Zentangle Cards

Following my workshop at LLinda's Card & Craft shop yesterday afternoon I can now say that I have attempted Zentangle drawing...  as to if I am any good, well I will leave you to decided what you think.

We started with a flower shape and practiced different designs on each section.

Next we moved onto using a Peel-Off as the basis of the design.  The flower & leaves were coloured and then the background filled with Zentangle designs.

Our next attempt was using a Stencil for the outline (I then divided mine into 4 smaller sections), the designs on this card were created using a white gel pen on black card.

Things then started to get complicated... using a Woodware Stamp for the image, I used both Red & Green pens to create the Zentangle designs.

The creation of these 3 cards and flower sample did take time and a lot of concentration.  I did find that if I did not take regular breaks to look away from the paper I did get 'cross eyed' LOL. 

At the time I was not too keen on any of the cards, however looking back at them today I do like the Flower Sample and the Vase.

I guess that at all times we are our own worst critique.  I do think I will give Zentangle designs another go, but I don't think that they will be big projects.

WOYWW 11 July 2012

Ok this is a slightly back-dated post, I was not able to get it published yesterday as I just ran out of time. 

Yesterday afternoon I had a Card Candi workshop booked at LLinda's Card & Craft in Laneham, Notts.  It was a busy session with 6 ladies all concentrating hard in periods of silence :)

We created 3 lovely cards & I would never have been able to create the flowers that I did without Linda's great instructions!!

So here are the pictures of the finished cards:

Created using White Card Candi, beads & Stickles Glitter Glue

A close up of the flowers - they were fiddly to create but the finished flower was worth it

This card was created using a Woodware Stamp and more Stickles Glitter Glue (this was the only card where the Card Candi was used flat)

I think that the flowers on this card are AMAZING - even if I do say so myself!!!  Each flower was created using a different technique but all were based on a Flower Punch base (from Woodware).  The flowers for this card needed the greatest amount of concentration and you could have heard a pin drop in the room!!!

This is a close up of the 2nd flower.  I have decided to keep this card for me to use as inspiration in the future - that & I liked it soooo much I don't want to give it away

I just HAD to have all of this stash... including more Card Candi (you can never have enough); The Woodware stamp we used on the 2nd card; more Woodware stamps of butterflies designed to be used with Card Candi & the Woodware flower punch used as a base for the flowers on the 3rd card.

Just before cooking Dinner I got chance to quickly create one flower - The woodware punch was out of the packet before you could say Woodware & and decided to use the 'Newsprint' Candi and a plain white one for the centre.

Fathers Day Card

I made this card during May, but did not want to post it until after Fathers Day... So here is the card I made for my Dad.

It was created while on a workshop at LLinda's Card & Craft shop in Laneham, Notts.  The card uses a cog embossing folder for the background (with co-ordination card which has been sanded).

The main element is the sentiment & motorbike, which was created using the 'out of the box' technique.  This is something I had seen, but never tried and was surprisingly easy to achieve (I can feel a How To... coming on LOL).

Well all that remains to be said is:

Happy Fathers Day

Cards for Men Workshop

On Tuesday this week I went along to LLinda's Card & Crafts in Laneham, Notts for a all day workshop creating Cards for Men.

The whole idea was to buy and then use stamps from the 'Creative Stamping' (Issue 4) magazine to create cards using a selection of techniques. 

Here are the cards we created and a brief description of the techniques used:

Resist Technique - Using distress inks over the Boy & Football images which had been covered in Versa Mark ink & heat embossed.  We also used distress inks to create the effect around the Boy, using a brush as well as Cut & Dry Foam.

Partial Cut & Stamping onto Acetate - The drum set was stamped onto acetate and heat embossed with black powder & colour was added to the back of the image.  The aperture was cut and I slot crated at the back of the card, the drums are mounted to look as if they are sat on a stage.

Colouring with Distress Inks & Adding water - The card was stamped using distress inks and before the ink had dried we used a piece of kitchen roll to smudge the ink around the image.  For the background we stamped the script in Memento ink before screwing the paper into a ball and then flattening it out again.  The distress ink was added to the paper & wet with a spray, we then dried using a heat gun and added 'splats' of colour using the Distress Stains. 

I think this card is my favourite from all of those I created.

Brayer & embossing Powers - This card was another first for me, I had never used a Brayer before (but I don't think the background turned out too bad). The motorbike was embossed & coloured using distress ink & the embossing powers were used to create the 'road' & 'flowers' in the grass. 

Stepper Card & PVA glue with acrylic paint - This cracked technique was fun (and very messy) to create :)  we painted the mount board with a layer of acrylic paint (I used the light blue) once dry we covered with a layer of PVA glue and then while still wet added another layer of acrylic paint - we then dried with a heat gun.  According to Linda the crackle is due to the glue & paint drying at different speeds - but I think it looks great. 

This last card did not get finished as we ran out of time, however I now just have to find an image that would look good on the background - any ideas?????

Well I don't think we did bad for a day crafting LOL & I got to learn several new techniques, which is even better.

Non-Challenge Cards - May 2012

It is the last day of May 2012 and here is a post of the cards I created that don't fall into any challenges this month....

Beware, this is a picture heavy post - You have been warned!

Created using a Lili of the Valley stamped image (from a magazine) and floral paper from a 6x6 paper pack (which also came free with a magazine) 

Created using a topper from one of the Trinitage sheets, mounted on Gold and then Red cardstock.

This time I used the main Trinitage image and followed the instructions I was give at a recent Workshop at LLindas Cards & Crafts

This card features an image from one of my CDs (but I cant remember which), I used gold cardstock at the top and a co-ordinating patterned paper at the bottom (from a Me To You paper stack). 

In fact this card was finished with the words 'Golden Wedding Anniversary' for a work colleague to give to a family member - Sorry I forgot to take a photo with the sentiment added.

This card was made for a work colleague, his dream would be to own a VW Camper van.  The image is a Digi Stamp from Little Claire Designs.

Another Digi Stamp from Little Claire Designs, this time used on a Retirement Card

WOYWW 30 May 2012

I can't believe May is nearly over!! I just hope that the summer is better than the Spring we have had so far LOL.  I don't mind Rain, I rather like the Sun, but it would be nice to get a mixture of the two rather than just 1 or the other!

Ok, I had better move onto the subject of Whats On Your Workdesk Wednesday - Today is the 3rd Birthday of WOYWW & as part of the Birthday Celebration Julia has organised a Artist Trading Card (ATC) swap as well as the normal look round the desks.

Up to now I had never really attempted ATCs but decided that I would give it a go & try something new.  So if you are the person sending me your ATC please drop me an email (address shown in my Profile) and I will send you my address.

As for my desk this week, it is a mess...

I was at LLinda's Card & Craft shop yesterday for a 1 day workshop and had a great time, but only had time to dump the cards & bits I brought on the table last night.  Add to that general bits & bobs that need to be put away and you get a mess - well it is messy for me LOL.

WOYWW - 02 May 2012

Now we have started in May I hope that all of the rain drys up and we are able to get some Spring weather - I really am fed up of the rain!!!!

Ok, back to the reason of this post, it is Wednesday and therefore time for a sneak peak at crafting desks everywhere.  So if you would like to join in you will be more than welcome, just pop and see Julia at Stamping Ground and add your post to 'Mr Linky'.  Or if you prefer, just be nosey and leave comments on the workdesks you see.

My desk this week looks as if a bomb has hit it...

but there is area reason... honest!

Yesterday afternoon I had an afternoon off work, using some Lieu time that I had built up.  I have decided that the Lieu time is going to be spent on doing things for me, so I booked a Craft Workshop :)

Over at Laneham, Notts you will find Llinda's Card & Craft shop and she does a great number of workshops covering a wide variety of papercraft & jewelry making.  So yesterday afternoon was "Working without templates  - Using Hougie board – Cards & Little gifts" (I also have a full day booked at the end of the month for "Creative Stamping - Men & Boys").

During the afternoon I created 3 cards and 1 gift as well as paper templates for 2 further cards.  All work was done using the Hougie Board and some die cuts.  But before everything got just dumped on the desk (I have not had time to put everything away yet!!!) I did take photos of what I had made.

So here goes (this bit is picture heavy!)...

The first card was done using a 'Trinitage' sheet, and a 'squeze card' - out of all of the cards we created this was my favourite & I really don't want to give this one away.  It was so simple to create and mega effective (so I brought a pack of 8 Trinitage sheets - I just HAD to!!!)

Looking from the front

Looking from above, so you can see the 3 layers (background & 2 front layers)

 The second card was what I think is called a Waterfall card, this one did not get decorated/finished during the workshop but will probably be used as a template.

Using Double Sided cardstock to get the contrast in pattern/plain colour

Next was a gift, a holder of the little packs of tissues you get to go in your handbag (although this would quickly get damaged in mine LOL

Very simple and effective!

 And finally we created a 3D window card, using a selection of white & patterned paper.  

From the outside the card folds flat to fit into the envelope - good new for the cost of postage LOL

When open the window section opens out and you see the patterned paper.  Before you say anything I know that my squares are not lined up, we used a square die and the Cuttlebug (when I do this again I would prefer to use a knife & ruler) - but you get the idea :)

Yesterday was a great day and I now have so many ideas buzzing around in my head - I really need to be sat at home at my craft desk and not at work - but never mind, I can still dream :)

Happy Wednesday - don't forget after lunch the week goes down hill LOL!

 

Trying to Use Shrink Plastic

While at a workshop at LLinda's Card & Craft shop in Laneham, Notts I used Shrink Plastic for the first time. I decided to buy a pack of mixed plastic to have a go with at home.

The pack has been sitting in the box by my desk for several weeks and then I found a stamp that I wanted to try shrinking.  The stamp was free with the latest 'Lets Make Cards' magazine:

Stamped on white paper and coloured

So this post might cause you to smile, this is my learning curve in using Shrink Plastic:

Attempt 1: The ink I used to stamp the image rubbed off (not a good start) I was not over keen on the colours of the flowers either

Attempt 2: Not too sure what happened, but when heated it curled & stuck together!

Attempt 3: Now I'm starting to get somewhere... I used a Brilliance Dew Drop ink pad, and the colour did not rub off.  I used Sakura Glitter Pens to give a couple of flowers colour - overall not a bad result (this was DH's favourite)

Attempt 4: Using a different Shrink Plastic and a different colour of ink, again I was not too happy with the colour of the flowers

Attempts 5,6 &7: More trials with different colours of the ink, I was happy with these, but felt that they were just missing something - just not too sure what

Overall I was quite pleased with my first attempt at using Shrink Plastic.  I did find that the Brilliance Dew Drop Ink did not dry on the plastic, before using the heat gun. I then found it very difficult to colour the flowers as the outline would smudge at the slightest touch.

If anyone has any hints/tips for using Shrink plastic (or has any tutorials on their blog) please let me know.  I did enjoy using the plastic, but I think that these pictures prove I need a bit of help!!!!

A Lovely Time at LLinda's

As I mentioned on Wednesday I was taking a trip to LLinda's Card & Crafts for another workshop... this time the workshop was 'Take a Set of Stamps' looking at different ways to use stamps.

During the workshop we completed 3 cards, so I thought that I would share them with you all.  All were completed using the same set of stamps from Woodware (sorry I don't know the name of the set):

Technique used: stamping onto patterned paper & heat embossed using clear embossing powder.

Technique used: Fantasy Film & Fibres.

Technique used: Stamping onto glossy card & heat embossing with clear powder, colouring with Sakura Gel Pens (painting with water). centre embellishment using Shrink Plastic.

Once again we had an amazing afternoon of creativity.  I think that my favourite card was the last one, using the Sakura Gel pens to paint with - the colours were so softer than using just the pen on its own!

The bad news was that after the workshop I just had to buy some more bits...

My new purchases include: Shrink Plastic, 'Twist' blade for my Woodware Trimmer, another tube of Collall glue & yet another set of die cut templates 

I can't wait until the next workshop... I don't have any booked at the moment as Linda is due to have an operation on her foot and is not yet sure how long she will be off her feet for. 

But just to keep me going I have put my name down for a full day workshop using stamps from the 'Creative Stamping' magazine.  I now have to be patient (not my best characteristic LOL) and wait for an email with the date.

WOYWW - 15 February 2012

It's Wednesday again, it is 9.55am & I'm at home!!!!  This means that I will have some time to check out the great collection of work spaces at the Stamping Ground Blog for Whats On Your Workdesk Wednesday.

I have a days annual leave for today and DH has gone to the Hospital for an X-Ray (to check that the kidney stones have gone).  So I'm home alone :-)

This week my workdesk is a bit of a mess (by my standards)!

Ok, so what is going on... I found a stack of Lili of the Valley sheets that came free with one of the magazines a while ago & decided to have a colour with my ProMarkers, trying out a couple of techniques I found on You Tube.  I was pleased with the results (you can just see a little girl in a yellow dress in the bottom left corner of the desk).

When at my last workshop at LLinda's Card & Craft shop in Laneham, Notts I found this great Spellbinders Impressabilities 'thing' called Butterflies and I just HAD to have it!!!! So I have spent some time last night & this morning playing and using the embossed/debossed impressions with Distress Inks to create cards.

Now I am just trying to decide if to leave it as it is or put a 'topper' or sentiment on top?????  Any suggestions would be great.

I only have this morning at home before going back to LLindas for another workshop (this time 'Take a Set of Stamps' looking at different ways to use stamps) and I can't wait.  I'm then off into Lincoln this evening for a Scrapbook Crop!  So by the time I get home I think I will need to go back to work for a rest... it can be so hard work having a day off.

Well once I have posted this I'm off for a look around other desks.

Happy WOYWW ;-)

LLinda's Cards & Crafts

As I mentioned yesterday on Tuesday I visited LLinda's Cards & Crafts in Laneham, Notts.  A couple of friends had said that the shop was a gold mine & that the workshops Linda runs were good.

So as I had a few days annual leave left to use up before the end of March, I arranged to attend 2 workshops.  On Tuesday it was the 'More ideas with your die cutting machine' workshop and it was an eye opening workshop.

I was amazed at what I was able to create during the workshop, and I have learned so much in the way of hits & tips.  One of the big things was the difference between using Cut & Dry Foam & Felt - I have tried using both and have found that I prefer the Felt.

During the workshop I created 2 cards. 

For the 1st Cards we used the following techniques:

• The first was a card using a Mask which had been inked & put through the Cuttlebug
• Inking through a Mask to create a background
• Cutting a Aperture in the front of the card
• Creating a acetate window
• Cutting a matching frame to cover the edge of the acetate

The 2nd Card was created using the following techniques:

• Scoring a Gate Fold on the front of the card
• Using the Cuttlebug to 'partial' cut 1/2 of the die
• Embossing each edge of the card

We did not have time to create a 3rd card, but Linda also showed us how to create a '3-D' card.  So I created a card blank, but have yet to decorate it & have a play.

If you would like to see a Tutorial for using Partial cuts leave me a comment & I will see what I can do.

WOYWW - 08 February 2012

Here I am sat at work eating my lunch dreaming of my craft desk at home...  This morning I have been on a Mandatory Basic Life Support course at work, learning how to give CPR & the "Kiss of Life" which are now known as 'Rescue Breaths'.

So it is time to joint the Crafters at Stamping Ground & be a bit nosey at other people desks (or work spaces).  As it has now reached lunch time I can do a quick update to my blog along with a picture I took of my desk before I came to work.

Ok... I admit I'm not going to drink the tea (it was left over from Monday night) LOL but the other goodies were brought yesterday.

I have discovered a Gold Mine for crafters in a little village called Laneham (Notts).  Coming from Lincoln I have to pay the 30p each way toll to cross Dunham Bridge - but it is soooooo worth it.   If you are in the area I would STRONGLY suggest that you pay a visit to LLinda's Cards & Crafts  How she gets so much in such a small space I don't know. 

She also runs a number of classes, & I attended one yesterday - which was fab... I will have to do a separate post about the class & pictures of the cards that I made as I don't have time at the moment.

A quick update on DH, he is back home from hospital (Many thanks to those who added kind words on Monday) he had another Kidney Stone, but it looks as if it has now passed, his kidneys are clear and he is feeling a lot better :-)