catch up part 2

Hi Crafty Friends

I had a lovely break on my friends' narrow boat on the Staffordshire and Worcester canal. Lovely scenery and a good time with my pals. Good weather too.
But it was soon back to crafting. This week we made this card

I've been keen to try out my new Die'sire card maker die. It took a bit of trial and error to turn it into an easel card without the fold showing when it's shut, but I'm quite pleased with how it came out. The flowers are an old Woodware punch with a snowflake for stamens.

Now for some more catch-ups. This one uses the same damask paper as the one above, but teamed with black, it's a different look. The filigree panel die is a Tonic drawer front die, from a set I picked up at a show for £1! bargain or what?? The butterflies are heat embossed on acetate.

Now this is a bit different for me. I used a layout from a magazine, sorry I can't remember which. I like the spotlight technique.

And here's another departure from my usual style, I've been thinking I need to ring the changes for the classes. I loved this stamp when we used it at Susan's class, so I had to think of something different to do with it. It's a very easy stepper. We embraced our inner 5 year olds to make the mottled paper used for the leaves and matting layer - blowing bubbles in Brushos and squishing them on the paper. Please don't tell me Mateus Rose comes in green bottles! We coloured the image with my new Inktense pencils and added extra glitter with Spectrum Noir glitter pens

Nearly there! What could this be? Is it perchance a lilac coloured flower?? See I can't keep away from  it for long. This is one based on one I worked out with my pals Debbie and Janet, adapted because I don't have the same stamps, embossing folder etc. I love the idea of colouring the background flowers /leaves then embossing over them.

Right I think that's it.
I'm off to Copenhagen soon - see you when I get back
Happy crafting
Jx

Class Catch Up

Hi Crafty Friends
Sorry, it's been so long since I posted. As you probably know, I have actual real work in the summer, but now that's over, I've got loads of projects to share with you.
It's August, right? so it must be Christmas in craft-land. I'd been asked to do a reprise of the Pringle tube gift box, gussied up for Christmas, so here it is.

And here's a close up of the top

I found the poppy heads on an unpleasant foray into my loft. I'd sprayed them gold ages ago, so it just goes to show craft hoarding syndrome may actually be a good thing!

And here's the card we made this week. We embossed vellum with Swiss dots, running it through the bug twice to expand the pattern, and then layered it over blue paper. We used Spellbinders matting basics for the frame, a Sue Wilson filigree background die, Nellie's Choice ovals. I think the Santa is Britannia and the trees, Memory Box. Very quick and easy, after the rigours of box making the week before.

Here's another, even quicker, version I made with an embossing folder that came with Quick Cards mag which arrived yesterday. IRL the background is the same colour as the other one. Who says the camera never lies.

I'm off on a couple of jollies over the next 10 days, so it may be a while before I'm back with part 2 of this catch up, but in the mean time
happy Chrissy crafting
jan x