Make a Wish

Morning, This is one of the projects I made for Bev's MDF launch show on Hochanda, live from Alexandra Palace. I wanted to add a frame to this large piece and to create and almost 3D look with real depth, like the layered glass images you sometimes see. I used the beautiful Dandelion set for this, it's such a wonderful set of stamps with such great detail as do all of the BEAUtanicals.

To start with, I took a piece of cardboard and cut it to the same size as the MDF. Then using a square die I cut an aperture that would give a large enough window for the design while still keeping enough of the frame for the support needed.

Next I cut some thick wadding to the same size as the frame I had cut from the cardboard.

I coloured the back section of my MDF with Black Soot Distress Ink, the MDF has such a super smooth finish and takes inks extremely well, without any need for an undercoat. I wanted to keep the smooth surface for this piece.

On this back section I used Versamark to stamp the Sentiment, Dandelion and Seed Heads, then embossed with White detail embossing powder, making sure that the design fitted within the frame. To add the other layers I used squares of acetate large enough to fit behind the frame. Taking the first sheet I overlaid it onto the MDF stamped image to allow me to position the next layer of stamping, for these I used white Stayzon Ink. I repeated this for my next layer. When these were both dry, I secured them in turn using foam tape to give the distance between layers.

I took a square of cream calico  and stamped the dandelion seed heads around the area where the frame would be. I stamped them in both Black Versafine Ink and Versamark to act as a resist. Then I dyed the fabric using a blue denim fabric dye.

Once dry, I cut the centre so I could cover the frame. I stretched and secured around the inner frame using Cosmic Shimmer glue. 

Because of the tab at the bottom I just folded this edge and secured above the tab. The other 3 sides were secured with Wonder Tape and Cosmic Shimmer glue.

I covered the base/stand with the same fabric I had used for the frame and cut out the slit.

To finish I secured the frame to my base with Cosmic Shimmer glue.

I hope you like this project and the step by step I have shared with you today, I thoroughly enjoyed making it and sad that I had to send it for the show.Take care and Happy Crafting.xx

War-bonnet Wilderness

Today, I am sharing another card that I made using the new range of stamps from Bee Crafty. They were launched on Friday 20th May, if you missed Bev's shows they are still available on Hochanda's website, via the TV schedule, using the catch up feature. Please be quick as they're stored for 7 days.

I started off with a sheet of A4 velvet card. I didn't know exactly the size of my finished project, but I was hoping for approximately 7-8''. First I drew a simple hat in pencil and then fashioned it into the base of an Indian War Bonnet. When I had rubbed out all of the excess pencil lines, I went over the required shape with a waterproof black fine liner pen. Then I masked off with Pebeo Drawing Gum.

I worked out which part of the large wing I would need to complete the head dress and applied washi tape to mask off the unwanted part of the stamp, then inked up using Versamark, removed the tape, lined up the stamp with the hat base. I used black fine detailed embossing powder to emboss the feathers.

I then took the small straight feather from the same set to be the hanging side feathers of the head dress. Then took the medium curled feather and masked off the base with washi tape as I only wanted to use the tip. Using black versamark I positioned them about 5-10 mm away from the wing. I added black dots between the head dress and the feathers and joined them together with a very fine line using a black fine liner. I wanted the feeling of movement so they appeared free to move in the breeze. I then applied drawing gum to the whole image.

I cut my project down to size and drew two deckled lines around the edge at 5 and 10 mm with my black fine liner.

I stamped the sentiment I had chosen from the collection. Then added the landscape using Antique Linen,Tea Dye and Frayed Burlap. I added some Brushed Corduroy in the mountain range. I then placed my mask for the Sun/Moon, For the sky I used mainly Shaded Lilac, then from the outside blended in some stormy Sky and finally a little Faded Jeans just around the edges blending into the rest.

To create the Tippee's, I cut a triangle from copier paper and ripped a slim strip also to lay across the base. I blended Frayed Burlap inside the triangle. I drew the base, posts and door flap with my black fine liner. I removed the Drawing Gum and coloured the head dress with a selection of Alcohol markers.I then coloured the inside deckled frame with my black marker.

Finally I mounted the card onto a black card base leaving approximately 5 mm around the card.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my step by step contribution. I hope you like the card I have made using these beautiful stamps from Bee Crafty. Take care and hope to see you the same time and place next week. xx

Life's Rainbow

Morning, Since I very first saw the Bee Crafty stamps I have loved them. I especially like the sentiments, sometimes even using them as a starting point for my finished project. I make a lot of Artist Trading Cards and the smaller sized sentiments are superb for that.

The project I am sharing today is actually a completely different card to what I set out making. I started off using the Quill,Nibs and antique accounts stamps. It was when I chose the sentiment that I was sidetracked and started a different design entirely.

I stamped the'Life' Sentiment onto my Super Smooth card, then used one of the Backdrop Borders to create a frame around the sentiment. Then taking a selection of Distress Inks I coloured the piece. I started off at the top right hand corner with Blueprint Sketch to about half way across the card, then blended through Chipped Sapphire approximately quarter way down. Then from the bottom left I repeated the process using in order: Mustard Seed, overlapping slightly to give green, then Spiced Marmalade and finally Candied Apple.

For the main card, I started by stamping the large and medium curled feathers with versamark to give a watermark to the background. Then drew a rough idea of my rainbow and placed this over the background, then using the Distress Inks, stippled the colours through in turn. Keep an eye out for the paper getting saturated, All I did then was cut out the next segment from the mask and move down. I used the following colours for the rainbow: Candied Apple, Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn, Dusty Concorde and Blueprint Sketch.

When I had completed the rainbow, I made the decision to make the feathers more prominent in the main background, The versamark was still sticky so just added the ultra fine clear embossing powder and used the heat gun. Then for the top of the card I blended out from the edge using Blueprint Sketch and Chipped Sapphire and for the bottom I used Mustard Seed and Spiced Marmalade.

Finally I used a black fine liner pen to create a border about 5 mm from the edge. Added my sentiment with 5 mm foam tape to raise it from the card and added a black mat.

I really hope you have enjoyed my Step by Step today, along with the finished card. I hope you will join me again very soon.

Sensational Seasons Greetings by Sue & Tracey

Happy Sunday Everyone,

Well 5 weeks tomorrow is Christmas Eve which means we should all be getting underway with our Christmas Cards, I know many who have finished many  who are halfway through and those like me who have barely or not started at all.

Luckily the Bee Crafty Design Team have come up with lots of fabby ideas to keep us inspired.

Today I have 2 fantastic NEW offerings from Tracey and Sue

From Tracey:

What Tracey used: Ivory 5x5 card, mat and layer black glitter card, ivory supersmooth & black card.

Seasons Greetings & Winter Wonderland Trees stamped using versamark and embossed with Black supersparkle embossing powder.

Wide black satin ribbon wrapped around the card and sentiment stamps fixed onto ribbon.

Finished off with black glittered card snowflake die cuts & Sparklers gems.

From Sue:

C6 Plain Card, Layer with Silver and an Embossed card using an embossing folder, Sparklers Gems to accent and the Seasons Greetings Circle cut with a number 2 Spellbinders Circle amd layered

Both of these cards are Simple and Stunning and would grace any home this festive season

Bev x