Saturday 30 August 2014

What is going on over at the Rubber Dance Blog????

Check out the Rubber Dance Blog on Monday 1st September for a brand new……………

Ssssssshhhhhhhh…..It is a secret…….but I thought I would make sure that you don't miss out ;-) !!!!


I am working on something right now for the brand new ………………!!!!!!

So if you want to see what is going on and to join in all the fun don't forget to pop over to the Rubber Dance blog on Monday!!!!

Put it in you diary!!!!!

I'll see you over there  ssshhhhhh!

Hope you are having a fab weekend and thank you for popping by X


Wednesday 27 August 2014

WOYWW 273

Hi fellow WOYWWers!

I haven't played along for a while and I miss checking out what everyone is up to so today I am going to make time to catch up!  Two days ago this was my desk after a long overdue tidy up!


I was getting ready to make my August tag and had collected together some bits and pieces and was ready to follow my creative muse just as Mr Tim had suggested this month….


Here is my desk today!  One tag and one Art Journal page later!!!!!  I think my creative muse was a bit of a messy madam ;-)  I did have fun though but I suppose I had better tidy up again so I can start messing all over again.  I have had a thought to make a series of Christmas videos so I think I might need some space to get the Christmas stash out to play with!

But that can wait first I am off to get a cup of coffee and then I am off to visit with my WOYWW friends as well as some of my fellow tag artists…..happy hopping for me.  If you want to see what WOYWW is all about and make some lovely crafting friends then follow this link over to Julia's to join in the fun!

Thank you for popping by X

12 Tags of 2014 - August

Hi everyone

This post is a little earlier than my last couple of 12 Tags videos where I have posted on the last day of the challenge!  This month things were a little different as Tim told us to follow our creative muse!  My creative muse took me to a twilight world of fairies and secret gardens………


I love the colours of this tag.  Tim used his Distress Stains on his tag so I decided to do likewise and used Picked Raspberry, Seedless Preserves and Squeezed Lemonade.  My gorgeous fairy stamps are from Lavinia Stamps and with a touch of magical glitter I had great fun capturing this enchanting scene on my tag this month.


Here is a little close up on some of the detail - I love how the Distress Stains have combined to make such magical blends of colour.  If you want to see how I made my tag here is the  link to the video:


If you want to see what Tim's tag for August inspired then click on this link and follow me over to his blog!  I can't wait to see all the different places everyone else's creative muses took them too!

I am off to get a jumper and socks on as it is chilly in my craft room today and then I am going to do some blog hopping - coffee in hand!

Hope you are having a wonderfully creative week and thank you for popping by X

Tuesday 26 August 2014

Tangled Chilli Pepper Card - Rubber Dance Design Team Tutorial

Hi everyone

Brrrrr!!!!  Well I think we are definitely moving into autumn here in the UK but as I am hoping for a bit more sun I am posting a card tutorial that will remind us of sunshine and fiestas!

As you know this month I have been featuring card designs using the Hot, Hot, Hot stamp set from rubberdance.com and this is my forth card.  I really had fun using these stamps and there are so many of them of the stamp sheet I know I could carry on designing with them over and over again!!!  But I have a couple of new sets to introduce you to in September so I am excited to get them inky…..and probably me too of course!

For this card design I got out my black pen and pro markers and started tangling on my chilli peppers!


On the tutorial you will see how I made the background by blending 4 colours of Distress Ink and then using all the lovely chilli phrases that come with this stamp set as well as how to create this fun set of tangled chilli peppers.  I was just thinking that you could scale this down a little bit and it would make a fun invitation to a summer party or bbq!

Here is how I used the same background technique to make a matching inner all ready to stamp with the greeting once I know who is Cool or Hot enough to receive this card!!!!


Cutting Guide:

Black Card Base: 8" square scored at 4" or 20.5 cm square scored at 10.25 cm
White Card (cut 2): 7 3/4" x 3 3/4" or 9.5 cm x 19.75 cm
White Squares (Cut 4): 1 5/8" squares or 4 cm squares
Black Squares (Cut 4): 1 3/4" squares or 4.5cm squares

Check out the tutorial even if you don't have these lovely stamps……Yet!  There are lots of ideas and hints and tips I know you will find useful.


Stamps used for this card:

Hot, Hot , Hot stamp sheet (NP7-M)

Once again I have had a lovely time designing with my Rubber Dance stamps and I know you are going to love them too.  Here is the link so you can pop over to check out these and all the other stamps over at rubberdance.com.  You can meet us on Facebook too so please come on over and say hi! Show us what you have been making using Rubber Dance stamps.

I am off to edit the video for my August tag for 12 tags of 2014 and then I am going to finish of Page 3 in my Art Journal…….Here are a couple of sneak peeks just to tease you ha ha ;-)  First the tag…..


Now the Page………..


Hee Hee!!! Don't forget to hit the subscribe button to be sure you don't miss a thing!  Leave me a comment if you like as I love to hear from you.  Enjoy the tutorial and thank you for popping by X

Helen

Friday 22 August 2014

Page 2 of my Art Journal Book

Good Afternoon Everyone

Just popping in to post another video of my second page in my Art Journal Book.   I really hope you can see how much fun I am having.   I really love how this page turned out and the hidden pockets and tags are my favourite part!


Check out me and my little brother Paul in our rubber rings…..I am surprised we are smiling as we are paddling in the North Sea!!!!   I guess we were made of hardier stuff back then as I am pretty sure I wouldn't chance it today….Brrrrrr!

I really hope this project and the videos I will be sharing get more people trying Art Journalling for themselves.  Here is the video for Page 2.


I am hoping that my book will become a family heirloom one day and I hope that the pockets and tags aren't too hidden!!!

Here is a photo of the full book page.


If you are wondering about the stamps they are all available from rubber dance.com and they come from the Travel and Beach Retro sets.

Before I go I want to share a link with you.  My lovely and very talented friend Annie has just shared a wonderful project over on her blog.  She started out following my online workshop for the Pyramid Mini and then gave it her own wonderful twist and turned it into a celebration of love and gift to her hubby in celebration of their third Anniversary.  Please click on this link and pop over to check out all the wonderful details she has put in to make this such a wonderful gift.


It is always a thrill for me to see what Annie makes of my designs.  I love how this now looks like a little house and you will be amazed at the detail!

Click on this link if you want to make a Pyramid Mini in celebration of a special occasion for yourself.

Until next time hope you have lots of creative adventures of your own.  Thank you for popping by X

Tuesday 19 August 2014

Rubber Dance Design Team Tutorial - Red Chilli Pepper Card

Hi Everyone

Another tutorial for a card featuring all the lovely words that come with the Hot, Hot, Hot stamp set from rubber dance.com.


I loved all the spicy saying on this stamp set and by arranging them all on one acrylic block I used all of them!!!!  In this video tutorial I show you how to use a stamp positioner.  You can buy them but I made mine from lego and an acrylic tag page from a mini book.

Then we look at how to use masking to make that fabulous red chilli sit on top of all the words.  If you need to brush up on any of these techniques this is the tutorial for you.


Here is the Cutting Guide:

Red Card Base - 11 1/2" x 5 3/4" scored and folded at 5 3/4" or 29 cm x 14.5 cm scored and folded at 14.5 cm
White Squares (cut 2) - 4 3/4" squares or 12 cm squares
Navy Blue Squares (Cut 2) 4 7/8" squares or 12.5 cm squares

The card also has a matching inner.  This time I used the smallest chilli and created a border strip using the text stamps.


I am loving these stamps and this is my third tutorial working with this really versatile stamp set.  If you want to get a set for yourself so you can stamp along with me then please pop along to rubberdance.com and check out the Hot, Hot, Hot stamps (NP7-M).

Today I am going to finish off my second page in my new Altered Book Art Journal and as I used my Rubber Dance stamps on it I though I would give you all a sneak peek!!!


Ha Ha just a teeny tiny peek …..I love how those stamps look stamped onto a book page don't you?!  I have used a mixture of the Rubber Dance Beach Retro and Travel stamp sets on my page so I look forward to sharing more with you soon.

Once again I have had a lovely time designing with my Rubber Dance stamps and I know you are going to love them too.  Here is the link so you can pop over to check out these and all the other stamps over at rubberdance.com.  You can meet us on Facebook too so please come on over and say hi! 

One more fun Chilli Pepper card coming your way soon as well as my new page.  Hit the subscribe button to be sure you don't miss a thing!  Enjoy the tutorial and thank you for popping by X

Helen

Thursday 14 August 2014

Rubber Dance Design Team Tutorial - Spice It Up!

Hi Everyone

I have been working with a really fun set of stamps from Rubber Dance this week called Hot, Hot, Hot.  It is full to bursting with stamps of Chilli Peppers in all shapes and sizes and has a whole lot of fun phrases too!!


My first card tutorial of the set shows you step by step how to make a card that features what I am affectionately calling the squiggle chillis!  Bottom left of the photo above.


This is a fun graphic design with a little bit of heat embossing and a little bit of stitching to try out.  You could choose to hand stitch the bottom of the card or draw a border using fine line pens if you want to.  You could also use a green or a red card base if you prefer.


I couldn't resist being a little bit cheeky with my choice of sentiment for the card inner that I have made a fun little squiggle chilli border for!  So if you want to learn how to make this card….here is the video!


Cutting Guide:

Yellow Card Base: 8" square scored at 4" or 20.5 cm square scored at 10.25 cm
White Card Topper: 3 1/2" x 7 1/2" or 9cm x 19 cm - Cut 2
Black Card: 3 5/8" x 7 5/8"" or 9.25 cm x 19.25 cm
White Greeting Strip: 1/2" x 2 1/4" or 1.5 cm x 6 cm
Black Greeting Strip: 5/8" x 2 3/8" or 1.75 cm x 6.25 cm

Stamps used for this card:

Hot, Hot , Hot stamp sheet (NP7-M)

Once again I have had a lovely time designing with my Rubber Dance stamps and I know you are going to love them too.  Here is the link so you can pop over to check out these and all the other stamps over at rubberdance.com.  You can meet us on Facebook too so please come on over and say hi! 

More fun Chilli Pepper cards coming your way soon.  Hit the subscribe button to be sure you don't miss a thing!  Enjoy the tutorial and thank you for popping by X

Helen

Saturday 9 August 2014

New Art Journal Project

Hi everyone

Hope you are enjoying a fab weekend.  I am just about to go to a crop for the day with my friends.  I was with them yesterday and I have to tell you they are a very distracting bunch and I didn't put two pieces of paper together all day!!!!!

Just chat and coffee and a biscuit or three and more chat and lots and lots of laughter!  Just what the doctor ordered ;-)

Today I am sharing a new project.  I hope to share videos with you over the coming months of the progress of an old book I am turing into an Art Journal.  I hope to try lots of different page combinations a bit like an altered book and of course lots of different Art Journaling styles!

Here is my first page which is a pocket page.


I have four tags on which I will journal about my Dad and Mum and my Father and Mother-in-Law who all served in the forces.  I want each page I create to mean something to me and my family so it builds into a work of art and memories that my family can enjoy looking back on.

Note to self - I must add the links to the videos or maybe add a CD somewhere in the pages!

I was inspired to finally start this project which I have been contemplating for some time by the lovely France Papillon who makes fabulous art journal/mixed media videos.  She is celebrating her 100th Art Journal on Monday Page this week which is quite some achievement.  Her videos are great and there is always something to learn about products and how they work together but the think what I want to emulate the most is that France's pages mean something to her.  Although you and I could look through her Journal and see lots of wonderful art.  France and her family will be reminded of a journey through life and that is something special I hope to capture in the pages of my book.

So please pop along to say hi to France by clicking on this link and help her celebrate her wonderful achievement.  I know you are going to find lots of inspiration over there.

Before I go on my merry way here is my video.  I hope it inspires you to get all painty and inky and to create a journal full of wonderful pages for yourself.


Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I will be back soon with more creativity…..I already have another page idea!!!!

Thank you for popping by X

Monday 4 August 2014

Stampotique - SDC 158 Challenge and a tutorial!

Hi everyone

The sun is shining here today and Ivan is out cutting the lawn so I thought I would nip inside and share this tutorial and challenge entry I made yesterday.

Here is my card for the Stampotique STC 158 challenge.  The challenge was Black and White with a pop of colour……..


I have used my cute little Ignis stamp again as you can see.  I had to share a tutorial for this one as I used a masking technique and made this an easel card which I thought would be useful to explain in more detail.

I had the idea to use the black and white to depict my crowd of Ignis folk who look all the same and just a tiny bit boring and then with a pop of colour suddenly a whole new and fabulous Ignis appears……..I know, I know ……strange how these little ideas pop into my head ;-)


Here is my video tutorial:


and here is the cutting guide as promised:

Cutting Guide:

Easel Card Base (White):  11 1/2" x 5 3/4" scored at 2 7/8" and 5 3/4" with the card in the landscape position
White card: 5 3/4" square
Black card: 5 1/4" x 5 1/2"
White Card: 5 1/8" x 5 3/8"
Black Card Strip: 5 3/4" x 1 1/2"
White Card Strip: 5 3/4" x 1 1/4"

Ink colours:  Ranger Black Archival, Distress Inks - Peacock Feathers, Mustard Seed and Festive Berries
The Ignis Kisses Stamp is from Stampotique and is by Magda Polacow.  You can order it here if you are in the UK……..Or here if you are in the USA

You could easily achieve this look with other stamps you may have in your collection.  I hope you give it a go.

See you again soon with some more fun with Rubber Dance Stamps…..Next week it is my turn to feature on the Rubber Dance Blog so keep watching for the sneak peek coming soon ;-)

Have a fab week and thank you for popping by X

Friday 1 August 2014

12 Tags of 2014 - July…..the video!

Hi everyone

Here is the video I made for my July tag.  It it a bit late but I got there in the end!  It has been a bit hectic in our house so I have struggled a bit to get into my craft room to edit this one.  But here it is…


I had lots of fun (as usual) making my tag as you will see.  If you want to see the whole tag click on this link to take you back to my previous post.

Here is my tag stored with the rest of my 2014 tags.  My tag storage is filling up nicely now….how the year is flying by!


If you want to make this Tag Storage I have a tutorial for sale over at my ETSY shop…just click on this link!

I am going to share another couple of links here…..a little bit of a trip down memory lane!  Way way back in 2012 when I was a newbie blogger and I first found Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2012 and I made this romantic Valentine tag….


In fact I made two as I decided to make my first ever photo tutorial too!  Click on the link to see how I made this tag.  This was way before I had ever heard of You Tube!!!!

The following year I decided to give this tag to my hubby for Valentines day and by then I was making Video Tutorials!


Even if neither of these projects are your style it is worth taking a peek at the tutorials as there is a great fun image transfer technique explained in both tutorials…photo or video!


Hope you enjoy taking a look at these tutorials from the archives.  It is fun to look back from time to time.  This blog is packed full of fun tutorials and craft projects so please take a look at my archives…..you never know what you may find to inspire you…..

If you want to be a bit selective in your search of my blog then why not try using the labels.  If you scroll down and keep looking at the left hand side bar you will see after my workshop items there is a labels list.  I have grouped things together here - you could look at layouts, cards, or Graphic 45, etc.  Just click on the category that interests you and it will bring up a list of all the posts that are under that label…..easy peasy!

Hope you have fun exploring and I look forward to sharing more with you soon.  Thank you for popping by X

PS  I just noticed Rubber Dance have posted a fun birdhouse tutorial by my team mate Katy.  Click on this link to see what she has created!
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