feather fascinators

fascinators

 

As promised, I am sharing pictures of the fascinators I made with you. I bought some fabric and cut strips. I stitched these to prevent the edges fraying, then wrapped them around to shape them into flowers. These were sewn at the back to secure them. I then added loops of organza and satin ribbon and finished off with some black feathers. I backed the finished arrangement with a circle of black felt to keep it neat, securing this with fabric glue and blanket stitching. I then fixed the smallest of these onto a broach pin using thread. I added a fascinator back to the other one, using a hot glue gun, so it could be clipped into hair or pinned onto the outfit. I think its a great way to customise an outfit with something handmade and unique for a special occasion.

 

Mx

blue birthday's...

 

I created this card using the 'wee hopeful card making kit' from the hobby house. I layered the coloured image and die cut mats. I cut the scalloped edge on the blue layer using a SU! border punch. I layered the patterned paper onto this. I added a further mat of blue and layer of patterned paper from the kit onto the card blank. I then assembled the other layers and embellished with some adhesive gems and sentiment stamp from LOTV. I was really pleased with how this card turned out and thought it was a good example to show how pretty some card kits can be.

 

Mx

foiling

First of all, i will say sorry for the delay. I was at a wedding yesterday so sadly couldn't post my video. I will post a blog with my hand made fascinator in the next few days though...

 

card made with foiled edges and message

Now on with this weeks tutorial... today is foiling. I use the indigo blu products which you can buy from here. To see how it works, watch the video below ...

 

 

First, some top tips on keeping foiling supplies. I like to store  every thing I need to foil together. I store each colour of foil in a separate a5 storage box with its own scoochy. this makes it quicker, easier and less messy. it also means the flakes aren't clumped together (like they would be if you kept them in the original container), I find this makes them easier to apply. 

 

When I make a glue pad I use phat foam (similar to cut n dry foam). i cut the foam into smaller pieces, more like the size of an ink pad. I use a small amount of glue at a time and spread it across the foam as evenly as i can. i keep the glue pad upside down in a small container between stamping: then wash the foam out and leave it to dry naturally when i have finished foiling, so its ready to reuse next time.

 

to stamp: coat the image completely, i also find it best to quickly and firmly stamp your impression. remember it is a glue so clean your stamps thoroughly as soon as possible. 

 

i think that's everything... enjoy foiling!!

 

if you would like to suggest any more techniques or just liked this tutorial please comment below, thank you.

 

Mx

embossing paste

embossing paste design on paper. 

For today's tutorial tuesday, I thought I would share another embossing technique. This uses embossing paste and a stencil to create a raised design onto your paper. This technique can be used on plain papers to add texture or a pattern, or on a subtly patterned paper like this one to add interest.

You will need embossing paste, a stencil, a palette knife or spatula, masking tape, a tub of warm soapy water and paper or cardstock. You must soak your tools and stencils straight away as the textured embossing paste dries onto them, so best to wash it off quickly using warm soapy water. The finished paper will need a few hours to dry naturally (i do mine overnight, to be sure) the thicker layer of paste the longer drying time. You can leave the paper with the paste as a finish or you can add glitter to create an extra special look. Watch the video below to see how to apply the paste...

close up of the embossed paste design with glitter

you can also use embossing paste without a stencil. I do this when I made christmas cards for snow. you simply use your spatula to apply paste straight to your cardstock, using a little at a time and spreading it as thick or thin as you want (remember the thicker the paste is the longer it needs to dry). once you have a layer you can also go over it using a patting motion, like making peaks of royal icing on a christmas cake. of course glitter is optional here too but does help to add a little festive cheer !!

Mx

peek-a-boo!!

 

• HOTP papers
• lawn fawn- stitched stackables dies
• sentimentally yours- elegant milestone birthdays
• LOTV-millie just for you stamp
• copics & memento ink pad
• sakura- clear star

 

I die cut the aperture in the card front and used dies to mat and layer the front of a card blank. I then stamped the sentiment on the front. I mat and layered inside the card, then stamped the focal image and coloured it using copics. the finishing touch was glitter using a sakura pen over the sentiment and to accent the image.

 

Mx

 

Glitter !!

glue samples

Today I thought I would share a tutorial about glitter. You can buy lots of different types of glitter from loose types to glitter pens. Here's a video explaining more about what to do with each:

 

 

Mx

lazy day...

• LOTV- lazy afternoon
• SU!- for my family
• memento ink pad & copics
• tim holtz distress ink pads (brown tones)
• digi cardstock, kraft cardstock & 6x4" card blank

I cut a mat of digi card and stamped my focal image off to the side, I then coloured this with copics. I distressed the entire mat with brown tones, keeping it lighter in the centre and around the image. I stamped and cut a banner for my sentiment and glued on to the card with foam.

Mx

Dies

I thought I would properly introduce you to dies for this tutorial Tuesday. I have used dies for mat and layering and gutting in past tutorials. Today I will explain what dies are, the various ones you can buy and how to use them.
 

The tools

Essentially, dies are metal shapes which are used to precision cut paper, card, fabric or other materials. To use them, you will need an embossing and die cutting machine (1). There are lots of different models to choose from as they range in brand, size and hand-wound or motorised. Each machine comes with its own set of plates (2) and you will need to follow guidelines on which plates are needed with each different die. You should always take care to ensure you do not use the wrong plates or force them through the machine. With some combinations of dies and machines, you may need to use thin plates or card as shims to produce the cleanest cut. You may also need hand tools (3) to help release your cut out from the die : these come in the form of pokey tools and pronged rollers. You may also tap your die against a surface taking care to be gentle and only tap the flat side not the raised edge to prevent damaging the die. You should also take care to store your dies flat to prevent damage to them. You can buy different storage solutions to protect your dies when not in use and keep them organised. I would recommend magnetic sheets as a good way to hold your dies together. Its aways a good idea to keep the original packaging to show what it is in that die set and what it will look like once cut.



Thin dies - thinlits, embosslits and Framelits

You can buy lots of different dies from many companies. Most of the ones shown here are sizzix. These thinner dies are great for cutting paper and thinner cardstock. (1) shows a close up of the die. You must always use the die with the raised edge facing up with the paper you are going to cut positioned on top. (2) shows sets of thinlits which have a base surrounded by a raised cutting edge. (3) is an embosslit which work slightly differently: they are hinged to enclose the piece to die cut and emboss at the same time. (4) shows a set of circular framelits, which are great for mat and layering.

 

When using metal dies you must always clear your die of paper before using it again. You must never put two dies through at the same time, because the blades may cross in the machine damaging the die. You can either run them through separately or ensure there is plenty of space between them. Using a piece of repositionable tape can also be a useful to hold them down. 



Thicker dies - bigz, sizzlits and movers and shapers

These are some of the thicker dies, they are usually made of a metal cutting edge surrounded by foam to protect it (1). They can be sharp so its always best to avoid pressing down on them. Again, they come in various formats created by different companies. (2) shown is a 'bigz' die, which can be used to cut grunge board, thick cardstock or multiple layers of card or paper, even fabric... This one contains several shapes which make up a decoupage style image. (3) shows sizzlits dies which are slightly thinner than the others, meaning they only cut paper and card. The final type shown (3) are movers and shapers which are used with the magnetic base plate also pictured. The name comes from the way you can move the die where ever you want on the plate to decide the position where you cut.

 
I am late this week due to a weekend break and my birthday!!
 

Mx