A brief history continued...

I have found a few more photographs of past projects including some ATCs (Artist Trading Cards).

ATCs; 

-For those of you that don't know ATCs are miniature works of art measuring 2½" x 3½". ATCs can be produced using many different techniques including stamping, painting, collage, embossing etc... or even metals or cloth. The limits are in your imagination

There is only one other rule; cards may be gifted or traded, but NEVER sold! 

This was a pair of oriental inspired ATCs. The left hand one uses a scrap of fabric from my stash, embellished with beads, a coin, stamping, and tied cord. On the right I really went to town with the stamping, layering up designs of leaves, oriental text and a stamp of a geisha, finishing with three brads down one side.

Greetings cards;

Cards for various occasions are the staple of most crafters I know, and why not? When it is fun to do and costs considerably less than to buy a card. In addition, the recipient is usually thrilled that you have made something special just for them...

My 'in bloom' card was a thank you to a friend. I stamped leaves over white card to create a background, then layered vellum over the top to mute the colours a little. I stamped and embossed the daisies onto watercolour paper, colouring it in using watercolour pencils, then applying a wash. The daisies were matted onto green card, and mounted on top of the vellum - hiding the double sided tape used to affix the vellum underneath. Finally the phrase 'in bloom' was added on top of the vellum, and some funky textured threads used to tie in the insert  - knotting them at the spine of the card.

This wedding cake card was for a special couple I know, and was inspired by their own colours and pattern scheme. It uses a base of creamy coloured smooth cardstock, and I cut the front panel into the shape of a wedding cake. I stamped and embossed the middle tier with white ink and powder to create textured vertical stripes. Using handmade paper, I layered it onto the top and bottom tiers before using a corner punch to round off. Sticky ribbon was used to add detail, and conceal the handmade paper edges. Small flowers were made using a punch, layering them up and finished with a small gemstone for the centres. Lastly a small cross charm was added to the top of the cake, and two lines drawn around the edge of the back panel to create a framed effect.

That is all for now - I am off to go and play with more card and inks...

Happy Crafting 

A brief history...

Well, I found out yesterday that all my paperwork has gone through and it is official! I am now an Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator. As my starter kit is yet to arrive with lots of crafting goodies, I thought I would give you a taste of some of the items I have created in the past.

I married Matthew in September last year, and made the majority of my own stationery...

The Seating Plan;

Photograph copyright; Jonny Back Photography

This was created using some fabulous fabric by Anna Griffin mounted onto a large canvas. Crisp white card was printed with a script type font, and matted onto antique gold mirri card, then the detail of a single gold brad was added to the top of each one. For the 'top table' I also added a small fabric rose broach to the bottom right corner. The cards were mounted to the fabric using 3D foam pads, and the finishing touches of a double row of ivory satin ribbon, and a silk rose hair-clip added to the left of the table plan.

The Table Names; These were again all created using Anna Griffin designs - this time various 12"x12" card stock. Each table name design was completely different, and some friends also completed a few for me. Side A of each card had a quote, and side B the name of the person who wrote or said it.

Photograph copyright; Jonny Back Photography

In the example above (side A), a clear quote sticker was mounted onto fawn coloured card and trimmed with the ivory satin ribbon. This was then matted onto ivory card and then mounted. Details on the flower designs were picked out using light pink and clear gem stones of different sizes. Finally to create a consistency with the other tables a heat embossed border was added.

Photograph copyright; Jonny Back Photography

This photograph of side B showcases some of the other card from the Anna Griffin range, and uses some different techniques. The rose design was highlighted using silver transfer foils to add a gorgeous summery shimmer, and once again layers of matting have been used to draw attention to the name (helpful for people finding their seats!). Finally the name itself has been die-cut using a cuttlebug - I LOVE this gadget and couldn't survive without it to create a professional finish.

I hope you like what I have done, and I am off to go and rummage for some more photos to put up so you can see a variety of styles...

Happy Crafting 

An adventure begins...

Dear all, thank you for taking the time to look at my blog, and I hope you will be patient with me as it gets up and running! Please check back here regularly as I will be updating and adding photos, links and more shortly...

Happy Crafting...