed wording stamp) and then stamped in the corner.  Finally - as ever a few white gel pen highlights and borders round the girls to give it the finishing touches!  I had fun doing this tag and I do have to say it's my favourite so far!  The original is in the shop if you are passing!
This week's tag

A little simpler this week.  For those of you who do not stamp!  Start with a black matt card blank.  Use a Versamark ink directly on the card to create a random strip over the central part of the card - I worked from the bottom right hand corner towards the top left.  Next use Cosmic Shimmer Mica Powders and dust your mica's sparingly onto where you have inked.  You really do not need much at all - you can always add more!  I've used a mix of colours - pink, purple, orange, gold.  Dust them over and then use a big dusting brush to dust off the excess.  I've then added a mix of stickers - some silver some white in a decorative pattern and finally added a few highlights with Stickles Crystal glitter.  If you fancy having a go at Mica Powders, this is one of the projects we will be working on in the workshop on 22nd November 6-8pm (£12.50) in Attleborough at the shop.  Call 01953 454976 to book your place!

enjoy your crafting this week

Jane

Spooky Tag

Here's your second inspiration tag.  This time getting in early for Halloween!  This has been created using Gathered Twigs and Ripe Persimmon distress inks.  Firstly applying a mix of both over your tag using Cut n Dry Foam.  Splash some water droplets over your tag then blot dry.  Then use some bubble wrap - ink it up with the gathered twigs and stamp randomly on your tag.  The tree is an Elusive Images/Chocolate Baroque stamp in Jet Black Archival Ink.  I've added some white gel pen highlights to bring it to life.

I've hand drawn (yes hand- drawn - don't be scared - give it a go!!).. the spiders web with a letraset fine-liner.  Simplist ever to do cobwebs - just straight lines from one point radiating outwards, then do scallops in between them.  And Mr spider is easy to draw too - just draw and colour in an oval - add little lines for his legs and then some white gel pen eyes - done!

The lettering is hand-drawn too - just go slowly - have a practice before hand if you're not sure!.. or you can always use some alphabet stamps if you prefer.

the final touch is our little witch charm.. she's fixed on with a brad - She is one of a selection of halloween charms now in stock!

Have fun!

Jane

Weekly challenge project

We are starting a weekly challenge project for the next 12 weeks to get you inspired and creative!  Each week we'll post up a piece that we have created to give you ideas.  You may get inspired by the colours, the theme or something else - we would love to see anything you create as a result - feel free to email them, or link to your blog - or post them to our facebook page!

The first piece is a tag that I've created using vibrant distress ink colours.  First step was to stamp using Versamark using bubble wrap to get some interesting background.  I then embossed this with clear powder.

I then applied distress ink - Winter Berries - Seedless Preserves and Mowed Lawn - all limited edition set colours that will now be introduced as standard colours in the distress ink range - hurrah!

I then spritzed the card with splashes of water and removed the excess to get a mottled effect.  Next I stamped using the same distress inks using Umount Mini Swirls and the edge of a bare tree stamp (source unknown!) - just to add a little texture to the background.

I then stamped the seed heads using Archival Jet Black - stamp is Chocolate Baroque Retro Vases - and stamped a lined border down one side using a border from Woodware Easy Stitching stamp.  Next I stamped the word Art in Archival Black using a stamp from the Chocolate Baroque Artistic Affirmations set.

Finally I added a square panel peel -off in a black floral design and used the waste pieces to create some interest around it!

happy crafting

Jane

The end of an era...

I've taken the sad decision to discontinue my Diss crafting club and had my last night tonight. I've been there every month for the last 5 years.. but our numbers have dwindled of late.. and so I've decided to focus on the shop, workshops & the other two clubs that I currently run. A big thank you to everyone who has attended over the years - I've had such fun - I hope you have too!. I'm so pleased that I still get to see many of you either at the shop or events.. or in Tescos! Needless to say everyone is welcome to come along to the Harleston or Attleborough clubs.

Jane x