Fly Away Dreams

Hi Folks!  Yesterday Barbara Gray posted on her Blog about a lovely new Leafy Stencil and it reminded me that I hadn't posted about a card that I had made a few weeks ago for a young chap that was moving on to pastures new.  So I thought that I had better get on and do it before I forget again!!

So Blue for a boy ... I stamped the boy with the birds in Archival - Cornflower Blue on Clarity Coated A5 Card.  Then sprinkled with clear embossing powder and heat set from underneath.  I had used a spellbinders die to cut out the shape first.

Next step was to put in a moon mask and then create some sky and a bit of a landscape with the copy paper.  Brayer used for the Sky and Make-up sponges for the landscape shading.  Added a flock of birds and then I set about adding the lovely  Maple Leaf and did a bit of secondary stamping.  I love the effect the wet ink has on this type of card with the leaves...you get shading without even trying!  I then stamped the sentiment and embossed it as with the boy.

Now just a little reminder when using coated card stock to let your ink dry  completely unless you are embossing it as the ink will stay wet for a while...you can hurry it along a bit by using your heat gun.  And if you are using embossing powders, brush a bit of talcum powder over your work first...great for getting rid of static!

This was actually a last minute card and I was not quite sure of where I was heading.  But mounting this piece on a blank card just didn't look right so I decided to add a rectangular backing sheet. I once again used the Maple Leaf stamp on Theuva Card to create a border and then attached it together with double sided tape and then mounted it onto a blank white card.

I also stamped the Maple Leaf inside the card too but unfortunately I can't let you see it as it was immediately taken from me and promptly some very rude words were written in it. ( all in jest I am told )

I love using just one colour of ink and achieving as many shades as possible out of it.  The shading is dependant on which type of card or paper you use too.  Coated Card will give you a darker / stronger image, whereas Plain card or Theuva Card will give you a softer image.

The young chap loved his card and confessed that he thought he would end up with a very bright pink girly card...I told him I had that one in reserve!

Happy Crafting everyone !

Emma x

Make a Wish

Hi Folks!  I have a lovely little card for you today...it took me a while (well all day yesterday as my ultra fine nibs on my ProMarkers wouldn't work...they all seemed to have dried up)

So for this 8 x 8 card I was asked to use an image of a Fairy, I chose one from the Papermania Enchanted range. I knew that she was going to sit nicely into the Clarity Stamp Naked Tree Stencil.
I stamped her using Archival - Potting Soil. I made a mask for her using a Post-it note. which I then put in place.

I attached my Stencil onto Theuva Card.  As usual my copy paper torn for hills I laid this over the stencil and using Clarity Stencil Brushes I blended in  Memento - Summer Sky and Distress Ink - Stormy Sky.  I then took a make-up sponge and brought in the ink laying on the stencil to make it darker at the edges.  I then proceed to colour in the background in my usual manner with the copy paper this time using just the make-up sponges.  I started with Distress Ink - Shabby Shutters, then Bundled Sage then I lightly added some Adirondack - Meadow.  I then removed the stencil.

I took a Promarker - Caramel (trying to use my ultra fine nib) to draw along the edges of the white tree and then coloured it in.  I then took one of the remountable leaves, Bundled Sage and Adirondack Meadow and added them to the tree.  

I must point out at this stage that I had made a paper mask of the stencil so that I could protect the outer area (keeping the leaves only in the circle.)

I removed the mask from the Fairy and set about her with my ProMarkers (Nibs still not working but I tried to use them as best I could...angry now and hands shaking).  Inks used  Plum, Moss Green, Blush and Putty.   So I spent the next hour going through all my nibs seeing which worked and which did not...not happy as selling point that they won't dry out, such a shame as they are really really great for detail work.

So back to the card...I put in some foliage using some of the remountable leaves and some shading. Moss Green ProMarker around the circle.  A little bit of shading under the Fairy's foot. I also put some foliage around the outer white circle allowing the foliage this time to creep into the main image

I added Make A Wish in Adirondack Wild Plum 

I took Adirondack Meadow around the edge of my card once I had trimmed it.  I layered this onto another piece of white card and then a lovely green dotty paper.  All perfectly spaced due to the Perfect Layers rulers and attached to an 8 x 8 card.  

Finished card

I am quite happy with the result, I hope you like it too.  I really wanted to show this one off to show that you don't have to just use stencil paste and that you can change the stencil by simply  stamping some leaves.


Hugs to all.

Emma xx

Christmas Cards with Clarity Stamp Club November Stamp

Hi Folks!  Just thought that I would share a couple of Christmas cards that I have made with the New Designs Clarity Stamp Club members stamp that came on Friday. (can't link it for you as yet as it is not available on the Clarity web site until next month) I had a little play as soon as I got the stamp, unfortunately I then had a load of visitors (welcome) and I had only managed to get two cards done. Since then I have been inundated with more mundane things like housework and family lol.

So the first card I did was a play on the sample sheet that came with the stamp.  I used a Clarity Stencil Winter Tree and obviously the Car Stamp, Theuva Card which I had cut to a square.  I had my stash of torn copy paper at the ready along with a makeup sponge, Adirondack Ink: Eggplant, a mask for the car and the headlamp ( post it notes), glue pen, Glamour Dust Glitter and a Stencil Brush

I stamped the car first, placed my masks and then fixed the stencil in place. Using the torn copy paper I shaded in the sky and very lightly shaded the edges of the tree. I then shaded in the tyre tracks forming a bend with the copy paper.
I used a Stencil Brush to lightly go around the inside edge of the stencil, just picking up the ink that was laying on it from doing the sky.
I used my glue pen to and some Glamour Dust to add starlight to the sky and to put some snow on the tree. Then before mounting onto white card I gave a little bit of shading around the edge of the image.
So just before taking this photo on Friday morning one of the lights in my craft room decided to blow so there is a bit more shadow from me that I would have liked to avoid but it was not to be...hey ho!

So the next card that I managed to make I decided to make a circular stencil from Stencil Plastic as I didn't have one.
You need to be patient and have a steady hand this out with a craft knife...don't think I did too badly!

So once again using the Adirondack Ink: Eggplant, Lone Spruce, Forest Ridge, Club Stamp and the small Star. Embossing Ink and Clear Embossing Powder.  Satin Card, Glue Pen, White Flocking.  Clarity Stamp Blending Mat
White Blank Square Card, double sided tape, all from my stash.








So from the images below you can see the stages that I followed.  That Ink on my stencil came in handy!

After doing all the stamping I added a little mask for the headlamp again and added very light shading to show it up  (albeit not very well in this photo) I added some shading for the roadway using my ClarityStamp Blending mat. 

My next step was to cover my image with the INNIE of my stencil to protect it.  I used a makeup sponge to colour the outside of the circle...I love colouring Satin Card as the ink spreads and blends really well and your image still has a sheen when dry.  Now when it came to shading the roadway that is out off the stencil I once again used the edge of the blending mat.

I removed the Innie of the stencil and then stamped the Lone Spruce.  I then used my glue pen to make falling snow around the outside of the circle and I added  snow to the trees with the white flocking.  Then all that was left was to go around the outside edge of the whole image with my ink pad and mount it onto a blank card.  

Can you spot the light from the headlamp?

 I love being a member of the Clarity Stamp Club that much that I didn't hesitate to join the Stencil Club when they started it this year....I'm a Gold Member!  That means that I get a free stencil and free stamp each month along with design sheets for each one, a newsletter written by Barbara Gray, half price members sale, 10 per cent discount and free postage on purchases over £10.00   Not bad at all!

But what I love most about Clarity Stamp is that their product shows quality!  You tell me what other stamp out there on the market that you can take an Iron to  when using fusible fibres and it doesn't melt the stamp.  The Stencils can go through an embossing machine and they don't crack.  And last but not least...Barbara Gray, The Design Team and the Team at Clarity Stamp HQ are all so very generous with their time, help and advice.

So what's next....a little play with the new stencil!


Happy Crafting everyone.

Hugs

Emma xx

Gilded Frame in Autumn Colours

Hi Folks!  Last day of the month and I have a little project to share.  This is going to be mainly pictures - not my usual ramblings as I have left myself short of time to finish another project that I am working on and as I wanted to enter this one into the Clarity Stamp Challenge which is Seasons I had better get a move on.  If anyone wishes to know more details leave a message / comment and I will get back to you. x

Here is the finished piece

Gilded Frame in Autumn Colours

Products used for Gilding the Frame

Products used for Picture

Stamp, Perfect Pearls Mica Powders and Clear Versamark Ink

(all from ClarityStamp)

Burgundy Parchment

 The Glazing for the Frame was actually Clear Acetate from Crafters Companion

They sell the acetate which has a protective film on both sides to keep it clean and free of scratches.  I removed one side of the film and attached to the back of the Frame with double sided tape, then I removed the other film before putting my image in place. 

After dealing with the frame I added some Elder Leaves.  I stamped them out on thick Parchment (the kind used for box making) using the Versamark and then added the mica powders.
I then embossed, pierced and snipped them out.
I did have to do a bit of masking with the corner piece using Post it Notes.  I love the effect that the snipping has on the edge of the leaves.

 A better view of my most favourite Clarity Stamp

showing more detail of the mica powders

I love how the colours of it all change with the light available

a bit how the seasons change!

As I said at the top I am entering this into the Clarity Stamp Challenge Blog

This is my representation of my favourite season

AUTUMN

Happy Crafting Everyone

Good luck to All. xx

In The Pink!

Hi Folks!  I Hope you are all well out there in Craftland!  I have little pink number that I forgot to Blog about but I did show the flower that I had made for it on FB.  So here goes!


I started with a piece of Card that I had used the Shaving Cream Technique on a while back (it is amazing the amount and variety of backgrounds that you can get from this and you can also use any type of card even thick paper).  I cut the card down to a square so that it would fit nicely onto an 8 x 8 " Blank Card.  I chose which Clarity Stamps (my first choice for stamping) that I was going to use.

Only using  Adirondack Ink: Raspberry. I Stamped Lily and then covered her with a Mask so that I could work on the back ground a bit more.  I put in a bit of shading for hills and I used the Small Leafy Swirl to create a framework.




I removed the Mask, edged the card by gently pulling the card along the inkpad.  I attached this to my blank card (double sided tape).  I then stamped the Birthday Sentiment around this.  It was then that I decided that it needed a bit more even though I was still going to add the flower, so I decided to  colour in the buttons of her dress, shoes and her hair using a ZIG Wink of Stella Pen: Dark Pink.



This wasn't enough so I then decided to do a bit of embossing.  Now I can already hear you all say...should't you have done this first!  Well yes I should but I had that lovely mask which comes with an 'innie' and and 'outie'.  So using the 'outie' I placed this back onto my artwork exposing Lily only and then as the mask is cleanable I had no qualms about using my Embossing Ink directly onto Lily and the mask.  I then removed the mask and placed it onto a bit of copy paper (I did go back and clean it with a wet wipe). I then used clear embossing powder and I of course had to heat set it from above.

I didn't mind setting it this way as what it did would produce a more dimpled effect on the dress.  All that was left was to add my handmade Gerber Daisy!

So this was the finished card...........only the day after it was sold I remembered that I had had a little pink ribbon with 18th to add to it!  Note to self:  Remember to actually check list!  This was a quick card to make as I already had a stash of flowers and background paper made and having the mask for the stamp was brilliant, so thank you to Clarity Stamp for making them.  

P.S.  The Masks are sticky backed and need to be de-tacked a bit before using them.  They can be stored on copy paper to be used again and again and I have to say they are reasonably priced too.

Hope you like it and Happy Crafting everyone!

Hugs xx

Emma

Nature

Hi Folks!  Hope you are all having a lovely Saturday!  I have been a bit busy this past week as my oldest daughter Carrie came for a visit.  She actually cycled from the East Coast right through to the West Coast last weekend.  She made amazing time and it was quite an acheivement for her.  Very proud of you Carrie x  In honour of her taking the route that she did (not a dedicated cycle route) and a more hilly one at that, I have made a little landscape for her.

Unfortunately Carrie didn't get to see any deer on this trip but hopefully she can get to see some next time she is through for a visit. She told me that she was stunned by the scenery that she cycled through on her way to see us and quite often she just had to stop and stare.

So I thought that the Life Verse I have used is very apt for her.  I started with a piece of A5 Theuva Card and I used Memento - Olive Grove to stamp this into position first.  I used torn copy paper, makeup sponge and once again Olive Grove ink to create the landscape. I then stamped the Fawn and the Deerscape in Archival - Ginger.  I went back to the Olive Grove for the rest of the stamping

I then used a collection of Remountable Leaves to create plants and foliage.  I also used a Pointilism stamp to give a bit more texture to the foreground and the brows of the hills. I added some trees in the background using a bit of the Pine Forest stamp and also a single small Spruce Tree with Northern Pine Ink with a little bit of secondary stamping going on too.

Close-up of the 'shrubbery' created using the Leaves set and the Pointilism Stamp.

I used the large Birch Leave and Memento - Northern Pine to stamp around the top and sides.  But before doing that I took one of my Clarity Stencil Brushes, Whispers - Sunshine and circled in a setting sun.  I then used  a Big n Juicy - Soothing Sunset ink pad, covered my hills with copy paper and took the stencil brush along the length of the art work starting with the yellow edge.  I changed brushes and added some of the darker pink and then again I used the darkest shade almost a purple.  I finished the sky by adding in a bit more darkness with Memento - Paris Dusk.  I then added the Birds in flight.

At this point I felt that the foreground was a bit too light for a setting sun so I decided to add a bit more shading using a large Clarity Stencil Brush and Memento - Northern Pine and then brushed this lightly all over the greenery until I was satisfied.

I trimmed my artwork and edged it with a black Sharpie pen.  This will be mounted onto a bright white background and then framed.  Now I had better get back into my craft room and tidy up my mess!

I hope you like it.  I have decided that this will also be my entry for Clarity Stamp Challenge for this month, which just happens to be Nature...well fancy that!

Happy Crafting everyone!

Hugs

Emma


http://claritystampchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/challenge-19.html

Butterflies and Flowers in Pink

Hi Folks!  Well the weather seems to be picking up a bit here in South Ayrshire so I thought that I would get my Post done before I get lost in the sunshine.  Baby Tortoises have been bathed and fed and housework done too, so I do not feel that guilty for doing nothing for the rest of the day but gardening!

A lot of Crafters are off to the crafting event at the Ally Pally (wish I was there too but its at the other end of the country...have a great day everyone).  In fact I hope that anyone attending any craft event this weekend find what they want and have a great time.

I have a little pink number to share with you all today, I hope you like it.

I chose some Clarity Stamp Stamps to make the image for this Card.  I have only used one ink pad - Archival Brilliance Pearlescent Crimson.
Large Butterfly
Small Butterfly
Grasses 2
Grasses 3
Floral Crook
Best Wishes (from line sentiment set 1)
Floral Branch (from lesson 18 set) (forgot to put in photo)
A5Theuva Card 
Clarity Stencil Brush 
Masking Tape
Double sided Tape
8 x 8 inch blank card and envelope
Printable Acetate
Post-it notes and Decoupage Scissors

So to begin with I cut my Theuva Card into a square and covered up the edges using masking tape...tip!  rub some moisturiser on the inner part of your arms and then dab on your masking tape to de-tack it...works a treat!




I stamped the Floral Crook and covered the leaves and flowers with masks (post-it note sticky end) I then lightly stamped the Large Butterfly randomly around the card I removed the masks and then stamped in the Grasses and the Floral Branch.  Next I shaded around the edges of the image using my Clarity Stencil Brush.

I then Stamped the Large Butterfly onto a piece of Printable Acetate and left this to dry before cutting it out.  I removed the masking tape and took the edge of my ink pad around the edges of the image and mounted this onto my 8 x 8 Card. I then mounted the Acetate Butterfly using a clear silicon glue

I stamped the Best Wishes Line Stamp onto the front of the card and then I decorated the insert with lightly stamped Small Butterfly and the Best Wishes line stamp and attached this to the card with double sided tape. 

This is the finished card and I am glad to say that it was well received!

Happy Crafting everyone!

Emma xx

Photo to Canvas

Hi Folks!

I thought that I would share a card that I did for my son's birthday this week.  He is an avid outdoorsman and he loves to take photographs of all the beautiful scenery wherever he goes.  Earlier this year he went on a camping trip up to Stirling and he took some lovely pictures.  I decided that I would take one of his photos and make it into a card for him.
I loved the lighting and the view in this photo and I decided that I would put it onto canvas and then mount that onto a card.

Stirling Castle By George R Summers 2014

I had fun tearing up copy paper to make masks for the various hills.  I used various inks from Distress - chipped sapphire to memento - summer sky to achieve the shading.  Being on canvas I couldn't get the shine of the light that the original photo has but all in all I am quite happy with it...more to the point my son recognised his photo right away so I was not that far of it.

I quite liked doing this and I will have to look out some more photographs to copy.

Happy crafting everyone.


Emma x

Daydreamer Birthday Reflection

Hi Folks!  I have a birthday card for a man to share with you today.  I have used some old techniques to create this card along with a new one (to me that is).  So lets get down to it!

I started by making my own ink pad.  (old technique) I stamped the Daydreamer in Black Archival Ink onto ranger Felt Pad.  I then painted over the image with Rainbow Inks. (Cranberry, Bottle, Butterscotch, eggplant)  (store in a snap and seal bag).  I then stamped my Daydreamer Stamp onto the pad and stamped this onto my Gelli Plate. I placed my Clarity Coated Card onto the Plate and took a print. (new technique to me). I then turned my card around and re-stamped my Daydreamer onto the pad and then onto the Clarity card...thus getting a reflection!

So out came the copy paper to cover the top half.  I used my brayer, scrunched up copy paper, Adirondack Stream and Eggplant along with a blending mat to create the water.  I also used the outer mask of the large moon from Claity Stamp and coloured the inside of this using a large Stencil Brush and Whispers Staw Mat and Sunshine inks.

I then covered the water over and worked on the sky.  I put the Inner Moon Mask on only AFTER putting in my clouds using Clear Versamark and Cotton Wool (very old technique).  I then used the Brayer again to colour the sky with Memento - Summer Sky and Distress - Stormy Sky ink pads. I then placed the outer mask of the Moon onto the image BEFORE removing the inner mask.  I then repeated what I did with the stencil Brush and inks.  I removed the mask and then took the Straw Mat blended with the Sunshine ink and brushed along the full horizon.  I removed all the masking tape and then got out my kitchen roll and gave the whole image a polish.

Now for some reason my inks had bled onto the tiny white border that I had created so I had to come up with a solution to fix this!  I tried using a white micron pen...it bled every where (duffer),  I tried a white pencil...nah looked naff.  So in the end I went for the simplest solution, raked through my stash and found a sheet of White Peel-offs.  Sorted!!  (top tip...best way to get good corners without bumps is to cross the strips over and then take a sharp knife and using the point only press through both layers.

I coloured a piece of satin card  with Stream and Eggplant (blended on my mat) and using the Perfect Layers Rulers trimmed to fit.  This was then mounted onto a square card and the sentiment  stamped in Eggplant and coloured with the spare ink on the blending mad.

Glad to say the card was well recieved.  I know I am very happy with it.  I am really liking using the Gelli Plate for doing reflections.  Once agian I have to thank Barbara Gray for showing this technique on her blog...You should all check her daily blog, the woman is just brilliant!

Here is the finished card

                             

Happy Crafting!

Emma xx