Tim Holtz at the NEC Birmingham

Guess who we met at the NEC this weekend?

It doesn't get much better than this...

Mum, Tim and Me

What a fantastic Guy.

A HUGE talent and so willing to share his knowledge.

Isn't it obvious that he absolutely loves his work.

No Ego - just a fantastic sense of humour and a wonderful personality.

We managed to snap a few samples of his work to show you.

 He just makes everything look so effortless

This was made by Tim's friend, Karen - isn't it fabulous! 

The flowers are grungepaper, covered in printed paper then inked with the Rangers new colours.

Grungepaper holds it's shape, so when the petals are curled they stay put.

You can visit Tim's Blog here: Tim Holtz - Live the life you've imagined...

Still pinching ourselves!

Janet and Elaine

Fairy Diorama Card with Tutorial

The definition of 'Diorama' is 'a three dimensional model, usually of a landscape'

CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A CLOSER VIEW

For this card I used a fairy stamp, stamped using VersFine (Onyx Black) and coloured using marker pens.

It was made from just two sheets of UK A4.

My measurements are in millimetres but for those of you who prefer to work in feet and inches - there is an excellent tutorial written by Diana Gibbs on Splitcoaststampers.

When folded flat this card will fit perfectly into a standard C6 envelope.

Here's How to make it:

You will need to cut two pieces of card measuring 190mm wide by 105mm high. These will form the back and the front of your card.

Full details are as follows:

A) Score line 40mm from edge

B) 110mm between score lines

C) 105mm high

D) 190mm wide

You will also need to cut one piece measuring 150mm wide by 105mm high. This will form the middle panel.

Full details are as follows:

B) 110mm between score lines

C) 105mm high
E) Score line 20mm from edge
F) 150mm wide

The next stage is to decorate your three panels:

1) Back panel - I stamped the flowers and leaves in VersaFine then spritzed the whole panel with Cosmic Shimmer Mists purple violet and peacock green.

2) Middle panel - this aperture needs to be smaller than the front panel aperture  

• Stamped round outer edges using the flowers and leaves.
• Fairy stamped to the centre left.
• Coloured using marker pens.
• Aperture cut roughly following the outer leaf and flower stamped images

3) Front panel - this aperture needs to be larger than the aperture on the middle panel

• Stamped round outer edge using flowers and leaves
• Coloured using marker pens
• Aperture cut to roughly follow the leaf and flowers stamped images

The fairy wings were stamped again. coloured, cut out and decoupaged onto the middle panel fairy. Glitter highlights were added to the front (3) and middle (2) panels.

Gluing the card together

Run glue or double sided tape down either side of the middle panel (2) flaps and fix to the inside sides of the back panel (1).

Run glue or double sided tape down the reverse of both front panel (3) flaps and attach to the outsides of the back panel (1) side flaps.

 That's it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Elaine x

OUR FIRST AWARD!!!

A BIG thank you to the wonderful MARTHA for giving us this award - we are 'Over the Moon'!
It should be passed on to 5 others and we have listed our nominations at the end of the post.

OK, there are 35 questions to answer,

each answer must only be one single word

- DIFFICULT -

 but here goes:

(Elaine)

1. Where is your cellphone?.......................BIN
2. Your hair?...........................................Highlights
3. Your Mother?......................................Tireless
4. Your Father?........................................Patient
5. Your favourite food?.............................Vegetarian
6. Your dream last night?...........................Colourful
7. Your favourite drink?.............................Bacardi&Coke
8. Your dream/goal?..................................Fulfilment
9. What room are you in?...........................Hall
10. Your hobby?..........................................Craft
11. Your fear?.............................................Spiders!!!
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years?...........Dancing
13. Where were you last night?......................Friends
14. Something that you aren't?........................Wealthy
15. Muffins?..................................................Banana
16. Wish list item?.........................................Time
17. Where did you grow up?.........................Yorkshire
18. Last thing you did?...................................Webbing
19. What are you wearing?............................Thermals
20. Your TV?................................................Off
21. Your pets?...............................................Noisy
22. Friends?...................................................Fantastic
23. Your life?.................................................MAD
24. Your mood?.............................................Reactive
25. Missing someone?.....................................Always
26. Vehicle?....................................................Feet
27. Something you're not wearing?...................Shoes
28. Your favourite store?..................................Hardware
29. Your favourite colour?................................Red
30. When was the last time you laughed?..........Today
31. Last time you cried?...................................Today
32. Your best friend?........................................GillHBB
33. One place that I go to over and over?..........Garden
34. Facebook?..................................................No
35. Favourite place to eat?.................................Informal

We would like to pass this award on to:

• JULIA - It's always a joy to visit Julia's blog and her work is an inspiration
• LYNNE - Gorgeous blog, gorgeous work and Lynne's use of colour is magical
• SALLY - Sally is a mum, full time teacher and manages to fit her wonderful crafting into all of this!!!
• MICHELLE - Michelle's work is, quite simply, stunning - I'm going to start taking exploding box lessons from her!
• VICKI - Vicki's scrapbook pages are wonderful and packed with inventive fun

It may be that not everyone has the time to take part in awards but please visit these people - they will inspire you!

Elaine and Janet.

Gift Box Template - 'Snowflake'

his hexagonal gift box measures 45mm high x 85mm wide

(1 3/4" high x 3 3/8"wide)
There's a free downloadable template at the end of this post.

CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A CLOSER VIEW

I used Stampin-Up card - 'Almost Amethyst' it's one of my favourite colours.

I printed directly onto the card (the template sheets are drawn in grey so the lines are not too heavy).

I cut out using a craft knife and made sure that the printed lines went to the inside of the box when gluing it together.

The stamp was a snowflake.

Stamped using VersaMark and embossed with 'Sea-foam White' powder.

I added a few crystal glitter accents and some flat backed pearls.

To finish I ran a Brilliance ink pad - 'Moonlight White' round the edges and sponged across the lid sides. 

- Hexagonal Gift Box Template -

Click on the images to open full size then save.

These sheets are set to print grey so the lines are not too prominent if you print directly onto your chosen card stock.

They appear very faint but will print OK.

- Box & Lid Liner, Lid Mount & Gift Card -

This second sheet is optional but the liners finish the box off nicely by hiding the glue flaps inside the box and lid.

Thanks for popping by

Elaine

Pop Up Christmas Card - 'Snowmen'

This card was made using exactly the same process explained in our earlier post - 'Pop Up Card Tutorial'.

CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A CLOSER VIEW

Instead of using the decoupage sheets 'Presents' I stamped and cut out two snowmen  - ('Funstamps - Snowman' wood mounted stamp).

I've had this stamp for at least a couple of years but this is the first time I've actually used it. How bad is that!

The snowmen were stamped using VersaFine Onyx Black then coloured using watercolour pencils and a blending pen.

The background is chalked then stamped over with a small snowflake stamp. I stamped in VersaMark and used 'Seafoam White' embossing powder.

To finish I added crystal glitter highlights.

I doodled the 'snow ball mountain' and the snowmen are juggling doodled snowballs mounted onto the tips of acetate strips so it looks like they're in mid air.

I wanted the second snowman to reach out from the card and his arm to be in a different position to the original stamp.

Masking off didn't work so here's what I did:

- Changing a stamped image -

1.  Stamped the snowman twice. Cut out the second - I used this later, to trace round (4).

2.  Pencilled in the shape I wanted the second snowman's body to be.

3.  Inked over the pencil, dotting inside my inked line (to match the style of the stamp's lines).

4.  Placed the cut out snowman, from earlier, where I wanted the second hand to be.

5.  Pencilled round the arm and hand.

6.  Worked over the pencil lines as before.

7.   Finally I cut out the amended snowman.

8.  The variation on the original stamp.

Hope you have a go and thanks for visiting!

X



For free Xmas pyramage & backing papers click here

 

Pop up Valentine Flowers - click here

Free Download - Xmas Card Pop Up Tutorial

Here is a tutorial for a simple pop-up Christmas card, based on a half A4 tent fold card blank.

There are free downloadable sheets at the end of the post.

CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A CLOSER LOOK

We've used our stamp - Hero Arts 'Leaf Flourish', stamped using VersaFine Onyx black.

EJ Craft Designs

The present is attached  onto a stamped panel using small 3D foam pads and then to a silver mirror board mount using double sided tape.

The base card has been stamped again, inside, using VersFine Onyx black with a few crystal glitter highlights to finish.

The presents are attached using folded strips of card - more details below.

Here we've stamped with VersaMark and embossed with our 'Silver Dollar' embossing powder.

The presents and tag were printed onto silver metallic adhesive foil.

Crafty Computer Paper

The make of this fab film is 'print IT'

print IT

After printing leave to dry for at least 15 minutes.

Roughly cut out the pieces you need.

Peel off the backing.

Stick them to matching colour card.

Cut out as you would normally.

- POP UP TUTORIAL -

From the downloaded sheets cut one large and one small present.

You will also need to cut a tag.

To attach the presents to the inside:

Cut two strips of card:

1) 40mm high by 100mm wide (just under 4" x 1 & 9/16")

2) 20mm high by 80mm wide (3/4" x 3 & 1/8")

Fold each in half and in half again making quarter folds.

Form the strips into cubes so the folds work in the correct direction.

Open them flat and apply tape to three of the four quarters as shown above.

Fold each strip back in half with the two sections that are taped facing you.

With the two quarters that are taped facing you, attach the large present (face up) to the large tag.

A) Attach it close to the tag fold but not covering it.

B) the untaped section is visible on the reverse

Attach the small present to the smaller tag in the same way.

Printed side facing you, attach the small present to the large present -

C) lining up the base of the tag to the base of the large present.

Before removing the double sided tape backing from your tag

Open your card and position the presents -

line up the edge of the large present tag to the card centre fold (D & F)

Check that the top of the present doesn't run over the edge of the card (E)

If it does trim the end of the tag (F) until it fits.

Remove the tape backing and place in position.

Close the card, making sure that the presents remain in position.

Press firmly across the front of the card then open - the presents will pop up and forward.

The tag:

Cut a strip of card narrower than the tag and almost twice it's length.

Fold in half and apply double sided tape to both sides

Attach to the back of the tag.

Position and fix the tag to your card whilst the card is open.

FINISHED!

- DOWNLOAD SHEETS -Click on the images (this will open them to full size) then save.

They will need to be printed in 'Landscape'.

Have Fun!

Elaine



Pop up Valentine Flowers - click here



Free Download - Halloween Lantern

A short break from Christmas because Halloween is here!!!!

If you haven't made a pumpkin lantern yet these are the quickest, easiest lanterns you can make.

There's a free download at the end of this post.

CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A CLOSER VIEW

Print onto any colour paper - the choice is yours. Paper is better than card because it allows the light, from your candle, to shine through.

These lanterns have been printed onto UK A4 landscape.

If you have a laminator - run them through it. This will waterproof them and they will happily stand outside even if it rains.

After laminating simply roll the lantern into a tube, prick holes top, middle and bottom and fix with small brads.

If you haven't laminated you can glue or tape.

Place a night light into a glass or jam jar and pop the lantern over it.

 

They look good in daylight but they're fab when it gets dark!

Cut across the middle of the print-out and you have two shorter lanterns.

The best thing is - when Halloween's over, open the brads, and these lanterns can be stored flat in an envelope - ready for next year.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO OPEN IT FULL SIZE THEN SAVE

Just a few words of caution here, as with all candles, it isn't safe to leave them unsupervised, especially around children.

Adding sand or a small amount of water to the jar before inserting the candle is a good extra safety precaution.

Happy Halloween!
X

Click HERE

for Halloween Tags Project

Click HERE

for Halloween Card Project