Solo Flight

Hi again, can you believe I am blogging so soon after my last post? I would like to say this is a whole new me and there will be more posts, more often ( you never know). Whilst testing the wonderful new clear stamps from Chocolate Baroque I have built up one or two samples that I want to share with you.  So, hot on the heels of the Chinese Lanterns, here is a card made using images from both the Moonlit Waterfall and Lily Pad sets.

You know how when you first see a stamp you can see exactly what you want to do with it?  Well the flying Crane on the Moonlit Waterfall set had this effect on me.

First I brayered a piece of silk card using the Foliage Big 'N Juicy inkpad.  Unfortunately these inkpads have now been discontinued but you can achieve the same effect using Adirondack dye inks in Sunset Orange and Sunset Yellow.  Ink half the brayer up with one colour and then the other half with the second.  I brayered the whole card and then applied a second 'coat' to achieve the depth of colour I wanted for my sunset.  Next I used Adirondack Dye Pitch Black and brayered across the bottom of the card (it must be a dye based colour otherwise you will ruin your brayer if you use a permanent ink).  Again I repeated this step for extra depth.

Next I stamped the crane directly onto the brayered background using Versafine Onyx Black.  Then stamped part of the same image onto a circle punched out from a self adhesive label.  This is the cheat's way of masking and is useful if you don't want to cut out the image and place onto your card before brayering.  Once completely dry I removed the backing paper from the label and matched it with the image on the card. (Tip: Versafine is oil based and takes some time to dry. If you are in a hurry either 'blot' the image several times with a clean sheet of copier paper or heat set).

To add interest I stamped the blossom branches from the Lily Pad set; whilst for the tall grasses I used the large Lily Pad image, removing the ink from the areas I didn't want.  Finally I added the orange ribbon from the Bollywood Brights ribbon pack to a piece of folded card from my stash and attached the finished scene with foam pads.

I am rather pleased with this card, it turned out just how I had seen it my head - don't you just love it when a plan comes together!

See you soon
Lesley

Lantern Parade

Having had a couple of days to recover from Chocolate Baroque's fabulous launch party, I wanted to share some of my artwork which uses their brand new clear stamps. All the new sets are absolutely gorgeous, and I have been so privileged to be able work with them.  So here is my first post using the Chinese Lanterns.

I wanted to give the feel of real miniature lanterns so I stamped the images onto crepe paper using Versafine Onyx Black and then cut them out omitting the tassels. (A little patience was needed to avoid stretching the crepe paper!). I then stamped the tassels onto a self adhesive label and set aside to dry thoroughly. Next  I made three loops using fine black florist wire and attached one to each lantern using 3mm Ultra High Bond tape; and as lanterns usually hang from something I decided to use two sprays of paper flowers as my branches.

To assemble my card I matted the Aqua Polka Dotty paper from my new download collection onto an 8" x 8" card. Laying the card flat I then arranged everything as shown above.  I gently added a fine strip of the Ultra tape to each lantern, just enough to hold them in place and give the impression of actually hanging.  The  branches were attached using a glue gun.  Finally I cut out the tassels, removed the backing paper and stuck them into position. There is still room for a sentiment, but when I have the right occasion I will add something suitable.

If  you need to know how well these images stamp then I think using crepe paper has been a good test to illustrate this.  As you can see from the close up, none of the detail has been lost, even on this delicate surface.

I hope this has inspired you to check out these fab new stamps.  I will be back again soon with another design sample.

'Til then enjoy your crafting.
Lesley

You could still be a winner

Phew what a day it was yesterday at Chocolate Baroque.  We had a fabulous launch of the new CB Clear stamp range, a great online party and most of all wonderful support from you, our very generous customers.  So I would just like to say a HUGH thank you to everyone who joined in and helped to get this brilliant new product off the ground.

I will be back soon with some artwork, in the mentime if you missed any of the fun you can catch up here - you could still be in with a chance of winning one of the fab giveaways.

See you soon

Lesley

It's almost time to get the Party started

With less than 24 hours to go to the Chocolate Baroque on line party it's getting really exciting.  If you want to know how you can be part of the fabulous event click here for more information. 

Look forward to seeing you there.

Lesley

We're having a Party!!

My lips are sealed and it's all very hush, hush, but you have just got to join us at the online Chocolate Baroque Party on 6th September.

Can't say any more at the moment, but I'm sooooo excited....

Back soon

Lesley
(No prizes for guessing who's who in the balloon pic!!)