Françoise Collection

Woodware Design Team Challenge - 40 Shades of green

2012-02-23T00:05:00.003Z

For the challenge this week I have chosen to use some of my new Peel Off's. Last year I designed some Oriental pots so this year I have added a teapot and cups.

FRANCOISE - ORIENTAL TEAPOTS 94279

The greeting is from this stamp:

BLOSSOM TEAPOT - CLEAR MAGIC SINGLES FRS114

As you can see there are not 40 shades of green on this card but there are a few nevertheless with a touch of gold and black!
I have used Sakura Pens to colour in. I have used Glaze, Metallic and Stardust pens. I like to combine the different effects the pen create for a more interesting look. They combine so well!

I have added some pale green Mark Richards Dots. I like the subtleness of the Dots. Woodware are stocking the smaller clear version which can be coloured very nicely with the Sakura Identi pens. So looking forward to playing with those!!

Its a brief visit today as I have just returned home from the 'Stitches' trade show. Previous to that we did 'CHA' the US trade show and I came home with a very nasty bug!. Why not pop along to the Woodware Blog for further inspiration...

woodware Design Team Challenge - Heart for my sweetheart

2012-02-17T00:05:00.000Z

This card is too late for 'Valentines' but my feeling is that hearts can be used all year round and for lots of occasions. It's nice to feel love all year round. The elements all come from a very 'hearty' set!

FRCL149 Lots of Hearts

Its one of these sets that cries out to be coloured in... or maybe not as you could go classic black and white with bright red hearts. So it will lend itself to lots of different schemes. My scheme is very sugary!! but I do love pink, lime green and orange as a combination.

I have stamped the panels several times on different coloured card and paper pieced the hearts. I have shadowed the hearts using a VersaMark pen. Its a marker type pen that contains the same ink as in the pad. I have then highlighted the hearts with a white gel pen. The little kisses are a small stamp in the set but easy enough to stamp a border with.

Pop along to the Woodware Blog to see other great ideas for this challenge

Valentine Card

2012-02-13T00:05:00.001Z

I made this card for one of the magazines last year. I love the simplicity of the tags and the three strips of paper for a background. Less is more as they say.

It's the same set that I have used for the Woodware Challenge card that will be posted this Friday so pop back to see how different the two cards are colour wise.

It is such a versatile set. I used the colours of the papers to guide my colouring. I had just started to use Copic pens at the time. My handmade colour chart helped me select the right pens for the job.

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Sketch

2012-02-11T00:05:00.001Z

This week we are back to doing another sketch. This card is definitely for dog lovers. We have never been a 'pet' family but many of my friends have a cat or dog so I've seen first hand how much people love their furry friends. We had a goldfish for a little while... but that is it. I had great fun designing this set and still enjoy playing with it.

FRCL119 Man's Best Friend

All the stamped elements used on this card are from the set. There are lots of doggy related words and items associated with a dog. The large bone is blank so as I have done on the card you can put in a wording or leave it blank.
The papers come from the 'London Collection' that Woodware distribute. I do like my spots and ginghams as they don't clash with the stamping.

I've gone for a bit of sponging around the edges of the papers and card. For that I used a terra cotta 'Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink' from one of the Cats Eye Queues. So useful for this sort of thing.

The little paw is the waste from this 2cm Woodware punch; CAT PAW 815-43
A little tricky to arrange and stick but well worth the effort. Other detail include nailheads, ribbon, dashed line drawn using a Sakura Black Micron pen and white highlights using a white Sakura pen.

I should really have made his nose shinny for this post so I will need to do that at some stage!

Pop along to the Woodware Blog to see other great ideas for the sketch.

More Peel Off's... Mums too

2012-02-03T00:05:00.007Z

A variation on the first sample I posted a few days ago using one of my new Peel offs. Its called Mum Round... nothing to do with Mother!!!

I have used Sakura Glaze pens for the colouring.

The greeting and thin black lines are also Peel Off's.

The ribbon was heated with a heat gun to make it twist and curl.

More New Peel Off's...

2012-02-01T00:05:00.003Z

I was in a hurry when I took this photo so I don't think I have done the card justice!

Last year I bought out some Oriental pots and this adds a teapot and cups to the collection. The flower is also new.

I started with gold Peel Off's and changed them to orange using a Sakura Identi Pen. I've used Tombow pens and a red Sakura Glaze pen for the colouring.

Unfortunately you cannot really see that I used the red glaze over my red water colouring. This technique gives depth to the glazing.

woodware Design Team Challenge - 3D delights

2012-01-30T00:05:00.001Z

Not to sure if my contribution this week is really what was meant by 3D delights [lol]... it certainly covers the delight part and jelly beans are 3D. Well it's my take on the wording.

I've used one of the owls and greetings from this set:
FRCL193 Patch an Owl

I've stamped using the Coffee Bean Brilliance inkpad for a softer look. The owl and flowers have been coloured in using a mixture of marker pens and Sakura Glaze pens. So no paper piecing! ....but this shows how easy it is to colour instead.

For the topper I have used Woodware punches: 3" circle and 31/2" scalloped circle. I have sponged the edges of the circle, scalloped circle and oval with inks; pink, yellow and green.

I then cut a shaped panel that I folded in half to make the holder for the bag of Jelly Beans. I stamped some patchwork flowers on the holder using the flower which is in the set. The ribbon is decorative but also secures the flaps.

As home baking is becoming popular again you could put some homemade cookies or chocolates in the bag or maybe healthy nuts!! Whatever takes you fancy...

Pop along to the Woodware Blog for other takes on this challenge.

More New Peel Off's...

2012-01-26T00:05:00.001Z

This time it's a new circular design with Mum flowers. The little elements in the corners are from the same sheet as the circle.

Again I have used Sakura Glaze pens to colour in the image. I've kept it quite simple as black Peel off's are quite striking and do not need over done.

The image fits into a 3" punch so no cutting out by hand is needed!

This sample will go on show at Paperworld 2012 which is a big trade show in Germany. This card was one of many I made over Christmas.

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Template teasers

2012-01-24T00:05:00.007Z

For this week's challenge I have turned my crafting hands to doing some scrapbooking! Yes it is quite unusual for me as you probably already know. I have never used the Artemio templates before so I thought I would just follow the instructions to see if it was easy or hard to do. I actually found it quite easy to do as the instructions are very clear. I used the following template;

ARTEMIO DIAMOND - DIE-CUT MINI ALBUM - TEMPLATE 18002017

I started by selecting the theme and photos I wanted to use. As I chose pictures from our holiday to Santorini an island in Greece I chose a blue and white theme as in the flag. Blue and white colours appear on buildings also!

You need a piece of 12 by 12 cardstock for the base. Use a retractable pencil to mark out the cuts and scores. Once you have marked these on the card, do the scores for the folds first using a fine embossing tool. Then do the cutting on a mat using a nice sharp blade on your craft knife to avoid tears. You do need to be fairly precise if you want it to be neat and fold up well. Use a good rubber to remove any pencil marks.

This is my front cover and shows my mini book all folded up.I printed off a couple of maps that I found on the internet and a Greek flag.

On the template there is a little flap which you use to hold the mini book shut. You could ignore it and add ribbon instead or some string. I wanted to use it to see if it worked. It does the job but it might get worn if it is over used. I would recommend not to mat and layer every photo especially if you use the back and front of your mini book like I did

On the template there are different size windows which you can use as view finders. You can move them around over your photo to select which area you want to cut out. You can also use the windows to cut matting layers for your photos. That is a really helpful tool as you don't have to do it by eye!

Make sure to use a photo glue on the back of the photos to avoid lumps and bumps...

I really enjoyed doing this project. I was not sure to start of with about using this diamond shape but it's worked really well. Now I have a little brag book all about our beautiful holiday!

I do love Greece..... the sun, food, islands, churches....

Enjoy the rest of the pictures and pop along to the Woodware Blog to see how other templates have been used.

New Peel Off's- what fun!

2012-01-23T00:05:00.001Z

I though I would give you a sneak preview of some of my new Peel Off's coming out at Stitches and Paperworld 2012.

This one of the samples I made and sent to Holland to be on show at Paperworld.

I've coloured the fish,bubbles and seaweed using Sakura Glaze pens. I did some sponging on the back panel using a bubble element as a stencil.

I love it when I have new designs to work with!!!

Another sneak peek in a couple of days...

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Winter Wonderland Cool Cool Colours

2012-01-18T00:05:00.001Z

Another quick and simple card from a take forever kind of card maker!
As I start to write this up I have just seen two [not just one] foxes cutting across our wintery garden... At least the frost has lifted completely today. So this card is quite appropriate for this time of year.

I think I have followed the brief for once! I have used the trees, greeting and little bunnies from this set:
FRCL143 Winter Wonderland

There are 3 trees in the set and I have used the largest and middle ones. The stamping is very simple using two Brilliance inks, Graphite Black and Starlite Black [that's the deep silver].
A little tip when stamping the moon; stamp it twice, first on scrap paper, second on the card panel to soften it. I have added grey and blue highlights using Sakura Stardust pens that I have watered down with water. You can just about see the little paw prints of the bunnies in the snow. I have added my obligatory piece of ribbon!

Pop along to the Woodware Blog to see other great ideas for the sketch.

woodware Design Team Challenge - Handbags at Dawn

2012-01-12T00:05:00.005Z

No stamping this time! Instead I have used some Woodware Handbags - JL726 'Chippies' which I have covered with paper and sponged at the edges with red ink. The sheets on which the handbags come also have lots of small extra elements that you can use for decoration. I have also used some Mark Richards gold 'Metals' and 3mm red 'Nailheads for a little bit of bling!

I have used two handbags of the same shape and size and joined them together at the base with a folded piece of background paper. Fold the paper so you have a valley, peak and another valley. From the side it looks like a W. This helps the whole structure to stand as with a single fold it wouldn't... It also means you can put a gift inside like a chocolate bar.

So all us ladies need is a posh handbag and chocolate! [lol]

Pop along to the Woodware Blog to see other variations on this challenge

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Sketch

2012-01-06T00:05:00.001Z

This is a quick one as I'm still really busy getting the samples for our spring catalogue ready for photography on Monday and Tuesday...
This week it's another sketch... which I'm gradually getting use to![lol].
I've used this set;
FRCL185 Fancy Labels
I have stamped it using three inkpads, all Brilliance;
Starlight Silver for the frame, Graphite Black for the greeting and Pearlescent Purple for the little flowers.

I like this set because you can mix and match. The frames are empty and you get two frames. There are really useful greetings to choose from and you get the little elements to embellish the frames.

The beautiful paper in the background is a lovely new Magenta paper from the 'Colour Me Softly' Collection.

I've added some Mark Richard bling, gems and pearls. The ribbon is from Woodware's newest range. I love them all. They come in colour co-ordinated boxes and have different patterns on them. They are even too nice to want to use!!

Why not pop along to the Woodware Blog to see other variations of this sketch.

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Thank you

2011-12-31T00:05:00.004Z

For this challenge I thought it would be a nice idea to make a set of mini cards. If you made a few you would always have a card at the ready.

I was looking through my box of punched shapes when I found the hearts and a trio of tortoises all beautifully coloured in. The light came on... it flickers at the moment! and this idea came up...

Simple and effective and a good way to use up these bits and pieces.

The tortoise comes from this set:

FRCL164 Sammy Snail and Friends

And the greeting comes from this set:

FRCL094 Thank You For...

I coloured them in using Tombow markers and I have added some Diamond Stickles and Glossy accents to the eye and little hearts. These tortoises are meant to be fun and funky!

The ribbon is from the Woodware gingham collection of ribbons and simply tied in a double knot.

The greeting set I have used is perfect for outside and inside wordings. It's about all the things you say thank you for in everyday life e.g thank you for listening or for your smile or for being you. I haven't used it for a while but it was perfect for this.

Pop along to the Woodware Blog to discover more ways to say thank you...

Elegant reindeer

2011-12-20T00:05:00.003Z

This one of my all time Christmas favourite sets.
FRCL143 Winter Wonderland

It does not need much in the way of colouring. I like to stamp it in black and add light washes of a single colour as in this card where I have used teal. For the moon, grass and trees on the teal panel I have used a Starlight Black Brilliance inkpad. Its a dark silver or pewter gray.

Yes... the cute rabbits come in the set. This set is all about building a scene so the elements vary in size and some are solid. There are greetings included in the set and I have used one on the main panel.

The main part of the card is a 14.5 cm square card but I have cut off a section from the front panel. Then I have made a smaller card for the main reindeer panel. That card is stuck to the inside of the card and it opens the opposite way. I think the photo just about shows the mechanics...

I have used 3mm 'Nailheads' for the corners and added one for the reindeer's nose to glow! The silver card adds to the wintery effect.

The trees could be used all year round and not just for Christmas...

Woodware Design Team Challenge - The richness of red

2011-12-19T00:05:00.006Z

I think this is what the challenge meant?... Maybe it was supposed to have more red in it (lol) but still I enjoyed making this card. It was quick to make and I think the end result is quite effective.

I have used a wood mounted stamp so it's an early design;

FRW001 Noel Sampler

It's one of those stamps that doesn't really need any colouring in so it's ideal for a last minute Christmas card.

I stamped it using a 'Rocket Red Brilliance' inkpad. As I wanted the red border to match on the matting and layering I cut a piece of white card and sponged the edge with the same ink. It's a great tip if you cannot find a piece of matching card stock.

The paper is from the 'London' collection of Woodware papers. Of course there has to be some bling... red 'Nailheads' and look at that wonderful ribbon! For a final touch I glazed over some of the solid areas with a clear Sakura glaze pen.

This is the challenge for the week so pop along each day to the Woodware Blog to see other fab ideas.

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Look what I did with my tin

2011-12-13T00:05:00.001Z

Apologies as I know some of you might have seen this tin before but I am snowed under with sample and magazine articles to complete. I think... well I know that Christmas day will be a rare day off in the coming weeks!

I have used elements from this set:
FRCL157 Time for a Cuppa
as well as 'Chippies', Nailheads and papers to decorate my tin. The silver Nailheads almost look as if they are part of the original tin. Being silver they are very versatile in that you can alter the colour to suit by using Peel off's pen, Sakura Identi Pens and alcohol inks.

I have painted the 'Chippies' with acrylic paints. The paint goes on very well - no lifting or buckling!

I also like 'Brilliance' inks on the 'Chippies'. Woodware have two alphabet packs both containing two sheets with two complete aphabets.I have also used the 'Bracket' frame on the tin.

I have filled the tin with some individual special tea bags. So a perfect gift for a tea connoiseur!

Think outside the tin...

Pop along to the Woodware Blog for other ideas all this week using tins.

Girly tags

2011-12-08T00:05:00.002Z

Two girly tags using one of my early clear set from my collection: FRCL034 Girlie Fun

I have stamped on pale lilac card with a 'Victorian Purple' Brilliance ink pad and used some of the ink watered down to add some shading. The highlights and stitching are added with a white pen. The Sakura Gelly Roll white pen is excellent for this and I do recommend it.

The papers are very early Magenta papers. The tag was cut using a Sizzix die. One of my all time favourite dies. I remember buying it in the US and being thrilled with it... how things have moved on since then!

Woodware Design team Challenge - Sketch

2011-12-07T00:05:00.000Z

How about some bright colours to cheer us up during these short grey days!

Another card using some of my black Peel Off's:

Funky Flower Windows - 94091B

As usual I have not followed the sketch rigidly but adapted some of the elements. I sponged bands of Brilliance 'Pearlescent Thyme' ink at both ends of the panel for a softer look. My band in the middle goes behind the main image instead of in front.

The greeting is from this stamp set:

FRCL129 Garden Greetings

Instead of working with white card I have used Woodware pale green pearl card for the background behind the funky flower window. The Sakura Gelly Roll Glaze pens work really well on this card as it is coated and less absorbent.

I have also used a green Stardust pen for some sections of the leaves to contrast with the Glaze pens. In the spaces between the flowers I have used a pale blue Glaze pen to create a faux mosaic effect. I prefer this to filling the spaces completely. I do love using the glaze pens with Peel off's as they work perfectly together.

Pop along to the Woodware Blog to see other ideas on how to use this sketch.

Down on the farm...

2011-12-05T00:05:00.002Z

This is a card I made when I was fixated on easel cards! Still like to make them but at that time all I wanted to do was easel cards.

I've used one of my 'Tots' sets:

FRCL167 Garden tots

For the colouring I've used my Copic pens and a Sakura Gelly Roll white pen for the highlights.

I generated the wording on the computer as I do not have a stamp with those words! I print it on the same card as I'm using for the card itself so that it co-ordinates.

All the borders are created with Martha Stewart punches: grass, farm animals and fence. The farm yard animal punch was a bit of a luxury buy as I mainly wanted it because it goes so well with this stamp set. I have used the grass and fence borders a lot.

All the elements such as the bush and chickens are in the set. The 'tot' can be a farmer or gardener and the little girl with the watering can is very sweet. I did add the birds with a fine line Sakura Micron pen.

This sort of card brings a smile to your face!

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Tags for gifts

2011-12-01T00:05:00.000Z

A modest offering this week as I must complete cleaning and setting up our single stamps for the Spring release.

I've used a set from last year's Christmas release which is great to play with:

FRCL184 Christmas Rounds

I went for square tags and used up some scraps which is good as otherwise they just sit in a big box!

As I was stamping the circles I thought these would also look good on the envelopes for my Christmas cards. There is even a wording 'Do not open until 25th of December'.

Please pop along to Woodware blog to see other samples from the design team.

Snowdrops

2011-11-29T00:05:00.003Z

I thought you might like to see another winter card. This card uses another element from this set;

FRCL101 A Winter's Day.

It's like a tiny scene from the garden. There is also something magical about Snowdrops in the snow. This card was part of a group of cards I made to show how to use all the elements in this set. I posted another card just a couple of days ago using the 'Robin on the watering can' element.

I used 'Inktense' pencils for the colouring. As the name suggest you achieve deeper stronger colours then with normal watercolour pencils. I do enjoy working with them. You can purchase them in sets or individually.

Another Robin

2011-11-26T00:05:00.001Z

This little robin come from this set;

FRCL101 A Winter's Day

I used the wordings from this set for my large Robin card on the previous post. I love the font. I wish my handwriting was as good as that!

This is another lovely traditional set. The images in the set are considerably smaller and would be good to practice colouring.

You can actually use this element and the single robin and snowdrop in the set to create a larger scene.

I should have straightened the ribbon before taking the picture!

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Pick one colour and go with it

2011-11-25T00:05:00.000Z

I decided to go for green which I thought no one else would choose but I was beaten to it! I've used my 'Robin on a boot' stamp which is one of my favourites from this Christmas release. It involved quite a bit of colouring but makes a substantial card.

The code for the stamp is;

FRS210 Robin on a Boot

I've stamped using the 'Pearlescent Ivy' Brilliance ink pad. It's a muted green as the ivy in the name implies. I chose pale green card for my base.What a difference this makes from stamping on white card with black ink!

To add the shading you could use ink from the pad and dilute it with water. Instead I used one of the Sakura Dark Stardust pens '734 Dark Jade Star'. It is a perfect match for the ink. You cannot tell from my picture but it leaves a shimmery effect as you paint. It also spreads more easily than the ink from the pad.I have added white highlights with a Sakura White Gelly roll pen.

For finishing touches I've used some 'Diamond' Stickles, ribbon and Mark Richards pale green dots.

The greetings come from another Robin set;

FRCL101 A winter's Day

Don't forget that you could use this stamp for a gardening greeting card. After all they do call the Robin the gardener's friend!

Pop along to the Woodware Blog to see other versions of the challenge by the design team.

Wine Buff- Three for the men!

2011-11-23T00:05:00.000Z

This is the second card from the Workshop I mentioned in the previous post. This card is actually a money /voucher wallet. So you could give a voucher for some special wines inside the card to make it that bit more special! When I cut the card I left an extra piece on the back panel to create flap which I folded to make a pocket inside the card.

After square cards I do like tall skinny cards. It's quite a different shape to play with in reference to the layout.

You could also use this card for someone retiring or if someone you know is moving to France.

The stamps used come from set FRCL107 Wine Buff

Go back to Wine Buff post one to read more detail on the colouring.

Wine Buff- Two for the men!

2011-11-22T00:05:00.001Z

To continue with the theme of 'Wine Buff'. This is a card I made for a workshop at Dawn Bibby's establishment. It showcases a very different colour scheme using the FRCL130 Wine Buff set.

As with the card in the previous post I have started with a pale blue base card for my stamping. I've stuck to lime green and blues for my colour scheme. So basically I've kept to the colours in the background paper for colouring in. I like the fresh, crisp look of the card. A little raffia instead of ribbon is a bit more manly!

Wine Buff- One for the men!

2011-11-21T00:05:00.002Z

As I was digging into one of my many sample boxes looking for spare samples for a new retailer I came across this card which I created for one of the Woodware supplements.

I thought I would showcase it as not everyone sees the supplements and we all struggle for ideas for mens cards.

I've used set FRCL130 Wine Buff to create the card.

As well as the three main images you have a border stamp with names of different wines and other wine related elements such as the cheese and corkscrew in the set

I don't always work on a white base card for my stamping. It's quite nice to use a base card that relates to your colour scheme which in this case is pale lilac. This means your background is instantly coloured in. I've combined it with a teal green, burgundy or claret red and brown. For the colouring in I've used 'Inktense' watercolour pencils and a white gel pen for highlights.

woodware Design Team Challenge - Traditional Christmas

2011-11-19T00:05:00.002Z

Traditional Christmas to me means red, green and images that remind us of why we celebrate the season. So I went for greenery, candle and doves. The set I have used is a couple years old but still lovely to use.

FRCL104 Peace on Earth

I have use Tombow pens for the colouring but not directly to paper. I have scribble a little on a tile and picked up the colour with a wet brush. With this method your colours will always be more intense than if you use watercolour pencils or paints.

I've added a hint of glitter and Mark Richards gems to the corners.

The background is made up of strips of torn red card and a beautiful Magenta vellum. The thin red strip and the panel have secured the vellum to the card.

Why not pop over to the Woodware Blog to see other ideas from the design team

Tin too!

2011-11-10T00:05:00.002Z

As promised yesterday another tin! This time I have used my 'Patchwork dove' [FRS107]. I love this stamp... keep coming back to use it over and over.

I think it would be a really nice idea to enclose a CD with a collection of photos for 2011 or a collection of Christmas photos. If you do not scrap very often [Like me] it would be a simpler option! You could add 2011 to the tin using stamps or die cuts.

Something to think about...
If you didn't see the other tin pop back to yesterday's post.

Craftbarn Demo

2011-11-09T00:05:00.001Z

A quick thank you to those who came to say hello at The Craftbarn Mini Fest on Sat 5th November. I had a really nice day.

The theme was for gifts so for the occasion I had decorated some round tins using papers from the 'My Minds Eye Range' - one of the 6 by 6 paper pads. I did my paper piecing... you know how much I love this technique! I used one of my sets from the 'Patch a' range. In this case 'Patch a Bauble'
FRCL209 Patch a Bauble.
Another tin tomorrow...

Robins and a bird cage!

2011-11-08T00:05:00.004Z

I was asked about using my birdcage and birds stamps for a Christmas card by Christina at 'A Maze of Memories' and this is what I came up with.
I use this set to stamp a background on craft card with a VersaMark ink pad:
FRCL174 Holly Swirls
The greeting is from this set:
FRCL207 Ribbon Banners
The birdcage and birds stamps:
FRS205 Ornate Birdcage
FRS206 Birds

The heart brooch is made from a large metal brad and some Mark Richards gems and metals. It's inspired by a good friend and co-designer for Woodware Jane Gill.

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Sketch

2011-11-07T00:05:00.002Z

Another sketch this week and I am first to showcase my version. I have not done Peel Off's for a while so I thought I would use some of my mushrooms:
93198B Mushrooms and Toadstools
If you look at the sketch layout over on the Woodware blog you will notice that instead of putting lots of layers in my matting I have chosen a wavy strip of craft card for the middle of the card and use faux stitching to make it stand out.
The greeting comes from this set;
FRCL207 Ribbon Banners

A close up to show you my colouring. I used Copic markers and I have glazed over the colouring with my trusted Sakura Gelly Roll clear glaze pen. The glaze really brings out the colours of the Copic pens. This also shows how you can use your Copics pens with Peel Off's but they do need to be black ones.

I like to do a halo effect for the sky. I basically left a gap between the sky and the mushrooms. If you go right up and leave no gap you will probably end up having to fill the whole space to make it look right. It takes a bit of practice but is well worth learning.

The background paper is from the Oslo range of Woodware papers. One of my favourites!
Check out Woodware blog during this week to see other designs using this sketch.

Woodware Challenge - One Layer

2011-11-01T00:05:00.006Z

This is by far the quickest card I have made this year!... just one layer of stamping and a few additions with a Sakura Gelly Roll white pen and 0.1 Micron black pen.
The butterfly come from this set:
FRCL155 Flutterby Butterflies
And the greeting is from this set:
FRCL200 All Occasion Bloom
I use a 'Blue Breeze' KaleidaColor ink pad for the butterflies to get some colour variation. The antennae are easy to draw as you are going over the blue ones already there.
A little tip for getting the butterflies in formation in the middle of the card. Use a card slightly larger than you intend to end with. Start by stamping the butterfly in the top left corner. After stamping all the butterflies you can trim the left and bottom borders to match.

I would probably add some white ribbon. You know me a card is not complete without a bit of ribbon! I wasn't sure if it would be counted as another layer...

Pop along to the Woodware blog to see other variations on this challenge.

Woodware Challenge - Spooks and Treats

2011-10-26T00:05:00.001+01:00

We don't really celebrate Halloween in our house but for some reason or other I quite like playing with Halloween images and I like the colour palette associated with it... lime green, purple, orange and black.

My treat is a recipe for 'Witches' Halloween Brew' ... quite nasty really but I had fun putting it together!
I've combined two sets to make the card:
FRCL203 Spooky Tots
FRCL137 Treat or Trick

I have highlighted my colouring using a white Sakura Gelly Roll pen and lots of Diamond Stickles glitter glue. I used the glitter glue in the background to create webs.

I'm really into Mark Richards 'Candy Bonbon'. That's the green and orange dots you can see here and there on the card. They have very fine glitter inside them so they sparkle and the colours are perfect for Halloween.

Here is a close up of the recipe... please don't try it at home!!!

I have grunged all the edges of the panels and stripy paper with black ink but used some lime green ink on the recipe card.

Where do the spiders come from? no not my garden... a very cheap purchase from my local Asda! I say cheap as the glitter is not very secure. When I saw them I had to have them...

Hope you have enjoyed my version of the Woodware challenge. Pop along to the Woodware blog to see other variations.

Another welly Christmas

2011-10-24T00:05:00.004+01:00

Back again with another take on the Christmas welly!! I did have a good play last week...

I found this cute die cut teddy in my stash. It's another 'Quickcutz' die from a while back. I've used another 6 by 6 pad for the paper piecing this time from 'My Minds Eye'.
I had great fun coming up with the computer generated welly greetings.

I would love to hear what you have done with your welly stamp!

It's a welly Christmas!

2011-10-23T00:05:00.000+01:00

I did a demo at 'Samuel Taylors' in Leeds on the 8th of October. Sue Hobbs who invited me to demo had sent me some pics of her Christmas welly. I was well impressed! so... here is my take on a Christmas welly.
I really enjoyed doing this card. Christina from 'A Maze of Memories' had given me a lovely 'Echo Park' Christmas 6 by 6 pad to play with so I had to play!!
I dug out some very old 'Quickcutz' dies for the parcels and the holly corners are made from a Martha Stewart punch and some 3mm Nailheads.
I used some larger red Nailheads to accessorise the welly. The greeting is computer generated.
What fun [lol]....

Teardrop Christmas - Orange

2011-10-22T00:05:00.000+01:00

Another variation on the teardrop theme. This time I've used the 'Desert Heat' Kaleidacolor ink pad for stamping.

The background paper is from the 6 by 6 Basic Grey paper pad 'Nordic'.
This time I've used 'Candy Bonbon' in orange for the corners of the bauble panel.

If you want to see the other colour variations pop on to my post for yesterday and the day before.

Sorry!

2011-10-21T15:08:00.000+01:00

For those of you now searching for the 'Evergreen' Kaleidacolor ink pad I do apologise it is actually called 'Fresh Greens'. Thank you for pointing it out to me!!!

Teardrop Christmas - Green

2011-10-21T00:05:00.002+01:00

Last Saturday I had a lovely day at A Maze of Memories. This lovely shop is situated just outside the village of Long Crendon [lovely village also]. I did a demo in the morning and a Masterclass in the afternoon.

I caught up with lots of very friendly and keen crafters. Christina had done a super job getting the kits ready and of course there was lots of lovely cakes!

I prepared this sample for the morning demo as Christina had asked me to use the set from which this stamp comes from. So after showing you a blue version I thought I would show you a green version stamped with the 'Fresh Greens' Kaleidacolor ink pad. I've used a gold Sakura 'Metallic' pen to add the tiny dots between the teardrops and for washed gold highlight on some of the teardrops. Another variation tomorrow...

Woodware Challenge - Blue Christmas

2011-10-20T00:05:00.003+01:00

This week's challenge was just perfect for me as I love the colour blue. I'm a blue and silver fan rather than blue and gold. Blue is a cool colour so it goes well with cool silver.
For the two cards featured in this posting I have used elements from my set:
FRCL204 Teardrop Christmas

In the set you have two trees, a bauble, star, sparkle and two greetings.

As a set it's quite a departure for me as it's a solid design and as most of you know I love colouring in! However this stamp lends itself really well to quick cards and what I call instant stamping.

I have use a Kaleidacolor ink pad for the stamping. This particular ink pad is called 'Blue Breeze' and is made up of graded blues from light to dark. If you have never used one before it is carries die based inks and is very cleverly constructed to avoid the colours mixing in storage. The ink is also virtually waterproof.

I used the fade out technique for the stamping which involves continuous stamping without re-inking the stamp. There is no masking involved. You might need to huff on the stamp before the third print to get the most of the ink left on the block.

Finally to decorate and complete the cards I used Mark Richards silver 3mm Metals and Blue 5mm Nailheads.
Put your metals on the teardrops before you add the Diamond Stickles glitter glue.

The 'Metals' come on a continuous sticky strip so they are very easy to pick up and place to make a hanging string for the bauble.

For the greetings on both cards I have used one of Jane Gill's set called:
JGCL551 Christmas Verses

If you have enjoyed these cards why not pop along to the Woodware blog to see more ideas and inspiration from my fellow designers.

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Look what I did with my flock

2011-10-14T00:05:00.002+01:00

What a challenge!!.... I'm not a big flock person... however when I got into it I enjoyed it and it made me realise that I should make more use of my flock!
I decided to use my new Ted set which is FRCL199 Love You Ted.

I decided to flock the scalloped circle. So I applied a piece of double sided sticky paper to some black card and punched the scalloped circle [3"1/2 punch]. I then removed the backing and generously spread black flock all over it. It worked really well.

Ted was stamped on a 3" circle and I added further stamped hearts. I used brown flock on the bear. I did colour him first. I didn't smother him with flock as I did not want to loose the detail on his face. He looks kind of threadbare which make him even cuter! I used the Sakura Quickie Glue pen for this stage of the flocking and it worked really well.
I've used some of our new papers at Woodware. This sheet comes from the London Collection and is covered with lovely tiny heart flowers.
All the words come from the same set so plenty to play with!

Pop along to the Woodware Blog to see other flocked creations!

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Sketch

2011-10-08T00:05:00.002+01:00

This week's challenge was another sketch. You can see the actual sketch layout over on the Woodware Blog. My version has changed the layout of the background slightly. It didn't help that the main panel should have been the other way up!! .... but still I was really pleased with the outcome.

I like this set as it's a complete change from all the other images that are popular at the moment. There are nice elements to play with to create borders and backgrounds.

FRCL158 African Holiday is the name of the set I have used.

The gated card meant that I cut through the middle of the background panel before sticking the sections on the card. I'm always into square cards but at the moment it's gated square cards.

I've chosen quite a bright colour scheme that reflects the beautiful african textiles you see in programs about Africa. These are also colours found in the African national flags.

I've stamped using the Brilliance Coffee Bean inkpad. I started off on white card and used a black inkpad and the effect was just not in keeping with the African theme.

It's not easy to see but I have used my clear Sakura glaze pen to highlight some of the colouring.

I used a green Sakura Identi pen to colour over some gold 3mm Metals.

I opted for raffia instead of ribbon again to keep to the African theme

If you enjoyed my take on this week's sketch why not pop over to the Woodware blog to see other versions of the sketch.

Woodware Design team Challenge - Something for the boys

2011-09-26T00:05:00.002+01:00

This is another older design from my collection and another favourite as I drew the design around the time my son was trying to learn how to skateboard. It's a woodmounted stamp:
FRW006 Skateboard Dude

For the greetings I have used words out of these two sets:
FRCL079 Male Relatives
FRCL080 Mixed Greetings

I'm not sure if the wording is up to date as it probably should have the words sick and bad on there!!

I have used paper piecing for the clothes and skateboard. The face, hands and wheels are coloured in. I have added some highlights with my Sakura clear glaze pen.

I used quite muted colours as boys do not always go for bright ones... I used stripy paper for his trousers which I thought was fun!

I've used a Woodware mini punch for the star and added some Nailheads to the corners of the panel.

Why not pop along to the Woodware Blog this week to see what other creations my team mates have put together.

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Inspired by the colours of Autumn

2011-09-20T00:00:00.000+01:00

I was not sure if I would enjoy this challenge or not... as although I love the colours of Autumn, I do not often go down that road when I pick colours for my work! but I surprised myself and really enjoyed it...

I mentioned last week about re-visiting old stamps and the one I have used is one that I designed when I had my license with Stampedous in 2001. It is a favourite of mine and along the years I have used it in lots of different ways [If you like a challenge try paper piecing it- it is a challenge but well worth the effort!] It's very giving and never seems to go out of fashion.
The stamp is:
XXP001 Garden Sampler

I have scored and folded a 14cm square gate folded card. It made a nice change from just mounting the panel on a normal square card.

It's difficult to see the highlights on the colouring but I have used the clear Sakura Gelly Roll Glaze pen to make the detail pop.

The greeting come from a brand new set called:
FRCL207 Ribbon Banners
the greetings can be stamped on a ribbon banner or used individually as on this card.

In the corners I have used silver 'Metals' which I have coloured orange using a Sakura Identi Pen. The coverage is excellent and of course you can also use the pens on your Peel Off's .

For all the stamping I have used the Coffee Bean Brilliance inkpad. It's a great colour for a more muted effect.

If you have enjoyed this card why not pop along to the Woodware blog to see what the other designers in the team have produced!

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Sugar and Spice

2011-09-14T00:00:00.000+01:00

This week's challenge - Sugar and Spice... lots of possibilities such as baby girl, girly or sweet things? I chose the girly theme and used my set
FRCL131 Mary and Friends
I have not used this set in ages but the challenges are good at making me re-visit some great sets and stamps!
I enjoyed colouring the little girl with her pals and the greeting from the set is quite appropriate to the image as well as to girls in general and their friends. My trusted Sakura Pens - white and clear glaze have helped to bring the image to life.
The tag has been punched using the blue Woodware Price label punch. I've added some gingham ribbon from Woodware's great ribbon selection.

What I've enjoyed the most about this card is using the Zig Zag border punch:

ZIG ZAG DIAMOND - CRAFTY EDGER CASSETTE CP43-10

The waste is fabulous [as well as the border itself!]. You get lots of little squares - I've used some in the corners of the panel. You get small sections of zig zags which you can stick and link - I did some faux stitching on mine. Great!!

There is more ribbon threaded through the button at the top of the card.

The card shape is A6 but you cut your A4 longways and fold strip in half. It just makes a change from the usual A6 card.

Finally I've used craft card for the strip and matting. I like it because it is quite neutral and goes well in almost any colour scheme. So if you ever get stuck and can find the right coloured card turn to craft card!

Why not pop along to the Woodware blog to see what the other team members are doing for this challenge.

Dove Too

2011-09-13T00:00:00.000+01:00

As promised another version of the 'Patchwork Dove'

FRS107 Patchwork Dove

This time I've used 6 by 6 pad 'Happy Heart' from 'My Mind's Eye'.
It's available from The Glitterpot.

I've used another greeting from
FRCL207 Ribbon Banners going up the side [This time without the ribbon banner].

The stencil for the gold 3" circle is:LJ 899 Petals background.
I ran it through my Cuttlebug.

What I like about this card is that you do not have to necessarily use Christmas Papers to do the paper piecing. You make the card 'Christmas like' by adding the gold card and the greeting.

The Glitterpot Demo

2011-09-12T11:54:00.001+01:00

I wanted to say thank you to all those who came to chat to me at the demo weekend at 'The Glitterpot' on the 3rd of September.
I had a lovely day and we sold lots of stamps!
I was asked by quite a few of you to post some of my cards on my blog especially the cards made using this beautiful brand new dove stamp.
FRS107 Patchwork Dove

I love my paper piecing at the moment and it is proving very popular with all the lovely 6 by 6 paper pads available. I adore the 'My Minds Eye' pads. I have used the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' pad for this card

I ran the gold 3" Mirri circle through my Cuttlebug with a beautiful Dreamweaver stencil:
LJ 891 Holly swirls

The greeting is from a brand new set also;
FRCL207 Ribbon Banners

You can stamp all the wordings within the set in 4 different ribbon banners. The greetings cover all the most popular ones including birthdays and Christmas.

Pop back tomorrow to see another dove!

Winner of Dreamweaver Blog Hop

2011-09-08T20:04:00.001+01:00

BIG drum roll please!!!!...... the winner picked at random from the comments left on my blog is:
Junie Moon - Well done!

Junie can you please contact; Dorothy@woodware.co.uk to give her your details to receive your prize.

Thank you to everyone who left a comment. I was really touched by the really nice comments left on my blog.

Woodware Design Challenge - Sketch

2011-09-08T00:00:00.000+01:00

Ted is back! I have designed another set that shows what a big heart Ted has:

FRCL199 Love You Ted

Ted is featured in three different positions with hearts/flowers. The nice thing about this set is that you can use it for lots of occasions such as Valentines, general 'love you', anniversary and birthdays. There are quite a few greetings to choose from within the set. I do like using hearts all year round.

This is my take on this week's sketch challenge. It's a very simple layout so great for quick and easy cards.

I've used Woodware punches for the tag/sentiment and the 3" oval. The paper is from the 'Oslo' range number: 22260. This range combines really well with lots of different colours. I like it with reds and blues.

For a change I have used Glossy Accents for the hearts and Ted's nose. His blue t-shirt really pops out but also helps the overall effect to work.

Here is a close up of little Ted. You can see the glossy accent on his nose and the hearts. The LOVE U on the t-shirt is tiny but stamps out beautifully.

I've used the Sakura white pen to add some highlights on Ted and the hearts on the card.

Do pop over to the Woodware Blog to see what the rest of the team has created using this sketch.

Dreamweaver Blog Hop

2011-09-02T05:00:00.003+01:00

Welcome to Woodware's first bog hop and giveaway.The Dreamweaver design team is partying with the UK Woodware design team to bring you innovative ways to use our wonderful Dreamweaver stencils and supplies all week long! By the end of the week, you'll have seen stencils used in inspirational ways you just couldn't have imagined, and you'll see that, although our stencils are wonderful for paper crafting, they have SO MANY other uses too! We'll have several posts a day for you, from Monday August 29th to Saturday September 3rd. At the end of our celebration, each designer will randomly select a winner from all blog comments to receive a free Dreamweaver stencil. We look forward to you partying along with us!

Here's my entry for today:
I wanted to show how the Dreamweaver stencils can be beautifully combined with stamped images.

The Dreamweaver stencil I have used is:
LJ840 Peacock Bkg
It's a beautiful stencil and it goes really well with my set:
FRCL205 Proud Peacock
I used my Cuttlebug to run the stencil through with a piece of silver Mirri card. You must use the base plate [A], rubber mat, two B plates and between 4 to 8 sheets of extra card go get the right pressure.I used 5 extra sheets.

I then used the ink from a Black StazOn pad to distress the card and make it look like old metal. You have to work fairly quickly to remove some of it with some kitchen roll. I also used the most tiny amounts of alcohol blending solution with a cotton bud to remove more ink in more selected areas.

If you wanted more colourful results you could use Alcohol inks instead of the StazOn ink.

This is such an easy way of using your stencils and very effective. I love it!

I wanted a monochromatic look and I love the combination of silver, grey and black.

To complete and dress the card I've used white ribbon, Nailheads, Metals and the Sakura Silver Metallic pen.

You can find all the supplies you need right here:

http://www.woodware.co.uk/ and http://www.stencilwithstyle.com/

Your next stop along the hop is to LOUISE at http://www.artfullyarticulate.blogspot.com/

Woodware Design team Challenge - Funny Folds

2011-08-27T00:10:00.003+01:00

My take on this week's challenge 'Funny Folds' was to put together a stepped card [I think that is what you call it!!...]. I found the original template on a blog and changed the measurement to suit [it was originally too small and not wide enough to do much on it].

I love this new set that I have designed for Christmas called FRCL209 'Patch a Bauble'. It follows on from the success of my patchwork designs.
I have taken photos from various angles to show how it folds. It's quite easy to measure and cut without a template.

I have used paper piecing to fill/patch the baubles. I've used what I call the fancy bauble from the set. There are three to choose from. My favourite is the bell shaped bauble.

The paper comes from this 8 by 8 pad:

DAYDREAM ENSEMBLE - 8 X 8 COLLECTION (48) » GCD501

It's not a Christmas pad and with this set you do not necessarily have to use Christmas colours or paper.

In the set there is a holly/berry corner that I have used to stamp the thin side panels on the card. I was taken back at how well it worked to stamp a random background.

I've added some colour to make the detail of the patterns, such as the holly leaves, stand out. There is also a touch of Sakura Clear glaze pen to make the berries and buttons stand out. Extra 'Faux' stitching has been added to compliment the patchwork theme.

Why not visit the Woodware Blog to see what other wonderful projects have been created by the Design team

Woodware Design team Challenge - Two Colours

2011-08-15T00:10:00.001+01:00

For this week's challenge we had to choose two colours to work with. I chose pink and green - well I'm not sure if I've followed the brief exactly as I've added gold and you also have black and white in the mix. However from my teaching days I do remember that black and white are not considered colours because you use them to alter colour tones.
Away from the art lesson! I really enjoyed this challenge and I think it shows.
I've used another favourite stamp; FRP022 Cherry Blossom
It is a wood mounted stamp but there is a smaller variation in a clear set;
FRCL070 Oriental Ladies
I've used the greeting from that set.

The kimono is paper pieced from a scrap of pale green stripy paper. I've shaded over the top with green pens.

For the border I used the Woodware Crafty Edger with the Japanese Fan cassette [love it!]. The flowers are made using these three punches: Cherry 821-82, Grass 1 821-68 and Stamens FPC1-01

I have used lots of Mark Richard bling for decoration: 3mm Nailheads and Gems. I also highlighted some of the coloured detail with the clear Sakura Gelly Roll Glaze pen.

Of course if you know me there has to be a bit of ribbon. I've also used Gold Hat Elastic RIB901 to tie into a knot around the card. It looks like Japanese paper cord.

I start the week off and I hope you will go to the Woodware blog through the week to see what my other team mates have done for this challenge.

More New Christmas Stamps

2011-08-12T14:59:00.000+01:00

The new Woodware Clear Magic stamps are all in stock and on the website now.

Woodware Christmas Stamps

2011-08-10T12:27:00.000+01:00

Francoise new Clear Magic Singles are new in stock at Woodware the rest will be here very very soon!

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Look what I did with my file folders

2011-08-09T00:10:00.002+01:00

This week's challenge was very challenging!!!

I'm using the file folders that come in a pack. Each sheet has different size folders on it, die cut ready to go. They are white so my first task was to sponge them with yellow ink to remove the starkness. I then used elements from this set:
FRCL020 Background Textures
to stamp blocks of colour across the folders. For this I used the 'ColorBox Queues '

I have used 6 files in total. I had plans to stick them together a certain way so the all matched at the edges but when I started stamping the enjoyment took over and the plan disappeared!! [lol]

For the flowers I have used this set:
FRCL134 Flowers and Stems
I stamped using the fading out technique so some of the flowers/textures have been stamped without re-inking. This gives more depth to the stamping.

Finally I have used this set to add greetings at random on some of the pages.
FRCL129 Garden Greetings
which is very appropriate given the flower theme.

To finish off I have punched some butterflies, using my favourite Woodware punch, and sponged them before gluing them into place. I decorated the butterflies with 3mm pearls.

Not forgetting some ribbon for good measure.
This type of project can go on for ever... and you could add charms, tags etc..

Pop along to Woodware Blog to see other great ideas from the team.

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Sketch

2011-08-03T00:10:00.000+01:00

Back again for this week's Woodware Design Team Challenge. I'm on a break for this week... to recover from all those Christmas cards!

The photo shoot for the catalogue went really well and as soon as it's released I'll post some of the cards I made to give you a taster and hopefully excite you to get one!

I find it quite strange working to a sketch as I do my layouts intuitively and I like to go with the flow. Anyhow it gets me thinking in a different way which is always good.

I've used the following sets:
FRCL162 Fairy Tots
FRCL128 Circular Greetings
The Circular Greetings can be punched out using the 1 1/2" circle punch [Yellow]. I've mounted the circle onto the 2" daisy. There are flowers to use for the middle of the circle in the set but I choose to punch one instead. I've added little ribbon tabs, which I really like.

I've coloured the little fairy tot with Tombow pens. I've also used the Sakura Clear Glaze, Clear Stardust and white pen for those highlights and finishing touches.

By the way I added the grass and butterfly trail with a black Sakura 'Micron' pen. Those bits are not on the stamps!

I you enjoyed this version of the sketch why not visit the Woodware blog for other ideas from the Woodware design team.

Woodware Design team Challenge - Summer Fun

2011-07-28T00:10:00.002+01:00

Well I've finally completed all my cards for the catalogue... 53 cards! Very pleased with all my hard work.

So back to this week's challenge. Summer fun for me conjured up lots of ideas but I went for a summer palette of colours and applied it to summer clothes. What you might wear to look glam walking along the pier or to a race meeting.

I decided to use black Peel Off's [my favourite as you already know] to make the colours really pop. I limited my colour palette to three colours : blue, yellow and orange.

The Peel off's are: Françoise Collection
98526 Shoes, 98531 handbags, 98528 Hats and Stampendous 90724 Tiny Messages

I coloured in the hat, shoes and bag on white card then carefully cut them out leaving a small border. I've use a white pen the highlight the images.

The dress was made using a large Woodware punch:
Evening Dress 2 839-28
I punched it three times from blue, orange and white card and layered up the dresses. I used waste dots from the Peel Off's sheets to create the polka dot effect.

The background is created from squares and rectangles that have had the corners rounded off. It shows how you do not always have to use patterned paper in the background. The card is from the Woodware Recycled range.

I completed the card by using some of the flowers that come as extra on the Peel off's sheets. I also added some ribbon and a nice chunky button.

If you have enjoyed this card why not pop along to the Woodware blog to see what the other design team members have created. Lots of inspiration to be had!

Woodware Design team Challenge - A Touch of Pink

2011-07-22T00:10:00.002+01:00

Still busy putting those Christmas cards together!

Anyhow I'm back again for this week's Woodware challenge, which I have enjoyed doing as I like pink... but I'm not a girly girl!

I've used a set that I designed for the Russian Doll trend and also because I have a lovely set of my own given to me by my dad. His work took him out to Russia.

The set is FRCL150 Babushka and I've used the greeting from FRCL154 Salutations.

I coloured the dolls using the Tombow pens, Sakura Clear Glaze and White Gelly Roll pens.

I have used the Glaze pen to make the faces shinny and to highlight the detail.
The white highlights are what bring the colouring to life. I really like this effect.

I punched a scalloped square to make a background for the dolls and I have added gold metals for decoration.

If you have enjoyed this project why not visit the Woodware Blog for other inspiration from the Design team.

Woodware Design team Challenge - Anything But a Card

2011-07-16T00:10:00.001+01:00

I'm back! Apologies for a lack of posting but I am extremely busy making over 40 samples for the next Woodware release/catalogue.

This challenge was quite challenging! It's easy just to go along making cards.

So I decided to make a matchbox pinwheel sandwiched between two pieces of the Woodware plain 'Chippies'. I used another one of my favourite sets FRCL162 Fairy Tots to make the topper.

I made and used a template to cut, fold and glue 4 matchboxes. I used gold 6mm Woodware brads to make little handles.

I cut covered the two pieces of chipboard with Magenta gingham paper before rounding off the corners and sponging.

The little birds are stamped directly on the gingham paper.

I have fond memories of collecting matchboxes when I was little to make a similar project at primary school. More people smoked then and plastic lighters weren't an option.

I used the Sakura clear Stardust pen to highlight the colouring. Added some gold 'Metals', Diamond Stickles, white sheer ribbon bow and faux stiching to complete the project.

If you have enjoyed this project why not pop along the Woodware blog to see what the rest of the design team has created,

Woodware Design team Challenge - Sketch

2011-07-04T00:10:00.001+01:00

For this week's challenge I decided to use one of my favourite sets;

FRCL193 Patch an Owl

and I've done just that using paper piecing to make up the little owl. I've used the 'Stockholm' paper collection which are stocked by Woodware.

To add detail I've used the mini heart punch to make up a little bow. I've added googly eyes and made some little flowers using a Woodware daisy punch.

I have drawn quite a lot of faux stitching using a black Sakura Micron pen.I've used the clear Sakura Gelly Roll Glaze pen to highlight the little bit of colouring in I did on the beak and tummy.

The greeting comes in the set along with other owl related wordings.

This picture shows how to cut out the owl for the paper piecing. If your adding googly eyes then you can save time by cutting through the right hand eye as the cut will be covered.
You need to stamp three owls on three different papers. So once you cut them up you can make up 3 owls.

Once all your cutting out is completed you need to stamp your owl on some card to make a base to stick your pieces onto. For sticking the pieces use a glue stick. I always recommend the Tombow glue stick as it does not go lumpy. I only ever use a glue stick for this type of work or for sticking little paper pieces. I do not use it for matting and layering.

Tip: Make sure to spread glue over the whole piece. If you don't do this the edges will lift.

Tip: using a glue stick gives you a little bit of time for moving the paper pieces into place. Instant glues are very tricky to use and you have to be very precise.

If you have enjoyed this card pop along to the Woodware blog during the week to see other designs created with this sketch.

Simple cupcakes

2011-07-01T00:10:00.006+01:00

Here is how you do a simple version of a cupcake!
You use the casing from the Super Large Cupcake punch and punch out a 2" circle and a small 1.5 cm circle for a cherry or chocolate drop.
I then added some faux stitching for a little bit of detail using a Sakura 'Micron' pen and a highlight on chocolate drop using a Woodware white pen.

Here are some variations.

You can have some fun using up scraps of patterned paper. Polka dot paper works really well.

For another alternative you can also use a 2" scalloped circle.

More Cupcakes

2011-06-30T00:10:00.001+01:00

Not more cupcakes I here you say! A little calorie free taster does you no harm...

Well it's difficult not to get carried away once you start punching...

Tomorrow this cupcake takes on a simpler look?

As usual I've added glitter, fluffy stuff and clear glaze to add a bit of fun.

Cupcake heaven

2011-06-29T00:10:00.003+01:00

As promised here are some more variations of yesterday's cupcake.

Some tips for sticking very small dot or circles:
You need :
Scissors or poky tool, PVA glue in a bottle with a fine tip applicator and plenty of dots!

1. Use the fine tip glue applicator to put a tiny dot of glue where the circle is going to go.

2. Dip the tip of your scissor blade or poky tool into the glue.

3. Gently press the tip of your scissor blade or poky tool down on the circle you want to use. There will be just enough glue to pick it up.

4. Place the dot over the glue dot. Press the dot down with your finger tip to secure.

Have some fun and use items such as Glaze pens, Puffy Stuff and Stickles glitter glue to enhance and decorate your cupcake.

Warning: Don't create whilst hungry as it could make your cravings even worst!

More variations tomorrow...

Woodware Design team Challenge - Birthday Wishes

2011-06-28T00:10:00.004+01:00

Apologies for a lack of posts over the last few days but I have been really busy cleaning up the single Woodware Christmas images.

For the 'Birthday Wishes' challenge I though I would showcase the rather large cupcake punch that I have designed for Woodware.

Below is a picture of the punch and the bits it punches out. As well as the punch I've used my favourite greetings set: FRCL154 Salutations and another punch in the shape of a large tag.

To make up the cupcake I've used two tops punched from pale yellow and pink card. The casing is punched from craft card. All the bits are sponged.

I've used the clear Sakura Gelly Roll Glaze pen to highlight the cherry, heart, candles and little sprinkles.

For the candles you need a yellow candle and white candle. Use the yellow one as a base. Chop off the flame from the white candle and stick directly over the yellow candle. Add some detail with a white pen and yellow Glaze pen.

This the super large Cupcake punch. I like the fact it punches out individual pieces and that when it's made up your cupcake is big enough to be the centre piece of the card.

The code for the punch is Cupcake 840-11

These are the individual pieces punched out of brown card. You do not have to punch every item from the same card each time. You can slide a 5 cm strip across the bottom to punch out just the casing.
It's also easy to punch out different tops individually.

Finally this is my collection of dots that I punched out to decorated the cupcake. You can see a collection of tops and cases ready to go.

Pop back tomorrow to see a selection of cupcakes fresh from my crafting oven!

I think the cupcake looks yummy enough to eat!

Fun with 'Chippies'

2011-06-24T00:10:00.002+01:00

For a change I thought I would post a card that uses 'Chippies' as the main focus of the card.
'Chippies' are pre-cut shapes made from Chipboard. I have designed quite a few sheets for Woodware ranging from Butterflies, Swirls, Tags, Alphabets to Bracketed Frames and more besides.
The Chippies are white and you can decorate them in various ways such as with ink, paint, embossing powder or by covering them with paper as I have done with the shapes on this card.
A large nail file and smaller ones are useful to tidy up the edges of the 'Chippies' after you have stuck the paper and cut the shapes out.

DIY too

2011-06-23T00:10:00.002+01:00

This is a card we made in a workshop a while back at The Craft Barn. If you don't already know I'm coming back to the barn to do workshops again!
My first one is on Saturday 27th of August. Really looking forwards to it.

I've used Clear Magic set FRCL039 Mr Fix It

The house started life has a rectangle and we cut one end into a point. We used the plank from the set for the border and roof edge. The window is made up of punched squares. The door has a doorknob made from a brad. The big tools are Quickutz dies [Lifestyle crafts].

It's quite a different look to my previous DIY card! but some younger men like a more modern look...

Woodware Design team Challenge - Black and white

2011-06-22T00:10:00.004+01:00

As I am really into Peel Off's at the moment and I love my new collection I decided to use the following items for the challenge

94088 Large Blooms with Leaves in silver and black

94090 Blooms in black

90724 Tiny Messages in black

I made a square folded card from acetate 14.5cm by 14.5cm.

I've use Magi-film to pick up the waste of two small small blooms and some leaves, which are on the front of the acetate card.

I used the waste from the silver blooms to fill alternate sections in the petals of the large black blooms. The blooms were constructed on white card and then cut out. I added some 3mm and 5mm pearls.

The back panel is made up of white card and black card. The white card is inside but the black is stuck on the outside making a sandwich with the acetate in the middle. That way you hide the adhesive.

Using a leaf from the Peel off's sheet as a stencil, I have sponged some leaves on the white card with a sponge Dauber and some Brilliance Starlite Silver ink.

Funky flower windows too

2011-06-21T00:10:00.003+01:00

I'm really into Peel Off's as you will see from my Woodware Design challenge card tomorrow. I love black embossing but it has to be done with black powder on black ink to get really good depth and you always get little black specks! So black Peel Off's give you the effect without the specks... so much better.

These are variations on a card I posted back in May coloured on green pearlescent card. This time I've worked on pink pearlescent card.

Both these cards are made using '94091 Funky Flower Windows' black Peel Off's and of course Sakura Glaze pens. I like the simplicity of these cards but you need to make sure you work with clean hands and good card!!

Get well too

2011-06-20T00:10:00.001+01:00

This card was made using this set:
FRCL081 Get Well Soon
'Ted' makes his first appearance on the stamping scene in this set.
In the set Ted is also in bed with a temperature.... ah..
I love the hot water bottle!

I also used him on his own for a Mother's day card as he is carrying flowers.

I used a Woodware 'Chippy' for the frame which I covered with paper.

Workshop at Authors and Artists

2011-06-19T00:10:00.004+01:00

Yesterday was a day spent over at Authors and Artists in Fleet.

I was asked to do a workshop using my new flower Peel off's and Sakura pens.

I kept the colour scheme to one colour and black but obviously had variations of the green and purple.I used Gelly Roll Glaze pens and Souffle Pens.

We also tackled picking up the waste of the flower to use as part of the design.

I used a large corner rounder punch on all four corners of this card but punched a single corner on the card above.

Rounding all four corners does change the shape of the card quite a bit.

We used gems, pearls and Metals to decorate the centre of the flowers.

On the sheets of Peel Off's you get three large blooms, leaves and spare dots and circles. If you use the waste you actually have six flowers to work with.

I always enjoy these workshops as I've been teaching at A & A for over 11 years and it's more like a gathering of good friends!

Away Playing

2011-06-18T00:10:00.001+01:00

Today I'm away from my desk teaching a workshop at Authors & Artists in Fleet. You can see the cards that we are going to make on my blog tomorrow. So pop by to take a look!

Lily Pond

2011-06-17T00:10:00.003+01:00

This card was shown on the Woodware blog a couple of weeks ago but I didn't showcase it on mine.

It's one of my favourite cards at the moment. I made three with slight variations in the layout and this is the last one I still have...

I've used vellum on the wings to give them a wispy quality.

The water was done using a pale blue Gelly Roll Glaze pen.

Woodware Design team Challenge -A bunch of flowers

2011-06-16T00:10:00.019+01:00

I really enjoyed this challenge. There is a bit of everything I like in terms of techniques;

Paper piecing [flowers], Faux stitching, sponging and colouring.

I've used the following sets:

FRCL134 Flowers and Stems

FRCL129 Garden Greetings

Garden greetings is another of my favourite greeting sets as I do make quite a lot of flower related cards.

The vase is punched using 2'' vase.

The papers are from the 'Bremen' collection of papers stocked by Woodware

I glued the buttons into place before actually stitching them to the card. I do like some threads in my buttons!

The little butterfly is in the greetings set.

The clear Sakura Gelly Roll Glaze pen came out to play once again over the flowers, tiny flower centers, butterfly body and petals.

I used the Sky Blue Brilliance ink pad for the sponging. If you have never tried them use some Sponge Daubers. They are still my preferred option for sponging.

A little detail to show the greeting and shinny glaze on the flowers!

Why not Pop along to the Woodware Blog to see what the other members of the design team have created for 'A bunch of flowers'

Baby too

2011-06-15T00:10:00.003+01:00

I made this card at the same time as the previous baby card I posted a few weeks back.

I've used white Peel off's as in bottle, romper suit, pin and tiny words. Sakura Souffle pens for colouring.

The larger letters are die cut but you could always use stickers.

I have to say that working within a square is my favourite card shape as it is so versatile.

Flowers in a vase

2011-06-14T00:10:00.004+01:00

I like working with a limited colour scheme. If you pick out your backing paper before you start to colour you can adjust the scheme to match. Much easier than trying to pick out papers later on! This is one of my favourite colour schemes.

I have water coloured the stamped image [FRV011 Round Vase Daises]. I scribbled some brush markers onto a white tile. I then used a fine brush to add water and pick up the colour. The colour from a brush marker is far more intense then that from water colour paints or pencils.

The little tag is made from shrink plastic. I stamped the greeting on the plastic, let it dry and then punched it out. I then punch a hole in the tag - 1/4" before shrinking it with a heat gun. I added some wire which I've twisted around a cocktail stick. Wordings are really sweet when you shrink them.

This was stamped with a wood mounted stamp which I designed approx 6 years ago. If you like it, it is still available and there are two other flower stamps in that style also.

Master Builder

2011-06-13T00:10:00.023+01:00

Thought I would show you what I built on Saturday afternoon![and evening].

I did say this blog would be purely for cards but I was so pleased with the results of my hard labour... that I had to share with fellow pen lovers.

You need two A1 sheets of 5 mm foam board approximately [some spare for any mistakes], good strong PVA, craft knife with a nice sharp blade and a long ruler.

Each cubby hole is about 4" by 4" and 15 cm deep. Don't ask me why I mix inches and cms when I work... it just gives a bigger range of measurements... I think!

I cannot take credit for the idea as I saw and spoke to Alexandra Kamann at The Glitter Pot and she had built one. So I had to give it a go. I was fed up with the plastic boxes. In the USA you can get units similar to this... well I didn't want to pay the money to ship + taxes either... so here you are. Please don't count the pens!! Watch out for a ribbon reel holder....

More 'Micey'

2011-06-12T00:10:00.002+01:00

While I had the stamps out to do the Woodware Sketch challenge I couldn't resist stamping a few more.

The mouse in the cup fits perfectly in a 3" circle and onto 3 1/4" scalloped circle.
I couldn't resist getting my Copic Markers out.... for a change

It's the first time I've made a 3D flower!

I like the small easel card from a change of large cards which I do not often do anyway...

I liked the half circle on the base which mirrors the full one.

The papers are from the new 6 by 6 Echo Park papers

I did use the Sakura clear glaze pen on the heart and flower centres. For a bit of sparkle I used Diamond Stickles over the blue in the background around Micey.

Pop Circle

2011-06-11T00:10:00.004+01:00

I'm not too sure if my photography skills have done this card justice!

The folded card is made from acetate and as you probably know the tricky part is hiding the adhesive used for mounting. So I used various circles to mount the 'Pop Circle' on the front panel. On the back panel I have sandwiched the acetate between two pieces of card. I did punch some circles in the pale green card panel before sticking it down.

On the Peel Off's sheet - It's a Peel Off's I hear you say! - there are spare flowers that you can use to enhance your design.

I have used Sakura Gelly Roll Glaze pens to colour the Pop circle and the smaller flower centers as the pens work beautifully on acetate!

The greeting is a Peel Off's also. I cannot take credit for that as it is a Stampendous design. However it matches really well with my 'Pop Circle'.

One little tip is that you do not always have to work on white or cream card. I've used pale green pearlescent card, which is great for the pens as it is less absorbent and you then already have a background colour so not all spaces need to be filled.

I was really pleased with the result. That's me hooked on acetate!!

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Sketch

2011-06-10T00:10:00.015+01:00

When your not feeling well or just under the weather it's quite nice to get a card that is cheery and makes you smile.

So I chose to use my 'Micey' set for this sketch challenge: FRCL192 Micey Mice

I know I go on about the Sakura Glaze pens but they do a grey pen that is just the right colour for the mice!

To colour the rest of the image I have use Sakura Gelly Roll Moonlight pens. They are quite bright but you can mix them to tone down the colours and extend the range. They are fab to use on black card.

The greeting is from my favourite greetings set:

FRCL154 Salutation

If you like that set there is another set using the same fonts/design called:

FRCL171 All Through The Year.

I used the clear Glaze pen to make the punched hearts shinny. Added little dots to the greetings using a Black Sakura Micron pen.

If you have enjoyed this card and would like to see the original sketch layout pop along to the Woodware Blog: www.woodware.co.uk/blog/ and see what my design team members have created using the same sketch. Jane follows me on Saturday

Doggy too

2011-06-09T00:10:00.001+01:00

Another doggy card made using set 'FRCL032 A dog's life'

Woodware wholesale these great little curly paper clips in gold or silver. I've used it to attach the dog/basket to the strip bellow.

The tag was cut using a sizzix die. I used some of the paper to make a faux ribbon for the tag. Stick the paper on some card to re-enforce it. Trim to size, fold over and cut the ends off at an angle.

Watch out for my card for the Woodware design challenge tomorrow.

A Dog's Life

2011-06-08T00:10:00.001+01:00

This card was made using one of my really early Clear Magic sets;
FRCL032 A Dog's Life

I do love this cheeky little dog!

I've done all the colouring using Brush markers [so they are water soluble].

The tag and postage frame are Sizzix dies.

Papers are from old 'Magenta' collections.

A dog's life isn't so bad after all!!

Dragonfly too

2011-06-07T00:10:00.003+01:00

As promised a variation on the green/blue dragonfly.

I've used Sakura Gelly Roll Glaze pens once again. They are perfect to use with loose glitter. You could always use the clear Glaze pen and add different coloured glitters.

Dragonflies come in quite a few different colours so you can easily vary this design.

As a Peel Off's it also comes in gold, silver and white.

A BIG thank you

2011-06-06T09:26:00.003+01:00

I would like to thank everyone who came to see me at The Craft Barn special weekend. It was lovely to see so many of you and to hear all your wonderful comments, which were much appreciated!

Also a BIG thank you for all the very nice comments being left on my blog and for visiting. Hope lots of you will keep coming back!

I thought I would share one of the cards on display on my demo table as a reminder of this special weekend.

I have used Black Peel Off's: A large dragonfly and two small blooms.

The dragonfly itself is coloured in using Sakura Gelly Roll Glaze pens. While the colour was still wet I sprinkled some really fine holographic glitter over the surface.

The circles or bubbles have been coloured in using a mix of other Sakura pens: Stardust, Metallic and Souffle.

I've added Gems, Metals and some of the Peel Off's extra bubbles and waste dots. I coloured two gold Metals black for the eyes on the dragonfly.

A useful tip when using this large dragonfly Peel Off's:

1. Lift the Dragonfly carefully off the backing sheet and place it sticky side up on your work surface.

2. Take your card and hold the edge against the table at a 45 degree angle next to the dragonfly. Slowly bring the card down to lie on top of the dragonfly. Press gently to make the dragonfly stick to the card.

3. Now the dragonfly is on the card you can trim it down to size. If you are using a Nestabilty you can place it on the card, centre the dragonfly, hold it down with some tape so it does not move when going through the machine.

So much easier than trying to place directly on the circle!!!

Come back to see a variation tomorrow....

Mr Fix It - Woodware Design team challenge

2011-06-04T00:43:00.011+01:00

Since I have quite a few sets suitable for Men's cards I found it hard to choose which one to use!

So in the end I went for those brave men who put up our shelves, plumb the washing machine, make holes that have to be filled...

I'm very pleased with the result.

I've combined three sets:

FRCL039 MR Fix It

FRCL079 Male Relatives

FRCL122 DIY

The frame is made using the wood plank in FRCL039. It would make an ideal frame for a fishing or gardening theme also.

I used the VersaMark pen to add some variation in the wood which was stamped on craft card.

I made the plumb line from string and the weight is the small tag punch upside down with the fancy bits trimmed.

I've used Sakura Gelly Roll Glaze pens for the colouring of the tools. For the rusty bits I used the dark orange Stardust pen.

[Sakura Glaze pens for the colouring. It's all shinny!]

Torn paper for the background to add to the DIY theme.

Make sure to visit the Woodware blog to see what the other design team members have created for the Men's card challenge.

Flora too

2011-06-03T00:10:00.004+01:00

Another card made with sets FRCL153 Flora and FRCL154 Salutations.

In the 'Flora' set there is a single stem with leaves and you can put any flower head at the top.

I punched the flower out of white card. That way you can colour the petals to suit. Best to sponge the colour that way you can get variation.

I have used Craftwork Cards 'Candi' in dark brown for the centre and covered it with Diamond Stickles glitter glue.

Flora- Fresh and modern

2011-06-02T00:40:00.002+01:00

I thought I would post this card as It's modern and fresh.

It's a very easy stamp to colour and it is absolutely perfect for adding 'Nailheads' and 'Metals' as you just use the dots on the design for placement.

These are colour variations of the same stamp. So you can achieve lots of different looks.

I've used set:

FRCL153 Flora

and for the greeting:

FRCL154 Salutations

It's always fun to use a little bit of glitter, in this case Diamond Stickles, to lift and finish the card. I call it dressing the card!

Demo at the Craft Barn

2011-06-01T00:43:00.003+01:00

Just to let you know I will be at The Craft Barn on the 4th and 5th of June for their 'Best of British Extravaganza'. I will be using both my stamps and Peel Off's. So why not come along and be inspired!

Baby Card

2011-05-31T01:00:00.002+01:00

This baby card was made using some of my baby Peel Off's. I've gone for white this time as it's more in keeping for a baby. The die cut shapes are Quickutz or Lifestyle Crafts as they are now known.

I've used Sakura Souffle Pens to add colour. The colour is matt and opaque when it dries so you can use the pens effectively on coloured card. I love my tiny baby words!

Thank you

2011-05-29T16:27:00.000+01:00

I just wanted to say thank you to those of you that came to The Glitter Pot On Saturday. It's always nice to see friendly faces and to catch up with everybody. I had a great day and I have hopefully inspired you to use Peel Off's more often in the future. If you missed me I will be at The Craft Barn for two days next weekend the 4th and 5th of June.

Love You

2011-05-29T01:00:00.006+01:00

This is the second card from the previous workshop that did not run...

I've used : 'Clear Magic Stamps'

FRCL164 Sammy Snail and Friends.

The balloon however comes from set FRCL146 Tweety Birds.

Woodware also stock a tiny tag punch which is really sweet.

You have to do a bit of masking to get the tortoise to hold the balloon!

Demo at The Glitter Pot

2011-05-26T13:46:00.003+01:00

Don't forget I'm at The GLitter Pot this Saturday the 28th of May doing a demo

with Sakura Pens and my latest 'Peel off's'. Come and see what it's all about!

Snail Mail

2011-05-26T11:06:00.003+01:00

This is a card I prepared for a workshop that did not run. So rather than put it away out of sight I've decided to share it with you here on my blog!

This uses elements from set FRCL164 Sammy Snail and Friends.

If you like this set it works really well with FRCL146 Tweety Birds.

I love rainbows and any paper that creates that look.

It's a fun card.

Faux Mosaic

2011-05-24T21:06:00.003+01:00

I thought I would share another Sakura Glaze pen technique with you. I have discovered that you can get a 'faux mosaic' look by drawing little pools of glaze. Take a look at the background around the flowers and you will see what I'm trying to describe!

Introducing Woodware Craft Collection Wedding Challenge

2011-05-23T07:35:00.000+01:00

Hello this is the first card in the Woodware Craft Collection Blog Challenge this week we have wedding cards and you will be able to find a new card everyday this week on the Woodware Blog.

The set is FRCL117 also used on this easel card is a button this is a good way to make sure that your card stand up.

In this close up you can see that natural pearls in both 3mm and 5mm sizes have been used. The inverted corner rounder makes a great place for the 5mm pearls

This card gives lots of places to add bits and pieces like ribbon and punched hearts. I hope you like this wedding card and will pop to the Woodware Blog to have a look at what the rest of the team have been up too. Jane Gill our Flower Girl is posting her card on Tuesday.

Friendship

2011-05-22T09:55:00.000+01:00

A quick post today as I have loads to do. I'm going to prepare for my next contribution to 'Creative Cardmaking' magazine and the 'Woodware Blog'. It's from my new Peel Off's collection and I've gone mad with the Sakura Glaze pens once again!!

Sharing a Cuppa

2011-05-20T18:17:00.000+01:00

As I continue to prepare for my demo down at The Glitter Pot on the 28th of May

I give you my thoughts for today...

'How about a nice cup of tea and a sit down?'

On this card I've used paper piecing and Woodware Clear Magic Stamps

FRCL190 Sharing a Cuppa.

Sakura Glaze Pens

2011-05-18T08:43:00.000+01:00

As we met with our colleagues from Sakura yesterday I thought I would post another card using

the Glaze pens and Peel Off's. If you have not tried mixing the colours as you apply them give it a go.

Tip:Always mix when glaze is really wet

Faux stitching

2011-05-16T19:45:00.000+01:00

A little bit more paper piecing with my favourite owl from 'Patch an Owl' Clear Magic set. I like to add faux stitching with a fine line black pen.

Authors and Artists

2011-05-16T10:48:00.000+01:00

As I'm on a roll I wanted to add the cards that we made at my workshops at Authors and Artists in Fleet on Saturday. I took everyone through the paper piecing technique which is one of my favourite ways to use colour in my stamping. You stamp your image on several sheets of patterned paper and cut out the sections you want to use. Then you either stamp a base on card or use one of the images on the patterned paper and stick the piece over the stamped image.

I've use Woodware Clear Magic stamps 'FRCL193 Patch an Owl' and 'FRCL194 Patch a House'

Everyone liked the brown and blue colour scheme.