Twas The Night Before Christmas!

Hiya Folks!!  I am a tad late with beginning my blog posts for the month.....sorry.....been a little bit busy.....need to work on my time management skills (or slightly lack off).
I hope you are all doing well out there in craftland......lots of things happening and not all good, so I do wish everybody well!
Last Sunday and Monday had our wonderful Barbara Gray and Paul Church show off the beautiful 'Twas the Night' collection of Groovi Plates on Hochanda.tv.....a marathon of Groovi!
So my first post for you this month of July is to show off my Design Samples using the Groovi Parchment System and the release of the very lovely 'Twas the Night' Groovi Plates.

I used the straight Piercing grid to create a border with the dots adding a fake stitch and colouring it with Red Berry Ink.

Using the Straight Grid to make the border and shades of Blue Faber Castell Pencils to colour the frame and crib.

I have used Tinta Gold Ink to colour the bauble and the first word.  I then used shades of Brown Faber Castell Pencils to colour the frame adding Sakura Clear Star to the front of the frame.  I then cut around the frame with my parchment scissors (no piercing and snipping this time).

I have used promarkers for the Border (they blend wonderfully on parchment), Faber castell Pencils, promarkers for the boy, cat etc Blending them together to get the colours deeper.
I have used Tinta Gold Ink to apply to the corner flourish which is the ribbon from the Bauble plate from this set.

Out again with the Tinta Gold Ink, adding it to the Lettering and Punctuation. Also to the stars.  The reindeer is decoupaged.
I used the Diagonal and Straight Grids to create a border before snipping out with Parchment Scissors.

For this card I made it in two pieces.  I used the Nested Squares Baby Plate to create the frame around Santa, painted the Tinta Gold, Coloured with a Promarker.
I then used the new Green Coloured Parchment to make a frame.
The design was made with the help of the Straight Grid.  At the inner corners I pierced and cut a diagonal line so that the Santa piece could slip underneath creating a photo corner. (see the triangle of dots)

For this card I took another element from the Bauble  to add to the border frame. I used Red Berry Promarker to colour the outer piece and using Dorso Oil I gently blended just so that it would spill over to the inner frame slightly.  Promarkers were used to colour in all the toys and body of the sleigh, with some Tinta Gold to add some bling!   

For this piece I used a Signo Gold Gel Pen to add colour.  I only used one corner of the Universal Framer Plate to make my border.  I used the Typeface Alphabet from the Framer to add in Merry Christmas and highlighted them with the gel pen.  Rudolf was coloured using Faber Castell Pencils with a touch of Gel Pen to his harness.  I then pierced and cut around the inside edge of the moon and Rudolf and the outside edge of the border before mounting onto some very pretty gold coloured vellum from my stash. 

This is my favourite card.  I used the Nested Square Baby Plate around the Fireplace and Verse, created a pierced border before adding a double lined border from the Larger Nested Square Groovi Plate.  I coloured the outside border with Red Berry Promarker and used a combination of Promarkers and Faber Castell Pencils blended together to colour the Fireplace, Santa and cat.  Gold Gel Pen for the mice and candelabra.  

The fireplace and cat is also decoupaged!!  I had to cut up some clear sticky pads into tiny bits for this!  But I did have fun!  

For this Last card I just wanted to highlight the Universal Framer so I kept it as simple as I could.  I began with the Framer then added a Single Square from the Nested Squares.  Added bits of stars from the Star Groovi Plate.  I then added in the sentiment using elements from the Sentiment Border, and new arrival baby plates set. I used Faber Castell Pencils to shade in the swirls channels of the Framer.  I then pierced and cut out some spaces on the Universal Framer.  

This was then cut out with a craft knife, edged in silver gel pen and mounted onto some handmade paper.  I then added a border with silver Peel-offs (mitred at the corners to give a better finish)

You will have probably noticed that I am missing one of the set.....the stockings plate.......my bad......I really thought that I had finished it and sent it off to Barbara......

I had a workshop on Saturday, rested and watched Barbara and Paul on Sunday (and Monday) Went for a walk by the river (was out there all day) and when I came home I decided to get cracking on tidying up my craft room....(bomb had hit it)......found the stocking lineart that I had started, sat between the layers of my coloured parchment......oooops!!

So I shall just have to get it finished.....not sure when as we have Maria Simms coming up on Hochanda very soon and work to be finished for that, then more workshops to organise......all good fun.   

I hope you enjoy looking at my samples.  The designs on these plates were all drawn by the talented and lovely Barbara Gray herself!

If you would like to see the other Design Samples made by the rest of the Design Team (including the new stamps and stencils) then pop on over to Claritystamp and click on Artroom......

You won't be disappointed!!

Why not pop in and see the full collection of Groovi Plates while you are at it!

click on the Orange Groovi banner at the top right of my page and it will take you right there!

Happy Crafting!

Hugs

Emma x

Another Groovi Sunday

Hi Folks! Hope you are all well and having some nice summer weather.  The 1st Sunday in the Month is always a Barbara Gray from Claritystamps ltd, two hour show on createandcraft.tv here in the UK.  This morning we were treated to another fabulous show with Barbara and the lovely presenter Leoni Pujol.
Today we saw the new Groovie Plates, some fantastic new christmas word stamps and some new Wee Christmas Folk.  Fabulous. All available from the Claritystamp website.
This also means that I can now show you my Groovi Design Team Samples.  I have two lots to show you as the first ones up were for the Christmas Special on createandcraft.tv, but as the products sold out in about 3 minutes (seriously - they are that great) Barbara was not allowed to show the DT cards or do some of the Demos she had planned....sshh! But it was quite funny as the presenters didn't know what to do.

So First up are from the TV show on the 18th of June

These featured the New Christmas Rounds, Groovi Doves and Groovi Deer Plates

Doves with Faux Stitched Border

Gilded Peace, Olive Branch

Deer Noel

Doves, Holly, Spiral Border

Christmas Deer, Holly

Holly Cut-away, Holly Verse

Dove Olive Branch, Happy Christmas

Next up Feature the New Snowflake Groovi Plates along with 2 New Long Groovi Plates, one which has a new smaller alphabet, numbers and bunting.
The other sports a lovely Spruce Branch with 6 Baubles to use as decoration.
I did make a box using this Plate, unfortunately although it could be seen on the TV...I forgot to take a final picture....I will just have to make it again!

Snowflake, Spruce Branch

Let it Snow Shaker Card, Olive Branch

Trees, Landscape Oval, Santa's Car

Snowflakes, Christmas Bunting

Merry Christmas, Dove, Dotted Oval

Joy, Peace, Noel

Noel, Snowflakes

I hope you like them.  If anyone wishes me to Blog a tutorial on any of the cards, please feel free to leave a message and I will do so.

I do have two Blog Posts to do first though.
The first will be about making a photo style corner for those that do not or cannot get a corner punch.
The second post will show how the Oval with Santa's Car was made.
Hopefully I will have these done by Monday

Until then, enjoy what is left of Sunday and

Happy Crafting

Hugs
Emma x

Pink Peonies in Parchment...Groovi!

Hi Folks!  I know I am a bit late with blogging some of my parchment pieces that were shown on the Television launch of the wonderful Groovi Plate Mate on Create and Craft TV....new plates were shown on the Christmas Special too, although they did sell out in about 3 minutes - that's how FAB they are!!!
So I do have a lot of catching up to do - so here goes!

Pink Peonies in Parchment

Claritystamp Groovi Plate Mate

Peony Groovi Plate

I have to say that this piece is not what Parchers usually produce.  I have embossed and coloured on the back as normal, but I had also chosen to do something a bit different and showcase the wonderful Grooving achieved using the Groovi Plates.  So fine and precise! Hence why they are on show!

First thing is to give your Parchment a Smooch with a Tumble Dryer Sheet or Soap Bar to help your tools glide rather than scratch,  The idea is to stretch the Parchment. 

Then find a framework to work within.

You can do this by using an aperture card (as above)or by using the Border Plate Straight Lines and your Mat to mark out your Frame.  If you use an aperture, tape your A5 Parchment to it securely when marking out your frame.

So with Peony Plate in place, Small Ball Tool in the Groove, Build up your design by putting in the flowers you want and where.   As you can see, I started with a couple of smaller flowers in the corners then went about balancing it out.  Remember try not to go over the lines of the previous flower. 

I find the best way to get really white lines is to use the small ball tool and go over the grooves ONE way then change to the smallest Tool and go back along the OTHER way.  No need to add any pressure.  You can come back again the opposite way to get it even whiter.

Next step is to get some Alcohol Blending Solution and some Alcohol Inks.  I used Adirondack Cranberry and Wild Plum.  You will also need two small blending tools (or two separate pads) and a fair wad of kitchen roll, folded not crumpled up.

You can tape your Parchment down to a mat if you wish as long as you can turn it if needed Apply a very small amount of your chosen first colour (lighter) to the pad and dab lightly over the flowers.  

Keep going in where you want to (it is entirely up to you) until first pad is dry.

Next Pad...Darker Colour and same amount, repeat what you did before but try to avoid too much of a build up in one area.

Now the next step is key.  Parchment does NOT like to get wet so you only want to apply as little Blending Solution as possible.  That is why Kitchen Roll and not a sponge for this bit.

Apply the Solution to the Kitchen Roll and as soon as you touch the Parchment start quickly but gently moving in small circles, this will move the ink around.  You will also see that the ink will gather into the Grooves you have made using the Groovi Plate.  Using the same bit of Kitchen Roll (You will know what bit that is as it will be covered in ink lol!) apply a bit more solution....you really are just tipping the bottle up and down again....not much at all.

Go back into your picture and start to move the ink around a bit more....guiding it towards the outer areas while trying not to take too much away from the center flower.  And as you can see it is OK to make a mess outside the Frame as you will be hiding this bit!

 Your bit of Kitchen Roll will have plenty of ink and solution on it...time to attack the middle
Start by taking the Kitchen Roll (Paper Towel if you don't know what I refer too) and gently remove some of the ink from the very center.  Then when you are happy with that, do the same to the outer part of the outer petals.  You will be able to tell by now that some of the ink is just not for moving and that is fine for giving you the appearance of a curve in the petal.  Now Leave to Dry for about Ten minutes. If there is any tiny bits that you are not happy with, you can use a Cotton Bud and a smidgin of solution to get it working again.

Want to see what it looked like from the other side?

Now that you have done this, you have learned to colour parchment with Alcohol inks!  The same principal applies to the Pergamano Wax Crayons.  And as you can see you can still go in and emboss a design into the Parchment but please let the Parchment rest if you want to colour first and then emboss.

Now at this point you have a choice...........

You can go in from the back (that is where all this work was taking place) and do a bit embossing to whiten some areas (you will need a large ball tool or hockey stick for the biggest flower and then progress down the sizes.....light smooth strokes as opposed to sharp heavy ones)

or

You can go in from the back and add more definition to the shading 

with some Spectrum Noir Pencils

I chose to go back in with pencils to the areas where a Petal would naturally overshadow another Petal.  There was also a couple of little bits at the edges where there was space between the flowers which was ideal for darkening up.

Once you are happy with your colouration it is time to frame your work.

I trimmed my piece (having decided at the outset what I wanted was a card)  and attached it to an aperture card...didn't like it!  I Put it aside and when I went back to it, it had fallen over on its side...voila!  I knew then that it was to be mounted, sideways on, on canvas.  The aperture just didn't look up to scratch when I put it against one of my canvases so I cut out another slightly larger framework, attached the picture to the Canvas and then attached the new framework on top.

Neat trick with a ball tool (medium or large)  If you hold the ball tool at a 45 degree angle along the outer edge of your framework (which would mean your arm would be positioned OVER the frame) Then gently but steady run the ball tool along the outer edge, turnframe and continue round all 4 sides....this will curve the edge downwards slightly with gives it a better finish.  You can do the same on the inside of the frame (best to do it before attaching your parchment to it)  If you have a closer look at the top picture you will be able to make out the effect I mean. 

Now I hope that you were able to follow my instructions ( I can waffle - use 6 words where two will do) but most of all I hope you have fun.  Any questions leave me a comment and I will get back to you (barring blogger being a pain that is lol).  Hopefully I will be back soon with another Groovi Parchment Blog!

Happy crafting

Hugs 

Emma x

Television Launch of ClarityStamp Groovi Plates!!!

Hiya Folks!!  The First Sunday in every month means that the wonderful Barbara Gray is on CreateandCraft TV, with wonderful demos and new products from ClarityStamp ltd.  

But for me this time around it is extra special!

This morning saw the Launch of a Brand New ClarityStamp Range

Parchment Embossing Plates...

I think I have mentioned once or twice how much I love Parchment work and also how much I love Clarity Stamps!!  Combine them both and I am definitely One Happy Crafter!!

When I was approached by Barbara Gray to join the team I was over the moon and spent several long days waiting for what was to be a Very Very Happy Postal Delivery.  I was so excited!!! Keeping it a secret was very hard as I just wanted to show them to everyone as I knew they would be an immediate hit!  (I was very good Barbara...Didn't even tell my best friend!)

 So that meant that my Groovi Design Team mates and I got first play with the New Groovi Plates

and for the first time for me....I have some samples to show here and on....

 TV!!

I was Very excited and very nervous!!

So what's it all about...

Claritystamp have designed Embossing Plates to be used with Parchment.  They are clear plastic, laser etched with ClarityStamp Designs.  Very easy to use...I have a touch of Arthritis in my hands and found them great to work with.  I loved how the ball tool glided in the Groove...

The Starter Kit is very easy to use.  You get a double sided mat...soft one side for embossing and a hard side for colouring.  Two embossing tools, parchment.  A Groovie Plate Mate (for the plates to sit in) and two Groovi Plates - Trees and Hills.   So easily interchanged!

You simply tape your Parchment over the design...smooch it with a tumble dryer sheet (so your tool glides rather than scratches), then use the ball tool to emboss the design.  From there you can create beautiful Parchment designs using one Groovi Plate or by combining different Groovi Plates.

In this first launch there are another two sets of Groovi Plates

Sprig Pattern and Blooming Peonies, Meadowgrasses and Butterfly Wreath
and two Border Plates

Here are photographs of the rest of my TV Samples 

Which hopefully over the next two weeks I will give an individual blog on how I made them
and also what Groovi Plates I used.

If you managed to catch the show I hope you enjoyed it as much as me and that you managed to get 

what you wanted, Barbara's show was a sell out, despite how much stock she brings to the show... that good and that popular. 

You will be happy to know that they are available on the Claritystamp website: Groovi Plates

I hope you like my samples and that you will look in again when I do the blog posts.  I look forward to hearing from you all.

You can also have a look at the other Design Samples shown for the Groovi Plates by clicking on the following link to the Artroom at Claritystamps website: Groovi Gallery

Happy Crafting

Emma x