Saturday 30 November 2013

BLOG CANDY

Hi all, thanks for popping by my blog. I have some BLOG CANDY on offer today as a thank you to all my loyal followers.
I have the following in the prize package:

Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Classics 9 Stamp Set (New)
Viva Decor Christmas Stamps (New)
Wendy Vecchi Studio 490 Sentimental Art Stamp Set (Used Twice, I have a duplicate set, oops!)
Papercraft Essentials Magazine (New)
Wendy Vecchi' Archival Ink Pad Fern Green (New)
Self Adhesive Embellishment Stones (New)
Cork Tags (New)
Book Plates (New)
Large Slide Mounts (New)
Epoxy Stickers (New)

Simply leave a comment to be in with a chance of winning my candy and I will draw a winner on Monday morning.

I will also be adding a few second hand stamps to the box too.

Thanks to all my loyal followers, you make it all worthwhile!

Tracy
xxxx


Friday 29 November 2013

WARM WINTER WISHES

This is my last piece this month using the fabulous Winter Flowers stamp set for Creative Expressions, next month I will be working with some new designs.
I decided to work on a tag this week.
I began by spritzing the background of my tag with Cosmic Shimmer Chalk Mist Pastel Green.
Once I was happy with the coverage I dried my tag with a heat tool.
A touch of distressing around the edges of my tag.
Apply Peeled Paint Distress Ink around the edges for definition and then flick the ink with water to add blotches to the background.

Black machine stitching was then added around my tag and a Victorian Metal Corner added for further interest. I then cut two hearts from white card and stamped the Hellebore onto the heart with Black Archival Ink and then machine stitched through the centre of each.
A water brush has been used to bleach out some of the areas on the flowers. The hearts have been coloured with Peeled Paint Distress Ink and then flicked with water. 'Warm Winter Wishes' has been added, coloured with a touch of Peeled Paint Distress Ink , adding Black Soot Distress Ink to the edges of the sentiment for added definition. I have also added buttons to the centre of each flower for further dimension. A Hinge Clip has been added to the side of the tag, along with a Key Charm attached with Jump Rings.

Each heart has been backed onto black card to lift the coloured hearts from the background.
One of my trademark twine bows has been added to the top along with a dimensional flower. Simply stamp the Hellebore twice onto white card, cut out both flowers and snip into one of the flowers and bend the petals for added movement.


Don't forget it is "Fun Time Friday" once again on the Creative Expressions Facebook page, simply leave a comment and you could be in with a chance of winning a fabulous prize.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x


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Thursday 28 November 2013

DREAMER

I've used the fabulous Chalkboard Wisdom plate combined with the Cowgirl Strength plate to create my card this week for Artistic Outpost.
The background has been coloured with Distress Inks and stamped with one of the star stamps from the Chalkboard Wisdom plate to add a little more interest to the background.
I coloured the image with Distress Markers and added a flower to her hat for added dimension. I also cut 'DREAMER' from the sentiment and added just below the frame. The frames are from the Chalk It Up Plate stamped with Black Archival Ink.
I have added background stamping to each of the frames using the Ephemera Backgrounds plate and then stamped over the top with the focal image and sentiment in Black Archival. I have also added a felt flower and button to the centre along with a Chitchat sticker.
A rusty star has been added to the top along with one of my trademark twine bows.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

Monday 25 November 2013

Seasonal Countdown

December is coming, and with it a wealth of holidays, parties, and lots of important numbers. Children are counting the days until school goes on break, and in general counting seems to be the theme at this time of year. With that in mind, DT member Ashli challenges us to use holiday countdown as this weeks inspiration!
Whether you’re working on December Daily, doing an advent calendar, creating home décor with numbers, or perhaps just making holiday cards and counting down how many you have left to make Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge would love to see how you countdown during the festive period.
My children usually have a chocolate advent calendar every year so this year I thought I would make a little effort and try something a little different. I was looking around Pinterest a few weeks ago and stumbled across some advent ideas HERE and HERE and so I decided to try out a few ideas of my own. 
I began with pieces of wood which I adhered and then used nails to ensure each piece was secure prior to any painting.
The tree was then painted with a dark coloured paint (I used paint from one of the bedrooms I decorated recently).
Pegs have been added so that I could hang bags from each.
I wanted my tree to have an aged rustic feel and Vaseline is perfect for achieving this.
Apply the Vaseline around the edges of the tree, where you would expect pieces to age and add some Vaseline randomly around the tree. Do not apply in thick blobs, less is more with this technique. Then paint the tree with white or cream paint. I used white and applied two coats.
Once the paint was completely dry I then sanded the tree with some fine sandpaper. Wherever I applied the Vaseline the paint is removed easily and the darker colour underneath is revealed, giving an aged effect to the wood.
I love this technique and it's so simple and the finish is perfect to add that rustic feel.
My family also helped a little with this tree, my husband made the stand and my children Ryan and Laura had a great time picking out chocolate for the bags. However, I did add a surprise here and there!
I added hessian to cover the stand and tied a large twine bow to the centre.
This picture shows the ageing a little better.
I added a wooden heart to the centre of the twine and stamped the heart using the background stamp from the Season's Silhouettes stamp set. I also added a touch of colour to age using Frayed Burlap Distress Ink.
I added a heart to the top of my tree using one of Wendy Vecchi's Heart Art Parts.
This tree could actually be used all year round to hang gift tags or special pieces of art.
Next came the bags for my trees which I die cut from Kraft card using Tim Holtz In The Bag Die, this die was the perfect size to house seasonal treats. I aged each bag adding a touch of colour with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink.
I added numbers to each bag die cut from Tim Holtz Kraft Core Nostalgic Paper Pad using the Memory Box Advent Calendar Die.
Mini stockings have been added to each bag die but from Kraft card using the Mini Stocking and Candy Cane die. I also sanded each stocking to add to that aged feel.

For more great ideas please pop over to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog and take a look at my fellow team members they have created some inspirational projects. Remember there is also the chance to win a $50 prize from Simon Says Stamp.  I always look forward to seeing your creations each week.

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, much appreciated.  Enjoy your week. Tracy x x 

Products Used:

Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Season's Silhouettes Stamp Set
Tim Holtz In The Bag Die
Tim Holtz Core'dinations Kraft Core Nostalgic Paper Stack
Tim Holtz Mini Stocking and Candy Cane Die
Memory Box Advent Calendar Craft Die
Frayed Burlap Distress Ink
Black Archival Ink
Twine
Wendy Vecchi Art Parts Heart, Love and Stars



Friday 22 November 2013

SNOWDROPS

I am showcasing the fabulous Winter Flowers Stamp Plate today from Creative Expressions.
The background has been created using the That Special Touch Blossom Mask, applying Peeled Paint Distress Ink through the mask using Cut 'n' Dry Foam and then spritzing the background lightly with water.
I also used the Blossom Mask to emboss the background to my focal images and then coloured with Peeled Paint Distress Ink and used Golden Light Gilding Wax to highlight the embossed areas, I also spritzed the background to add water blotches for further interest.
I used Cosmic Shimmer Film, ironed several pieces together to fuse and then die cut a heart from the Film embossing the film with the Blossom Mask to coordinate with my background pieces. The heart has then been machine stitched into place.
Two further hearts have been cut from White Foundations Card (Creative Expressions now have a 300gsm card, fantastic for all those inky, painty backgrounds) and I have then stamped the Snowdrop image onto the hearts with Black Archival Ink. Each heart has been coloured with Peeled Paint Distress Ink and I have then used a water brush to remove some of the colour from the flowers and then machine stitched each heart into place.
A Vintage Cameo has been added to the bottom of my card, highlighting the wonderful details with Gilding Wax. I have also included some Faux Suede Leaves to the back of the Cameo for added texture along with some black twine.
A banner has been cut from white card, the SNOWDROP text added with Black Archival Ink and coloured with Peeled Paint Distress Ink, adding Black Soot Distress Ink to the edges for definition and I have then spritzed with water.
Don't forget it is "Fun Time Friday" once again on the Creative Expressions Facebook page, simply leave a comment and you could be in with a chance of winning a fabulous prize.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

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Wednesday 20 November 2013

Artistic Outpost Blog Hop

Time for our monthly blog hop with Artistic Outpost and this month it's a DESIGNERS CHOICE which I love as I can use one of my favourite stamp plates once again, the SNOWY WOODS plate.
I have created a 5" x 7" card and added a Gelli Print background. To create the background I followed the following steps:
  1. Brayer Burnt Umber acrylic paint over the Gelli Printing Plate, place wooden snowflakes onto the brayered surface; place a piece of scrap paper over and just rub over lightly and then remove the scrap paper, this will just ensure good contact with the surface, then simply remove the wooden snowflakes.
  2. Brayer over the surface with a lighter colour paint, in this case I used Traditional Tan. I cut a piece of white card to fit my card front and then placed this piece onto the Gelli Printing Plate and rubbed over the back of the card to ensure good contact and then removed the card to reveal the printed background.
  3. Add some random background stamping to the background using Black Archival Ink.
From this picture you can see the subtle background stamping, adding just a touch of further interest. I also love the mix of the dark and light colours giving my card a real rustic feel.
I stamped the focal image onto white card and then tore a piece of scrap paper and added sponged areas to the backdrop.
The wooden stars used to decorate the background have also been used as the embellishments again added further dimension and interest and adding to the rustic feel. I have added Christmastime Remnant Rubs to the card, adding 25 to the snowflake and 'Christmas' and 'Believe' to the stamped image.
Natural twine and a Christmas Word Band complete my rustic Christmas card.

My fellow Design Team members have made some fabulous pieces to inspire you, please pop along and visit their blogs and be inspired along the way.

Artistic Outpost also has a fabulous REFERRAL THEME taking place for November and the theme is ANYTHING GOES using your AO images. There is also a fabulous prize on offer, upload your designs HERE.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Tracy x x

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Creative Expressions Couture Blog Hop

The Creative Expressions exciting Couture Creations Blog Hop is now live!

I have been working with the fabulous Couture Creations products over the past few weeks and I will be sharing all my creations each week. Today I have decided to showcase the fabulous ORNATE FRAME 3-in-1 set.

There are a fantastic selection of prizes to be won from each blog in the Hop, the winner drawn randomly from my blog will win:
1 x Doilies CO723401
Wedding Bells Pre Cut Stamp UMS057
Glitter
Cosmic Shimmer Clears Dry Glue
Cosmic Shimmer Silver Shine Detail Embossing Powder

To be in with a chance of winning a prize, simply leave a comment on each of the ten blogs over the course of the hop. The winners will be drawn at random from all the comments featured on each blog and will be announced on the Creative Expressions NEWS page on Monday 25th November 2013. The Blog Hop will end on Friday 22nd November at 5pm.

Creative Expressions have some fantastic prize bundles to giveaway! Each prize bundle is worth over £10 and contains a selection of Glitters, Glue, Embossing Powders and Singles Stamp. The star prize will be the same as the other prize bundles, but will also include one of the 3-in-1 Dreamboat Collection Sets. The star prize is worth £30!

If you arrived here from CATHI O'NEILL's blog then you are in the right place.

I decided to create a canvas using the ORNATE FRAME 3-in-1 set.
Stamp the Ornate Frame onto a piece of Foundations White card using Black Archival Ink.
Apply Salty Ocean and Mowed Lawn Distress Inks to a Non-Stick Craft Sheet and spritz with water.
Pick up the ink with the stamped piece of card, drying with a heat tool between each application to prevent any mudding of colours.
Spritz the canvas with a good coverage of water.
Apply Salty Ocean and Mowed Lawn Distress Paints randomly around the canvas and then blend with a brush.
The Distress Paints blend beautifully with water. Once you are happy with the coverage of colour dry the canvas with a heat tool.
Add Beeswax to a Melt Pot and set the thermostat to the UTEE setting. Please remember to add a Project Pan to the melt pot when using Beeswax, keep the pan with the Melt Pot for Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel. It is best to keep the Beeswax separate from the UTEE to prevent contaminating any of the Enamel.
Once the Beeswax has melted turn the thermostat down to approximately 120/140.
Apply Beeswax to the canvas using a good quality brush and then place the stamped piece on top of the Beeswax. Once the image is adhered then apply Beeswax to the top of the image working from the centre outwards until completely adhered. I did use a heat gun to brush over the area a few times to give a smooth finish to the image. I then dabbed Beeswax around the outside of the stamped image to give texture and raised areas for added interest and texture.
Whilst I was using the 3-in-1 set I thought it would be a good idea to create a mould of the butterfly die to use at a later date. Simply take equal parts of the Mold 'n' Pour and then mix together.
Both pieces mix together very easily.
Continue to mix together until you have one solid colour and no white showing.
Roll into a ball.
Then press the die into the putty and set aside until it hardens. You will know when the putty is ready when you can no longer leave a finger nail mark in the putty. Ensure the sides are built up slightly so that any UTEE does not flow over the edges of the mould.
Remove the die from the putty and you now have your own mould created from the die.
Apply Cosmic Shimmer Mica to the mould.
Then pour hot Cosmic Shimmer Black UTEE into the mould and set aside to cool. The enamel will harden, simply press the edge of a spatula or something simlar onto the enamel to check it has hardened and then remove the piece from the mould.
I also wanted to create an Ultra Thick heart. Simply place the stamp from the 3-in-1 set uppermost onto a flat surface, apply VersaMark ink to the stamp to act as a release agent, place the heart cookie cutter onto the stamp and then pour in the hot UTEE and set aside to cool.
Once cool remove the heart from the cookie cutter, the texture from the stamped image is fantastic in the UTEE. Apply Cosmic Shimmer Mica Powder to the UTEE to highlight the texture.
I also applied Enchanted Gold Metallic Gilding Wax to the raised areas to highlight evern further the wonderful detail.
I die cut a butterfly from white card using the butterfly die from the ORNATE FRAME 3-in-1 set, coloured with Distress Inks and then placed into the hot Beeswax.
Remove the butterfly from the Beeswax, allow to cool and then apply Mica Powder to the Beeswax. The Mica sticks to the Beeswax beautifully and adds wonderful shimmer.
Apply Mica Powders to the edges of the canvas along with Enchanted Gold Gilding Wax to highlight all the wonderful texture from the Beeswax around the edges of the canvas.
From this picture you can see the wonderful detail the Mica and Gilding Wax adds to the canvas. I really love how the Gilding Wax has adhered to the edges of my stamped piece highlighting all the detail. You can also see the shimmer on the butterfly. The Beeswax is so tactile.
I love adding Beeswax to the edges of the canvas by simply dabbing it onto the edges with the brush and then highlighting the lumps and bumps with Mica and Waxes, its adds so much to the canvas.
The UTEE heart has been added to the top of my canvas along with 'Celebrate' stamped onto white card and coloured with Distress Inks .
I added twine to the bottom of my canvas along with another UTEE heart for further interest.
I am the last person on the hop and I hope you have enjoyed all the inspirational projects along the way. Simply pop to the NEWS page and leave a comment to say you have completed the Hop.

I would like to thank you all for visiting my blog and joining in the Hop. I have included a full list of the DT members participating in the hop should you have missed anyone along the way.

Tracy Evans (You are Here)

Good Luck everyone!

Tracy x x x

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