Last minute Christmas Card

Hi there, been quite a while but have finally managed to upload a card I made using one of the Magnolia stamps.

I coloured Tilda with Promarkers and overstamped some torn vellum using Brilliance Ink. The sentiment is one of the Whimsey stamps die cut using the matching ticket die and the doily shape is a Marianne Design die.
Thanks for stopping by,

Rachel x

Hobbycrafts - NEC

Just a quick post to say please drop by and say hi if your at the NEC this week. I'll be demo-ing on the WOW Powders stand: M9 & M10 for the four days. Popped over there today to drop some samples off and stopped for a few hours to help set up. Lots of hustle and bustle as everyone tried to get their stands ready; looks like it should be a good show.
Anyhow here are a couple of the samples I've prepared:

I hope you like them!

Thanks for stopping by.

Rachel x

Sample Card for WOW

Hi there

Been a few weeks since my last post, don't know where the time goes.
I went to WOW powders head quarters at the beginning of the week and met the team. I was made to feel very welcome and am really looking forward to the NEC.
I have quite a few sample cards to make so could do with 30 hour days for the next week or so!
Here is one of my samples using a stamp plate from Personal Impressions:

These leaves cried out earthiness, so I used a couple of the Earth Tone opaques to stamp and heat emboss the background, creating a resist which I inked over using Distress Ink. I then stamped and embossed the topper using a toning colour. Simple, but effective.

Well, I've still got work to do this evening so thanks for stopping by and I'll be back soon.

Rachel x

WOW!

Just a quick post to say that I've been asked to demonstrate for WOW Powders. I'll be at the Hobby Crafts show at the NEC in November and other shows going forwards. I'll also be on the design team so I should have plenty of samples to post for inspiration.
I'm going to be stocking a range of the embossing powders on the Stampeezee website, just need to decide which ones as the choice is vast.
Anyhow, exciting but busy times at the moment.
Thanks for stopping by.
Rachel x

Demo Samples

Hi folks
Sorry I haven't blogged for a couple of weeks, but between taking over the Stampeezee webshop, and working full time for the last few weeks I haven't had a minute.
I'm currently reviewing the webshop prices as obviously my overheads are not as high as Debbie's were so I'm hoping to pass on some savings to my Customers. I'm also about to put some new stock online so please keep popping on if you get a spare minute as there may be something that takes your fancy.
I've got a few demo's coming up for Design Objectives and have put together some samples using the Tatty Teddy range and also one of the Papermania Nostalgic Christmas ranges:

I painted this image with Distress Inks on watercolour card. I am really pleased with the result.

Pretty Poinsetta image coloured with Pro-markers. 

I really like this idea - a stamp and embossing folder that match. The snowflake is a Spellbinder die I bought last year. 

I don't usually use die cut characters, but I do like this one.

Anyhow, must get on and pack for tomorrow's demo.

Thanks for stopping by.

Rachel x





Exciting News!

No samples today just my NEWS!!!
Took over the Stampeezee webshop yesterday. Lots to learn and it's going to take a while, but hopefully this is going to be a great move for me.
Please drop by and have a browse if you have time. I'll be re-stocking and adding new lines shortly and should soon be able to accept card payments, not only Paypal as I have now.
I'd like to say a big THANK YOU to Debbie for all her support and giving me the opportunity to turn my dream into a reality and I really hope that she enjoys the next stage of her life.

Anyhow that's all for now.
Thanks for stopping by.

Rachel x

Belles & Whistles Challenge

Hi there

Another first first for me - a sketch challenge. This one is for the Belles & Whistles Challenge. I have used the first stamp I bought by Elisabeth Bell a few years ago and is an image I love.

I have used papers by K&Co and coloured the topper with ProMarkers. For the shape the sketch requested I have used a Sizzix die, I cut the flower from vellum that has first been embossed using a Cuttlebug embossing folder and then layered up. The sentiment is from Lily of the Valley and the butterflies are a Martha Stewart punch.
I am really enjoying entering challenges - I find that I am really having to think about what I'm making - good for brain!!
Well, that's all for now.

Rachel x

Metallic

Hi there,
Here is my entry into the Simply Less Is More Challenge this week:

For this Challenge I used a stamp set from Paper Artsy. The background was stamped using Archival Coffee ink.  I made the watch face by heating copper embossing powder in a foil muffin case and when molten pouring out onto my craft sheet and stamping into it with my rubber stamp inked up with Versamark ink. For definition I brushed over it with copper mica powder. The sentiment was also embossed with copper E/P and I edged this and the kraft card blank with a copper pen.  I hope you like my masculine, metallic card.

Bye for now

Rach x

Simply Less Is More - Recipe

Hi there,
Just wanted to share with you a card I've made for the Simply Less Is More Challenge - Take 3 Challenges. As I'm new to this blog I haven't taken part in any of the previous challenges other than the last one, so rather than choose my favourite weeks I just kind of closed my eyes and wherever my finger landed on the list was the challenge I chose.

The challenges I chose were:
Week 4 - Three Squares
Week 16 - Butterfly
Week 22 - Shades of Blue

I used a scalloped square punch to create my masks and inked with Distress Inks. I overstamped using the same colour with a swirl and stamped and embossed the butterfly in white directly onto the card and again in Cosmic Shimmer Blue Lagoon onto vellum. I used a Sakura Glaze pen to colour the little leaves and to add the accents to the corners of the squares.

Well bye for now.

Rachel x

WOW Powders

Hello again

I wanted to show you a couple of things I've made using WOW embossing powders. I've enjoyed using these - the quality is great, and as I usually use Cosmic Shimmer that's praise indeed.

I used Violet Pearl E/P on this lovely Stempleglede image and the Mauve Embossing Glitter for the flourish. I really like this purple, black and cream colour scheme.

This is my first attempt at paper beads. I used a black patterned scapbook paper and dipped them into violet pearl and silver E/P melted in a foil container. I've made them into a bracelet and am quite pleased with the result - what do you think?

Anyhow that's all for now.

Rachel x

New Venture!

Hi Folks
This post is just to fill you in on my exciting news.
Debbie at Stampeezee in Coventry has taken the sad decision to close her shop - she is ready to move on to pastures new and I would like to wish her all the very best in whatever she decides to do.
Stampeezee also has a web shop and Debbie has offered me the opportunity to purchase it. I take over the web shop on 12th September and hope to develop it over the coming year.
The web address is http://www.stampeezee.co.uk/ and email is sales@stampeezee.co.uk.
These addresses are live and still being administered by Debbie until the change over date on the 12th.
As you can appreciate I feel both excited and nervous about my new venture but feel that the time is right for me to move forward with my crafting ambitions.
I hope you will take the time to visit my shop, have a browse and maybe make a purchase or two.

Thanks for stopping by.

Rachel x

Tag Your It/Anything Goes

Just a quick post to show a tag I've made using an Elisabeth Bell image - Musing Melinda - from Whiff of Joy. The base tag was one of the Shabby Chic tags from Crafty Individuals but I re-inked the edges using Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink and smeared with a little gold paint from the Eco Paints range . The doily was inked with Victorian Velvet D/Ink and again smeared with gold paint, as were the edges of the image topper. I stamped Melinda with distress ink and used a damp paintbrush to pull out some of the colour. To add some definition back I went over the clothing lines and her facial features with a fine liner. I heated circles of tuille to make the base of the flowers - it melts and shrivels - and added small Prima flowers with brads to the centres. A bit of lace and a sentiment to finish.

So that's my shabby chic style tag I'd like to enter into the Whiff Of Joy and the Belles & Whistles challenges.
Thanks for looking.

Rachel x

Things That Move!

I have to say I'm quite getting into this challenge lark. Here is a card I would like to enter into the Simply Less Is More challenge. 

This card was quite a challenging for me as I tend to over embellish everything. I stamped the Paper Artsy stamp directly onto the card blank and embossed with Cosmic Shimmer Copper embossing powder. The strips were left overs of glossy card coloured with alcohol inks from a previous project - the darker ones had been over stamped with a crackle stamp.

This is the first time I've entered a card on this challenge blog and I hope I've followed the rules correctly?

Thanks for looking.

Rachel x 

Magnolia Challenges

Hi there, just got back from our holiday in 'sunny' Cornwall - not the best weather but a break at least and the boys didn't seem to be too bored!
Anyhow here is a card I'd like to enter in 3 challenges: Just Magnolia - Funny Sentiment; Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Flowers; Magnolia Down Under  - Butterflies.

I coloured Tilda with Promarkers and used a pink/lilac theme - not the colours I usually reach for but I fancied a change. Card blank is from Craftwork Cards and mats cut using 'Nesties' and Marianne Design dies. Butterflies and leaves from a Martha Stewart punch and flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts. I stamped the edges of the card with an old background stamp I've just re-discovered. ( I un-mounted all my wood mounted stamps a couple of weeks ago so hopefully I'll use them more now rather than them sitting in a box I can't get to). The charm came off a bracelet one of my boys won from the 2p push machine at one of the Arcades on holiday. He was quite disgusted - I gained a few charms and beads :)  Well thanks for looking.

Rachel x

Honey Bees

Back again, I'm getting better at this blogging lark me thinks!
Well today I am entering the Whiff of Joy Challenge - Buttons & Bows:

I've used 'Sweet Cake' from Whiff of Joy coloured with Promarkers for my main image and the sentiment stamps are from Basic Grey. The papers are from Wild Rose Studio's Milton & Co range - I love oranges and browns.  Well thanks for stopping by and looking.

Rachel x

Challenge Card

Monday again, it soon rolls round. Here is a card I've put together and would like to enter into the Just Magnolia Challenge this week.

I stamped Tilda, masked her and then overstamped the stone path. I've coloured Tilda with Promarkers and given her blonde hair - first time I've tried this and I don't think it looks too bad! Seam binding was used for the bow. I only had cream so I coloured with a Promarker to match my card. A little glitter was added to the flowers and I used glitter card for the butterflies and flower. The sentiment and mint background paper is from Craftwork Cards and the fence is a Doo-Hickey die.
Thanks for looking.

Rachel x

Magnolia Card

Hi there,
Just a quick post to add a card I've made using one of my Magnolia stamps. I coloured Tilda with Distress Inks - maybe a little too much blush? Anyhow I want to enter this card in into the Just Magnolia and the Simon Says Stamp Challenges:

Back soon,

Rachel x

Another Sample Card

Hi, hope you are having a relaxing Sunday and enoying this lovely weather.
Here is another card made using the Heartfelt Creations stamps and dies.
This one has a distinctly 'Boudior' feel to it - went a bit overboard with the pink and feathers:

I made the pink background by embossing a piece of white card, coating all over with Perfect Medium and then dusting with Cosmic Shimmer Mica powder. This has a lovely sheen although these photo's do not do it justice. The black dots were again made using a stencil run through my Cuttlebug, but this time I added the Perfect Medium through the stencil onto the raised dots and then heat embossed using clear powder. I love creating my own backgrounds.
The flowers were made from a scalloped circle nestie die, spritzed with water, layered together and then scrunched around a brad. I coloured the Fuschia using Cosmic Shimmer Drawing Inks - these have a really fine brush attached and can get right ino any detail; and of course, they have lots of mica in them.
Finally the pearls were made using C/S Pearlescent Glue - a good alternative to ready made pearls as you can make these to any size you like.
Well I hope this gives you some ideas.
Thanks for stopping by.

Rachel x

Heartfelt Creations

Just thought I'd show you a card I made using the Heartfelt Creations dies and matching stamps available from Creative Expressions. I carried out a demo with these in Bristol last month and I really enjoyed using them.

This card used the Tulip stamp coloured with Distress Inks. The border was created using a die from one of the other sets of the same range and the dotted card made using a stencil with Perfect Medium and brushing over Cosmic Shimmer Mica Powders.  I think this card has a 'Country' feel about it - probably the gingham!
I'll post some other cards using this range soon.
Bye for now
Rachel x

Creative Expressions Calling Card Challenge

Hi there, below are a couple of images and step by step instructions for the Calling Card Challenge for Creative Expressions.

For the background  'smooch' glossy white card with Tumbled Glass, Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint and Stormy Sky Distress Inks. Once dry add drops of Aqua Lagoon and Golden Mint Cosmic Shimmer sprays to the bottom edge of the card and by blowing through a straw create 'fronds'.
Stamp chosen images in Archival Black ink and colour with a combination of watered down acrylic paint and marker pens.
Cut card down to fit a 6"x6" card blank, distress edges with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink and attach to base card.
To create the ATC, cut a piece of glossy card 3.5"x2.5" and using Cloudy Blue, Willow, Rust and Silver Alcohol Inks with a Blending Tool, work onto the card using dabbing motions to make a background resembling Mother of Pearl. Stamp wording and selected images with Archival Black ink onto your 'Calling Card' and attach to card front using foam tape. Finally add a couple of embellishments to the bottom corner.

That's all for now

Rachel

In Print!

Well would you believe it? A little while ago Debbie from Stampeezee asked if I had the time to write an article and make some samples entitled, 'Expert Guide to Heat Embossing' for Creative Cardmaking magazine, using a wedding theme. Of course I jumped at the chance and after we decided on a colour scheme and products I went to work.

Well I received my copy today - how exciting to see my work in print; 3 pages no less!!

 Here are the samples I made; I really like this yellow and black colour scheme!


Hope you like them.
Bye for now x



Special Workshops

Hi, no samples this time but I just needed to say that I have been carrying out workshops for a Women's Support Group run by a charity in Coventry and I think it is one of  the most rewarding, exhausting and worthwhile things I have ever done. Thank you ladies for making it so enjoyable.
X 

A Quick Post

What lovely weather we've had over Easter. Spent a couple of quiet days - just hubby and I, in Norfolk, walking by the sea and eating ice-cream!

Still playing with Promarkers and here are another couple of cards I've put together; one with a Tilda stamp and one with a Lily of the Valley stamp. This was supposed to be for my youngests birthday but he walked in while I was putting it together and said 'I like that Mum.' Oh well, I'll have to find something else to do now, lol.

I've entered the Magnolia Stamp Lovers flowers challenge with this card

 

That's all for now x