One Layer Birthday Card

Hello all,

Today's card was made this week for my bff's birthday.  I wanted to do a single layer card so this was created all directly onto the card, using masks.  This was actually the second attempt.  The first version was not embossed so the paint looked scrappy and the inking in the bottom panel was too dark and too dominant.  Well, we can't all get it right first time, eh?

I started with an A5 card blank and rounded the corners.  I then stamped the peacock (from Kanban) in Versamark and embossed it with Stamp N Stuff black embossing powder.  I stamped the image onto a post-it note, cut it out and lined it up over the image.  When cutting it out I was careful to cut just slightly into the black outline.  This meant that I did not get a white outline when inking.

Next I roughly tore a strip of copier paper and used that to mask off the top of the card. I then applied Distress Inks in Tumbled Glass with a little Peacock Feathers for definition, using Cut N Dry foam.  

Using the same ink (Tumbled Glass) I then randomly stamped the inked area with Falling Feathers stamp by Sheena Douglass.  

Once all the inking was dry, I stamped Happy Birthday from Stamps Away wordy sets.

I really wanted the amazing tail to be the focal point of the card so I decided that would be the only area I painted.  I used just 2 colours from the H20s range (I think Bronze Medallion and Autumn Skies but don't shoot me if I've got that wrong).  I used the paint very thick as the embossing would keep it under control for me and I wanted maximum mica.

Hope you like it,

Mani x

Flittering Butterflies

Hi again,

Well, not doing so well at the post a week...perhaps that was too ambitious and monthly is more achievable :)  I chose today's card as I've seen a sneaky peek of Spring and so butterflies should be on their way soon to brighten up our gardens.

This card was created as a birthday card for Mum who loves her garden and all the creatures that visit it.

This is an 8x8" square card.  The background was created with a stencil and the centre panel was a single stamp by Kanban.   I stamped it once on smooth card and coloured it with Distress inks. Then I stamped it again onto vellum and embossed it with black WOW embossing powder.  I painted the butterflies with H2Os, cut them out when dry and shaped them.  Then I attached them with a little glue gel down the centre.  A gem in each corner to pick up the bronze layers finished it off.

Hope you like my welcome Spring post
Mani x

A Little Bit of Sunshine...

With all this rain and gloom, I thought we could all do with a bit of sunshine in our lives.  I made this card for my Mum for her birthday one year as she loves her garden and all things floral.

This was created using the Papermania Build a Sunflower set of stamps.  I repeat stamped the single image of a complete sunflower, using masks made from sticky notes to overlap the images and create a field of sunflowers.  They were then coloured using Promarkers.

I created an extra flap on the front by cutting it with my 2nd mat.  I used the full set to "build" three 3D sunflowers, again coloured with Promarkers.  Some bright yellow ribbon and a sentiment finished the card.

Hope this brightened your day,
Mani x

Fabric Inspiration

I think I've already posted this on my Facebook page but not yet on my blog.  I made this card for my eldest daughter's 16th birthday. She is very much into Burlesque Goth and Victoriana and we all clubbed together to buy her a special outfit.  The card was inspired by the skirt of the outfit.

I like this card because it shows the versatility of stamping.  The background was created by repeat stamping in versamark and embossing with a clear WOW embossing paper, to echo the fabric of the skirt.

The main image was stamped with black Archival and painted with Luminarte Twinkling H20s.  I would say I do 90% of my painting with these paints as once you have been hit with that shimmer, you never go back.  I used normal watercolours for her hair and skin (one colour for each) and just one colour of H20 for the red dress.  One of the beauties of watercolour is that you can change the hue and tone simply by adding/reducing the water added.

The topper was inked around the edges with Black Soot Distress Ink.  You need to go carefully as it is such a strong colour but the light it creates is worth the effort.

Here's the card (it's an 8x8 ins)  hope you like it.

This is the back of the skirt that inspired the card.

Mani x

Angels

It's been a busy ole summer, with extra fairs and kids at home - one off to college tomorrow, eek!.  But I did  get some crafting done, including these angels.  I'm always being asked to do angel cards but wanted to hold off until I could find an image that really "spoke" to me (at the risk of sounding very arty and pretentious).  I love these stamps and I am always blown away that a card with such colour can start off as all white card.  So pleased the pic shows off the gold embossing powder and all the mica.  I hope you like them as much as I do.

Mani x

Materials Used: White card stock, Shabby Angel stamp range, Distress Inks, Mica spray, Adirondak Ink Pad, Versamark pad, WOW gold EP

Meet the family!

Not had time to post or make new cards the last couple of week as have big show coming up at end of month and desperately need to make stock.  So, it's back to the archives today and I thought I'd introduce you to my two daughters - in card form, of course!

This is my eldest Jordanna, 15 years old. 

And this is my youngest Lorelei, aged 2.

I wanted to make them the same christmas card as they're sisters but with differences to highlight their own unique personalities.  I used glitter paper on both & the snowflakes were punched from self-adhesive glitter paper - but I wouldn't recommend this as I broke my punch!  The stamps were coloured with promarkers.

For Jordanna's picture I used a Sugar Nellie stamp.  Spookily, this really is how Jordanna dresses as she's into goth burlesque.  No red hair as yet though!

For Lorelei's picture I used a Gorjuss stamp.  Perfect for Lorelei as she really is a little princess and the bear is an exact match for her favourite teddy, Bubblegum.

Until next time,
Mani xxx

Creative Expressions Calling Card Challenge

For me "Calling Card" conjures up Jane Austen novels & butlers taking cards on trays to announce guests. So I wanted to do a card that expressed both me as a person & as a crafter. Purple was a no brainer & as I'm known at the craft fairs as "the fairy card lady", well, that was an obvious choice too!  The butterfly swirl was inspired by my business cards.

I made the ATC from silk art card. I did a resist technique by stamping the butterfly swirl & the little plant (Elusive Images) in Versamark & brayering with Hydrangea Big n Juicy.  Once dry, I added some details around the edges & then stamped fairy in Versafine onyx, embossed with black powder. I mounted the ATC on some rainbow mirri to set it off.

I created the background by tearing Neenah card & colouring with cut n dry foam & distress inks in Dusty Concord, Scattered Straw & a little Peeled Paint. I used Versafine onyx to stamp the fairy, door & mushrooms (Lavinia Stamps) & grasses & leafy swirls (Clarity Stamp).  To create some depth I added some more detail using grape Memento.

Next I accented the door with a little watercoluring using Distress inks in Dusty Concord & Weathered Wood.

I made some butterflies with Fantasy Film and Fibres &, using pinflair silicone glue, I attached just the bodies so that the wings are free.  Finally, I used crystal glitter to make a trail from the fairy on the ATC to the 2nd butterfly so the fairy is blowing a butterfly kiss.  It doesn't show up fantastically well on the picture but that's probably because I'm a rubbish photographer! I decided against matting and layering the card as I love the way it looks against the white.

Please let me know what you think and cross your fingers for me!

Mani xx

First Post!

First blog, first post!  A bit daunting but let's start with a card from the vaults to give you an idea of what I'm about.

This card was inspired by a collage technique in Barbara Gray's book on stamping.  I used Creative Expressions stamps & a single Distress ink pad.  I love the versatility these fabulous inks give.  Some masking tape, a waterbrush & trusty cut 'n' dry foam & you get this! Hope you like it. 

Mani x