Gingersnap Creations Tutorial - Colouring Vellum

You guys all know that I'm a bit of a 'fingers in different styles pie' sort of person and like everything from fluffy and cute to industrial grunge and this week the makes have been more on the cute card side. So to shake it up a bit I've got my second tutorial for Gingersnap Creations today. Those of you who follow the Gingersnap Creations blog will have seen this on Sunday 12th June. 

Ok so you know that this month on Gingersnap Creations is all about using packaging in your art right? Well I've kinda cheated a bit for this tutorial. This one is making packaging rather than made from packaging!

What You Will Need: 

Stamps - Paperartsy Hot Picks 01; Paperartsy Clock Plate 5; Creative expressions Vintage Flight
Colouring - Alcohol inks (Terracota; Butterscotch)
Inks - Archival Coffee; Archival Jet Black
Papers - Vellum (or tracing paper)
Tools - Blending tool; felt for blending; Envelope template; Ruler; Craft knife; Heat tool; Scoring tools
Other - Vellum glue tape; Alcohol Inks Blending Solution

Make An Envelope Template

My envelope is a very simple design and I made the template from an A4 piece of paper to make an 18 cm by 13.2 cm (7 1/8 inch by 5 3/16 inch) envelope when folded. 

Make the Vellum Envelope

I used my scoring tool and craft knife to make the envelope from the vellum and stuck the side flaps down with the vellum glue tape.

Colour Vellum

To change the colour of the vellum I used the blending tool and alcohol inks.

For this techniques I added two or three drops of the alcohol ink to the felt on the blending tool then added one drop of the blending solution and then using circular motions worked from the outside inwards.

I started with the lightest colour, the Butterscotch, to colour the whole envelope then added a bit of the darker Terracota colour to the edges and corners.

Then when you have the colour the way you want it try adding a bit of texture by adding drops of the blending solution to the blending tool, without colour, and 'stipple' the blending tool onto the envelope, i.e. dab it onto the envelope and lift directly up without moving it sideways. You can see the effect in the close-up photograph at the bottom of this post.

Get Stamping

I used the Coffee Archival ink with the PaperArtsy C5 and HPXT01 stamps as my background stamping then stamped the sentiment and airplane from the Creative Expressions Vintage Aviation kit with Jet Black Archival ink.

To stamp on vellum  just remember to try not to wobble or slide the stamp when it is on the vellum and I also use a bit of careful heat from the heat tool to help dry off the ink after each stamping.

I just love the effect of the alcohol inks on the vellum almost like the glassine papers that are very popular at the moment don't you think? 

Have fun with this one and as always I would love to see what you do with it so drop by and give me a shout if you use it.

Kimx

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Cute Card Thursday - Birthstones

Hey, Hey, Hey it's Cute Card Thursday and this week the challenge is Birthstones and the sponsors are the lovely Tickled Pink stamps.

I've used the fabulous Lil Victorian Steampunk Lolita Lilith from Tickled Pink.

I've matched her with one of my favourite paper collections the My Mind's Eye Meadowlark Dawn.

I've also added a few flatback acrylic gems. 

Now I have to make a confession...I have no idea what my birthstone is! I looked it up but there seemed to be so many different options I just decided to go with blue and make that my birthstone! 

Have fun finding your birthstone!

Kimx

Blog Hops

Welcome to my blog 

If you are looking for today's Quixotic Paperie Spotlight Blog Hop click here

If it is the La-La Land Crafts New Sports Collection Blog Hop you are after click here

Both have prizes involved so why not scroll down and join in both!

La-La Land Crafts New Release Sports Blog Hop

Welcome to the La-La Land Crafts Blog Hop for the new Sports collection of six new wonderful Sports themed Marci and Luka stamps.

These wonderful new stamps are being showcased today by the La-La Land Crafts design team. But not only that if you comment on all the blog hop posts you could be in with a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate to the La-La Land Crafts Store.

So if you hopped on over here from Jane's lovely blog Whoopsie Daisy! then you are on the right track, if not then start your journey at the La-La Land Crafts blog. 

For my La-La Land Crafts Blog Hop make I've used Soccer Marci and she is in training for the Arsenal Ladies team as you can clearly see by the colours :)

Perfect for any up and coming football star.

Isn't she fab? I've coloured her with Prismacolor pencils.

You are going to love this new sporty release, it is quite an international sports set!

The next blog on your hop is the lovely Sandie's at Exploring The Crafty Side Of Me. 

  Have fun and don't forget to comment to be in with a chance to win!

Quixotic Paperie Spotlight On Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps

As part of Quixotic Paperie's 2nd Anniversary celebrations we are throwing the spotlight onto some of the fantastic stamp companies available from Quixotic Paperie.

This week it is the wonderful Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps in the spotlight.

We have some lovely samples to show you and would love for you to hop through the list below to see all the fabulous makes.

Kimmie started her stamp company in October 2009 and since then has bought us some wonderful images from some amazing artists: Annie Rodrigue with Moonlight Whispers, Cheryl Alger Designs, Steven Leary Designs, Crissy Armstrong with Crissy's Cuties and Jean Grant with Cindy and Mindy and now the latest addition Emilie's Etchings by Emilie Goulet.

The Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps range is available in the UK/Europe at Quixotic Paperie.  If you're in Canada/US then you can find the stamps at Kraftin Kimmie Stamps direct!

Which is your favourite? Too hard to choose!

Materials: Kraftin' Kimmies Stamps Gabrielle, Pink Paislee Hocus Pocus 

So now for the same more inspiration! Hop on over to each of the blogs below to see some yummy Kraftin' Kimmie Stamp goodness!

- Elaine - Judy - Kim Costello - Kim Dellow (that's me!) - Mary -

- Kimmie - Angie - Tara - Tracy -

Thanks for joining us and we hope you enjoyed looking at all the lovely Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps.

Father's Day With Make The Day Special

You haven't forgotten that it is Father's Day here in the UK this weekend, 19th June 2011, have you? Good!

Well here is the first of my Father's Day makes for this year and I've used the Unity All About The Journey for this make and it is available from Make The Day Special. 

How are you getting on with your Father's Day card?

Thanks for dropping by today.

Kimx

La-La Land Crafts Inspiration Monday

Hey Guys, a new week and a new card fresh of the rack for La-La Land Crafts inspiration.

This week the theme is 'A touch of red' and I've used the fabulously beachy Summer Luka and you can get him as a rubber stamp or as a digi-stamp.

I've used Prismacolor pencils to colour him and I matched him with Pink Paislee 365 Degrees paper.

Do you fancy winning a $25 gift certificate to buy some yummy La-La Land Crafts goodies? Then pop on over to the La-La Land Crafts Facebook page to see how.

And if this isn't enough La-La Land Crafts for you then pop in on the La-La Land Crafts blog to see the wonderful makes made by the rest of the Monday Inspiration team and then again on Friday for the Friday Inspiration guys!

Have a fun Monday.

Kimx

Sunday Round-Up

This is a first for me, I can say this week 'As Seen On TV' and what a thrill! It was quite surreal seeing something that you have made on national TV!

For those of you who missed my Friday post, Steph from Kuretake was demoing lots of yummy ZIG pens on Create and Craft and the design team had made samples to go
with the pens.

I mean it is quite surreal seeing something you have made sitting on the cover of a magazine in the newsagents, when this first happened I wanted to stand in front of the magazine and go 'I did that!' to anyone who happened past. I suppressed the urge and put on a professional face, kept the jumping up and down for home!

So imagine, seeing your makes on TV - dude! Yep, I have taped it. Steph and Buffy had put together a fabulous couple of shows and it was great to see the pens in action.

(Sorry for the rather rubbish screen shots of some of the makes, but you get the idea)

Ok so I'm off the ceiling now and knuckling down to more work to keep me grounded!

Before I come completely down to earth I just thought I would share an article from the current Papercraft Essentials, issue 69. Got some fun Summer Party makes for you in this issue with a masterclass in both hand and machine stitching. 

Lots of little projects, cards and tips in this one and some different stitching for you too! I've got some teasey teasers:

(btw the little box uses one of the Kuretake Gift box templates)

Just a little taster and I hope you like the article and find it useful! It was another article I loved putting together. But then I love doing them all.

Sunday Hopping:

Before I go I have some links that you might like to add to your Sunday hopping list. The first wonderful blog is that of Milla at Mustesormi. 

Milla makes gorgeous cards and papercraft projects and is another crafter after my own heart who loves her texture and making backgrounds. You should take a look at the wonderful make she has done with my recent sweet wrapper background tutorial - wow! Then there is the fabulous makes inspired by the collage background tutorial here and here. Love them!

The next fabby blog belongs to ManLe Hong of Pineapple Cove Designs and has a wonderful card made using my Sew Easy circle tutorial.

I don't know about you but I just love seeing all this creativity that everyone is up to!

Have a fabulously creative day.

Kim

Cute Tag Saturday?

Hello Saturday Hoppers, how are you doing today? What are your plans for today? What crafting are you up to?

Nosey, nosey, nosey me!

Well, if I'm being so nosey about what you are up to, it is only fair that I should share what I'm up to as well. On my crafty list today I have some design team work to do, I need to take some photos of projects I've been working on and then a bit of homework - but more about that tomorrow!

Busy, busy! As part of my busy Saturday I'm got a little tag to show you using the cute SCACD Victoria Case Spa Time Fairy available from Quixotic Paperie.

I've matched her with Pink Paislee Old School paper.

I added a touch of Viva Decor Glitter Liner on the wings and bubbles. So sparkly!

Have a fabulous Saturday, however you spend it.

Kim

Kuretake On Create And Craft

Ok, set your DVR, the ZIG pens from Kuretake are back on Create and Craft, the UK shopping channel from Ideal World that is dedicated to crafting.

The first show is on Today at 2pm and will feature ZIG Art and Graphic Twin pens and the second show at 4pm with the ZIG Memory System pens, including ZIG Calligraphy, Scroll & Brush, Writers, Brushables and the NEW Wink of Stella shimmer writers.

Keep your eyes peeled you might see some samples from little old me! Myself and the other Kuretake DT have been busy making samples.

Here are sneaks of some of my newer Kuretake Samples.

Catch you later.

Kimx

Quixotic Paperie Spotlight On SCACD And Cute Card Thursday

As part of the Quixotic Paperie 2nd Anniversary celebrations this month, we are throwing the spotlight on some of the fantastic stamp companies in stock.

First in the spotlight are SCACD Stamps!

SCACD Stamps is run by the lovely Susana of Susana's Custom Art and Card Design in the US.  The SCACD Stamps range is available in the UK exclusively at Quixotic Paperie.

There are three fab artists in the current range from SCACD Stamps - Carmen Medlin, Elisabeth Bell and Victoria Case, each with a different style.

  

As part of the celebrations and the spotlight today, we have a PRIZE GIVEAWAY!  Pop on over to the Quixotic Inspirations blog to get all the details and enter the draw to win some fantastic SCACD Stamps and more!

ALSO - until midnight on Sunday 12th June you can enjoy 10% off the SCACD Stamps range (does not stack with existing offers).

Now, on to the inspiration!  Some of the Quixotic Paperie Design Team have SCACD creations to show you today, and we also have some special guests from the SCACD Stamps Design Team!

This isn't a hop - feel free to dip in and out of the list of designers in whichever order you fancy!

- Annika - Elaine - Kim Dellow (Me!) - Mary - Rowena -

- Alex - Carolyn - Colleen - Crystal - Danni - Dianne -Lori -

This is my Cute Card Thursday  make and this week the challenge is Pins and Pearls. Pop over to the blog to learn more about this week's sponsor.

Materials: SCACD Carmen Medlin Lilia; Memory Box Pixie papers;  Pin; Beads

Thank you for joining us, we hope you enjoyed checking out SCACD Stamps with us today!

Gingersnap Creations Tutorial - What To Do With Those Sweetie Wrappers

As the June Monthly Muse for the Gingersnap Creations blog I've been asked to do a couple of tutorials and as you know I love sharing how I make things with you guys. So here is my first Gingersnap Creations tutorial for you and you might need to get yourself comfy as it is a long one! Those of you that visit the Gingersnap Creations blog regularly will have seen
this on Monday.

I just can't throw anything away, nope not a thing - bet you are like that too? I keep things for that 'just in case' moment and I had one of those 'just in case' moments recently that ended up
like this:

Would you believe that this is all made from sweetie wrappers? Would you like to make one too? I know you have those shiny wrappers hidden somewhere...if you don't then what better reason to go get some and discard the contents in some way...?

I knew this lot would come in handy!

What you will need:

Stamps - The Stamp Man Aspect Of Design 1 Floral; {Ippity} Totally Happy
Colouring - ZIG Writer pens; ZIG Calligraphy Pens

Papers - Sweet Wrappers; Card
Usual Suspects - Golden Soft Gel (Matte); Golden Heavy Gel (Matte); Gesso

Equipment - Sewing Machine; Heat tool; Cocktail stick; Scissors
Other - Sandpaper; Thread; Spray bottle of water; Big fabric brad;  ZIG water colour system BrusH2O 

Prepare The Sweetie Wrappers

Trim the wrappers, I just wanted the colour parts with the metal backing as this part of the wrapper is manageable and retains it shape when manipulated. Then lightly sand both sides of the wrappers.

Stick Wrappers To The Card Background

Use a piece of card as backing (look more package recycling!) start sticking the wrappers in a random order, I used Golden Gel medium and 'squidged' some of the wrappers a bit to get a good texture going. Allow it to dry.

It's Gesso Time!

It is out with the Gesso, a coat or two should do the trick. I wanted to be able to see the wrappers but I also wanted to add my own colour on top.

You can see the effect of the 'squidging' leading to a nice wrinkling of the background. Another nice effect is that some of the shine still pops through the Gesso layer where the sanding did not take.

Whilst you are at it Gesso a couple of spare sanded wrappers at set aside for the poppy.

Build Up The Colour

Cut out the tag and start building up the colour with the ZIG Writer and Calligraphy pens. I wanted to add more texture with the colour and one of the best way to do this is use the 'Scribble' technique. 

Scribble the ZIG pen onto the craft mat and spray with water to form droplets of colour. Press the surface to be coloured into the droplets to pick up the colour. 

I built up slowly, going from light to dark tones. You can use your heat tool between layers to dry the water but use it carefully as the wrappers are partly plastic and will deform in prolonged heat.

Add More Texture With Stamping

Stamp some more texture with the mesh stamp from the Aspects Of Design Floral stamp set. Cut out four poppy petals from your spare Gessoed wrappers and colour with
the 'Scribble' technique.

Stick the Petals Together

Use the Golden Heavy Gel, applied with the cocktail stick, to stick the petals into a loose poppy shape and I coloured a fabric brad black with a ZIG Writer pen for the flower centre. 

Whilst the poppy is drying it is time to add the finishing touches to the background.

Add More Texture With Stitch

By adding stem and leaf details. I used my sewing machine but you can easily doodle it or hand stitch it if you prefer. 

I then coloured the leaf and stem with ZIG Writer and Calligraphy pens using the ZIG water colour system BrusH2O and finished with the 'For You' sentiment stamp from the {Ippity} Totally Happy stamp kit.

Finish The Poppy

Finish the poppy by adding the brad and then shaping it with your hand before sticking the background with the Golden Heavy Gel. 

***

Your other half/child/flatmate/pet will be so pleased you have finally found a use for those discarded wrappers stuffed in that box/draw/sock/down the side of the couch.

Gotta love us hoarders!

Have fun with this technique and do come back to tell me if you have used it so that I can come and have a nosey!

Kimx

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