Well it's snowing!

Hi friends, we have snow today - it looks lovely from inside, but I glad I haven't got to go out!

I thought I'd show you another Chrissie card I'd made recently using a border die in different way, but then I had a message from Glenda saying that her new stamps called Pretty Birdcage and  Bees were launched yesterday.  The details are over on the DT blog (link on my sidebar)and if you pop over there you could be in with a chance of winning a lovely Chrissie present as Glenda is giving away two sets of stamps - so don't forget to leave a comment at the end of Glenda's post! The draw is open until Monday.

Now I can take you from a winter's day to a glimpse of summer

This was a challenge to me as I got out my paints for a delicate look.

I stamped the image on a full sheet of watercolour paper and completed the painting, I find this the easiest way to position the stamping in a shaped die.  From this close-up you will see that I have used an octagonal die, and as I like very narrow borders when I layer - I did a bit of crafty cutting!  I first cut a burgundy shape to match the base card, and embossed the edge.  Next cut the same size from the white watercolour paper, and embossed the edge.  After positioning the die over my painting I cut and again embossed the edge.

You may be thinking why cut two white octagons, well  I wanted depth the the finished image.  So on the plain paper I cut away the embossed edge to give me my narrow border.  (On this shape die this is much quicker that tracing and  cutting round the die.  If you don't have the full set of squares or rectangles you could also used this method for ease of layering.) Now I could use the cloud template from Diamond Cards that I illustrated a few weeks ago to give interest, which I  lightly inked with DI's.  Next I also cut away the embossed border from the painted image and embossed the cloud pattern again.  Having embossed the clouds I then cut part of them away and I had my depth!  Hope all this make sense - it may sound complicated but it very easy to do and any complication may be from my writing.  If you click on the close-up image you will see the finished image more clearly. 

Stay warm and safe and enjoy your crafting.
 

Clouds

Hi, back again with how the clouds were created.....a stencil.....

This is the stencil  

 (the outer comes in one piece - but I have cut mine cause I've been playing and will show you why later)

The inner part of the stencil with which you can use inks or chalks to create layers of  "clouds" or moons, or stars

This A6 image was made by Phyllis from Diamond Card Crafts who produce the stencil.

Good, don't you agree?

Me being me(!)wanted to play to see if the outer piece could be used in the Bug and the answer is YES! 

You can emboss or deboss an A6 without the outer lines marking your card.

 

Here you can see that I have cut into the stencil.

Without cutting the stencil, on a larger card the lines show, but without the outer edges.....    

a 6" square card embossed

and the effect of debossing. 

So now you have two shapes with which to make your clouds!

 Sandwich for the Bug

Embossing:  A plate, stencil, card right face down, tan mat, 1/2 shims, 2 B plates

Debossing:  A plate, stencil, card face up, tan mat, 1/2 shims, 2 B plates

The stencil costs £2.75 plus postage from Diamond Card Crafts

Nice one Phyllis! 

Halloween

Hi, I've not been about for a week or two there's so many things going on, but today since it's Halloween I thought I'd drop by and show you this .......

I made this for my granddaugthers, Caitlin and Megan who are really in to bats, cats, and spooky things!

I used my Provocraft alphabet to cut the word  and added a touch of nail varnish for good effect.  I only wish I'd thought it through and added a spider or two to give them a real surprise!  Still there's always next year - so watch out girls, nan's about!

Now for all you lovely peeps who have been dropping by to visit to Cupboard, for which you have my grateful thanks, I have something new to show you .....

Have a good look at the picture and see if you can work out how this effect is achieved?

  I will post more info tomorrow, because I think it brill!

Another winner!

I seem to be saying sorry such a lot these days - life is very complicated at the moment and I seem to be playing catchup daily with my list of to do's getting longer!  Hence, I'm very late announcing a winner of the board kindly donated by Diamond Card Crafts.

From the random number generator......the winner of the board is..,....

No.5 with this comment "Two great projects here - wouldn't have thought the boat could be mnade using a score board - you live and learn!! "

from Aquarius.  Congratulations, will you contact me please  and I will arrange with Phyllis to delivery your board.

My  thanks to Diamond Card Crafts for their generous gift of such a clever piece of equipment.  I'm sure Aquarius with make good use of it.

Since posting free download projects, Phyllis now has another download for you which shows how to change the colour of your printer ink on your computor.   Another free gift from DCC, so why not pop over and get your copy.

Chat soon.

Draw for a Mandala Reflections Board

As promised the other day, due to the generousity of Diamond Card Crafts I have a free draw for you of one of their boards.  This is the Mandala Reflections Board......

The Reflections board was designed to be used with card, paper or parchment allowing you to make beautiful cards, toppers and tags. Now you can make stunning paper crafting projects by adding layers and dimension.  There are 26 shapes on the board, it's easy to use and you can either emboss straight on to your card or round a stamped image.

The board will be highlighted on Create and Craft's Paper Clinic on Monday morning in their 11am to 1pm. show.  This is a card was made by Phyllis the owner of DCC on a previous C&C show and illustrates how effectively you can use the board.

I think that if you like matting and layering and don't have the dies you need, this board is a brill alternative. 

If you would like the chance of winning this prize, you can have up to 3 entries!

1) Just leave a comment at the end of this post for 1 entry

2) Become a follower of the Cupboard and leave another comment stating "follower" for your 2nd entry. (If you already follow the Cupboard, please still leave me another comment so you get your second entry)

3) Post a link of the draw on your blog and leave another comment stating "link" for a 3rd go.

You have until Thursday 3lst March when I will close the draw and use the random generator to pick a winner. Good Luck!

Thanks Diamond Card Crafts for donating this super gift.