27 February 2014

Card Making Haul - February

Hello there, I am back today with my monthly card making haul. Here is what I purchased in the month of February. I did buy a lot this month but there was just so much I wanted! I hope you enjoy watching ...

 
PRODUCTS:


 
+ Hemptique Hemp Cord which I am unable to link as bought from eBay
 
Thank you so much for visiting me today! I just wanted to let you know in advance, since my university work load is high at the moment I haven't had a chance to edit and upload my Back To Basics video for Sunday. Sorry about that but it will be back the week after. Good news though, the Clearly Besotted Teasers start on Sunday instead so please pop by and see me then :0)

25 February 2014

Let's Shell-ebrate

Hello there, after using the Retrosketches #101 sketch last week on this card. I wanted to use it again as I loved it so much. This time I have added a little image in the form of the turtle from the Paper Smooches Party Posse set. The sentiment is also from that set, isn't so cute!

 
SUPPLIES:


 COPIC MARKERS: Body - BG96, BG93. Shell - BG78, BG75, BG72. Ground: W3, W1, W00

Thank you so much for visiting me today. I just wanted to let you know that I may not be around much this week. I have a large essay due for university at the beginning of March and I need to get it done. Sorry about that but I am sure you understand. Have a great day!

23 February 2014

Back To Basics - Stamps

Hello there, for my Back To Basics episode today I am talking about stamps. There are three main commonly used types:
 
Wood Mounted Stamps
These were the stamps that I first started out using. They were more popular then and the easiest to get hold of. Sounds like I am talking about ages ago but back then clear and cling stamps were very few and far between. There is something nice about stamping with wood mounted stamps, it has a nice feel to it. The downfall to wood mounted stamps is that they take up a lot of room to store. They can also be a lot more expensive. Wood mounted stamps consist of the rubber impression, a layer of foam and then the wood. They work well with all types of ink and clean easily.
 
Cling and Un-Mounted Stamps
I do really like these stamps, they are basically the same as the wood mounted stamps but without the wood. Cling stamps come with the foam attached and the clinginess to be able to mount directly to an acrylic block. They often have the picture on the other side too which helps a little to line up where you are stamping. You can also buy some stamps completely un-mounted, so just the bare rubber. There are a few ways you can use these; you can use a removable or repositionable glue on the back to mount them to an acrylic block or you can mount them yourself. I like to use EZ-Mount for mine. One side is the sticky side to attach the stamp to (you can then cut around it) and the other side is the cling to be able to stick it to an acrylic block. These stamps can also be used with all types of inks and clean easily.
 
Clear Stamps
Most companies make clear stamps now. They have the benefit that you can see through them so great for lining up stamps but also they can be stored easily as they are thin. There are mainly two types - photopolymer and silicone or acrylic. The majority of companies - Clearly Besotted Stamps, Lawn Fawn, PTI, Mama Elephant, Paper Smooches, My Favorite Things etc. use photopolymer. They are very good quality, give a good impression and can be used with all types of inks. They do often stain (especially with dye inks but this does not affect their use) and sometimes go yellow too. Ideally they should be kept out of sunlight. Silicone or acrylic stamps do not work as well with dye ink, it often pools on the surface and does not give a good impression. They can be sanded down with fine sandpaper or by using an eraser over the surface which helps or also stamping with VersaMagic ink first too. They do work much better with pigment ink however.
 
Here is the video:
 
 
Thank you so much for watching, I hope that has helped some of you. have a great day!

22 February 2014

You're The Best

Hello there, so did you see that Clearly Besotted Stamps released some new dies? these are standalone dies that do not necessarily match any of the stamp sets but obviously will work well with them. Stephanie did not want to make a big deal of them and add them to the normal monthly releases as she thinks they are nothing special. They are the kind of shapes that can be bought from other manufacturers and Stephanie has acknowledged that but personally I love them! I think she has added her individual touch to them and I am sure you will love them too.
 
For my card today I have used the Geometric Rose Die in the large size (there is smaller one too). I first cut it from a panel of white cardstock and kept all the little insides (the negatives of the die shape) and then cut it from Bazzill Card Shoppe CS in Robin's Egg. I inlayed this in the centre of the white panel cut out followed by al the little negative pieces. This means that cardstock panel remain one layer. I have added clear Wink Of Stella over the Robin's Egg CS. I have then stamped the sentiment from the A Little Sentimental stamp set and cut it out using the banner die from the Tag Along die set. I added this on top of the die image with £D foam pads and popped on a couple of gems (coloured with a Copic Marker) to finish.


SUPPLIES:

This card is winging it's way to a very special person who really is the best :0) Thank you for visiting me today and I hope you have a lovely weekend.

21 February 2014

Simon Says Stamp Haul #4

Hello there and good afternoon to you! I have Debby Hughes and Jennifer McGuire to thank for my latest order from Simon Says Stamp. There were a few things I just had to have after seeing them use them. I am really happy with everything I bought though so I shall forgive them for making me buy them! ;0)

Here is what I got ...


PRODUCTS:


Thank you much for visiting me today! I hope you are all well. Have a lovely evening!

20 February 2014

Birthday Anya - DTDF

Hello there, today I am using the gorgeous Birthday Anya 3 from The Greeting Farm for my DTDF Blog make. I have teemed her up by adding her to a base made using the MFT Fishnet Stencil and some embossing paste - I love the design of this stencil. I really like the look of it as a background for the image too.
 
 
SUPPLIES:

Thank you so much for visiting me today, I hope you are all well. Have a lovely day!
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