Vintage Floral Card

Welcome Back

In today’s post I’d like to share a picture of a card I made recently.

Vintage Floral Card

Stamps: Anna Griffin, sentiment & corners. Katzelkraft Floral stamp

Inks; Tim Holtz Distress inks

The base card is hammered so it is a textured surface, the text stamp I used was clear and the ink I stamped it with was Distress ink, for these reasons, in some areas the ink skipped out (didn’t stamp). Rather than ditch the card, I chose a similar toned pigment ink and stamped the text again. The pigment ink, clung better to the stamp and stamped perfectly. Rather pleased the original ink went a bit wrong, as this new technique looks a lot like a shadow and makes the text look 3d.

Shadow stamping

I should add that shadow stamping wasn’t a technique of my own invention, Barbara Grey has shown it on C&C a few times, and it was remembering that which gave me the idea of trying to add a pigment ink to the background. Looks good though, doesn’t it.

Have fun and don’t forget, there’s no such thing as a mistake in stamping, just a new opportunity to try a different route Even if some elements of a card go terribly wrong, you are sure to be able to save some parts to use again on another project.

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon

Billie

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Card Storage Journal

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Originally this project started out as a way to collect together memorabilia from a holiday, it then evolved into a handy storage journal for hand-made cards.  

Card Storage Journal; Cover

This is my first major project with the Bind It All machine and after working out how to make a cutting template so I got the holes just where I wanted them I was much happier. I used mat board for the covers (the kind picture framers use for layering) and added my own stamped papers to decorate the pages.  

Card Storage Journal; Inside Cover

On the inside cover I added a pocket to hold stamps, and then each envelope pocket holds a different month’s cards. I made little tab labels to easily navigate to the month I was looking for and the Making Memories Calendar stamp set made a nice finish to them. On the note page on each envelope I’m going to write the date and name of the person who needs a card, then when I’ve made a card I just pop it in the envelope ready. No more scrabbling around at the last-minute. I was going to add a ribbon closure then forgot when I pasted on the end papers DOH, now I’m waiting as I’m saving up for one of Tim Holtz Sizzix dies and hope to make a fancy closure with it and some grunge paper.  

Card Storage Journal; Inside Pages

This would make a great present for a friend and if you would like a detailed tutorial on how to make one leave me a comment and I’ll try to get one up in good time so you can make some as holiday gifts for friends and family.  

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon  

Billie

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Vintage Post card

Welcome Back 

In today’s post, I’d like to share some pictures of a postcard that I created for my friend Glitter Monkey. 

Vintage Postcard

Here is the back of the card 

Vintage Postcard - Back

Stamps used; Tim Holtz, Crafty Individuals, Penny Black and Making Memories (Magnetic Alphabet; Rummage) 

Inks Used; Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Versafine in Onyx Black 

This was great fun to make, I’m really enjoying my new inks and stamps. 

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon 

Billie

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Tim Holtz’ Shabby Chic

Welcome Back  

Earlier in the year I bought a copy of Tim Holtz book, A Compendium of Curiosities. Here are a few pieces that I created using his Shabby Chic technique.  

Shabby Chic v1

 

Two colour Shabby Chic experiment

 

Stamps Used; Elusive Images 

Colour; Ranger Adirondack Acrylic Dabbers  

DO check out Tim Holtz book for lots of superb techniques, its guaranteed to make your Ranger wish list grow and your inspiration sky rocket.  

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon  

Billie

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Tim Holtz Distress Inks

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For ages now I’ve been looking at Tim Holtz Distress inks and saying, ‘I love my Adirondack inks, and can do all the distress techniques with them. I do not need to buy distress inks’… Problem was, the inks kept calling me. I kept seeing projects featuring them and then the final straw was when I saw them online for a very special price. 

Tim Holtz; Distress Inks

 

Oyster Stamps  have a special offer on Tim Holtz Distress inks, at the moment. They are just £3.00 each! Gotta rush though, it’s while stocks last. Well I had to didn’t I. It was meant to be  

If you were on the fence about the inks, and want to give them a try, this is the perfect time to try them out. Head over to Oyster Stamps and order some while they are at this very special price. 

Best wishes and thanks for  reading, see you soon 

Billie

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Weathered Wood Grunge-style Book

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Earlier this year I bought Tim Holtz book, Compendium of Curiosities. The other day I decided to have a go at some of the techniques he showed in there. 

Here are my results with Weathered Wood Grunge, although I did the technique using textured card, rather than Grungeboard but it still works. 

Weathered Wood Panel

Weathered Wood Panel

This is a little pamphlet stitched book that I created with one of those panels. 

Weathered Wood Grunge style book

As you can see, I used the sanding technique on the cover of the book, to add some more distressing. This is a great fun technique to do. Check out Tim Holtz book for instructions for how to create Weathered Wood Grunge. 

Given the embossing involved, this also counts as one of my pieces for this month’s Virtual Crafting Challenge. 

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon 

Billie

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Tutorial: Paper Distresser

Welcome Back 

Earlier this week, I introduced you to Tim Holtz Paper Distresser. In today’s post are a few idea’s for how to use one. 

This is a wonderfully simple tool to use. All you do is bring the blade, hidden within the tool, to the edge of your cardstock. Then scrape backwards and forwards along the edge of the card. The result is a distressed, deckle style edge. 

How to use a Paper Distressing tool

In the following piece, I inked the project, then used the Paper Distresser on the edge of the card. I then, inked over the distressed edge. Since the fibres of the card are broken and softer, they really absorb the ink well. The result is a darker edge. 

Decorative piece, showing an inked, distressed edge.

You can also dip the edge of the distressed card, into embossing ink and then into embossing powder for a different look. Try using Distressed embossing powders for this as they are matt rather than shiny finish, depending on the look you are going for. 

Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon 

Billie

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