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Tuesday 30 April 2013

Poppy Meadow Easel Card

Hi, here we are Tuesday evening....and how are you?
I have been getting ready for tomorrow's workshops....we are making a poppy canvas card....oh, it's going to be such a good day....but you will have to pop back tomorrow to see the cards....
Today, I thought I would share a project with you that I recently made for Kay.
 

It is an Easel card made using the wonderful Poppy Meadow stamp set.
The background was made using PanPastels. The main images were stamped using memento ink and then coloured in using ProMarker pens....I do love poppies and the range of colours that they grow in.
 

I also used one of the lovely little mini canvases....(they are so sweet) stamped, coloured it and then carefully positioned it in the correct place....easier said than done!!!
 

I do find that if I have to add heavy embellishments or canvases, an Easel card is a great way to take the extra weight.
 

The butterfly is taken from the Wild Meadow stamp set and I stamped it in FlitterGlu and then used black embossing powder...cut it out and stuck it on with glue gel...
Ribbon and hat pins were used to add the finishing touches....
The canvases are such a versatile addition to your crafty stash and if you haven't used them why not give them a go.....
Just before I go, I do need to remind you about our current IndigoBlu Forever Challenge....this months theme is Flowers......have you had a look?
Happy Crafting.....Jo. X

Saturday 27 April 2013

Saturday in Buxton...

Hi all, just a quick post from me today and a scheduled one too.
Today, is the day to meet up with the lovely crafters at Pooles Cavern in Buxton....and my Sister is here to come along too....
Here are the two cards that we shall be making.
 

The first one is an easel card and uses papers and toppers.
The second one uses stamps from Hobby Art and watercolour pencils ...after all we have to do some stamping!!!
Tomorrow, is all about spending quality time with my sister as I just don't get to see her enough....and family is so important...
Hope you all have a great day ,
See you soon. Jo. X

Thursday 25 April 2013

Gelli part 2

Hi everyone, I realise I hadn't done a blog post for a few days (and my Mum will be asking me why as she loves her daily dose of blog reading).
Well, we have had another busy week in the Rice household and even Tess had a mention and her photograph on Create and Craft this morning......
So on to my second play with the Gelli Plate...and more messy (but no so messy in my case ...it has to be clean!!!!) ..play.
So some acrylic paint, a bit of work with the Brayer some stencils....and then printing...
A few minutes to dry then some stamping...
So here it is...


I used the new classroom set of Clarity stamps and very nice they are too.
The butterfly is also a Clarity stamp and is stamped on book paper.
Although messy and Arty aren't my usual style, I really enjoyed making this card, I do hope you like it....
Make the most of the weather at the moment as according to the weather reports it is going to be a cold weekend.....just in time for my workshop in Buxton (I think I will get my vest back out!!!)
That's all from me....ttfn....Jo. X

Sunday 21 April 2013

IndigoBlu Forever 21 Blog Challenge...

Good morning....here we are the 21st of the month again ....so that means a new challenge over at the IndigoBlu blog...
There were some brilliant pieces of work last month....such a high standard...well done to everyone who entered....
The theme this month is ......Flowers.....
Here is my Design Team piece...
 

Something a little different for me....I do hope that you like it...
The original idea I have borrowed from Sheena Douglass and then put my own twist on it.....as always in the craft industry it is good to give a mention to the people who inspire....
I stamped the poppy stamp from Poppy Meadow onto a canvas from IndigoBlu....then stamped and coloured the background with PanPastels ....I then used Acrylic paint to paint the poppy and when this was dry, re-stamped the poppy in black Stazon ink.
The frame is also from IndigoBlu and I gave it a light wash with the white Gee-Sso Good....and then a light sanding ...
For the main background, I stamped the Script and Honeycomb background stamps in Grey Memento ink..and then added the butterfly image from the Wild Meadow stamp set....assembled it all together....and added a metal embellishment....
I really enjoyed making this and will definitely be making more...
Thank you for looking in today and do have a go at our blog challenge....
We do love to look at all your creations...
To find out more just click Here...
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday....
Hugs, Jo. X

Friday 19 April 2013

Fussy and Fancy Friday.....Vintage....

Well hello, can you believe it....I have blogged once again.....!!!!!
Today, it is a new challenge over at the Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge Blog....the new theme is Vintage...
To find it ...click Here....
This is my D.T. Card and used a stamp set from IndigoBlu called Grand Tour III
 

The background was made by blending Distress inks on to Linen card and then adding water droplets....the Splodge stamp from the Ledger background was stamped in Brushed Corduroy and then the larger Splodge was made using the same colour Distress Stain....(definitely a new toy and really good way of getting rid of stress!!!!) string was used to add a bit of texture...
 

This is the inside of the card....
I do hope you like this and why don't you have a go at entering the challenge...
Have a good weekend .....hugs....Jo. X

Thursday 18 April 2013

Workshop day...

Good afternoon readers, ...how windy was it last night? ....oh, I had trouble getting off to sleep....I really don't like the wind.....thank goodness it is less today as I had to take Mikey for an appointment this morning at Salford Royal Hospital and wasn't looking forward to driving over Barton Bridge....
All done for this week and back home....
Now on to yesterday when it was workshop day again.....thank you to all the regular crafters who came, really pleased to see Marjorie looking so well and back joining us and it was so good to meet our new lady Sheila...glad you enjoyed it and look forward to seeing you again next time....
Our theme was cards for men....(mmmmmmm...not always easy)
And just for a change we didn't think of sport, or alcohol...
We used a brilliant stamp set from IndigoBlu called Grand Tour III....
 

This was our first card and we used Linen card and distress inks to make the background....we used water droplets and a Distress stain to make the larger splodges....(I have to say they are great fun to make) all the images were stamped using Distress ink.
 

For our second card we used another stamp set from IndigoBlu called Brideshead...again brilliant for male cards....the front of the card was trimmed back by about 2cm....the car then stamped on the inside.....a second car was stamped and cut out then stuck on the front of the card and positioned on top of the inner one.....the fob watch was stamped in Distress ink and continued on to the inside....book paper and string mess were used to add a bit of texture...
 

This is another demo card to show how the stamps can be used with a little bit of masking....I used Peacock Feathers distress ink to make the background....the topper is black card and I used a memory box die...(my new favourites....bought from Samuel Taylors...) Vintage Bicycle...
I do hope you like these, the crafters made some lovely cards and as usual we did have a giggle....
Take care all ....and have you noticed ...I am on a roll....I may even post tomorrow....pop back and see....hugs. Jo. X

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Ella Bella...

Hi, midweek ....we have made it to Wednesday.....my favourite day.....Workshops.....but more about them tomorrow....(sorry, you will have to wait to see what we created this week!)
Today, I am going to share two more of my D.T. Samples from the IndigoBlu t.v show this weekend...
These both use the fabulous Ella Bella stamp...
 

For this first card I have used FlitterGlu to stamp with onto Vellum and then Wow Embossing Powder (Sparkling Snow) ...I stamped the image out twice so that I had some extra flourishes to place behind the bow.
The background is created simply by covering a piece of card with a large piece of lace.
 

A different look to this card by using black card and gold embossing powder. I made the base for the topper by using FlitterGlu, card and Morris Dance Mega-Flakes....the background was created by stamping the flourish part of the stamp in a random fashion..it is good to try and use all the different parts of the stamps..
Ribbon and flowers were used to add extra detail to the card.
Hope you like these two cards and pop back tomorrow to see the workshop cards from this week...
Take care and see you soon.
Jo. X

Monday 15 April 2013

Wild Meadow...

Good morning and here we are start of another week....I wonder what it will have in store for us all....
Did you manage to watch Kay on C&C yesterday...wow it was a busy show and most of the products sold out.....more work for the Elves back at IndigoBlu H.Q.
Here are two of the cars that I made using the Wild Meadow Stamp plate.
 

This first one is made by using Distress inks ...(Spiced Marmalade and Mustard Seed) and simply blending them to cover the card blank. I then stamped over the top with more Distress ink using the Honeycomb background stamp and the splodge from the Ledger background stamp. The image was then stamped directly onto the card using Black Archival ink....string is used to add the finishing detail.
 

To make this card I created my own aperture mask using my die cutting machine and an oval die...I then sponged PanPastels through the aperture to create the background.....this is a really quick and effective way to make a card.....then it is just simple stamping using the butterfly stamp and Black Versafine ink. The words come from the sentiment stamp ....simply cut up....oh and a wobbly line with the fine liner pen ...(easy if you have whacky hands like me).
Hope you have enjoyed your visit today....do call back soon.
Hugs, Jo. X

Saturday 13 April 2013

April Showers

Good afternoon everyone and how is your Saturday going?
Mine started with a lovely drive in the sun to Ross-on -Sea, where Tess, Karl and me walked along the sea front....oh it was fabulous ....just what I needed....
As we drove home it started to rain....but as my garden really needs some water, I don't really mind....
Today, I have a monotone card from IndigoBlu to share with you..
 

I have used stamps from a great set called Brideshead for the main images and used Black Versafine ink...For the background, I have used Grey ink and the Script, Ledger and Crackle background stamps.
Some Wish Washi tape and Glossy Accents added the finishing touches...
(and yes, I did take the photo before the glossy accents was dry!!!)
Just to remind you that the fabulous Kay Halliwell-Sutton is on C&C tomorrow with lots of IndigoBlu products and demonstrations,
at 9am and 1pm...
Sky...........671
FreeView...36
FreeSat....813
Enjoy the rest of your weekend......hugs, Jo. X

Friday 12 April 2013

It is a Gelli Day...

Good afternoon and Happy Friday to you all.
Today, I am going to introduce you to my new toy.......a Gelli Plate....
Have you heard of them? Well if you watched Clarity on Create and Craft last Sunday you will have seen Barbara Gray demonstrating with hers...
It is a mono printing plate......
Here is my version of the card, I used two colours of Acrylic paint on my Gelli Plate and at last Billy Brayer had a full afternoon of playtime.....
 

I used sequin waste, rolled up string and a variety of masks to make the pattern.
 

Once I was happy with my pattern, I removed the masks etc and then placed a small piece of card in the middle to pull off the central section....(and yes, this is Barbara's idea....not mine....so thank you and hope you don't mind me using it..) this central piece is going to be used on another project.
 

I then placed my larger (7x7) card on to the plate, rubbed it and made the background .....oh, I can print paper....
I then did a few more....very addictive .....so many possibilities.....I could have played all day....
 

The paint dries really quickly and so I then added the central picture by stamping Clarity Stamps and using Archival ink-Sepia....
I used the Garden set and the large Sprig stamps. Also in the front of the design is a lovely Clarity Club stamp....Cow Parsley...
The shading was added with Adirondack inks and a sponge...I used, Denim, Expresso and Pesto.
String and a stamped watering can were added to compliment the design...
I do hope you like it,
I would like to enter this into the Clarity Blog Challenge....
Have a good weekend and thanks for looking today,
Jo. X

Sunday 7 April 2013

Lovely Day...

Happy Sunday to everyone and how lovely the weather is today....so good to see the sun....and to be able to do some gardening....
Which is why I have to share this photograph with you....Karl took it yesterday in the car park at Pooles Cavern....and yes the snow pile was bigger than me..
 

It was the second workshop there and I must thank the staff, they are brilliant...if you fancy a day out do check out what they have to offer....from walking to Go Ape and a great cafe...
http://www.poolescavern.co.uk
As some of the ladies are new to crafting our first card used a variety of papers, cut outs, toppers and distressing techniques.....String and Card Candi were used to finish the design...our theme for the day was (the very difficult!!!!) ..Cards for Men....
 
 
Our second card used a stamp set from Papermania....Nostalgia....
We stamped using Distressed Ink and then water and a brush to drag the colour and produce a watercolour effect....this is a really great technique, if you haven't tried it...do give it a go....it gives such great looking results.... (and is so quick to do).
 
 
All the crafters made two brilliant cards....(and yes....all.....I won't name and shame....but great to see you finish both projects.....you know who you are.....Hugs....)
Right I am off now got another busy week ahead....and looking forward to watching The Village tonight......filmed locally in Hayfield.....I was lucky to live there for many years and it has such fond memories in my heart.....
Take care and see you soon, Jo. X

Wednesday 3 April 2013

Special Guest at My Workshop...

I've just got home after a brilliant day....it was workshop day at the United Reformed Church in Hazel Grove and today we had a special guest.
The very talented Maria Simms came to join us for the day...
She passed on so many hints, tips and knowledge about card making, the Splode mat and Brayering....(as many of you know my Billy Brayer is kept in his box and only comes out when absolutely necessary....today was his lucky day....he came out to play!!!!)
 
 
This is the card that the crafters made and is very clever how it includes three tags with many different techniques...
It was great to see how good the Splodge mat is used, how it really reduces ink waste.....and even makes the Brayer easier....
Clarity Stamps, Distress and Archival ink were used...
 

Then we made a quick card using many of these techniques and some more fabulous Clarity Stamps...
It was a fantastic day, thank you to all the crafters who came and a big Thank you to Maria .....you are a star!!!
Have a peep at Maria's blog it is.... http://inkymits.blogspot.co.uk
 
Off to eat my meal now.....enjoy your evening....
Jo. X