Vintage Paris!

When I first saw the Hero Arts stamp that is used on this card, I knew I had to have it.  I think it's beautiful and the detail on the stamp is stunning!

I stamped multiple images in black stazon ink and then cut out part of each stamped image, chalked and coloured them and then using the foam pads, decoupaged them for dimension.  On the final image of the clock, I've used glossy accents and on the Eiffel Tower, I used crackle accents.  Some beautiful backing paper, fibres, a few stamped swirls and inking up the edges, gave the whole card the vintage look that I wanted.

My love of paper!

It's Bank Holiday Monday, it's pouring down with rain so I thought i'd do a spot of tidying up.

You see, my problem like many other crafters is paper!  We all need it because card making and scrapbooking would be impossible without them but when it actually comes to using them, we can NEVER bring ourselves to!  It's crazy but I am a self confessed paper addict!

K&Company, Anna Griffin, 7Gypsies, DCWV etc., etc., etc.!  I've got them all and they're all still in pristine condition and looking as good as the day I bought them.  Why?....because I see them as little pieces of art and it would be sacrilege to spoil them.  I'll look at them, yes!  Touch them, yes! Cut into them....NO!

So, in the meantime my collection is growing and i'm running out of space, but maybe one day, for a very special occasion, I might consider cutting into that beloved piece of K&Co paper...who knows!

On our travels again....

........and this time we go to Egypt!

The arrival of the exhibition in London, saw Egyptian become a huge trend in cardmaking this year and with the stunning, iconic images that there are to work with, it's understandable.

This gatefold card opens to reveal Tutankhamen's mask inside and with the use of peel off stickers which were coloured using gel glaze pens and then attached by foam pads to create dimension onto stunning backing papers, I hope i've done these images justice!

FRONT OF THE CARD

INSIDE

CLOSE UP OF TUTANKHAMEN'S MASK

....and today we visit France!

I like working with things that are a little bit different, a bit unusual and not run of the mill and I think this card reflects that perfectly.  Even though it was hard work cutting out all the intricate detail of the Pierrot's costume, I had a lot of fun making this.

I used quite strong coloured backing papers on this card and stamped onto these with a black Stazon ink pad and added black jewels to give some added dimension and a little bit of sparkle!  The image of the Pierrot itself has been decoupaged and mounted onto a mat of silver mirri card and papers that repeat the colours of the background.

Venetian Mask

This time on my cardmaking journey we visit one of my favourite places, Italy and in particular the Masquerade Ball at the Carnival of Venice.  

The mask was dry embossed onto white pearl card using a wonderful mask stencil that I couldn't resist when I saw it.  When combined with harlequin backing papers, fibres and jewels the overall effect is simple, yet stunning.

Loving this....

If you love being creative and you love art but not the price tag, this is the place to go.  But, be warned it's highly addictive!

Ok boys and girls, here we go....

Welcome to my blog and my second post and it's all about the Orient......

Firstly, the photo isn't one of the best but with my camera it's the best I can do!  Hopefully they will get better....

I love the striking images and artwork of the Orient.  Geishas, kimonos, dragons, all combined with the beautiful, soft tones and colours that are used throughout and many of these images do feature in my cards.

The card above was made by first covering the cardstock using some beautiful Dovecraft paper.  I then stamped a background using permanent ink pads on which I decoupaged a cut out image of a stamped and hand coloured image of a Geisha.  This was matted onto mirri card and then using foam pads for dimension, attached to the card.  I then applied glossy accents to the watercoloured and stamped image of the waterlily and again using foam pads for dimension stuck this to the card.  Finally a ribbon, bow and message were added to complete the card.

Finally, it's here....

As a lot of people know this blog has been a LONG time coming! So, I hope *fingers crossed* that this will be the first of many posts. Enjoy!