Free Christmas template!

Its not often we get free craft goodies so I had to share with you! All you have to do is go to the website and follow the instructions. A bit late for this Christmas but handy for next year,
Get a free "Santa's Magical Sleigh" card making template from Card Carousel.
Just visit www.cardcarousel.co.uk/free/sleigh.html

Woodland Fantasy by Peerless Designs

The Unicorn shaker card. The verse on the tag  I thought was just perfect for this card. The flowers were from a backing paper of this cd rom which I heat embossed and layered.

This easel card image was printed on acetate and mounted on pink watermark card. Heat embossed embellishments were also from this cd rom.

I adore this Image! The baby is suspended by shimmering cobwebs. I made a tiny baby shoe from the backing paper.

I made a spere over the main image for a different look

This is my own design stationery box, the notepaper & envelopes are on the cd rom

This image was printed on acetate and mounted on glitter card.

Hot foil other uses!

Another use of Hot foil is...
To add a foil outline or to give something a foil look, using a glue pen, glue the area's you are wanting to foil and let the glue dry clear (I would leave it for about an hour or more depending on the amount of glue applied), then with the shiny side of the foil facing up, place it across the areas you have applied glue and gently rub the foil so it adheres, then peel off gently to reveal a foil look to your project!

The Graceful Polar Bears!

What powerful beauty the polar bear has! To show different images of this gorgeous creature with her cub I chose to do a triple easel card.

Label style easel card

I love this style card, again this is my own template, but simply adore the cute penguins and the colours are stunning!

The Artic Wolf

This is the inside of the theatre card. Underneath the centre panel is a verse or in this case I have added info on the artic wolf's natural habitat.

Artic Adventure

Well, I have been busy busy! I have orders for Christmas cards and also I design for Sarah Hallam, Peerless Designs, and have been doing samples from her new cd rom-'Artic Adventure' which is beautiful, so here are some of the cards I have made...
This is my own style card-Theatre style

Again the art deco range. This is from Debbi Moore's Glitter & Glitz cd range. I shaped the easel to fit the main image

I adore the art deco era it is so glamorous!
This is a Kanban topper and the backers are from the V&A range which I think go perfectly with this image

Peerless Design 'Cuddle upz' new cd!

Last one of samples!
This is a quick card, which I printed 3 times and decoupaged the main image.

Peerless Design 'Cuddle upz' new cd!

This is the inside of the small card on main card front!

Peerless Design 'Cuddle upz' new cd!

Cuddle upz-Peerless design

Cuddle Upz samples

Peerless Design 'Cuddle upz' new cd!

As some of you may know I design cards for Peerless Design. Below are some samples for the new cd, 'Cuddle Upz-Funny farm'. I really enjoyed making these cards, the cd is so humorous. The release date for this cd is 21st June 2011 @ 10am on create & craft.

Should be top slot cards!

These are top slot cards from craftsUprint, but I decided to use them as a card with a difference!

Ink pad usage!

When I first started stamping, I didn't know what ink pads to use on what medium so, I have put together a list of what inks do!

DYE INKS
These are general purpose inks and can be used on most kinds of card & paper. Because the colours are thin bodied, I find the lighter shades tend to produce subtle pastel effects and dark shades are quite vibrant.
Dyes work by soaking and staining the paper fibres quickly so are not appropriate to use with embossing. On glossy/coated paper/card, they tend not to dry and will smudge easily also, they do not work well with polymer stamps as the bead up and produce a fuzzy effect.

WATER-BASED DYE INKS
These tend to fade over time more so in sunlight, and they are not waterproof, so will run if wet. Water-based ink stamped images are best coloured with chalks, crayons & coloured pencils. Avoid using on high absorbent paper/card such as mulberry as it will bleed.
Easy to clean off your stamps with water or wet wipe.

WATERPROOF DYE INKS
These are permanent inks and will not run with water. Best for stamping an image and can be coloured using markers or water coloured paints/pencils. They can be used on most mediums but they are not suitable for stamping on shrink plastic. Because of the waterproof qualities, your stamps can sometimes be cleaned with soap & water, though some may need a solvent based cleaner.

DISTRESSING INKS
One of the popular brands is Tim Holtz. These are water based dye inks and are in a class of their own. They are brilliant for blending with water and because they stay wet longer, makes them become very alterable. One of the things I like to do with these inks is, daub different colour on card then spritz with water to see the colour mingle and spread! These inks are best used on photos.

ALCOHOL INKS
Alcohol inks are permanent, dye based inks. The most popular brand is Ranger Adirondack, which comes in a full strength dropper bottle. These can be used full strength or diluted with alcohol blending solution. You can also add mica powder to them to create a pearlescent shimmer effect. I use these inks on a felt stamper to create backgrounds and rarely use for stamping as they dry very rapidly and over time can dry out your stamp causing them to crack. These inks are suitable for use on almost any surface including, plastic, glass, metal, foil etc. If you do use them for stamping images, be sure to clean your stamp with a commercial stamp cleaner and conditioner.

PIGMENT INKS
These inks do not contain dye. They are a solid pigment suspended in a glycerin base. They do not sink in or stain card/paper like dye based inks, but dries on top of the surface and take a little longer to dry making them ideal for embossing. They will not dry on glossy paper unless you use a heat gun. Once heat set, you can water colour the image without smearing.
Because of the thickness of these inks, I clean my stamps with warm water and an old toothbrush to get into the tiny crevices.

FAST-DRYING PIGMENT INKS
Some pigment inks have a resin base and can be heat set for permanence on vellum and plastic. They tend to dry fast so are not really suitable for embossing, although Ranger Antiquities Ink is a fast dryer that can be used with embossing. Brilliance is harder to emboss with but dries perfectly on smooth surfaces, like vellum or coated card/paper
Versafine is a brilliant ink, it is oil based yet water-soluble and dries quick. It is acid-free, fade resistant and waterproof, making it perfect for stamping images and colouring in with markers or water colours without bleeding. It produces perfect results on highly detailed stamps.

SOLVENT-BASED PERMANENT INKS
These inks do not require any heat setting, once they are dry, they are permanent on almost any surface including, leather, metal, glass, acetate etc. One of the most popular is StazOn and because they dry almost instantly on porous card/paper, makes them perfect to use markers or paints with. Also great for stamping on shrink plastic!

WATERMARK AND RESIST INKS
These inks are used for subtle images on card/paper and can produce some interesting backgrounds, especially on coloured card/paper.
Versamark and Pallette are slow drying which makes them ideal to use with embossing powders. I like to use these inks to produce a batik effect-stamp your image on glossy/smooth paper, then use a brayer or sponge to apply ink over it and the stamped image will resist the ink.

I hope this helps, Happy Stamping!

Hat card!

Hat card sheet was purchased from craftsUprint and is perfect for boys and girls!

Wedding horseshoe card

This beautiful image was purchased from craftsUprint! The roses on the horseshoe are decoupaged

Art deco!

I purchased this image from craftsUprint. I love the art deco era!

Venetian Moments

From one of Debbi Moore's Venetian collection-Venetian Moments cd! This is a beautiful decoupage image. I printed a background sheet and stuck it under acetate at the spine and the ribbon hides the glue line. The sentiment ribbon was glued to the backing paper. I made a feathered fan to complete the look!

The Owl!

Peerless Designs Woodland Treasures cd rom. I chose the owl innie, and designed a corner style easel. I also printed out the borders and 'postage' style stamps which I used along the side edge, and finished off with a Happy Birthday greeting.

Dragonfly Day's!

From one of my New software cd's came this-Dragonfly Days! It's from Design House, Water's Edge cd rom and very beautiful images it has, with matching backing papers etc. The Card design template was also off the cd. It's the first time in a long while I have used a craft knife to cut the letters in the card itself! Along the edge of the lettering I used butterfly trails diamond glitter and tiny fimo dragonflies and a metal one to finish the look!

Debbi Moore-Stitch & Friends!

Both of these cards are made from Debbi Moore's latest cd-Stitch & Friends. The blue card I designed a corner easel style and the red is the more traditional easel style. I used a mix & match of the design sheets, decoupage and backers.

Glittered image!

This is another technique I love to do. I used Thomas Kinkade stamp for this one, but you can use any stamp you like. This also looks gorgeous one the image is coloured!
Stamp your image and cut to size. Cut required size from a double sided clear sticky sheet and apply over the top of your image, remove the finger lift backer and sprinkle with glamour dust, shake off excess and voila! Stunning effect!

Curled Organza Ribbon!

For a more vintage look with your organza bows, try this. Once you have made your bow, place on heat resistant mat and apply the heat lightly from your heat gun until you have the desired effect you want, secure with the tip of tweezers to prevent it blowing away! This also works when you want to curl organza ribbon. Spiral wrap ribbon around a pencil and apply the heat, leave to cool and it holds it shape!

Colour your ribbons!

Ever been stuck for a certain colour ribbon? I think this is a brilliant tip! Use your pro markers to colour your ribbons, it doesn't have to be white, I found any colour can be used, just gives different shades/colours, and because the pro markers are alcohol they blend perfectly, so no lines. Also you can have as deeper shade as you like, just go over again!

New to stamping?

Are you new to stamping and not very confident with colouring your stamped image?
Try this method; instead of inking your stamp use watercolour crayons or aqua markers to colour the actual stamp with your desired colours ie. a flower-use red/pink etc and then use green for the stem. When you have coloured stamp, lightly spritz with water and stamp your image. The 1st stamp is quite deep, the 2nd stamp it becomes more subtle. This method doesn't colour the inside of the image but the outline and is very effective. You could also use ultra fine sugar glitter to add colour to your stamped image!

Chloe Hickinbottom-BGT!

I am fortunate enough to be big family friends with Britains Got Talent Chloe Hickinbottom and her family! I see her everyday and hear her sing often...and what a brilliant voice she has got! Watch this space for more news on Chloe. You can also watch here at home on You Tube!

Ric-rac ribbon and tiny punches!

Another technique I enjoy doing is with ric-rac ribbon and ds tape to make a border or to outline an image. Cut the desired length of ds tape and place on cardstock. Lift off backing and place ric-rac ribbon down the centre or the edge of ds tape. sprinkle with choice of colour glitter and gently rub on ds tape. Shake off excess glitter and carefully remove the ribbon, again gently rub in contrasting glitter. The width of border can be adjusted by using several lengths of ds tape side by side. When completed, trim off excess card. I have also used a tiny butterfly, flower, teddy and clover punch, and lots of other shapes and used this technique, just align each punched image along the tape and repeat the process!

Badger

Just had to let you see my baby lol! This is Sam, or as he is known Badger! He is a 5 year old Staffie and I love him to bits! He is a character and half and absolutely spoilt. I used to have a Dobermann named Halen, and thought I would never find another dog with such a lovely temperament, but Badger is one of the most faithful and obedient dogs I have ever come across, but then again I just adore dogs! Friends who visit are amazed how he watches TV, we reckon he thinks it's a window because if he see's an animal on TV he barks at the French windows and wants out to look for it! Silly Badger lol!

M&S iron...perfect!

This little gem I got from M&S, back in the summer and only cost £5.00. I love to play with Angelina film and fibres. One of my favorite techniques is; ink up my stamp, place film on top of stamp then put fibres on top of film. Take a piece of baking parchment a little bigger than the size of the stamp I am going to use then apply the heat from the iron. The raised image of the inked stamp outlines beautifully on the film/fibres. This travel iron is the perfect size for this and it is the perfect heat setting, so no need to worry if it's too hot. You can trim the finished image but I like to leave the fibres around the image. I placed the iron next to its plug to show how small it is and...it has a folding handle so takes up very little room in my craft room drawers! 10 out of 10 M&S!

Happy New Year!

A Happy New Year to everyone!
Well another year over, and it seems so quick. I got lots of new software to play with and will be uploading pictures and my views.
hugs Jae x