Card for my Mother

 I decided to adapt one of the cards that I made on the Heartfelt Creations workshop for my mother and her sister. 

I usually make one for my mother and then make one for her to give to her sister.  This time I choose different colours to make them a little different. 

As their birthdays are a couple of months apart, I can't post until after my Aunties birthday has passed.

I used some background papers that I had in my stash rather than Heartfelt Creations paper and made wanted to make an A5 size card rather than the smaller one that we made on the workshop.

 

I stamped  Vintage Floret Frame onto parchment paper using Adirondack Snow Cap ink pad and then cut it out  Decorative Leafy Frame.  I coloured the leaves and flowers on the back with Copic pens. 

 

I then stamped out Arianna Bloom onto parchment paper and also coloured that with copic pens and then shaped the petals and used a flat back pearl coloured with the same copic pens.

I used a LOTV sentiment and added ribbon to finish. 

 

Clarity Workshop Day 2

This was the last day of workshops that I would be doing this year so I hoped that I would really enjoy it. I was not disappointed and apart from one of the cards, these would not be what I would normally choose to do so was pleased that Barbara was making me think differently as I actually ended up really liking them.   We even got another visitor with one of Barbara designers dropping in with her new baby - that just happened to be wearing a t-shirt with Clarity Stamps emblazoned on it - nothing like starting them early!

 

Todays projects started off with using make up sponges, masks and just one colour which was Adirondack black.  This was my favourite project of the workshop - I absolutely loved this effect and was surprised how quickly you could achieve this effect. 

The second card was using three different alcohol inks on embossed glossy paper and was perhaps one of the hardest techniques to achieve.  Sandpaper was used to make the embossing stand out. 

The third card was using the gelli plate and although I started off not really liking it, ended up quite fond of it.  I especially liked adding your own scene to the blank canvas.  We used distress ink pads with a brayer and blending mat.

The fourth card was again using the gelli plate with acrylic paints.  We needed to use  three layers of the paint on the gelli plate at the same time to achieve this look - and also some bubble wrap was used.

To end the workshop, we got to play - I mean practise!-  using shaving foam and distress inks.  Great fun was had by all.

Barbara run a fantastic workshop and I found that Paul Church is such an expert when it comes to double stamping without getting double lines as some of the ladies found out.

 

 

 

Clarity Stamps Workshop Pt 1

I have certainly been busy with workshops lately.   I have managed to get 5 days of quality crafting with some great company.  My latest has been a two day workshop with Barbara Gray of Clarity Stamps and this was yet another superb workshop and will blog in 2 parts again as we completed 4 projects each day - and an extra technique slid in at the end.


I had done a workshop with Barbara a few years ago but really liked the way this one was run as Barbara sat at the front with a projector and large screen behind her so that we could all so the same projects together.  Barbara showed us first and then we did ours with both her and Paul Church going around to make sure that we were all doing it correctly.
 

This one was not about finishing but purely on the technique although the finished samples could easily be turned into a card. 

I decided to just leave them as samples for future reference and not make them into completed cards.

 

I have always like the cards Barbara makes but they always look complicated and like a lot of practice is needed to get them right but this workshop proved that this is not the case.

 

We were also lucky on the first day in that Nigel May from Create and Craft was on holiday in the area and popped in with his partner to see us.  It was nice to see him and proves that he really has an interest in craft and crafters.

The first card was made by using a stencil and making our own stamp pad with distress reinkers and one of the things I learnt from this was how a greeting can be incorporated into the card by stamping the design under the greeting.

The second card was learning about borders and how you can leave a lot of white space but still have a great card and was using distress inks pads an archival ink.

The third was using stencils and how to change colours whilst using it and also using alcohol ink on acetate.  we used Adirondack inks with the stencil.

The last card was using the gelli plate and this was the first time that I had used one.  It certainly made it a lot easier to do a reflection.  We used distress ink rather than paints.

I was surprised how quick these samples were to make and I will certainly be using these techniques again.

Heartfelt Creations Retreat Day 2

I have finally managed to get the last of the photos together for the Heartfelt Creations Workshop.  I really did enjoy this workshop and must admit that there were a lovely bunch of ladies (and one gentleman) attending. 

Emma Lou and Richard were really lovely people and  really seemed to enjoy their job - if you can call that a job! I would certainly go on one of their workshops again.  I can see myself using the techniques that I learnt on both the workshop and the retreat.

I have not had much time to make cards lately as I have had some knitting that I needed to get done but am now trying to combine to both crafts and also trying to throw some quilting into the mix.

We used the Elegant Sweet Juliet and the Delicate Vellum Florals Classroom kits and my favourite was definitely the latter.  I thought that the delicateness of these cards was more to my liking but did like that both sets had a very different look.

These workshops and retreat were certainly worth the money and I would not hesitate to book them again.






 

Heartfelt Creations Retreat Day 1

As well as attending a Heartfelt Creations workshop, I also attended a retreat with them and Oyster Stamps and had a great 2 days.  The projects were fairly similiar to the workshop  in that they were trying to teach the techniques rather than cutting and layering but used different stamps sets and not all of the cards had flowers on them this time.

I though that the workshop organisation was really good - just a shame that the hotel let it down a little but was very impressed with Oyster Stamps - they certainly run a good ship. 

We used Sun Kissed Fleur and Cards from the Heart class kits and I must admit that this was showing Heartfelt Creations in a new light to me.

I was a first a bit apprehensive when I saw what we would be making as they seemed a kittle dark for me but by the end of the workshop I was certainly sold on them and will certainly be using their products and the techniques I learnt in the future.

Mother's Present

I am feeling rather pleased with myself that I am managing to do a few of the crafts that I have not done for a while and this time it is knitting.  I used this pattern to make my mother a twin set some 25 years ago and it has now worn out so I decided that it was about time I got my knitting needles out again.

 

It seemed to take much longer than it used to but I guess I must be out of practice.  I used a Sirdar pattern and double knit wool for this and must admit that I enjoyed it.  It is also good that it is something that I can do on the train each day going to and from work.

The photos have not come out very well and they are actually the same colour, although they do not look it and I found it awkward to place to get a photo.  They are also looking rather creased as they had not been washed due to the fact that I only finished them the day before my mother arrived to stay with me for the weekend.  They do look better in real life.

She was very pleased to get it and absolutely loved it so the effort was worth it.

Birthday in Blue

This card was made with Periwinkle blue and a metallic grey that I had in my stash.  Again I used Sue Wilson's dies as I have to admit that these are my favourite dies and they make such lovely and quick cards.

I have not had much time for cardmaking recently due to trying to get my mother's birthday present made as well as attending some workshops so to be able to make quick cards is just what I need.

This was for a friends birthday and I used paper from LOTV Beach Bliss pack.  I then cut out the topper in alternating colours using Sue Wilson's Spanish Collection Cordoba die and finished it with her Finishing Touches Faux Quilled Blooms.  The happy birthday was cut out using a Tattered Lace die.