FlitterGlu

Have you tried FlitterGlue, if not, why not? It is a fantastic product made by IndigoBlu, which enables a stamped image to be guilded. The Clarity Feather and Verse stamps were used to produce this card. The background was created by using Shabby Shutters distress ink.

Hope you're enjoying the sun, bye for now.

Workshop - Stamping with Clarity

What can be better than spending the afternoon with fellow crafters, eating cakes - which thanks to Mike & Mark were yummy (& calorie free) and stamping with Clarity Stamps.

This was our first make, we used paper to mask off areas, a make up sponge and Denim Adirondack ink. The stamps are the Hanging Vine and Willow Lady. A flat card then has the illusion of layers.

Our second make was my homage to Maria Simms and her love of Acetate on cards. We stamped and sponged the background, embossed onto the acetate and mounted both on Gold Mirri Card.

Maria has a brilliant blog, http://inkymits.blogspot.co.uk/

Thanks to everyone who came today and looking forward to seeing you all again soon.

Workshop - Clarity Stamps and Using a Brayer

Hi all, it was another lovely day on Wednesday when once again the workshops were full. I started off with a general talk about the Brayer and obviously the wonderful Barbara Gray (who I was very fortunate to send Sunday afternoon with).

We made a warm up topper using the Old Mill Clarity stamp, masking techniques and Adirondack Ink Pads.

Our main project was this card, in which we used the Old Mill Clarity Stamp, Brayered the sky and used the fantastic Poppy Stamp. These were then coloured with ProMarkers. The fields were made be using Expresso Adirondack ink and a make-up sponge.

Here are some more ideas using these brilliant Clarity Stamps.

I do hope you have a good weekend ahead, hugs Jo x

My Inspiration

This post is all about my crafty inspiration. I have to thank Jenny Mayes for this, as it is Hobby Art Stamps and down to Jenny's blog http://www.jennymayes.com/blog/ that my crafting is where it is today. She is such an inspirational lady, generous crafter and the family business has a fantastic craft ethic.

Then, to fulfil my dreams, earlier this month I had the honour to be asked to join the \hobby Art Design Team. What a privilege!

If you haven't tried Hobby Art Stamps you must, they stamp perfectly everytime, no cutting out required and brilliant for picture building.

For this card I used, Anna's Collection - Just for You stamps set and Shabby Shutters distress ink.

Jenny is on Create and Craft TV, 28th May, 9am and 3pm.

I'm entering it into the Cards Galore Challenge - Inspired By. http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/cards-galore-may-challenge-inspired-by.html

Three Cats and a Bird

Today, I am sharing my Clarity Challenge entry for April with you.

The challenge was to create a card in black and white only, featuring 3 cats and a bird, and using Clarity Stamps. This is what I came up with, I do hope you like it.

Enjoy your Bank Holiday and please pop back soon.

Workshop - Ink Pads & Their Uses

This weeks workshops were based on making a tag book. A large book ring was used to join the various tags together and also means that it can hung up if needed.

We created 8 different pages by firstly writing instructions on the back of the tag and then decorating the front.

The tags were on such topics as, dye-based ink pads, solvent based ink pads, alcohol inks etc.

We made notes of their properties, their uses and names of ink pads in each category.

The same stamp was used for each tag so that the various properties of the ink could easily be seen.

ProMarkers and Aquamarkers were used to add colour.

One of the pages was made out of Acetate, and Stazon ink was used on this.

Extra pages can be added at any time, and we all found this a good way of getting to know our ink pads.

Once again I had a lovely time and Thank You to the fellow crafters that came to join me.

Hope you all have a great weekend, see you soon. x

Workshop - Alcohol Inks

On Saturday I ran a workshop at HG Arts & Crafts in Poynton, Cheshire where we used Alcohol Inks.

To start off we used a variety of techniques and made a number of samples on card, Mirri board, and acetate. We went back to our childhood when doing the 'Blob & Blow' technique with a straw.

This is Millie who is our youngest crafter and she produces some beautiful pieces of work. It is so good to see and be able to encourage young talent.

After decorating a glass tea light light holder we made a card using acetate and a variety of stamped images. This is the card that Millie made and I'm sure you will agree that it is splendid.

If you haven't tried alcohol inks, I can thoroughly recomend them so why not give them ago. See you soon x