Great Iris Stamp & DIe set

Hi Crafters

Another sneaky peep at some cards we will be making  at the craft day.
This is one of my new sets I was talking about.
I really love the stamp and die sets as you can play with different mediums either stamping and colouring or die cutting so it covers all the card makes.

I bought this as an unbranded set and when it came it seemed very simple but I was pleased with the iris flowers and leaves stamps and dies. 
This is the first time it has been used and so I tried straight forward stamping
Filling in with my water pen from the stamped image ink
Simple layering the stamped image 
And Layering the irises for 3D effect
I was very happy with the results and will be happy to use them again to make cards, tags and gift decorations. As these have been stamped onto mini cards they would make great sets of notelets to add to a gift folder, or the wallet card stationary set I make.

So these two cards are stamped straight onto the cards and brushed with a water pen the card on the right has a die cut Thanks which comes with the set,

While these cards are layered
The one on the left has a simple black layer to the stamped image sheet, while the card on the right has a black card layer and the irises layered onto the card, it is quite dramatic but makes a contrast from the quiet water coloured soft images of the other cards. 

I can see myself using this set often as they are versatile, and will be purchasing other sets of stamps and dies as they are so handy.

Dee 

New Dies New FLowers

Hi Crafters 

I have had quite a few new dies and stamps this January, and today have been trying out some new cards ready for the Flower Craft Day on the 16th Feb.

I had the day planned but new stamps and dies have made me rethink the schedule so that those coming can make more cards, I have also seen a simple folder to make to hold your cards, but more of that another day.

Here is one of the cards using a new scroll die background and some simple small flowers to finish it.

The card on the left is a sharp black on white layered card with black scroll, white ribbon and small red flowers made from a Tim Holtz mini flower die. The die cuts are small enough to need a quilling tool that comes with the die kit, but they do make really cute little flowers.

The card on the right is blue card on white layer with silver scroll die cut
A bow made of blue organza ribbon and the flowers have been hand cut and made and is a technique I shall be demonstrating on the 16th. These roses can be made all sizes so they suit this card and can also be used (in a larger size to make gifts and wreaths. 

The Scroll die 4" wide and 5" tall the layers have been made 1/8th of an inch larger on all sides on the black card and 1/4 of an inc on all sides for the blue. The reason for the difference is I realised I did not have an envelope to fit the black card and so have made the blue card suitable for a 6" square envelope 
.
Happy Crafting
Denise

Diamond Fold Card

Hi Crafters

Today I am sharing a card that goes back to the beginning of my card making days, but is still a useful card for the repertoire.

The Diamond Fold card

This card is made from a piece of card 4" x 12" so you can make 2 from an A4 sheet and 3 from a 12 x 12.
Plus some backing papers,  you can use your scraps up if you have any. It also folds to go into an envelope for posting, although due to its thickness when folded it will be a large letter. 

Instructions:

Take the 4 x 12 piece and score at 2",4",8",10"
mark at 6" both sides with a pencil
Then score a diagonal from the top of 2" score line  to the bottom of the card at the 6"
Score another diagonal line from the 10" score line to the bottom 6" mark
Score from the bottom 2" score line to the top 
And from the bottom 6" mark to the top of the 10" score line

Fold all the lines and burnish, then pinch in the top and bottom of the 4" score line and 8" score line to form a diamond front.

Measure all your panels and cut your layering paper 1/8th" smaller on all sides 

Tip
You could add the top layer of the diamond using a split pin and write your message/greeting underneath  as the topper will move to the side. You can see an example of this on YouTube where Linda Bauwin has posted instructions on a diamond fold card using this method.

Happy Crafting 

Dee

New Year New Boxes

Hi Crafters

I have had one of the dreaded viruses for about 10 days now, so this is only the second post this year.

My head has been thinking about all sorts of craft work and always planning and trying new things, so although I have been under the weather I have still tried a couple of ideas out.

First I made some flowers in preparation of the first workshop and then planned some boxes for the second workshop. The idea was to make a storage box for greeting cards that you need throughout the year. You could divide the box into sections for birthday cards, Thanks you cards etc and get prepared so as not to miss any occasion.

The next thought was how to make one large enough with 12 x 12 card and I carefully planned to make a box with 2 sheets to form the middle and other sheets to form the end panels. The finished item looked ok but was too large.

I rethought the design and came up with one the right size, and in the spirit of New Year was about to throw out the box to make room on the desk when I realised that If I abandoned the lid and squeezed together the sides I had a storage file for paperwork 

A happy mistake

Back soon with some new cards
Dee

WELCOME TO 2019

Hi Everyone

So here we are 2019
What are your new year resolutions

I have started well with a tidy up of all the Christmas items and today a clear through all my dies

Do you have all you dies stored in categories, or are they all in one big box.

Why not make 2019 the year you tidy and store your craft  items in a way that makes them easily accessible and ready to use.

Once you are organised you will be able to craft more quickly and see any areas you are overstocked or understocked.

Make the start of the new year a time to be   " out with the old and in with the new "
Think about what you really love doing and what  craft you want to do in 2019. If die cutting is your thing, what do you want to make? and what do you need to achieve this?
Or stamping - do you want to learn new techniques with water colouring, distressing, shabby chic, boho styles.
Whatever your chosen craft area, enjoy making and sharing your projects with other crafters.
Make 2019 the year you make your crafting work for you.

After enjoying the gift wrapping at Christmas I want to learn more styles of gift wrap and gift embellishments as well as expand my stamping techniques this year. And I want to make all my cards in 2019 personalising them as much as possible.

What are your goals?

I look forward to seeing you all and hearing more about your craft ambitions for 2019.

HAPPY NEW YEAR
Denise