Backyard Basics Workshop - the pictures

Yesterday saw my second all day workshop using the Backyard Basics stamp set and some lovely watercolouring techniques.

It also turned a bit messy as we got to grips with 'spritzing' with the aqua brush - there was quite a bit of ink everywhere.

These are the two things we made using this technique, which, once you have the hang of how to get the ink out the brush, is fairly straight forward and effective

These two also use the new scallop tag punch which is in the new Spring/Summer catalogue - and was a very popular item yesterday. It is so easy to make tags with and they can be made any length. We also made the following card and favour box with the tag punch:

One of the other new products we tried out was the flip card die. This was really easy to use and makes lovely cards at the drop of a hat - or a quick run through a big shot machine!

First off we made this simple bird card

And then we elongated the card to create a hidden pocket in the next card. The pocket can be used to put money or a gift card in and sent securely though the post.

We also made a bird flap card with a hidden sentiment inside

And this different take on an easel card:

Then there was this lovely waterfall card which was really easy as it used one of templates that I had - all you need to do is draw round it and cut it out. Simple as that, then you can get on with the decorating of the card.

And this bee card which I had to show you as well. The background was stamped with the bee stamp and embossed using white powder. Then it was coloured over using the aqua brush and daffodil delight ink to create a lovely graduated wash of colour.

The liquid pearls really finished off the card too.

The next workshop is taking place on Saturday 15th March so if you would like any more details then please let me know. I am also working on ideas for downloadable PDF's of workshops which may interest a few of you out there?

Claire

Stampin Up Occasions Catalogue and Sale-a-bration 2014

Well it's that time of year again - a new catalogue launch with some brilliant new products and the return of the Sale-a-bration promotion with Stampin Up. For every £45 you spend you get to choose a free product from the sale a bration catalogue.

As a demonstrator I was lucky enough to pre order some of the new products and managed to spend so much I think I've ordered all the free products from the Sale-a-bration catalogue!!

I was having a play with the new products today and here is what I made:

This card comes from the Peaceful Petals stamp set (133107) which is one of many flower stamps in the catalogue.

I stamped and embossed the flower in white powder onto vellum and then coloured it in using the strawberry slush ink pad and a blender pen. Here's a close up:

The background paper is part of the sweet sorbet DSP which is offered as a free Sale-a-Bration product (code 133521)

The tag was also created using one of the two new tag punches. I love it - I've been looking for a tag die for ages but this is one step better. As long as the card is 2 inches wide, you can make a tag of any length. The code for this if you would like to order is 133324.

I then made this tag using the same punch and some other lovely paper from the Sweet Sorbet DSP.

The flower and the twine was from the sweet sorbet accessory pack which is offered as a SAB free product. It is a set of various self adhesive cork elements and three colours of twine. (Code 133522)

Another SAB product are these lovely banner stamps and a co-ordinating punch (133554 & 133519). The background paper, which isn't too visible, is part of the Kaleidoscope DSP in the occasions catalogue, which features very vibrant colours. (Code 132995)

Both catalogues go live to order from on Tuesday 28th January and run until March. I will be back again soon with some more previews of products but if you would like me to send you a catalogue then please contact me .

Claire

Backyard Basics Workshop

On Saturday 1st February I am holding a workshop in which we will be using the Backyard Basics stamp set.

I have made a set of 10 cards and a few projects, utilising some of the sale-a-bration products and some new products from the occasions catalogue, both of which will be available from the 28th January to purchase from.

One of the things I bought was the new tag punch, and it's may favourite. I have been looking for a tag die cutter for a while and when I saw this I had to have it. It cuts tags to any size, they just need to be 2inches wide, and can be used for lots of things, such as these:

 

 

We will be making all three of these things in the workshop. If you are interested in learning how to make these then please contact me. I might put some tutorials up on here after the workshop has been completed on the 1st!

 

Claire

Thank You Cards

It's that time of year when thank you cards come in very handy. I was playing around with my Stampin' Up Flower Shop stamps and came up with three thank you card ideas.

 

 This first one is made simply by stamping the outline flower three times using melon mambo, wisteria wonder and so saffron ink pads and cut out using the co-ordinating punch.

I then cut a strip of yellow from the Polka dot parade paper pack and secured melon mambo taffeta ribbon behind both the ends.

I stamped a thank you sentiment in wisteria wonder ink and cut round it. I mounted it on to the wisteria wonder card and cut round again.

The flowers were stuck to the right hand side using foam pads and finished with a small silver gem in the middle of each. A strip of 5 gem stones were stuck to the ribbon.

This card was made by embossing a piece of wisteria wonder card with the honeycomb embossing folder. I then cut it down to 10x10.5cm and stuck it to the top section of the card. I then cut a piece of pink pirouette card to 4.7x10.5cm and stuck it to the bottom. I covered the join with silver ribbon.

The shabby flower from the set was stamped three times in coastal cabana, so saffron and crisp cantaloupe ink and cut out with co-ordinating punch. They were mounted to the top section of the card using foam pads.

I them stamped the thank you sentiment in coastal cabana ink and cut out as a flag. I then cut out two longer flags from the subtles DSP in so saffron and wisteria wonder. I then finished the card with three co-ordinating candy dots on the bottom right hand side.

 

I really love the gingham garden designer series papers and this card was made using some left over scraps. I cut the red gingham piece to 9.6x14cm and stuck it to the card blank. I then cut a strip of the yellow flower paper, making sure that the flowers were in the middle - this measured 14x1.5 cm.

On the yellow stripy paper I stamped two outline flowers in black ink and one scribble flower in black ink and cut round with the co-ordinating punch. I mounted them on foam pads and them stuck two small blue pearls to the centre of the outline flowers and bright pink pearls to the centre of the scribble flower.

I stamped the sentiment in marina mist ink and cut flags at both ends. This was then stuck to the card with foam pads.

I hope you like the cards and that they give you some ideas for thank you cards of your own. I really like the flower shop stamp set as it's so versatile and with 6 different flowers in it you can never get bored!

If you would like to purchase it then please visit my online shop or contact me for more information.

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/clairewolfe/

Claire

Happy New Year and 2014 Calendar Tutorial

Happy New Year everybody. I hope you aren't feeling too bad today and that you all have a very successful 2014.

I thought it was a good time to share with you this calendar I made, actually a few months ago, intended for a workshop but ran out of time. It's really easy to make and can be decorated how you wish.

1) Take an A4 piece of chipboard card and score at 9.8, 19.6 and 29.4 cm

2) Trim the length to 16cm. Using the strip that you have cut off, mark 1.5 cm either side of the score lines and cut, to make two tabs which hold the calendar together.

3) Lay the main piece in front of you with the long part at the top and mark the left section as 1 - the back, 2 - the front and 3 the bottom. This will help you when decorating.

4) Pain the edges of the calendar in white acrylic paint and leave to dry.

5) Stamp 3 sets of 3 flowers using the Flower Shop Stampin Up set in melon mambo, marina mist and so saffron. Cut out and using something soft underneath, such as a mouse mat, rub the surface with an embossing tool to create the 3D effect.

6) Stamp 4 sets of leaves from the Stipple Blossoms Stampin Up set in Pear pizzaz and Wild Wasabi and cut out.

7) Cut paper from the gingham garden paper pack to 15.3 x 9.1 cm. Ink the edges with the melon mambo ink pad and stick to the front and back of the calendar. Cut a strip of pink gingham paper to 15.3 x 2cm and stick to the back section.

8) Layer up the flowers using glue dots and stick the yellow set to the back section. Stick the sets of leaves down to the front and stick the pink and blue flowers over the top.

9) Mount the calendar tab onto marina mist card and stick to the front of the calendar. Finish with small co-ordinating pearls.

10) To assemble the calendar, put double sided tape onto both top and bottom of the tabs and peel off the bottom section. Stick to on side of the calendar, fold the sides in as a triangle, peel off the other double sided tape and stick the calendar together, making sure the two edges join neatly.

Now you have a lovely desk calendar for your crafty space.

Claire x