TWO IN ONE GO

        I needed two Birthday cards for this weekend and I wanted them to be quite special so parchment ones were required. They always look so pretty but of course can take quite a while to make. I chose to use two Groovi plates from Claritystamp, both were designed by Maria Maidment. She is so talented and these plates are really pretty Shoe and Hat. I also took a border from another plate for the shoe card Linda's cosmos and lace.

     
                        Almost good enough for Ascot. I made a little hole in the parchment to push the feather through and secured it at the back with some red liner tape. The glitter does not show in the photo but I used the Pergamano ultra fine.

               I love this shoe design. As I was short of time I used some flowers from my stash instead of making parchment ones. They work ok though.


             A quick visit today but thought you might like to see these. I have a few more in the making so back soon.

            Enjoy the weekend and the beautiful weather we are having at the moment.


                                                           Bye. x                                       

ORIGAMI FLOWERS

         Paper flowers are quite popular at the moment, easy to make and quite cheap to replace when they go past their sell by date. Some can be fiddly to make but these Origami style ones are quite easy.                                                      

                                                                       

                     

      

             Start off by cutting 5 x 75mm  squares of paper. I used some of the Claritystamp designer paper. Northern lights. This is a very good quality paper but you could use any type, not too thick though as it will be difficult to make the folds.

                                                           

       

         Using one of the squares fold in half diagonally. Crease the fold with a bone folder to make it nice and sharp.                     

             Fold the two outside corners into the centre to make a square diamond shape. Crease the folds again with a bone folder. 

     

     

          Fold one of the flaps back on itself so that straight edges are level with the outside edge. Take your time to get this stage right and accurate. Use the bone folder again. 

                     

  

                  Do the same on the other side so that your piece of paper looks like the photo below. 

                   

                 

            Next step is a little fiddly so be patient. You need to open out the folds you have just made and flatten them It should resemble a kite shape. 

   

             

          Next fold the top edge of each little kite shape over the top then fold back again as in the picture below. Crease those folds well again. 

                     

          

                         

             Now fold these little flaps in half along the vertical crease towards the centre. Crease well with the bone folder. 

             

  

                                                           

                  These two outside pieces  have now got to be brought together and glued in place. Use a good strong glue and hold in place whilst it sets. I put plenty on just to be safe. 

             This is the shape you should end up with. Do not crease this time it should be cone like.

    

  Make four more shapes to match then start to join them together for your flower. Plenty of strong glue, not all over the cone shape though just about one third. 

                             

         It can be a bit easier to join two shapes and three shapes then glue the two sections together. Don't forget to put some wire or a stick in the middle though before joining. I used a kebab stick and that might look very pretty painted in a cheerful colour.

        Of course I needed to add some glitter to mine. I am a bit like a magpie, love glitter.

 

    Hope you get to make some of these flowers. i did some a little while ago with old book pages. Might be  a good idea to practice with some scrap paper first to get used to all the folds. 

                   Have Fun,  xx

TWO AMAZING DAYS

       I have just returned from two fabulous days in Crowborough East Sussex for the Claritystamp  Open Days. This involves a lot of team work from all the Clarity crew and lots of demos from the amazing design team. It is a chance to learn new ideas from the design team and to catch up with old friends and to make some new ones. My husband always comes along with me although he usually spends his time chatting to other lonesome husbands.
     
      This year the Open Days were even more special as next week Barbara Gray and David Roe get married. They have been engaged for about twelve years so about time. I am sure it will be a fantastic occasion and I look forward to seeing all the photos. Barbara put on some very special raffle prizes and arranged for some lovely ladies to make some boutique style cup cakes. They were amazing.

                                                         
                                               

                                                               

                                                                   

                                           Those cakes tasted just as great as they looked.                                              

           I really wanted to watch the fabulous Tina Cox showing us all how to colour the gems that are          so popular at the moment. I have almost got them right but I wanted advice and now I need to              try again.  I will not be defeated.

     


                                                             

           
                     I bought the parchlet Groovi plates as well. Big investment but they are amazing.


        I also needed to watch Linda Williams, a fantastically talented lady. She was showing us how to colour a fluffy little robin. I am hoping to be able to perfect them so that my Christmas cards will be amazing.                                   

           

               Above are the stages of colouring the robin. The photo does not do them justice but hopefully I will be back with my version.

     Of course no Open Day would be complete without  a visit to Sam Crowe's table. Mixed media artist and Gelli plate expert. Wish I was as brave as her with colour.

                                                               

                                                     
                           Usually best to stand well back when Sam starts splashing the paint.
 

         Finally Maria Moorhouse, who was showing us some fabulous ideas for our stencils. She makes it all look so easy. I go to one of her workshops each month and always come home having picked up new tips.                                     

     

                                           

           
                                                        A little example of her demos.                                                           

        Paul Church and Dee Paramour were also very busy, Paul on Groovi with the light panel and Dee just showing us some of her amazing techniques. She is so talented in many aspects of craft .


          The next Open Day is in Leyburn, North Yorkshire in September and tickets go on sale tomorrow if you think you can attend. The venue is amazing, Tennants Auction House. Hope to see you there.

             Quite a long post today but good to share these fantastic days.                                                                                               

A LITTLE BIT DISTRESSING

         Do not worry I am not upset, just quite excited about the fairly new Distress Oxides inks. I have been thinking about getting some for a while but really wanted to see what they were like before I bought. I got my chance recently at Maria Moorhouse's workshop in Hadnall Shropshire. We had a day playing with Distress Oxides. Goodness they blend so beautifully. I love blending inks but these make it so much easier.

           Maria had several projects for us to try, she really is very clever when it come to stamping, well all things crafty actually.


                                                       

       
             On the above card we stamped onto black card, they work extremely well on black which most other inks do not. Try out on a spare piece see how the colours come out, you might be surprised. The flowers with a gem in were overstamped with Versamark and clear embossed.

      On this one we blended our inks then splashed with water to get the distressed look. Then using a poppy stencil we inked through with Black Archival ink.  It does clean off the stencil with surgical spirit. Then sponged some distress oxide over the image to slightly fade it. Loved using these inks and will definitely be buying some now. The above designs are of course designed by Maria Moorhouse not me so please give her the credit if you use the design.

            Right I am off to enjoy some of the gorgeous sunshine we are having at the moment. Will be back later in the week after I have been to the Open days at Claritystamp. Two days of wonderful techniques demonstrated by the design team and Barbara Gray herself. Claritystamp Open Days  . These are held in Crowborough East Sussex but there is another one in September in Leyburn North Yorkshire.  Well worth a visit if you can manage it, everyone is very friendly as well.

             See you there maybe. xx