Advent Calendar 2011

This was one of last weekend's workshops which I thought you might like to see. Traditionally, I have designed a different Advent Calendar workshop each Autumn but this year I simply ran out of time. This project is therefore based on a kit from Kaisercraft which includes the MDF carcass and the chipboard numbers and drawers. We retail this kit for £24.95 and it would be equally suited simply as a decorative piece. At her suggestion, I plan to make a version with a clock movement in the centre for our younger daughter.

I combined this with the Merry Christmas Kit Collection from Echo Park, Ranger Paint Dabber in Espresso, Brilliance Inkpads in Pearlescent Poppy, Thyme, Beige and Chocolate and Snazzy's

Clear Embossing Powder.

Firstly I inked the inside of the drawers and the numbers. To give the numbers some depth and shine I added three layers of embossing powder.

Next, I made myself a little template for the front of the drawers and cut a selection of papers to cover the drawers using the drawers as a template whilst they were still flat. I then used Cosmic Shimmer Acrylic Glue to assemble the drawers, cover them with the patterned paper and to add the numbers to the front- the fine nozzle on this is perfect for glueing the edges of the drawers and it dries really quickly too!

I am not a fan of stickers but I was determined to do something with the sticker sheets included in the paper kit so I used them to decorate the front of some of the drawers and the centre with my only addition being one 12x12 sheet of Bazzill Smoothie in Walnut Cream,- the offcuts even made the banner flags so my thrifty Scottish heart was singing lol!

In the workshop we inked all the papers and the banner flags and I have to say it was a massive improvement on my original, but as it was very time consuming making the 'for instance' this one will just be staying as is. 

I will show you what I did with the leftovers from this project later this week.

Thanks for looking xx

Snazzys Steampunk Supplies

We are always on the look out for unusual bits and pieces for the store and this little collection of charms & embellishments pressed all the buttons.

There are lots of different Steampunk watch faces, beetles and dragonflies plus some useful plain butterflies, crowns, birds and fairies.

We also have a selection of findings, bracelets, necklaces and lengths of chain to cut to size yourself.

Most of the items are available in both Antique Silver and Antique Brass finishes but easily alterable. Prices range from 65p to £3.00 with some items sold singly, some in multiples and the watch parts by weight, so very reasonable really.

Can't wait to add some of these to my work, one of the Steampunk Dragonflies has my name on it! xx 

Clean & Simple Christmas

There comes a time when even I have to give in and make some Christmas cards. These are from yesterday's workshop and they are about as close as I get to traditional. All of the cards used the same three colours of Bazzill Smoothie cardstock, Onyx Black Versafine, Snazzy's Clear Embossing Powder, Kaisercraft Gems and ribbons from Beresfords. This card was stamped with the wreath and bow from Hero Arts CL474 and the greeting is from Hero Arts CL551.

These two cards used Hero Arts CL459 with the greeting from Hero Arts CL464. The white embossing on black was done with Versamark ink and WOW's Bright White Ultra Fine embossing powder which gives a lovely finish on even the most detailed images.

Rudolph here was created with Darkroom Door's Christmas Reindeer (DDRS020) unmounted stamp set.

This play on black on white and white on black used Autumn Leaves Tis the Season (AL2773) set for a more modern take on a Christmas Tree.

Unfortunately the final card we made yesterday was attached to a display board before I had a chance to take a photo, but I will show you a non Christmas version after this weekend's London & Paris workshops. Sneaky peek of one of the 'London' cards below.

PS Darkroom Door Wordblock stamps are now all back in stock, and this sample was made on Ivory and Black Bazzill cardstock with WOW's Ultra Fine embossing powders in Ebony and Vanilla White.

This was my favourite make this week. I am addicted to black and white, but with the new Vanilla White embossing powder I have the option of using the softer look of Ivory and black too!  

Hope you enjoyed the browse through one of my workshops,

will blog some of this weekend's projects on Monday.

Thanks for looking xx.