tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59914326534619437652024-03-13T18:57:22.490+00:00Josephine's RainbowJosephine's RainbowJosephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.comBlogger842125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-17827981253927666952023-12-11T13:23:00.000+00:002023-12-11T13:23:05.913+00:00Foam Flowers<p> It's a long time since I posted anything here: things have been busy, and most of my crafting seems aimed at the u3a craft group I belong to. But here are a couple of independent projects I've completed using flower foam.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUkQlmf9dkB4fx3OO9Dl6mg8M1NU2rmddeDqFNCdibbW5EuLGu_iZhO3LKHezkxJdCEjL8Q5k7_J5hc-48Aa8xuKtfg-F1XHLRhT7lmlNkIm0o55ZovZZYIwHRbBXG5QxBdxbzoycwZJJ-mezAYh-6lVjPmakuxqoMW4BNdeqMS91unX6a0Z9eqhSKRk/s752/IMG20231211122952-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUkQlmf9dkB4fx3OO9Dl6mg8M1NU2rmddeDqFNCdibbW5EuLGu_iZhO3LKHezkxJdCEjL8Q5k7_J5hc-48Aa8xuKtfg-F1XHLRhT7lmlNkIm0o55ZovZZYIwHRbBXG5QxBdxbzoycwZJJ-mezAYh-6lVjPmakuxqoMW4BNdeqMS91unX6a0Z9eqhSKRk/w346-h400/IMG20231211122952-sized.jpg" width="346" /></a></div>My most recent flower project: I bought a metal wreath base from Hobbycraft, covered it in ribbon and then added a variety of flowers and leaves. The greenery was made using Susan Tierney-Cockburn dies and flower foam from a variety of manufacturers. I've used florist's wire and tape, and had to use rather different means of assembling the various flowers compared to paper, but it was an interesting experience, as was relying on hot glue! I've used Sharpies to get extra colour on the flowers and styrofoam balls (from The Works) coloured red to add to the holly..<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSz5qA-v6FPPmdt4PPbNYboTIJkXkqdchlX_7r16AxXuAXvTUx_kBAlaFb6-G9XigRSNYMg0nl2qqOv_sLvZV4reScTVc4t3_oM28DtayWbuO5oFjKtGmVUy_QYeuTSBZCrlJoE6NBamRKt5Ligb55u2DVEYlqPC8n8JDKnRA6zymPCS0NEljbIEVppLY/s1052/IMG20231211123038_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSz5qA-v6FPPmdt4PPbNYboTIJkXkqdchlX_7r16AxXuAXvTUx_kBAlaFb6-G9XigRSNYMg0nl2qqOv_sLvZV4reScTVc4t3_oM28DtayWbuO5oFjKtGmVUy_QYeuTSBZCrlJoE6NBamRKt5Ligb55u2DVEYlqPC8n8JDKnRA6zymPCS0NEljbIEVppLY/w248-h400/IMG20231211123038_01.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Very similar to the wreath in most respects, although the roses use a Sizzix Bigz die for the blooms. The 'vase' is made using a Tonic die set I've had just about forever!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxb1WTx3sRnRhxYWTh9xpec5T9MHnyMlI6KZgXxQZFikCBD6mWBEtPr7A6nXJKx0sJxY7-LKZG4Kw1UNXcDWulykiP4ZihKpXHe8JTXFSAIRT_JFpi-UzuXPxR1H8UBwJ0eNfBv6UQfaSCCE6YQmQWEn8pUZRqGMLALjL48Zqryd6O0vMIsMzwIVAFlx0/s972/IMG20231211123118-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxb1WTx3sRnRhxYWTh9xpec5T9MHnyMlI6KZgXxQZFikCBD6mWBEtPr7A6nXJKx0sJxY7-LKZG4Kw1UNXcDWulykiP4ZihKpXHe8JTXFSAIRT_JFpi-UzuXPxR1H8UBwJ0eNfBv6UQfaSCCE6YQmQWEn8pUZRqGMLALjL48Zqryd6O0vMIsMzwIVAFlx0/w268-h400/IMG20231211123118-sized.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And finally, a trial for something I might attempt next year. My mum's favourite flowers were freesia. Susan Tierney-Cockburn's die dies a good job of recreating the shape, and I love that they're so multi-coloured in real life. I don't get the chance to visit the cemetery where my parents are buried very often, so can't really put fresh flowers there, but I'm going to try to put something together to take up for my next visit, and at least, they should last a little while. (The site is on a hillside overlooking the Clyde and a little windswept so a little while is all I can hope for!)</div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-34171257824501438872023-11-10T19:09:00.000+00:002023-11-10T19:09:13.151+00:00Flowers and Scrabble Letters<p> My son and his partner recently moved into a new house. It's been a longish haul for them. Their first sale/flat they wanted fell through, mainly due to intransigence of both the other parties. Their buyer wanted to move quickly or he would pull out. The owner of the property they wanted insisted they had to go away for a month, and when they got back, they'd start looking for a rental property and only then would they be ready to complete on the sale. And all this was after nine months of wrangling when the legalities were all complete. So, it all fell apart and they waited for a couple of years before trying again. This time, they went for a new-build house, and they finally moved!</p><p>To mark the occasion, I made a framed picture. I don't expect it to be displayed forever - and I fully expect they'll repurpose the frame, but it's only intended to be short term.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusnK7RbXiYp4PkZUw7PsM6OnXdMz8eKpmctJU8xP4CORcSa_kJ8RblBU5FPHZfp1arNJwgjPoTPdxURp2YoxOuBDr0i2hbiQrGaPYLSsNp70K2Yz0PHHrKAPTUoR4i2WC1NzmWMAqFQ-jSZNSWzNwIL36HGvPFOq20JGmOVAoVpkV-Mc_PjRlXttY/s2795/IMG20230618165313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2795" data-original-width="2784" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusnK7RbXiYp4PkZUw7PsM6OnXdMz8eKpmctJU8xP4CORcSa_kJ8RblBU5FPHZfp1arNJwgjPoTPdxURp2YoxOuBDr0i2hbiQrGaPYLSsNp70K2Yz0PHHrKAPTUoR4i2WC1NzmWMAqFQ-jSZNSWzNwIL36HGvPFOq20JGmOVAoVpkV-Mc_PjRlXttY/w399-h400/IMG20230618165313.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><br /><p>The frame is from Hobbycraft. I used stencils and a variety of inks for the background, with some stamped, heat embossed butterflies too.</p><p>The 'Scrabble' letters were made using Tonic dies. The flowers are Susan Tierney-Cockburn designed dies from several manufacturers. The dark green foliage was cut using dies from The Works. The butterfly is layered and cut using Spellbinders dies.</p><p>This is the first time I've used the Rhododendron die set. I'm a little disappointed, as, although it looks fine, I don't think it's particularly realistic, which is unusual for Susan's designs. Although that may be because the instructions for making this flower are no longer available, so I had to use techniques from other flowers and hope for the best.</p><p>I do quite like the addition of orangey 'greenery'. I think it just adds something to the overall effect and helps with balance especially with a greeny-blue background.</p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-79519784238354630572023-05-01T18:59:00.000+01:002023-05-01T18:59:30.935+01:00Inky Blending and Masking<p> Last year, we did a session on inky blending, and the group wanted to do a similar session this term. We used Distress Inks for backgrounds, stencils for texture, stamps stamped with Versafine Clair ink for focal points. Stencils are from Clarity, Creative Expressions, Crafter's Companion, and Lavinia and stamps from Lavinia, Inkylicious, Woodware, and Spellbinders.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg85gBZF-6Bp01qC57L2T0hFDGSqXXt9ja7qdqtvuajvvQHRy76Fx9lE8mcAVl80nRU0SS4IIr58ew_5QNXrwlHeaYAXr4vSBW0xZ1F4pPcyEmgYe84c5vrU4Gt2_F4hmsybwR-W0BuegAoREu7-GM01GDu7DyqKCX1EEppbw35UM82rhfGmb2cijRG=s911" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg85gBZF-6Bp01qC57L2T0hFDGSqXXt9ja7qdqtvuajvvQHRy76Fx9lE8mcAVl80nRU0SS4IIr58ew_5QNXrwlHeaYAXr4vSBW0xZ1F4pPcyEmgYe84c5vrU4Gt2_F4hmsybwR-W0BuegAoREu7-GM01GDu7DyqKCX1EEppbw35UM82rhfGmb2cijRG=w285-h400" width="285" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Dominique</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUX9eiq2pMqkLdfXpxX8weUYJlOWvSUQJMaza52DJ-qlbhP3z_FgenMHz2ULhFfCOfntEP0JFGzRg0wKYGQaQ2iYAm-FC6OsO-TRlJ4211fGLJnqYB556wBfInxFpqDi400U9mivX0G8BMtklMdEDV1EcmbwVso_sJFVs9oC5RmFik-AqhljiTLcdU=s907" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUX9eiq2pMqkLdfXpxX8weUYJlOWvSUQJMaza52DJ-qlbhP3z_FgenMHz2ULhFfCOfntEP0JFGzRg0wKYGQaQ2iYAm-FC6OsO-TRlJ4211fGLJnqYB556wBfInxFpqDi400U9mivX0G8BMtklMdEDV1EcmbwVso_sJFVs9oC5RmFik-AqhljiTLcdU=w286-h400" width="286" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dominique</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBlnCQLfy3kgY_9rjTZB9nwez7U1gnxXrBN1cJxf-oIqTyk-Vab38Y0heaHJJr0vdwnAdNhYhgZzJPvBj-_Q_wn5aVLEUUI87c9Hp40XPoSEmp2VU9YyK0MJoI-Z6WP4RqdvfRiF97_CB29ZxWzTioLEjrvGm6FOxc8v5bziH4Dko8lu6a6Pey8xmw=s918" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBlnCQLfy3kgY_9rjTZB9nwez7U1gnxXrBN1cJxf-oIqTyk-Vab38Y0heaHJJr0vdwnAdNhYhgZzJPvBj-_Q_wn5aVLEUUI87c9Hp40XPoSEmp2VU9YyK0MJoI-Z6WP4RqdvfRiF97_CB29ZxWzTioLEjrvGm6FOxc8v5bziH4Dko8lu6a6Pey8xmw=w284-h400" width="284" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nadi</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiM1X2tReaPfiIhz3gbVxMuIKNNpjhCJpvws5UhJ2EczN3MC_7YJcWQhddCdzKhor1kvaLKTpJvHRYR3sb99Az8WUKviSYQbAT_L1ION8a-u2uWv2OWu9Y-Mw85CTmBVzvdVr8ieg43gTcF-_umN7kQW_xB24i4GtlkNIxiXTK1CSxrQmodkSdgUbZM=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="691" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiM1X2tReaPfiIhz3gbVxMuIKNNpjhCJpvws5UhJ2EczN3MC_7YJcWQhddCdzKhor1kvaLKTpJvHRYR3sb99Az8WUKviSYQbAT_L1ION8a-u2uWv2OWu9Y-Mw85CTmBVzvdVr8ieg43gTcF-_umN7kQW_xB24i4GtlkNIxiXTK1CSxrQmodkSdgUbZM=w270-h400" width="270" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nadi</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7EkEY3Ydn2Wz90lbj4_x-q9dlGcvr85pRSHhrfu3FtT6cpbTyzAqNBmOMRQAICm2gIdvjLvPP65dn3axBO_--I5Cg4bfgVBai-gtbf4e-u4BvF7vx40jND2ucN2Y8FvJ5PiWp1mK943BwI2EAFlbwNgzHOqOIdWz8FfV8K8bu8Gp3Gc5vKWolHlVK=w399-h400" width="399" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tricia</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjq9G7akdnlEC97pd1D8uOLfm5O1s2m8gbBvUqlcN9NjNjZywFa-gKwgrTJdPjoZgC7CmgNBpz7G7pLRKQqfX6WIMaqwe4mD991Rx6qS9zW1OaP6mZl2VNdbJtkOJEyWQGVR-WjXc6hwxBb1sUcYYtkYEGG-CaAdYWvSk4YhLv1WpuDE3VkfHzwUgVP=s650" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjq9G7akdnlEC97pd1D8uOLfm5O1s2m8gbBvUqlcN9NjNjZywFa-gKwgrTJdPjoZgC7CmgNBpz7G7pLRKQqfX6WIMaqwe4mD991Rx6qS9zW1OaP6mZl2VNdbJtkOJEyWQGVR-WjXc6hwxBb1sUcYYtkYEGG-CaAdYWvSk4YhLv1WpuDE3VkfHzwUgVP=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tricia</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our next session will be led by Adrienne and we're going to start some decoupage projects. I hope I can post the results in a few weeks.<br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-1053498857228485992023-03-22T20:01:00.004+00:002023-03-22T20:01:37.672+00:00Cards<p> I've made a few cards this week, all for reasons you'd prefer not to have for making cards.</p><p>First, a card I made for a friend who's due to go into hospital for surgery:</p><p>I used a Sizzix die set for the owl, and an Elizabeth Craft set for the oval. The papers are from a magazine. I cut an aperture out of the paper-covered front of the card and placed the mounted owl into the space.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3UzTNBEhCZUs5v0_PMuAmMJvuJSrFuW3P3h1dWDJEBnkCJcWKajRpSPYwdRterXpjlk9EQexa7pBUUttTWgrf3Ese9lURiQfbzcU669YDEFewit02-F4tkPdusPEtnoondyG_m-oNNG1O4WU904yjNIDapEZE6QhcmksojLGSIOAP3gF2Sh40ZL7/s650/IMG20230316212629-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="650" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3UzTNBEhCZUs5v0_PMuAmMJvuJSrFuW3P3h1dWDJEBnkCJcWKajRpSPYwdRterXpjlk9EQexa7pBUUttTWgrf3Ese9lURiQfbzcU669YDEFewit02-F4tkPdusPEtnoondyG_m-oNNG1O4WU904yjNIDapEZE6QhcmksojLGSIOAP3gF2Sh40ZL7/w400-h391/IMG20230316212629-sized.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcYtVjIXGKXZ-UQF9jlPRPPMLIiZqPbwMsX6Pxq33mW1eWyXoVmgC3LHQh-enxtdpzjYT-ZjpbnwPZHjyy6PleB1z2sykz3lSIKzk96aLSvh_WqeJ6OR1c9gJJMWE1J1134xKg_l-TWARM_fHl_xV0905YnlEZ5rVdWfqyll84NVut1ciTSy-K8ts/s663/IMG20230316212643_01-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcYtVjIXGKXZ-UQF9jlPRPPMLIiZqPbwMsX6Pxq33mW1eWyXoVmgC3LHQh-enxtdpzjYT-ZjpbnwPZHjyy6PleB1z2sykz3lSIKzk96aLSvh_WqeJ6OR1c9gJJMWE1J1134xKg_l-TWARM_fHl_xV0905YnlEZ5rVdWfqyll84NVut1ciTSy-K8ts/w393-h400/IMG20230316212643_01-sized.jpg" width="393" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the inside of the card. Paper is the reverse of the piece I used on the front of the card. Excuse my fingers in the top photo. I couldn't get it to lie flat enough!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then, a couple of sympathy cards.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLO0PMPPHnMsoJQGhp0nzIrygv6HlctfJU4Ds0neiYBDI6GMtGJikVoQ2Y5A1R9XCsFcxwWydiobNKFQc2OZD1rFH8HDriCiVObSi55SME9cE6zaJyVtsmVyKs_4xx1u6jUjSCC6Rc5bC7CiiqWJFNyzWPwMxlQHzoNW-NBYXMOoUKq2OrbFvgEbj/s653/IMG20230322193849-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLO0PMPPHnMsoJQGhp0nzIrygv6HlctfJU4Ds0neiYBDI6GMtGJikVoQ2Y5A1R9XCsFcxwWydiobNKFQc2OZD1rFH8HDriCiVObSi55SME9cE6zaJyVtsmVyKs_4xx1u6jUjSCC6Rc5bC7CiiqWJFNyzWPwMxlQHzoNW-NBYXMOoUKq2OrbFvgEbj/w399-h400/IMG20230322193849-sized.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RSOOijX5KourZPB7Y13W4c4QAYFXra2abGpyVQM89Sg_MeRSwgMLIqjP9A8mr9Uja6HsuM7Dg1eFbtc4QubSsxVH-OgC5LORiG2WKiZvPVUuV1FzdcFktY4S-5hTKpt40181iCCzJ_R51avV6K1yTFV2k0Xz54qbPxFgLVvDRZDnAhOmWtXoqdad/s651/sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RSOOijX5KourZPB7Y13W4c4QAYFXra2abGpyVQM89Sg_MeRSwgMLIqjP9A8mr9Uja6HsuM7Dg1eFbtc4QubSsxVH-OgC5LORiG2WKiZvPVUuV1FzdcFktY4S-5hTKpt40181iCCzJ_R51avV6K1yTFV2k0Xz54qbPxFgLVvDRZDnAhOmWtXoqdad/w400-h400/sized.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In both cards, the focal image is from Lavinia and the sentiment is Woodware. I've also used a couple of Aall and Create stencils, and in the top card, also a Woodware background text stamp. I masked the sentiment panel with removeable tape before adding Distress Ink. The top image was stamped in Versamark and embossed with clear powder. The lower card has the image stamped in Versafine Clair, as were the sentiments in both cards.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-41706953440688198582023-03-17T22:02:00.003+00:002023-03-17T22:02:42.025+00:00Hand Made Flowers, Frame and Stitching<p> I recently treated myself to a couple of the discontinued Elizabeth Craft/Susan Tierney Cockburn die sets, and I wanted to make something a little different with them. One of the sets is actually an oval nesting set, but with some bigger dies than I have. I got the original sets of Spellbinders Nestibilities, but the problem with them was always that the format was too small. I think their US bias got stuck on that odd 'A2' size card they use which isn't standard anywhere else. So, even for A6 cards, their dies just didn't look quite right. But enough of that.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-1ut6p-drKyr45t1uDRYtGySzpyiqOgMQ6b81n5IwOpzKtyMBPh9-mnRFJRZcQ6vmAH0j-XyzKP5WTlc-5IvoefSVSQPOWaPLxdFETChqQd43PL66IKgv43AIcWyry-BClLZQO2QmXSnzv6Btut_6BPyb_iEz5Z8dTY5zzL_jdi1Z3acWAYxgWEA/s746/IMG20230317202035-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-1ut6p-drKyr45t1uDRYtGySzpyiqOgMQ6b81n5IwOpzKtyMBPh9-mnRFJRZcQ6vmAH0j-XyzKP5WTlc-5IvoefSVSQPOWaPLxdFETChqQd43PL66IKgv43AIcWyry-BClLZQO2QmXSnzv6Btut_6BPyb_iEz5Z8dTY5zzL_jdi1Z3acWAYxgWEA/w349-h400/IMG20230317202035-sized.jpg" width="349" /></a></div><br /><p>The first part of the project was to cut out the frame elements. For them, I used an Elizabeth Craft die I've had for some time. It's smaller than I'd like, so I stretched the pieces to approximately 9 and 11 inches long giving me a frame with a 7 by 9 inch aperture. I always get it wrong when I do this - one piece of card ends up in the bin during the process, and this time was no exception.</p><p>Because the black card I used isn't the best quality, I reinforced the underside of the front panels with strips of the same black card before pricking out the stitching pattern. The pattern I used came from a book I've had for many years called <i>The Art of Decorative Paper Pricking </i>by <b>Janet Wilson</b>. It's not really intended for stitching, and it's not even one of the patterns in the book - it's actually used as page decoration. But, with a little resizing in Photoshop Elements, I got it to a suitable size, and printed out a strip for each frame edge. I used Sulky Blendables to stitch the pattern.</p><p>Another recent (bargain) purchase, is the embossing folder I used here. I don't use A4 embossing folders often, but when you want to emboss a bigger area, smaller ones won't do the job. I got his folder (from Crafts Too) at Crafterama at Ally Pally last weekend. I embossed a bit of Coredinations Whitewash card I've had for ages. (I don't even know if it's still on the market.) I sanded the surface after embossing. I had to add another layer of card behind the Coredinations as it was a bit floppy - especially after embossing.</p><p>The next stage was to cut some corners for the frame (Spellbinders die - it's one of their debossing range that never really took off. I definitely found them very hard to cut with - fortunately, there's not much actual cutting needed for this corner die. I then cut another piece of the satin gold card and used the Elizabeth Craft oval die to cut the aperture. I then embossed the gold card using the same folder, and attached it with foam pads doubled up for extra height.</p><p>Then, I got to the really fun part. I cut pieces for three dahlias in white card and coloured using Promarkers. I added some striping (white on the shocking pink flower and magenta on the yellow) using fine Posca pens. The peach coloured flower has some added magenta promarker added to the petal tips for a bit of added colour.</p><p>That's about that!</p><p>A little word about Ally Pally last weekend. It was the first time I've been back since Covid lockdowns, and, of course, since it changed ownership. I think it's a real shame many of the exhibitors who used to go to Ally Pally haven't continued. Craft shops in London are pretty much limited to Hobbycraft - especially since Blade Rubber Stamps closed down. It's strange that such a large conurbation can't support a bigger show than this. I know it's probably more expensive because of generally higher London prices, but it's a real shame. Having said that, I did buy a few bits, and it was lovely to see a stall with just Aall and Create which was definitely something new for me. Unfortunately, my daughter wasn't well enough to come with me :(</p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-5087587827544882452023-03-08T21:24:00.001+00:002023-03-08T21:24:38.504+00:00Easter and Anniversary Cards<p> The first few are Easter cards from patterns by <a href="https://www.stitchingcards.com/">Stitching Cards</a>.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgji-6r_Iypaf2wFZ5Zhp0XPPkH2FnzSNpLIQpOqkWFJVtO1NshHaxiiy8yMjpA7oXwPa85tLgk0cCe3mbfz3DDg0aBGt6aGd2ftX4URJftU6gvrkBC2bD5addptNQjVqKT1JM9RLs2pnce001g2BGnY71yIye4aQQ1jdm3PcRZnIq_9kbBc4x6dkgn/s903/IMG20230308204807_01-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgji-6r_Iypaf2wFZ5Zhp0XPPkH2FnzSNpLIQpOqkWFJVtO1NshHaxiiy8yMjpA7oXwPa85tLgk0cCe3mbfz3DDg0aBGt6aGd2ftX4URJftU6gvrkBC2bD5addptNQjVqKT1JM9RLs2pnce001g2BGnY71yIye4aQQ1jdm3PcRZnIq_9kbBc4x6dkgn/w288-h400/IMG20230308204807_01-sized.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a new pattern from Stitching Cards. I thought it was cute!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuo2hkZkKCE-bpzl27tmUL_rcMBhR7sJm_Flq5GY4W7v6JJvnNMjpd_x1qAe_eutWnSID8lyWQ-hxRhqjwqOLbTKtpZRTEddHJMcYghgPjzCRPgnsrlw7T7XJWDsPdjuN3Dh4RbkQdPWAkdUlRojiU1xCMsR9NMatBXt30ZpB6FrSyMpkux_gGedD/s820/IMG20230308204821-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuo2hkZkKCE-bpzl27tmUL_rcMBhR7sJm_Flq5GY4W7v6JJvnNMjpd_x1qAe_eutWnSID8lyWQ-hxRhqjwqOLbTKtpZRTEddHJMcYghgPjzCRPgnsrlw7T7XJWDsPdjuN3Dh4RbkQdPWAkdUlRojiU1xCMsR9NMatBXt30ZpB6FrSyMpkux_gGedD/w318-h400/IMG20230308204821-sized.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And an older, although new-to-me pattern.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And a couple of cards from a company called <a href="https://www.form-a-lines.com/product-category/free/">Form a Line</a>. They've got quite a few free patterns, and in fact, I think the designer is the same as for Stitching cards. In both cases, I've used the free Stitching Cards font to add, or in one case, change the greeting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOK1UhzTOBxI07PPQRSbTh64RURE3ksv5kUOvajhLyH5lwfp-evFP6SScELI1kSYfcM3ScEkrh41fBOFK_XWUXc2za250eEB4MZmbHb7X1JhyaIKj-3byk09piI6Hv2rfzpKRpqrrVxFeI6OTooI6PKDPVHlgWK-KmcW6lvFRfg8LqfjeQ2BAisjL/s654/IMG20230308204833-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOK1UhzTOBxI07PPQRSbTh64RURE3ksv5kUOvajhLyH5lwfp-evFP6SScELI1kSYfcM3ScEkrh41fBOFK_XWUXc2za250eEB4MZmbHb7X1JhyaIKj-3byk09piI6Hv2rfzpKRpqrrVxFeI6OTooI6PKDPVHlgWK-KmcW6lvFRfg8LqfjeQ2BAisjL/w398-h400/IMG20230308204833-sized.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one was just the floral wreath.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQ6xDvQC_VcEyhM1A0g1Wq6Ecun1kCzR2aD6fZV0Uddl-UbGJ5eEMbqMCseqNhUFCM03LnSsLle2zFiDOhGEKbK4Fc9g0TCHHvtzPmyPsO45QxfFeyUTmc2bZ_EqO95DssVU96voQDZKJJ4tNpfnMB_gumVosFnZfZya3JBcfFvRnp1mTZbbLZLQx/s650/IMG2023030820484-sized4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="650" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQ6xDvQC_VcEyhM1A0g1Wq6Ecun1kCzR2aD6fZV0Uddl-UbGJ5eEMbqMCseqNhUFCM03LnSsLle2zFiDOhGEKbK4Fc9g0TCHHvtzPmyPsO45QxfFeyUTmc2bZ_EqO95DssVU96voQDZKJJ4tNpfnMB_gumVosFnZfZya3JBcfFvRnp1mTZbbLZLQx/w400-h396/IMG2023030820484-sized4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this one originally had a Happy Birthday greeting which I replaced. All the stitched cards used machine embroidery thread.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFImLH6IgwNhwXWQ3L5Fgr46QwlrXykdVn2G3TEIs26L7SMQOSqxLXj3Qs8nnz-GU3vxS_VjG8X0cQ2__JZHJmQrXbvdKlmkfyLEGaUAuEE1j9YyuDh8p2xKyhEvW7Rh1IaKPMKpe8r9Bqe4DJBs3upEdHd7gy8hILMORwLbG9bRG9SgO-XPvf-iD/s938/IMG20230308204546-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="938" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFImLH6IgwNhwXWQ3L5Fgr46QwlrXykdVn2G3TEIs26L7SMQOSqxLXj3Qs8nnz-GU3vxS_VjG8X0cQ2__JZHJmQrXbvdKlmkfyLEGaUAuEE1j9YyuDh8p2xKyhEvW7Rh1IaKPMKpe8r9Bqe4DJBs3upEdHd7gy8hILMORwLbG9bRG9SgO-XPvf-iD/w278-h400/IMG20230308204546-sized.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stamping this time, and not a clear stamp in sight! The central image is a stamp by Crafty Individuals. Once it was stamped, I masked it, and then added further images using stamps from Stamperia (music and the right hand lace strip) and U Mount (butterflies) and the crackle (Crafty Individuals again). All images were stamped with Verrsafine Clair in Acorn. The background shading was added with Distress Ink. I added further colour to various elements using pastel pencils. The background paper came from a CDRom I've had for a very long time called Crafty Image Emporium. I tweaked the colour in Photoshop elements. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPNv-qMVt-s9N8I9HO0nP_cqLK74HfyBAH7V7v816DrY7CihlhxWbxBnuJa79U-DeLm80QkMVb_6fE1qIELAOCTIslU2iW8ZheWF29Zz9Qh2nGsOk29DvJ3a882CQQG9Az152KpKUtV9ffyQkUtc1M8fwAd4CxbZ3LrPQ9Zx9UqtxxxGwxhzaCHb9/s650/IMG20230308204702-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="650" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPNv-qMVt-s9N8I9HO0nP_cqLK74HfyBAH7V7v816DrY7CihlhxWbxBnuJa79U-DeLm80QkMVb_6fE1qIELAOCTIslU2iW8ZheWF29Zz9Qh2nGsOk29DvJ3a882CQQG9Az152KpKUtV9ffyQkUtc1M8fwAd4CxbZ3LrPQ9Zx9UqtxxxGwxhzaCHb9/w400-h393/IMG20230308204702-sized.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And finally, an anniversary card for my OH. The background was made ages ago and not used. There's Distress Ink, a stencil and a stamp involved there. The diamond shapes were cut using Spellbinders Nestibilites. I added a gold border using an acrylic paint pen. The digits were cut using a die set from, I think, The Works. The sentiment was stamped using a pre-inked stamp I've had for a very, very long time. I bought it before I was comfortable stamping! I added some colour to the leafy bit using a Posca pen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See what happens when you're planning to be out all day, and then the weather means you have to stay in and craft instead!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-6397805665143434242023-02-20T14:15:00.001+00:002023-02-20T14:15:08.206+00:00A Special Birthday Card<p> I had to make a card for a special birthday. I'd seen someone using the Lavinia Lillium stamp as a partial background recently - I think it was on the Lavinia group on Facebook, but I wasn't planning on using it when I saw it, so I didn't not the originator. Anyway, that's how I started.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveScjC2K5fCrSFGWugMGr5x0RPPoMS-Z0bG8BeVxp-EDKU-DlbcnPho6nOiDBlRxRYZ0ENlGWky-PA4I06TLW4JXz3b42ukNWxRlHs5Irq1Tna27_BReaIzU8iQxEEdxRk__Gowps3qerkgc9DzpvYWvyk68O_x1YiMUZypK6PeGc8q9XFuyXC1xv/s657/IMG20230220113256-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveScjC2K5fCrSFGWugMGr5x0RPPoMS-Z0bG8BeVxp-EDKU-DlbcnPho6nOiDBlRxRYZ0ENlGWky-PA4I06TLW4JXz3b42ukNWxRlHs5Irq1Tna27_BReaIzU8iQxEEdxRk__Gowps3qerkgc9DzpvYWvyk68O_x1YiMUZypK6PeGc8q9XFuyXC1xv/w396-h400/IMG20230220113256-sized.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><br /><p>I made the card base approximately 8in square, and I've created a vine effect with the Sizzix/Susan Tierney Cockburn Beeblossom die, along with a couple of other branch dies from other Susan Tierney Cockburn set from other manufacturers. I coloured the flowers with Promarkers, adding some detail with Pan Pastel. The leaves were made using olive green card. I stamped the Lillium with Versafine Clair ink, and coloured the blooms with Promarker, then outlined them with an fine Posca pen. You can't see it in the photo, but I finished the flowers by adding a layer of clear glitter marker (Crafter's Companion). I created a suitable sentiment in Photoshop Elements and cut it and a mat with a Spellbinders die set. The stamped area was shaded with Distress Ink in Tattered Rose and Spun Sugar. I added a darker shade around the whole edge using Picked Raspberry (which I originally misread as Pickled Raspberry, and that's how I always think of it!) I've digitally removed the sentiment for the photo.</p><p>I made a couple of insert pages using similar techniques.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNmwVTYRsy4zj0dbhz-2ojm5PozGrXT_9V5GmSt7oyBRNbWWlrBU70kiFSwMxtv0IBGPYZENHCyKDSoZ_RiyzdPhjHZh5O6peIW2k6GTk0heFbhGEMgtLpH-ZdbnNo1E5hKTb5Z6lD-SeltG6av1aB9yQiJhcuJuvV8rTh15dXS8cqb8gKqxW8l-l/s650/IMG20230220113308-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="650" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNmwVTYRsy4zj0dbhz-2ojm5PozGrXT_9V5GmSt7oyBRNbWWlrBU70kiFSwMxtv0IBGPYZENHCyKDSoZ_RiyzdPhjHZh5O6peIW2k6GTk0heFbhGEMgtLpH-ZdbnNo1E5hKTb5Z6lD-SeltG6av1aB9yQiJhcuJuvV8rTh15dXS8cqb8gKqxW8l-l/w400-h221/IMG20230220113308-sized.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Beeblossom is quite a dimensional flower, so there's no way this card was going into an envelope. Therefore, the next stage was to make a box. I used 12 by 12 white card to make a basic lid and tray box which I decorated to match the card. Again, I've digitally removed the recipient's name.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJNh6XZbZQw5N14VtFk99ZL3hZfukyrdDAMTdfQH4KWGkJwPc9nxS69PI7hQhYR0Knm4sgtzkYSDeX1JPI2uavX1ouqLB3x-10qI3I4gHm0sW8Hovmat858M-rSyc2_yZTI2OzhbW2HSaeFjcpE_Vk0cV-Whb5wD3af0FBEbV5ZOBm4mMrK3f6U6T/s665/IMG20230220113226-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJNh6XZbZQw5N14VtFk99ZL3hZfukyrdDAMTdfQH4KWGkJwPc9nxS69PI7hQhYR0Knm4sgtzkYSDeX1JPI2uavX1ouqLB3x-10qI3I4gHm0sW8Hovmat858M-rSyc2_yZTI2OzhbW2HSaeFjcpE_Vk0cV-Whb5wD3af0FBEbV5ZOBm4mMrK3f6U6T/w313-h320/IMG20230220113226-sized.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><br /><p>I added an oval label area with a mask, and a little background texture with Tattered Rose ink and a Lavinia stencil.</p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-53049440843412199042023-02-20T13:58:00.001+00:002023-02-20T14:16:03.244+00:00Needle Cases<p> At my craft group, someone showed a needle case they'd been given and wondered if we could do something similar. I had a think, and decided to go with an Eileen Hull Bigz die.</p><p>My first attempt was ok, but there were a couple of things I decided to change.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnzZgfv8PT8NvbVKwJjoT_5_irj9KpMAXrIla3X93dPAAzmuPgh84K3PliUuwD66_FYG1_7ZngVlLjiAozwHi_WTi__Cz8A7Vvc89OtzdcRhs4IhSAzbEGv2VWX5KjI5W0IFAobgTRPmjle25SBZArSfx4yiH3RzP44QiWaFZaGn9QbOsLyRIJneo/s906/IMG20230220114313-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnzZgfv8PT8NvbVKwJjoT_5_irj9KpMAXrIla3X93dPAAzmuPgh84K3PliUuwD66_FYG1_7ZngVlLjiAozwHi_WTi__Cz8A7Vvc89OtzdcRhs4IhSAzbEGv2VWX5KjI5W0IFAobgTRPmjle25SBZArSfx4yiH3RzP44QiWaFZaGn9QbOsLyRIJneo/s320/IMG20230220114313-sized.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1_5RVLAGMLH3-_ANPfQ8hRUdt0QOlTcBXTJborAGG2q-igwzJnGfaypmvKgLoDH8hJeIkhfILtsBnjfRfVsa5Yx8pYcR83MGLekPS4zxAxOc5pZFFPgEUhyWy30-w9m_dPLR1dzRcge-PefQ653nLBxXRU95uRG3NzmVI5FrsLWdL-ZTeoAejDxN/s650/IMG20230220114257-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="650" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1_5RVLAGMLH3-_ANPfQ8hRUdt0QOlTcBXTJborAGG2q-igwzJnGfaypmvKgLoDH8hJeIkhfILtsBnjfRfVsa5Yx8pYcR83MGLekPS4zxAxOc5pZFFPgEUhyWy30-w9m_dPLR1dzRcge-PefQ653nLBxXRU95uRG3NzmVI5FrsLWdL-ZTeoAejDxN/s320/IMG20230220114257-sized.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I also used some very old Sizzix dies for the scissors, needle and thread which I cut out of rose gold Sizzix Surfacez. (What's the singular of that?) Anyway, my base here was 300gsm card, and I covered it with a scrap of cloth I've had knocking around for ages. I cut some felt remnants I had through the die too, but using folded felt on the die up to the first fold line. The result had a few issues. First, the cover is quite floppy. Not a major issue, but not what I wanted. The other thing is that, using the die to cut the felt resulted in pages that were a bit too big. They fit, but polyester felt is quite stretchy, and the result just didn't look neat enough for me. I used double-sided sticky sheets to adhere the fabric, and finished it off with some lace and elastic cord to make a closure.</p><p>My second attempt I tried something a bit different, and I'd also bought some new felt so I could choose colours to fit!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1GJD8pM618Cykh5YFXCdeswVxlfP8hXkSnvbENil7ZYozMs6BloAisAeBmTiDX0vDb7A--p9kOIECxNSgKdNlw49nD1mNEOQjJw1B0LymEXaIWURx8_hVBoe6ip2iZwFesXVSeVCZ2AyNEJZY9AWf0iDpno6MQau3m02gLRaJAhfqVMU7ovVyd4V/s3573/IMG20230220114206-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3573" data-original-width="2581" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1GJD8pM618Cykh5YFXCdeswVxlfP8hXkSnvbENil7ZYozMs6BloAisAeBmTiDX0vDb7A--p9kOIECxNSgKdNlw49nD1mNEOQjJw1B0LymEXaIWURx8_hVBoe6ip2iZwFesXVSeVCZ2AyNEJZY9AWf0iDpno6MQau3m02gLRaJAhfqVMU7ovVyd4V/s320/IMG20230220114206-sized.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><br /><p>This time, I used some grey board - in fact it was the back of an old notepad. That gave a much firmer basis. For decoration, this time, I used some ribbon, and then a Tonic die from its <i>Sew Pretty</i> range which I decorated with metallic gold thread.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinScYY29hOJ2SAmLf10a6NPU78qpevadOGP8lx_gBTLqOHtRZqZiMQxK4zXpuCUTxulOjpGVSkDTd8mDqG4gORK4Nehb4lgePa6flsmCl1jETVv14YgTUfl_aoOEZi3N-HEdwVmww2YNm8NXb6lS2MR6zgH0-lQh55Cm5oKJUZmZm_v5I_3f5uQkPS/s650/IMG20230220114244-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="650" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinScYY29hOJ2SAmLf10a6NPU78qpevadOGP8lx_gBTLqOHtRZqZiMQxK4zXpuCUTxulOjpGVSkDTd8mDqG4gORK4Nehb4lgePa6flsmCl1jETVv14YgTUfl_aoOEZi3N-HEdwVmww2YNm8NXb6lS2MR6zgH0-lQh55Cm5oKJUZmZm_v5I_3f5uQkPS/s320/IMG20230220114244-sized.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>This time, I cut the felt by hand. This gave a wonkier result, but the needle case itself looks much better.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtcgVozXTe9B-miLs3M8k1cw2Q0XzF5dspmHEn2afADtJ3trq-51RdgLTkx7wzAHt-8v_qTJAOfkFsOvo-4ObapNGxgprvl_9kidD1prlWs0Nq5q_7q0AgEI2eMhJ1eZiHyzZQou5b-CdNLbwUooqE_JVhjvwMSttSFcEbSCvgbrfFHPcKgRDtosO/s650/IMG20230220114236-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="650" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtcgVozXTe9B-miLs3M8k1cw2Q0XzF5dspmHEn2afADtJ3trq-51RdgLTkx7wzAHt-8v_qTJAOfkFsOvo-4ObapNGxgprvl_9kidD1prlWs0Nq5q_7q0AgEI2eMhJ1eZiHyzZQou5b-CdNLbwUooqE_JVhjvwMSttSFcEbSCvgbrfFHPcKgRDtosO/s320/IMG20230220114236-sized.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I took a bit of the offcut from the cover (grey board covered in fabric both sides) and cut it to make a loop as show. I adhered it with tacky glue. I think I need to come up with a better option (elastic maybe?) as the scissors fall out if the case is upside-down. I'll continue to give it some thought!</p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-51856982405487781282023-01-27T11:47:00.002+00:002023-01-27T11:48:57.379+00:00A Couple of Stitching Cards Creations<p> My February family cards are done. While perusing the <a href="https://www.stitchingcards.com/">Stitching Cards</a> website, I spotted a sweet dog pattern that was ideal for my son's birthday. He'd love to own a dog, but isn't in a position to look after one.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtZ3olV5dWpTdzrQKZdeDJ5kxrZsmWlG-zShbcHQ5y1N40RQM86skG_HkzP_ApI9VdNQO8Vhpu2IS-OjTot0UpKgdt32RtO0mzOk-FBVR6VoXn8idlmAPJbf49DC0IEKprth3dNbbat_5h6bnN7JJErUyU6KsM1u_gqWFk-1z5n5-l6DT0u5AaYkb/s875/iain-birthday-sized.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtZ3olV5dWpTdzrQKZdeDJ5kxrZsmWlG-zShbcHQ5y1N40RQM86skG_HkzP_ApI9VdNQO8Vhpu2IS-OjTot0UpKgdt32RtO0mzOk-FBVR6VoXn8idlmAPJbf49DC0IEKprth3dNbbat_5h6bnN7JJErUyU6KsM1u_gqWFk-1z5n5-l6DT0u5AaYkb/w298-h400/iain-birthday-sized.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p>This is one of the hardest patterns of theirs that I've done - mainly because of the irregular shapes and holes shared between sections. I felt that the thread I used (a Sulky varigated thread) didn't provide sufficient contrast, so I outlined the various sections in back stitch. I added the frame in gold Anchor thread which is not part of the original pattern. I created a z fold card in A5 size, and decorated with some Papermania patterned paper I've had forever.</p><p>The second card for February is a Valentine card for my OH. We always stick to the pretence of anonymity, and this design was perfect.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPJQkPwVQ27YtDjJq-cPWJls9alSO7uzdVZXBbOkWhkj7qMCoytN0bACSPeP7Rr8aEsM55Ehg5VZe_fan0y7I1bRYdin7bA5coekf6OCvrDxt5Uc1l9yU8QdcEdDzLjHdQKOT_mTJ7lNqFvvVatQqZ6OuB0jeERqXEHd0Xf4Nx_p48pjNJVQyRAxF/s823/valentine-sized.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPJQkPwVQ27YtDjJq-cPWJls9alSO7uzdVZXBbOkWhkj7qMCoytN0bACSPeP7Rr8aEsM55Ehg5VZe_fan0y7I1bRYdin7bA5coekf6OCvrDxt5Uc1l9yU8QdcEdDzLjHdQKOT_mTJ7lNqFvvVatQqZ6OuB0jeERqXEHd0Xf4Nx_p48pjNJVQyRAxF/w316-h400/valentine-sized.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><br /><p>A much easier pattern to follow. The only complication was working out which holes were for which letter! Again, I've used some Sulky varigated thread, but the black is a machine embroidery thread, and the gold is Anchor. Another z fold A5 card, but this time, I created the background paper using a variety of Distress Ink and stencils.</p><p>Stitching cards provide quite a few free patterns which are great to try. You will need access to a printer, or someone who can print for you. The paid patterns are £1.30 each, and you can 'bulk buy' at a cheaper rate. The only issue I have is that they don't do square patterns. I prefer square cards, and while you can use rectangular patterns on a square card, in this case, it would have to be 8 by 8in as the stitched section is quite long. (It would fit on a 5 by 7in, but it wouldn't allow much room for layering.) You could print smaller than the original, but you run the risk of having holes too close together causing holes to join up.</p><p><br /></p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-4923836105859137642023-01-20T12:55:00.000+00:002023-01-20T12:55:03.626+00:00Some Flowers for Winter<p> Since International Art and Soul is no longer publishing challenges, I need to remember to post things I've done independently. Call it a New Year Resolution, if you like, although some projects get published on my craft group blog: <a href="https://craftyharrowladies.blogspot.com/">Crafty Harrow Ladies</a> . So, what have I been up to lately?</p><p>I picked up a Spellbinders waterfall card die in the post Christmas sales and used it to make a card using stamps from Creative Crafting magazine.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTE9fyWKqAziVOuipkkKyjshZmPVRMnZufdIXtfJFcy0sH5gKNr4aZZGDhDJzq0Y6ZxZZVrNP5lCRUatebY2KkEYS9JS5jd5bE7gVT9FFis8ItoEJX8s-yCU7-eJPKLlrYILSlFdLiJULeXzmUxRzK-6OGtgGzAbR-71nZZ3oBLykEpnK4Bv3Fe4c/s653/waterfall-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTE9fyWKqAziVOuipkkKyjshZmPVRMnZufdIXtfJFcy0sH5gKNr4aZZGDhDJzq0Y6ZxZZVrNP5lCRUatebY2KkEYS9JS5jd5bE7gVT9FFis8ItoEJX8s-yCU7-eJPKLlrYILSlFdLiJULeXzmUxRzK-6OGtgGzAbR-71nZZ3oBLykEpnK4Bv3Fe4c/w399-h400/waterfall-1.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKBnHy0V7_J0wKa7YZHCvjGCFRnfaQU7HhBzTsxsr555mNPECcQQsZ9PsJckjel3cxsDn82-DSWP-hCOxYiAj6R7T1nkcvZzRjljf0Sndmuww-PNZlHXJHBeaCdTrxvopLYVRl4WgvUtHzWNWGiT7lAE_AHy0pLOPZ1dcTQ9aASqs5QZJ4Aq86xuA/s907/waterfall-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKBnHy0V7_J0wKa7YZHCvjGCFRnfaQU7HhBzTsxsr555mNPECcQQsZ9PsJckjel3cxsDn82-DSWP-hCOxYiAj6R7T1nkcvZzRjljf0Sndmuww-PNZlHXJHBeaCdTrxvopLYVRl4WgvUtHzWNWGiT7lAE_AHy0pLOPZ1dcTQ9aASqs5QZJ4Aq86xuA/w286-h400/waterfall-2.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67o1acFB1AHZhQVHL2TkCw_DhAwV7pir0ysCmUxKMDolhK0XP6rzWhMLUWQCr5uY9SLQzr5cGa61BUUco2okS9wv3l9Z4YPEfifuYY5u1MtNr9bKN5Mf_VXB8wkYqhQKJpNhL0Mk3hbmfbaa8_QVjR8BlEWjtpt_kgBMEHqOXxThJWc2Jv0nC2MsG/s691/waterfall-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67o1acFB1AHZhQVHL2TkCw_DhAwV7pir0ysCmUxKMDolhK0XP6rzWhMLUWQCr5uY9SLQzr5cGa61BUUco2okS9wv3l9Z4YPEfifuYY5u1MtNr9bKN5Mf_VXB8wkYqhQKJpNhL0Mk3hbmfbaa8_QVjR8BlEWjtpt_kgBMEHqOXxThJWc2Jv0nC2MsG/w376-h400/waterfall-3.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzUowdd0Yvu3BDBU1o4FsS0GrJUwvHa3ptNzkObutcU7P-eDfPq1MGyaGDdZiDy2tR6dSJZ_JqQCaXEL387HuYjt_FXZMllx8Mw5U1_K1aU4YbKR4AfbeJgjKHjwnwBDxy6Bej8ZnENkQZLHJJGt6T8mA0FB3NLGbQhQQymfOjU_MqHLvYJbLf2Wv/s989/waterfall-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzUowdd0Yvu3BDBU1o4FsS0GrJUwvHa3ptNzkObutcU7P-eDfPq1MGyaGDdZiDy2tR6dSJZ_JqQCaXEL387HuYjt_FXZMllx8Mw5U1_K1aU4YbKR4AfbeJgjKHjwnwBDxy6Bej8ZnENkQZLHJJGt6T8mA0FB3NLGbQhQQymfOjU_MqHLvYJbLf2Wv/w263-h400/waterfall-4.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And also in the sales, I picked up a couple of new Susan Tierney Cockburn dies. Each time she has a new collection, I try to pick up options I don't already have, and this time I got Beeblossom and Spirea which I combined with various ferns and stems and a rather oddly coloured gazania. (I'm a crafter, not a gardener, so I make flowers to suit even if they don't exist in nature!)</div></blockquote><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6W4K1WnDx3hRq5n5mNOs8HmTK71AC_pEY1d0ZNmEqklLaJVgZBV1cc9DE0HaF9QrM_ruuIYtfGRRFer8GVNzsSODaQoEnHgIeKZB04qswdhak-dmsjymUlXdXAuMzUbAZ7UHXqjW7Orc3qqxpT82GzgZ6tYkqLGHYI-wc_BdCCXZtIV9PKixvhTZ/s650/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="650" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6W4K1WnDx3hRq5n5mNOs8HmTK71AC_pEY1d0ZNmEqklLaJVgZBV1cc9DE0HaF9QrM_ruuIYtfGRRFer8GVNzsSODaQoEnHgIeKZB04qswdhak-dmsjymUlXdXAuMzUbAZ7UHXqjW7Orc3qqxpT82GzgZ6tYkqLGHYI-wc_BdCCXZtIV9PKixvhTZ/w400-h398/flowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> The actual image area is about 7 by 7 and the frame 9 by 9 in. I embossed the background using a Crafter's Companion folder, and made the frame by extending from a Elizabeth Craft die. I used a stencil to give the front of the frame a little colour on the slightly gold tinged cream cardstock. I coloured most of the card using either Promarkers or Distress Ink and added some detail with Pan Pastel and liquid pearl.<p></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-23364264998820939512022-12-04T12:00:00.036+00:002022-12-04T12:00:00.167+00:00International Art and Soul Challenge 148<p> The new challenge from International Art and Soul was set by my team mate Crafty Girl. It's a long challenge - five weeks this time, and she wants projects on the theme of <i>Winter</i>.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwE0KqT9OfXsfPcwDHLNzLUQ0zBcZZ8LMZ7U2eTR7EpDWv4cp8sXugwXCWMdZoYry_aP7tvFXLbFaGuU2REHnz9RF_UmS3GMhJWISLK8bW6jcAbW2E9Xq5mRx9YA2d39KSIopRiHvtCWO5mMRm9xWT6imAQMPXJa6Nm1zzpU_5Xvk6vbEBPq1I7JQI/s654/IMG20220714171640-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwE0KqT9OfXsfPcwDHLNzLUQ0zBcZZ8LMZ7U2eTR7EpDWv4cp8sXugwXCWMdZoYry_aP7tvFXLbFaGuU2REHnz9RF_UmS3GMhJWISLK8bW6jcAbW2E9Xq5mRx9YA2d39KSIopRiHvtCWO5mMRm9xWT6imAQMPXJa6Nm1zzpU_5Xvk6vbEBPq1I7JQI/w398-h400/IMG20220714171640-sized.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><br /><p>It's a long time since I've made a card using only die cuts, but I was inspired to do this. The background panel die is from Frantic Stamper, the Winter die from Sheena Douglass, and the snowflakes were cut using a very old Cuttlebug die. It was one of the earliest I bought, and I could never cut it with my Spellbinders Wizard die cutter. It was simply too thick, and with the heavy-duty cutting plates that machine used, and the problems of reversing it if something went wrong, it simply lay, unused, until I got my Big Shot Pro. Now, of course, it cuts easily, and the combination of snowflakes and stars is always useful.</p><p>The white card is a pearlescent white with a lovely sheen that the photo has completely failed to represent,</p><p>In the meantime, I wish you a very happy festive season and all the very best for 2023, and hope you can join us for the challenge. </p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-6300976503768584262022-11-20T12:00:00.066+00:002022-11-20T12:00:00.170+00:00International Art and Soul Challenge 147<p> The challenge for this fortnight was set by my team mate Maggie, and she wants us to post something with a <i>Fancy Fold</i>.</p><p>I spotted instructions for an Infinity card on Craftworld recently. I tried one of these years ago, and it was horribly difficult with having to separate out sections using a craft knife. I wasn't impressed. This version just uses four separate pieces of card, and was so much easier! You can see the instructions <a href="https://craftworld.com/cms/free-infinity-card-template/.">here.</a></p><p>Then, I saw somewhere, I think it was a Lavinia Facebook group, where someone had filled the various panels with different pictures and decided to try something similar. The basic card started with four pieces of card, each 8in by 4in, and the end result is 8 by 8in. This is what I came up with!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTICHxfNAyALSnN0_VKEXowftz1MPqKwlL7wO-BY-ULwob6P_6lbcYayzhAdYRiOOLxRdOlb5YvVPaZ4cERTkLTdvkdHIr0jS7eyjYbffd6AP-hwgppmZTB1At-cuHvf72jjxR3BP9CvXcWoM9FJ6SMajzxhXnT4Ox8rP0PcK9RTAc0CTlRhUXo6yN/s668/IMG_20220331_170835201_2-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTICHxfNAyALSnN0_VKEXowftz1MPqKwlL7wO-BY-ULwob6P_6lbcYayzhAdYRiOOLxRdOlb5YvVPaZ4cERTkLTdvkdHIr0jS7eyjYbffd6AP-hwgppmZTB1At-cuHvf72jjxR3BP9CvXcWoM9FJ6SMajzxhXnT4Ox8rP0PcK9RTAc0CTlRhUXo6yN/w389-h400/IMG_20220331_170835201_2-sized.jpg" width="389" /></a></div><br /><p>This is the front. I created the picture as a whole and then cut it to fit the panels. Anywhere there is an opening or a fold, I treated as a separate panel. The stamps here are a mix of Lavinia and Inkylicious, and the background inks are Distress while the stamping ink was Versafine Clair.</p><p>When you open as if the card is a gatefold, you get this:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GacP3EMr7wCbikwl7jFztBdcjCF1mrE1hzfG0lUIdhdisc2PuMPHW9fj0ackuq7nw1VJMUxG4LAXXAJ1GUSHr9fG4L_Gr1nvSYNtpMXTBA_Pc7Alwrgv0SZIyk32DucMGccrsVPycaZD-RdDhpisjxzhQACYXy4kciLrw67aV3Kz0Md9HKaFjrRx/s670/IMG_20220331_170848615_2-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="670" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GacP3EMr7wCbikwl7jFztBdcjCF1mrE1hzfG0lUIdhdisc2PuMPHW9fj0ackuq7nw1VJMUxG4LAXXAJ1GUSHr9fG4L_Gr1nvSYNtpMXTBA_Pc7Alwrgv0SZIyk32DucMGccrsVPycaZD-RdDhpisjxzhQACYXy4kciLrw67aV3Kz0Md9HKaFjrRx/w400-h388/IMG_20220331_170848615_2-sized.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Mainly Lavinia with one Inkylicious stamp as well as some Tapestry stamps in the lower, large image. When you open this along the line between the cat and the sprite, you get this:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRL2xX347DcGdSHI4eJDuAng-KUtRm9xsWmSFUJXL5TWbs-y31PwQSGUhP_nswjlXayWVZg7RHUtXUwQSkGC0j-83p4pqRULrFradE2VKLARrJthSTSW8Ebfgb8QA3ul1fV0Ujd_qaFrTAX95c8ej9uRw_sPtebOKzVPyenAq58oj_mrZtzS3uJ1jf/s716/IMG_20220331_170921892_2-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="651" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRL2xX347DcGdSHI4eJDuAng-KUtRm9xsWmSFUJXL5TWbs-y31PwQSGUhP_nswjlXayWVZg7RHUtXUwQSkGC0j-83p4pqRULrFradE2VKLARrJthSTSW8Ebfgb8QA3ul1fV0Ujd_qaFrTAX95c8ej9uRw_sPtebOKzVPyenAq58oj_mrZtzS3uJ1jf/w364-h400/IMG_20220331_170921892_2-sized.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><br /><p>The poppy images are the same as in the last photo - visible on two 'sides' of the card. Again Lavinia, Inkylicious and also some Clarity stamps along with stencils from a set I got at The Range. And finally, opening along the central vertical line, you get this:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJstzAZMqx41VoFOhwAgqQvyP5YPCSz72uzArpUAIaso1PKCDgWHVBbMd81WJXNuw52YbwFbcv---RuTVYd5-b5TLQ1yagPlhOOvN_ugJJG8BcO-MgG3PpSs-TWCawEmsQCUfAXkYW-Qo3S4HoLR053a_L9cE9gRKBUAp_F5YbIEC3b92sv8KzrgIN/s733/IMG_20220331_170943454_2sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="733" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJstzAZMqx41VoFOhwAgqQvyP5YPCSz72uzArpUAIaso1PKCDgWHVBbMd81WJXNuw52YbwFbcv---RuTVYd5-b5TLQ1yagPlhOOvN_ugJJG8BcO-MgG3PpSs-TWCawEmsQCUfAXkYW-Qo3S4HoLR053a_L9cE9gRKBUAp_F5YbIEC3b92sv8KzrgIN/w400-h355/IMG_20220331_170943454_2sized.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Stamps this time are from Inkylicious, Artemio, Woodware, and Personal Impressions.. I left a panel without an image so I can add a message.</p><p><br /></p><p>Throughout, I've added detail to the stamped images using Posca pens, and on this face, I added a little glitter. Opening this along the horizontal centre returns you to the front of the card.</p><p>I do hope you can join us this time.</p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-90666711633596393612022-11-06T12:00:00.038+00:002022-11-06T12:00:00.173+00:00International Art and Soul Challenge 146<p> The challenge for this fortnight was set by my team mate Christine, and she wants us to make a Christmas card. </p><p>The amount of time I spend on Christmas cards varies depending on how close to Christmas it is, but there's still a while to go now, so I've been making some stitched cards. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFmChmH_QnxdKfA-zhPykfUiDtRztQG4emZ6iCT20hL0w4wkKd60IqdUj1sT2MMDoKmT4LZn1NiRLa00hz7bgj_Coq9fE5GVvFGwxkaM8siMfLhkv0_-GwGRM7vyAFq9Vn7OzrF1WdtrKs03l8pzh5N1MG5oGfdO2AnCR6eZaxsHnDlFRRQLkV-PF/s904/IMG20220714171739-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFmChmH_QnxdKfA-zhPykfUiDtRztQG4emZ6iCT20hL0w4wkKd60IqdUj1sT2MMDoKmT4LZn1NiRLa00hz7bgj_Coq9fE5GVvFGwxkaM8siMfLhkv0_-GwGRM7vyAFq9Vn7OzrF1WdtrKs03l8pzh5N1MG5oGfdO2AnCR6eZaxsHnDlFRRQLkV-PF/w288-h400/IMG20220714171739-sized.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>The tree and pot pattern is from <a href="https://www.stitchingcards.com/">Stitching Cards </a>and is copyright to them. I bought the pattern a few years ago, and I love it, so this year, I've done several in different colour schemes, and I've added the stitched frame to complete the effect.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81NVu6_2w73614eOHxyVm7RBrLS4y_tRUygdOFqFR8txp378KZyWcntFP-MOxPr76yti17Z1K-Bt_3frJAv5eU9H3FtNUnyeTkABTtS3MKsuVkYQYKoOGOZ5hWtILCTCVnJFnCbVzHcOcDASuC7sLNvG3WdvZJfstz-CWYNpmBXBmyrTZWIHrf27K/s900/IMG20220714171753-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81NVu6_2w73614eOHxyVm7RBrLS4y_tRUygdOFqFR8txp378KZyWcntFP-MOxPr76yti17Z1K-Bt_3frJAv5eU9H3FtNUnyeTkABTtS3MKsuVkYQYKoOGOZ5hWtILCTCVnJFnCbVzHcOcDASuC7sLNvG3WdvZJfstz-CWYNpmBXBmyrTZWIHrf27K/w289-h400/IMG20220714171753-sized.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>The varigated thread I used each time is from Sulky. I do love their Blendable range. The gold thread is from Anchor.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktceyEWGaEMRf4ObAtr7oIYOFOG-1z7TuUXIcKNgUVa-Dt-TqQZ1mRy6oks0a5CNpM0q57M0ZUbci8Ud9bQP9xrGV62ii7qn7gcrUFNXGRLQI_uAHtP7g9ZNtC_f2ruGxdwd2hIJlImt9OFJW7dV4vjW6-8iQT_0mZn7IMRXuAOQIjkHA_sPxu90d/s933/IMG20220714171804-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktceyEWGaEMRf4ObAtr7oIYOFOG-1z7TuUXIcKNgUVa-Dt-TqQZ1mRy6oks0a5CNpM0q57M0ZUbci8Ud9bQP9xrGV62ii7qn7gcrUFNXGRLQI_uAHtP7g9ZNtC_f2ruGxdwd2hIJlImt9OFJW7dV4vjW6-8iQT_0mZn7IMRXuAOQIjkHA_sPxu90d/w279-h400/IMG20220714171804-sized.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><br /><p>The metallic thread this time is silver and from Krenik.</p><p>In each case, I've varied the way I've stitched the pot, and I've added some glitter gel pen to complete the effect.</p><p><br /></p><p>So, quite a good start on my Christmas cards, but I've still got a fair number to do. I do hope you can join us this time.</p><p><br /></p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-5578270831903287162022-10-23T12:00:00.044+01:002022-10-23T12:00:00.161+01:00International Art and Soul Challenge 145<p> This fortnight's theme was set by my time mate Debbie, and she wants to see Autumn-themed projects.</p><p>When tidying my craft space recently (I know, and it wasn't much tidier when I finished!) I came across a background I made some time ago and didn't use for some reason. It was perfect for this theme, so I used it as a starting point and came up with this:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8peFZLoWy3M9sXeXTyoizCp8mM6RTYgO66-asF8v70o0wc-dBR66BjAmBuJArRUMUUxKrKyNdfs-qySY_TMOXDxgc07xDSYHSfGpG5OU7BUdO3XdNma-TN8UqVniYcyi2moVWIoiNR1GgCfiK9fQheVLpBWNj8qr0V4eiyWWfKJmGNOY4c_gWssS7/s660/IMG20220703130047-sized.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8peFZLoWy3M9sXeXTyoizCp8mM6RTYgO66-asF8v70o0wc-dBR66BjAmBuJArRUMUUxKrKyNdfs-qySY_TMOXDxgc07xDSYHSfGpG5OU7BUdO3XdNma-TN8UqVniYcyi2moVWIoiNR1GgCfiK9fQheVLpBWNj8qr0V4eiyWWfKJmGNOY4c_gWssS7/w394-h400/IMG20220703130047-sized.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I created the background using some leaf stamps, stamped in a Kaleidocolor ink pad in Autumn shades. I then coloured the leaves with Promarkers in shades close to the outlines. I then added some raindrop images using an Inkylicious stamp. I finished the background using some Distress Ink.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sentiment was stamped using another Inkylicous stamp, using Versafine ink and copper embossing powder. Again, I added some background colour uisng Distress Ink, and layered both the background and sentiment with brown card and attached everything to a gold-coloured blank card from Tattered Lace. And that's it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I do hope you can join us this time.</div><br /><p><br /></p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-37732069678358532122022-10-09T12:00:00.042+01:002022-10-09T12:00:00.158+01:00International Art and Soul Challenge 144<p> This challenge was set by my team mate Chriss, and she would like to see projects in orange and black. </p><p>My first thought on seeing that colour combination is that I don't like orange, and then a moment later, that I do like peach, coral, and all sorts of oranges that are not the shade I immediately think of as 'orange'. Funny how my brain works!</p><p>So, armed with a couple of Lavinia stamps, a couple of Lavinia stencils, an Inkylicious mask, a rubber stamp of unknown origin, some Distress Ink, a black fineliner and a little paint pen, I came up with this.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddsuKo19XWyQfpt8dCiwcA8W0MfZtGd66TOCVogU9xJ434fyHTQG3iCnS6U3uM57ZHLkxBoYfes4WKQM50RxkZbNgrUg3DKIJGXGfSEg7z86oLfSL_YIOSG2Rxpq5o7P_7x_JlhZWgOaAOI2yRkfw5KpqcqVivB1KK6vj-cXjg3sG496lBjYCDAmL/s653/IMG20220618115201-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddsuKo19XWyQfpt8dCiwcA8W0MfZtGd66TOCVogU9xJ434fyHTQG3iCnS6U3uM57ZHLkxBoYfes4WKQM50RxkZbNgrUg3DKIJGXGfSEg7z86oLfSL_YIOSG2Rxpq5o7P_7x_JlhZWgOaAOI2yRkfw5KpqcqVivB1KK6vj-cXjg3sG496lBjYCDAmL/w399-h400/IMG20220618115201-sized.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><br /><p>It's a simple card, and I had to force myself to leave it overnight to stop me adding more decoration. I did, in fact, add a few small stamped images (the rings) the next day, but stopped there. The Lavinia stencils are fairly obvious, I think, but the Inkylicious mask is one of their sun/moon circles, and I used it in pale areas to give some overlapping discs shapes, the most obvious of which is towards the bottom left corner. I just wanted to tone down some fairly white areas with ink that was already on my brush. I used mainly Spiced Marmalade, but added a little Crackling campfire on the background.</p><p>The Lilium flowers (the group and one of the individual stamps) were stamped in Versafine Clair ink, and the outlines of the flowers accentuated with a paint pen. I then used Distress Ink in Crackling Campfire as a watercolour for the rest of the flowers.</p><p>A very fine black mat, and that's it. I haven't added a sentiment, might might well do that when I know where the card is going.</p><p>I do hope you can join us this time.</p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-42498984210364091742022-09-25T12:00:00.036+01:002022-09-25T12:00:00.150+01:00International Art and Soul Challenge 143<p> The challenge for this fortnight was set by my team mate Jane who wants projects on the theme of <i>Trees/Wood</i>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqK_UZxkhiTlap7cLa_PjIzZVCesh9u2UKoWEKXnUxsofsWy8b_diwAe3hz243hmm1zlUwHvnAAcNPQP5t-5dvxnxIxwhBG1VKaNKl7WuN9FguUfH4ETjoXH_SSOEzPSbgIlJQUlUDCMdy5D2C69CIstNPJo5e2Xt7ECodSRwdAPXJPt4PwSRZtC0U/s658/IMG20220424194311-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqK_UZxkhiTlap7cLa_PjIzZVCesh9u2UKoWEKXnUxsofsWy8b_diwAe3hz243hmm1zlUwHvnAAcNPQP5t-5dvxnxIxwhBG1VKaNKl7WuN9FguUfH4ETjoXH_SSOEzPSbgIlJQUlUDCMdy5D2C69CIstNPJo5e2Xt7ECodSRwdAPXJPt4PwSRZtC0U/w395-h400/IMG20220424194311-sized.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><br /><p>The focal image is stamped using stamps from Lavinia (tree trunks), Inkylicious (branches and ferns) and Clarity (leaves). I used an Inkylicious mask for the distant hills, and some die cut paper tomask the sun. The background was inked using Distress Ink. Most stamping was done in Versafine Clair, although the leaves are also stamped in Distress Ink. I coloured any clear parts of the trunks or leaves with coloured pencil.</p><p>The background was embossed with a Crafter's Companion folder, and I added some Versafine Clair ink to the raised areas with a brayer. I used an orange base card (from Tattered Lace) some card for matting, and some ribbon from my stash to complete the card.</p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-61599218856256316192022-09-11T12:00:00.030+01:002022-09-11T12:00:00.174+01:00International Art and Soul Challenge 142<p> The challenge for this fortnight was set by my team mate Craftygirl, and she would like to see projects with a <i>Transport</i> theme.</p><p>I struggled a bit with this. My stash contains a multitude of flowers, butterflies, landscape bits, fairies, but not a lot in terms of modes of transport. I solved the issue by going to <i><a href="https://www.stitchingcards.com/">Stitching Cards</a></i> where I picked up a couple of patterns I could use. I made this card for my brother-in-law.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4-BgOMumbaqtwAVusw0K0mKvfjriFo13lGOxV_DDOSuPHSilztg2Nk2pwHlUdCEc-ZtkAr2yJ1IZqoAJWube-xhjgv7phB7458hd_3SvdBKrXBp1uTj4wfyjO35rqLQbnV4naFWVq0f4PgNTcQ7OraK7L4a2TU7S18hEhpYXP38dlf1kJPyCpjQj/s650/IMG20220604182807-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="650" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4-BgOMumbaqtwAVusw0K0mKvfjriFo13lGOxV_DDOSuPHSilztg2Nk2pwHlUdCEc-ZtkAr2yJ1IZqoAJWube-xhjgv7phB7458hd_3SvdBKrXBp1uTj4wfyjO35rqLQbnV4naFWVq0f4PgNTcQ7OraK7L4a2TU7S18hEhpYXP38dlf1kJPyCpjQj/w400-h394/IMG20220604182807-sized.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>The stitching design is called <i>Sunset</i>, and while it suggests using all metallic threads, I used what I had to hand. For the clouds, I used some holographic gold thread, and for the rest I used various shades of Sulky varigated thread. I love how that gives that random shading to the sun, reflections and even the sails on the yacht.</p><p>The spotty paper if from a very old Papermania pad, and the sentiment was stamped using Versafine Clair ink and a stamp from a Creative Expressions set.</p><p><br /></p><p>I do hope you can join us this time.</p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-41363113158412966142022-08-28T12:00:00.048+01:002022-08-28T12:00:00.181+01:00International Art and Soul Challenge 141<p> The challenge for this fortnight was set by my team mate Chriss, and she chose <i>Birthdays</i> as the theme. </p><p>I made a card for my sister's birthday. I'd been playing with infinity cards, having found a really easy method on Craftworld. And here it is:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGhS8fNPgtEVpzN0vf2LuBuJ-uqxtFnyJdHLXK54T-OwUQphIBvGFtJdYTio3ZQNCdo1tKbqTCeT6Lu11te04VwI4TmC7vCPW18estOpFcoJ_yAt6vWX8d0-hh5RR0ntr2V9G8-rQN1OKR075A7tJrj2hJZnV9TfzW8dvJiskqBI03qwXea0PpF4L/s652/IMG20220513152459_2-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGhS8fNPgtEVpzN0vf2LuBuJ-uqxtFnyJdHLXK54T-OwUQphIBvGFtJdYTio3ZQNCdo1tKbqTCeT6Lu11te04VwI4TmC7vCPW18estOpFcoJ_yAt6vWX8d0-hh5RR0ntr2V9G8-rQN1OKR075A7tJrj2hJZnV9TfzW8dvJiskqBI03qwXea0PpF4L/w399-h400/IMG20220513152459_2-sized.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The Front</p><p style="text-align: left;">So far, so conventional. The magic starts when you open it up, gatefold style.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9sU1rVJOlKDqHak6u4I48QebxpJZKVSzk2BlvMvM8fpHhdMNooRYOEnaECCPFmRb7FVUnNJ6lhsDjEHgAatEqd3D5T6jFUQXPkussp2VC5DE2wPZNVyG4xyOwLMjleol_aKu7RyW-9RQoaVqr04rSr2wxQFhQMClX4c4gG4nRWTzP9dOnDjRjNA6/s689/IMG20220513152533_2-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9sU1rVJOlKDqHak6u4I48QebxpJZKVSzk2BlvMvM8fpHhdMNooRYOEnaECCPFmRb7FVUnNJ6lhsDjEHgAatEqd3D5T6jFUQXPkussp2VC5DE2wPZNVyG4xyOwLMjleol_aKu7RyW-9RQoaVqr04rSr2wxQFhQMClX4c4gG4nRWTzP9dOnDjRjNA6/w378-h400/IMG20220513152533_2-sized.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Side 2</p><p style="text-align: left;">And then, you open again along the centre horizontal opening and get:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaI2x0EOkn3FJCHkS68qSd8s6Us4a6IqHVV4Fi2aBtBmitLhnDS5kIig7xMpFjU2dYseZAvpIeQPLgxR_xQ3jU2_iV2NXbXNCwyjRyETmwaWhnGDjTQWLRtPv9xtV-HVXqZixLIalhzGHMK856TvifNl4KaQqYRUWsaNIDZQv_Itrl69C2BQtYMun/s713/IMG20220513152548_2-szied.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaI2x0EOkn3FJCHkS68qSd8s6Us4a6IqHVV4Fi2aBtBmitLhnDS5kIig7xMpFjU2dYseZAvpIeQPLgxR_xQ3jU2_iV2NXbXNCwyjRyETmwaWhnGDjTQWLRtPv9xtV-HVXqZixLIalhzGHMK856TvifNl4KaQqYRUWsaNIDZQv_Itrl69C2BQtYMun/w365-h400/IMG20220513152548_2-szied.jpg" width="365" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Side 3</div><p style="text-align: left;">And you open again, gatefold style to get:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukNJMQsAl2X9vK18dLAujTw0I9F96WU0VCaWOgi4EgTKCU3_fVQ46q1XERKPpth9b3pqMfEENDK0RIfursBuBY9SJrA_POdWZ5zY9WpZPOvOkIZ_T3UOTKyMpCDdaH0w4p9Cp19o4Sj_7PtRwjc_72xBNc5zAfB4kOheq2KeQ00Uh_9NptfVgMYPD/s737/IMG20220513152555_2-szied.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="737" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukNJMQsAl2X9vK18dLAujTw0I9F96WU0VCaWOgi4EgTKCU3_fVQ46q1XERKPpth9b3pqMfEENDK0RIfursBuBY9SJrA_POdWZ5zY9WpZPOvOkIZ_T3UOTKyMpCDdaH0w4p9Cp19o4Sj_7PtRwjc_72xBNc5zAfB4kOheq2KeQ00Uh_9NptfVgMYPD/w400-h353/IMG20220513152555_2-szied.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Side 4</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And, if you open again along the horizontal opening, you are back to where you started.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The images are all digital, sized to work on the card. Most are Dover Books clip art - either from books/CDRoms I bought years ago, or downloaded samples. You can register with the US site to get a weekly email with samples. It used to be primarily clip art, but these days it's often excerpts from other books. The exceptions are the window and lace images on side 3 which are from a Crafty Image Emporium CDRom which was one of my earliest crafting purchases, and the two-colour panel which I put together in Photoshop Elements so I can write a message because this is a birthday card for my sister.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I do hope you can join us this time.</div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-23946413339561809362022-08-14T12:00:00.019+01:002022-08-14T12:00:00.169+01:00International Art and Soul Challenge 140<p> The theme for this fortnight's challenge was set by my team mate Jennie, and she wants to see the <i>Colours of Fruit</i>.</p><p>I went for blueberries, oranges, strawberries, grapes, lemons, peaches and maybe some watermelon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD34uLFwTKrQ7q6bXgXQQbdgPqyfj5K43egF9-bcfcLxNKWiM5BU2r2sj9F41l3UiQa7Kloi5dg6gZOSt094hzH8PRZCCfFNLTLeFIo7NU9pmsA4sx_mTueF3gbB3NzA2HkS6zk3qrgerhhMpzjSIOugjjRwExoru56Gphvx1RJhZpL7FtyqHGaPap/s968/IMG20220428164827-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD34uLFwTKrQ7q6bXgXQQbdgPqyfj5K43egF9-bcfcLxNKWiM5BU2r2sj9F41l3UiQa7Kloi5dg6gZOSt094hzH8PRZCCfFNLTLeFIo7NU9pmsA4sx_mTueF3gbB3NzA2HkS6zk3qrgerhhMpzjSIOugjjRwExoru56Gphvx1RJhZpL7FtyqHGaPap/w289-h400/IMG20220428164827-sized.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><br /><p>I started with dies designed by Susan Tierney-Cockburn. The button chrysanthemums are a favourite of mine, and I've added some ferns and some forsythia from her original Sizzix range of dies. The dark blue was also cut using a Sizzix die, and the paper was a magazine freebie which seemed to work perfectly with the flowers. (Not too surprising, as it was from a fruit-themed set!)</p><p>I do hope you can join us this time.</p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-59481994814733562542022-07-31T12:00:00.041+01:002022-07-31T12:00:00.159+01:00International Art and Soul Challenge 139<p> The theme for this fortnight was set by my team mate Hazel, who wants projects on the theme <i>Happiness</i>.</p><p>I started with what makes me happy. Well, that would be a whole range of things - family and friends, crafting, colours, flowers. So, this is what I came up with:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJx2C2ZWSbEWi8v0zNJVOg1joV8TYk9SXqRSUnwri6DcgxosBRMhpza7PZmsuEPYzdr2Oc4Qa9xPQtKfggaGeIM6361ER6JPO8k25t_xdrmrXBVtIAkJhC8i_XYPYnqfYquYXm9DEyacPsnWPPqGbDPZpwbX8CkImsDxATWxNvF2YRfuWNgc66paow/s1001/IMG20220421134314sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJx2C2ZWSbEWi8v0zNJVOg1joV8TYk9SXqRSUnwri6DcgxosBRMhpza7PZmsuEPYzdr2Oc4Qa9xPQtKfggaGeIM6361ER6JPO8k25t_xdrmrXBVtIAkJhC8i_XYPYnqfYquYXm9DEyacPsnWPPqGbDPZpwbX8CkImsDxATWxNvF2YRfuWNgc66paow/w280-h400/IMG20220421134314sized.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><br /><p>So, we've got flowers and pretty colours, and of course, the card will go to a friend or family member, so that covers quite a few things.</p><p>The floral image comes from a book called <i>Embroidery on Paper for Every Occasion</i> by Joke and Adriaan de Vette. It's one of the best books on paper embroidery I own (and I have several) but I'd never used this pattern before. And, technically, I haven't used it now, as I wanted something a bit squarer than the original, so I added an extra flower - the one on the right is a repeat of the other pink one. I used machine embroidery thread throughout.</p><p><br /></p><p>Having competed the embroidery, I added a purple line around the card using a Sharpie, then added a shallow matt in pink.</p><p>To complete the card, I added some embroidery to the base card as you can see. This time, I used a brass stencil to prick out the pattern of ovals, and then I filled them, using stitches 2, 4, 6, and 8 holes 'long'. I've always been fascinated by the way you can make curves with straight lines, and I remember as a child, my dad making me a board with nails evenly spaced along two axes so I could do some thread art, so that's another reason for happiness.</p><p>And that's it. I do hope you can join us this time.</p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-68962090690043205612022-07-17T12:00:00.001+01:002022-07-17T12:00:00.160+01:00International Art and Soul Challenge 138<p> The challenge for this fortnight was set by my team mate Maggie, and she wants projects which are <i>Masculine</i>.</p><p>I decided to use one of the Tonic stitching die sets I bought a while ago, but haven't used a great deal. But, once I'd done one card, I carried on until I had three - one with each set for my husband, my son, and my daughter's partner on their birthdays.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoh2ewtLs7BWbDMk-oo4-0DiZuLCzZIwpm49Tk5FECYYrdag4bO7JU-_zla5IO7K-KHXn4-PXvLNmyKH0ZTDPPDiTqVKlL19bDq67I--gLAFeQikJ4-Tn-8mDq7gJknl5wOfMipG5UOF_XNtua4qNz0K7gefUd7nR36Cy2HgmcQvQABZSnx4DCHD5/s650/IMG20220415111232-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="650" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoh2ewtLs7BWbDMk-oo4-0DiZuLCzZIwpm49Tk5FECYYrdag4bO7JU-_zla5IO7K-KHXn4-PXvLNmyKH0ZTDPPDiTqVKlL19bDq67I--gLAFeQikJ4-Tn-8mDq7gJknl5wOfMipG5UOF_XNtua4qNz0K7gefUd7nR36Cy2HgmcQvQABZSnx4DCHD5/w400-h388/IMG20220415111232-sized.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1vq6geG59KTs6bf6MbdzIordgmS6DeON5t8CzG0ESP5-4ifPtFBHd7HO74r_1QlbhGtZFJykYYib5Qn3r7teg_tBo1M-502HPVjCRUyzshq7N18Up8bGGEORntg-L2WCBI9rijK6gIusOFuU0nshe4QzIMNOt1zkHdOfPeCoEkoBB2BMIcrPL87q/s655/IMG20220415111247-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1vq6geG59KTs6bf6MbdzIordgmS6DeON5t8CzG0ESP5-4ifPtFBHd7HO74r_1QlbhGtZFJykYYib5Qn3r7teg_tBo1M-502HPVjCRUyzshq7N18Up8bGGEORntg-L2WCBI9rijK6gIusOFuU0nshe4QzIMNOt1zkHdOfPeCoEkoBB2BMIcrPL87q/w398-h400/IMG20220415111247-sized.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmwRXtSdGVswzX-1PIvfKorBe_4PaKgnPQ61080TqiV0ImjFYcHROLZNxPUVGZiPZLfdq4fPV9bD4FRSP_9QTiJhxtunwrQvCU8JECZYN7qcq2D4QIZhR-2kVyoOpgJD2Mt9Jh1vAlTorrzk4jgp5-hhWDI25-SNRCbc0iY1DUxHvPlCgKS9Sc7B4/s650/IMG20220415111300-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmwRXtSdGVswzX-1PIvfKorBe_4PaKgnPQ61080TqiV0ImjFYcHROLZNxPUVGZiPZLfdq4fPV9bD4FRSP_9QTiJhxtunwrQvCU8JECZYN7qcq2D4QIZhR-2kVyoOpgJD2Mt9Jh1vAlTorrzk4jgp5-hhWDI25-SNRCbc0iY1DUxHvPlCgKS9Sc7B4/w400-h400/IMG20220415111300-sized.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Colours were chosen for the different recipients. I cut three layers for each, stitched the top two together, then added the third, and that's about it! (The blue one has an extra square mat because the light blue didn't give enough contrast to the white card.) I've used Sulky varigated thread throughout - greys for the black/white and blue cards, and gold for the green one.<div><br /></div><div>These make very easy cards - a little time-consuming - but I stitched the layers while watching TV, so it didn't seem that way.</div><div><br /></div><div>I do hope you can join us this time.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-40300781080732310832022-07-03T12:00:00.044+01:002022-07-03T12:00:00.213+01:00International Art and Soul Challenge 137<p> The challenge for this fortnight was set by my team mate Chriss, and she wants to see projects in <i>Red, White and Blue</i>!</p><p>I've gone way out of my comfort zone for this, and produced a card with a <b>lot</b> of white space. I was inspired by a video from Eileen Godwin. My version is much simpler and doesn't use Lavinia stamps!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFQA4vSCmecDX1Gj73DIgcR5hvaWuMHB8Hv08oTfZ3nuo_69_rPYmmayqRAoS63V8R9nPAcFR8nLRgl1Pugxtg0fixgaBSToICyUTB3KbdIXoeJ5dOJlaYlqN_FFbuP058km5l6pqesxrlxSsX09HKcfjvth8hLwkJoKe7Xe-IQ7-GNWCEo26j5-f/s650/IMG_20220328_135907076_2-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="650" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFQA4vSCmecDX1Gj73DIgcR5hvaWuMHB8Hv08oTfZ3nuo_69_rPYmmayqRAoS63V8R9nPAcFR8nLRgl1Pugxtg0fixgaBSToICyUTB3KbdIXoeJ5dOJlaYlqN_FFbuP058km5l6pqesxrlxSsX09HKcfjvth8hLwkJoKe7Xe-IQ7-GNWCEo26j5-f/w400-h398/IMG_20220328_135907076_2-sized.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>It's a single layer image, stuck directly to a blank greetings card. I've used four inks - Distress Ink in Blueprint Sketch and Festive Berries and Versamark Clair in Tulip Red and Mediaeval Blue. The only other colour is from Posca pens in metallic blue and red.</p><p>I began by using Distress Ink and a ruler to create the inky lines. Then, I masked an area and spattered the rest with diluted Distress Ink. I then stamped the flowers (from an issue of Creative Stamping Magazine) and the sentiment (from Spellbinders) using Versafine Clair. I used diluted Distress Ink to fill in the flowers, and a Sharpie pen to add a blue border to the whole sheet. The Posca pens, as an afterthought, provide an edge to the panel.</p><p>So, <b>way</b> out of my comfort zone. But, while I have things I'd do differently next time, I'm not unhappy with the result.</p><p>I do hope you can join us this time!</p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-41056268517274819052022-06-19T12:00:00.045+01:002022-06-19T12:00:00.154+01:00International Art and Soul Challenge 136<p> The challenge for this fortnight was chosen by my team mate Jane, and she wants to see projects featuring <i>4 Legged Friends</i>. </p><p>I've spent some time this year (and last year) trying to get better at creating landscapes, and while I've managed to get a bit better, I still don't feel 'I've arrived'! But, that doesn't mean I don't enjoy trying.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5Usy_IPvP_gVLl5B4fRNzZT4CWtLojILTr6LEFIBngRi5l81C-XMRyDeFa4wXmgk_WQ2z1sHCFiHY_tMh1zNd7UuiLa3BVykuw8HRSLnaFfofex0LddffTRfekgtMjJ7Sw6jeg4rh_J2c39EMBDrW4BA9I6BwaCmA99kK5VPLCq_znZD-Zj-dLb-/s700/IMG_20220326_170425911_2-sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="700" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5Usy_IPvP_gVLl5B4fRNzZT4CWtLojILTr6LEFIBngRi5l81C-XMRyDeFa4wXmgk_WQ2z1sHCFiHY_tMh1zNd7UuiLa3BVykuw8HRSLnaFfofex0LddffTRfekgtMjJ7Sw6jeg4rh_J2c39EMBDrW4BA9I6BwaCmA99kK5VPLCq_znZD-Zj-dLb-/w400-h201/IMG_20220326_170425911_2-sized.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>For this card, I wanted a kind of fantasy landscape. I started with a piece of card for a DL card, and roughly designated 'sky' and 'ground' using Distress Ink in Peeled Paint and Broken China. Then, I added some detail to the ground using paper masks and more Distress Ink. That done, I added a bit of unrealism with a stencil of differently-sized spots and more Distress Ink - this time in Mustard Seed. I added some vegetation to the sky area using a Crafter's Companion leafy stencil.</p><p>The next step was to add some stamping, so I started with the cat, and continued with the bluebells and text - all from Lavinia. Then I added some cow parsley and the butterfly, both from Inkylicious.</p><p>At this stage, I deepened the colour of the edges using more Distress Ink in Stormy Sky and Forest Moss, and completed the picture with some Posca pens to accentuate the bluebells and cow parsley, and finally to add detail to the butterfly and to the background.</p><p>Stamping mainly used Versafine Clair, although some of the Cow Parsley used more Distress Ink to create a subtler effect.</p><p>I completed the card with a little gold metallic shading around the edges, but that's so subtle it's not at all visible in the photo!</p><p>I wanted a magical corner in spring with the sunlight reflecting off pollen and dust and the cat studying her surroundings from a secluded spot. </p><p>I do hope you can join us this time.</p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-35440670281657672102022-06-05T12:00:00.042+01:002022-06-05T12:00:00.166+01:00International Art and Soul Challenge 135<p> The challenge for this fortnight was set by my team mate Jennie who wants projects with a theme of <i>Summer</i>. </p><p>I'm not a fan of summer, it has to be said. But I am a fan of the coast, and listening to the water, although I generally avoid it when the weather's hot and sunny. But it's still what comes to mind when I think of summer, so this is what I came up with.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBQhWy3NhsVnUju9av5ZvR7rAuo7JYd4WjE4yzUb_4ak-uJI3EpMG8snVO6vB4B3_WafzxRG-byv8xLmOuZ9-JVW5Zm_z-vY8PrSeHSbuRt_doQoH6tlVHvbCX-M7I-KBQQQD7mJWGWEhjrRA7IDdu-GFukA5E5rOOydWBUxBz3fnJb_aCYMCbpXvs=s650" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="650" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBQhWy3NhsVnUju9av5ZvR7rAuo7JYd4WjE4yzUb_4ak-uJI3EpMG8snVO6vB4B3_WafzxRG-byv8xLmOuZ9-JVW5Zm_z-vY8PrSeHSbuRt_doQoH6tlVHvbCX-M7I-KBQQQD7mJWGWEhjrRA7IDdu-GFukA5E5rOOydWBUxBz3fnJb_aCYMCbpXvs=w400-h393" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I started with the stamp of deck chairs which came with Creative Stamping magazine some time ago. I coloured the image with my Koh-i-Noor pencils, and lightly shaded the background with the same pencils - a very subtle effect to remove the whiteness and no more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then, I added more colour with Pan Pastels rubbed on using cotton wool make-up removal pads. At this point, I almost ruined the whole thing. I wanted to add some white to the water, and thought I'd use an oil pastel crayon, thinking it would mix well with the Pan Pastel. Well, it didn't. The white oil pastel was invisible against the blue, until I put some more Pan Pastel on top, and then it showed darker than the surrounding area. But, fortunately with Pan Pastels, it's possible to erase, and that's what I did, carrying on and removing colour to get the white sea foam effect. I used the eraser again to just go around the stamped image to sharpen it where it had been softened by the Pan Pastel. I added a little more white using a white gel pen, and finally the sentiment which is from the same set as the deck chairs, and I stamped it in Versafine Clair in green.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A little matting, and that's it. I do hope you can join us this time!</div><br /><p><br /></p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991432653461943765.post-41301186979083322212022-05-22T12:00:00.036+01:002022-05-22T12:00:00.172+01:00International Art and Soul Challenge 134<p> It's my turn to choose the challenge theme for this fortnight, and I've gone for one of my favourites, and I hope it'll be something you find fairly easy too. I want you to <i>Say it with Flowers!</i></p><p>I first started following Susan Tierney-Cockburn when I got her book showing how to make realistic flowers from punched shapes. I've still got a box of punches, many of which were bought specifically for that purpose. Snowflakes make pretty good calixes! But dies are much easier, and I've been collecting her dies since her first collection with Sizzix. I haven't bought too many of her more recent collections largely because there have been a lot of repeats, but the one flower I've been waiting for is the freesia. Not only do I love the perfume from those, but it was my mum's favourite flower. So, when I spotted freesia among the latest Spellbinders collection, I had to get it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSTNEncps2bLMb_aJFg4Lvlmmsv03oVUgaSg6stv9w5LyD38QjaSnltFgYG5sD4r8mdIxN2-gpXouoaHLfXqFlNTLyxvJ1T63eEcXZ5ioRPeD__wO-msVMjctfjxiFJJMMPAiagpqAlA9lTCsxjH6G6l0W_-IV_t3ZapO9OC33q9bQntzR9WkCkaXK=s658" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSTNEncps2bLMb_aJFg4Lvlmmsv03oVUgaSg6stv9w5LyD38QjaSnltFgYG5sD4r8mdIxN2-gpXouoaHLfXqFlNTLyxvJ1T63eEcXZ5ioRPeD__wO-msVMjctfjxiFJJMMPAiagpqAlA9lTCsxjH6G6l0W_-IV_t3ZapO9OC33q9bQntzR9WkCkaXK=w395-h400" width="395" /></a></div><br /><p>The frame is 12in square, and due to a miscalculation, I've had to leave the glass out as the flowers are a bit too three-dimensional! But the result is intended to be a placeholder until I can finish a piece of blackwork to go with one I've already completed. Anyway...</p><p>The background was made using Distress Oxide, and I blended, stencilled and used a rubber texture spatula to create the various effects. The flowers are ll freesia, and I've added some more of Susan's foliage to the arrangement. I used green card for the foliage, but the freesia (and their own leaves) used white card that I'd coloured with Promarkers, and added further detail with Pan Pastels. I love how freesia can have different colours, so that's what I went for here.</p><p>I'm looking forward to seeing your flowers, whether they're stamped, drawn, die cut, clay, wire, or however else you want to make some flowers.</p>Josephinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07358090891554452655noreply@blogger.com2