Elusive Images and Halloween Stamps

Halloween!  Time for some fun crafting! 

I have to say that I have never made any Halloween cards before, but when presented with the stamps from Elusive Images celebrating this time of year, I was hooked!  What fun - soooo creative - they allow your imagination to soar with the bats, grow with the  pumpkins, candles light your way through the cobwebs to the spooky houses and much more..... you can check out the designs available from this Elusive Images link.

The Design Team has been busy making cards and today we have a blog hop for you.  Why not join us and see our work and on the way you may find some candy ?  Feeling interested; feeling lucky - pop over to the Elusive Team Blog (link on my side bar) you will see all the DT blogs listed for easy assess.

This is the card that I made for the Blog Hop - it's not my spookiest, but I thought this would look good in the Cupboard as although it's a halloween theme, the layout is adaptable to other occasions and the techniques useful to you.

Materials used:

A4 Black linen and Bronze pearlised cardstock

Stamps: Elusive Images

Nestabilities: Squares Classic Large and Big Scalloped Large

Marianne Creatables : Swirls

Inkpads: Black, Clear Perfect Medium

Bronze Embossing Powder

Glue

Scoreboard

Method:

Fold A4 card in half to make a landscape card - emboss 2 score lines along the top edge

Die cut:  2 Black  and 2 Bronze squares  (I used the 2"die)

Emboss the edges with an embossing pen  or tan mat.  ( I like this finished, but it is not necessary )

Make a frame from the 2 Bronze squares using a scalloped die - save the cut-outs

Make the same  frame from 1 on the Black squares - save the cut-out

Stamp the cut-outs black on bronze/bronze on black using clear Perfect Medium inkpad, cover with embossing powder and heat.

Fit the cut-outs into the appropriate squares.  Decide where you would like to position the squares, and add another 2 scores lines underneath.

On a rectangle piece of card, stamp the sentiment with clear Perfect Medium inkpad, over with embossing powder and heat. 

On the edges of the rectangle - with a prit stick glue (or similiar)  run round the edges in a thick  irregular pattern, cover with brozne embossing powder and heat. 

Die cut swirls from the Bronze card and assemble on card with the sentiment tag. 

Hope you have a go a this, it sounds lengthy when reading the instructions, but it's a design that all can use whether you are a beginner or an advance crafter.  If you don't have the dies - you could use a punch.  I'd love to see your work,  if you leave me a comment I'll come over and visit. 

NOW, my Design Teamies have some great cards to show you and I wonder where that candy will be????? 

To be in with a chance to win, here's what you will need to do:
1. Become a follower of The Elusive Images Design Team Blog and all the DTmember blogs
2. Leave a comment on my blog and all the teamies blogs.

The winners will be chosen by Random Org at the close of the Blog Hop on Friday September 17th and the winner will be announced after 5.00 p.m.

Come and enjoy some ghouly fun with us! 

          

WOYWW

Hi WOYWWer's, As you know my desk space is quite limited and I reached  a point yesterday where something had to move!  Sad to say, I didn't move that something quick enough and as a result my 2 bits and pieces boxes fell on my bit of space and then onto the floor!  All the scraps and labels, cut and never used, all my stamping experiments just thrown in the box lay scatter about me!!  Since I hadn't moved that something, something had to be done pronto!!!

I had to start by clearing up, then picking up, next after picking them up.... was looking through them, it was like finding old photographs....you have to stop, gaze and wonder all over again.  When did I do that? Why didn't I use it?  Can I use it now?

I ended up with dies, and odds and ends all over the place, and was still at a loss as what to do with them.

But, since I had been asked to make a few "Just to say" cards I followed this direction.  The cards needed to be useable for any occasion, including sympathy.....

This is one I made.  On looking at it again - I think I could have made two cards with one image on each.  How wonderful is hindsight! 

Hope to catch up with you soon on the WOYWW blog hop!

Nestabilities - Labels Small and Large - Change the shape!

Getting more mileage from my dies is a favourite pasttime of mine, and so here's another idea for you if you have the Labels Small and Large Rectangle dies.

                                                   

Yesterday I was playing about with this blue tag and Cosmic Shimmer Mists: Candy Pink and Angel Mist.   Having changed the colour and added a bit of shine, I used a Airondack Demin ink on stamps from Elusive Images and Rubber Stamped as a contrast.  I decided that the tag was too big, so I trimmed it down, but it was still not very inspiring.  After looking at several dies I was unable to find a die that fitted over the pattern, so.....

using one of the labels from the Rectangles Large and Small set,

 I taped the die across the top of the image and made a partial cut

then did the same to the other end

Again only cutting the edge.  Now using a ruler, trimmed the straight sides.

You will not be able to emboss this new shape with the tan mat, but.....

with a bit of patience you can do it with an embossing tool!

If you have not seen this post....check out the method  here.

Using another of the larger dies I have cut a mat slightly larger than my image in exactly the same way.

so I now have a new longer shape made from two much smaller dies.

I have not quite finished my card and will have to show you another time, but for now I have to abandon my craft desk for another matter.  Shame, I was enjoying myself, still it will be nice to have something to come back to!

WOYWW

Good morning my WOYWW friends from a very bright and sunny North Staffs, hope you are all well and enjoying life.  When I walked into my craftroom this morning and looked at my desk ....

I was surprised by the lack of anything to show you but the remains of a very busy time crafting yesterday.  I made two new DT cards which are under wraps, and so because of this I thought you might like to see....

this illustration from the set of EI stamps that my Pie (on Monday) was from, which many of you liked and thanks for your lovely comments.  Stamping is a relatively new adventure for me, and having a colour guide is really helpful. 

This is my take on the boot from the same set.

I've used the Nestie squares for layering the paper from HOTP over gold card and a patterned vellum. Although the shaped labels are lovely, the basic shapes are really useful, so don't leave them gathering dust. The boot I coloured with Promarkers, cut out, triple embossed.  A few gems on the tassels, twisted wire, ribbon, foam pads - job done.  Oh, not quite - the lines were achieved by using a score board - this matched up nicely with the diamond pattern on the boot! 

Enjoy your day visiting - this week I hope to be with you earlier! 

Elusive Images and Joy Craft Corners

Another day, another card.....this one was a commissioned card for a lady celebrating her 90th Birthday. 
I have used this stamp from Elusive Images Floral Spray (link on side bar)  before as an A6 card, but this time I needed an A5 card.

Again I stamped the image straight on the card with distress ink (Forest Moss) and dragged the ink in on a few of the leaves, but

instead of the scored lines, used the corner borders from Joy Crafts

On a second stamping of the image, I cut away some of the leaves, coloured the flowers with Promarkers and triple embossed, added to image with foam pads

and the finished card....

Unfortunately the last two pictures are not showing the true colours, but I delivered the card yesterday before I looked at the pictures!  I don't like the bottom die, it's too heavy, but having stuck it on, on it had to stay!

Off now to play, that's after putting the washing out - back soon to show you some more lovely stamps.

 

It's Elusive Images again and Nestie dies

Although it's Tippy Thursday when I normally answer any questions and bring you tips, news and ideas, today I'm going to show you one of the cards that I submitted for the EIDT. This card is displayed on the Elusive Images Design Team Blog, along with other beautiful artwork from my new team mates, and although many may have seen this tutorial, many of my new readers may have missed it. So, with no more ado.....here it is.....


I think I have found my way in stamping!  This is what I like doing....

composing pictures with stamps on lovely paper.     

The stamps are from 2 sets of Elusive Image stamps: Daisy Butterflies and Eastern Grasses - absolutely great artwork giving perfect images. 

On DP from HOTP, I've overstamped the images in Adirondack Coffee ink to enhance the background. 

I made the topper with the same stamps and coloured the background with DI's and then triple embossed.

The insert....using a Nestie Label One and the same stamps

My finished card.....

 I have Andrea to thanks for her support and encouragement to stamp - when I met her 2 years ago I couldn't even stamp onto scrap card without smudges.  Thanks Andrea, I owe you!

 If you're a new reader to the Cupboard - perhaps from the Graphicus Guild or lover of Elusive Images, or the owner of a die cutting machine, I hope you've enjoyed your visit and that you will return as I've more projects following soon.  If you would like to follow my blog you will find the link on the sidebar, I'll be delighted to have you on board (pehaps I should say in the Cupboard?)  I'm happy to answer any of your queries on my work or help with any problems you may have with your Bug - just leave me a comment.

Thanks for dropping by - enjoy your day!

Spellbinders - Nestabilities - Labels One

My tutorial today is very different to my usual simple less is more style of card, and I hope you will like it.....

Materials used:
6 x 6 card
Nestie label 1
DP - Basic Grey
Various stamps and inks
Ribbon, wire, beads

I never realised I had a favourite crafting colour until I looked back on my recent cards and saw that Green in some shade or other was there!  Today is no exception.....

I have always loved papers from Basic Grey, this is from the Scrapbook Designer papers - just a green with blobs of peachy orange and black  lines.....perfect for stamping on!  The flower stamp is from Hero Arts called Flourish Bloom and the Dragonfly is by Stampendous and together with a Label One die and a few more dabs of distress inks, make a surprise when opening the card.

Using the same DP for the front of my card, I stamped the dragonfly and a border of swirls with Adirondack Raison and again added a bit more colour to the edges.   

Now I needed an embellishment...

I tried something new for me - a resist technique.  I first stamped the flower with a white acrylic dabber (the border is the same stamp).  When dry I completely covered the tag with various colours of DI's then rubbed  the ink off to show the pattern.  All I needed then was a touch of the raison colour by way of the dragonfly and a sentiment, a light misting of water and a few splodges of glitter glue (which you canot see - drat!) to finish  my tag.

I made a tassel from satin ribbon

a curl of wire and beads and.....

my card was finished. 

I enjoyed trying the resist technique and stamping on decorative paper.  It's taken me a long time to pluck up the courage to change some of my crafting habits, but now I've started, doubt I'll stop!

Nestabilities - Big Scallop Squares make corners

Need a quick but interesting card? 

This stamp from Elusive Images called Tulip Script suit the task well.  I used Promarkers to colour the image and distress inks to colour the background, then added 1 layer of embossing powder.  The corners are actually two big scallop squares.  Job done! 

Make a fold-back edge card - part 2

As promised earlier, I have my finished card to show. 

The stamp I used for making this embellishment is from Rubber Stampede and is called Solidago Sprig.  Not sure what the technique is called, but I stamped the main sprig and two shadow sprigs onto a background I'd created by misting water onto distress inks.  It  looked ready for the bin until the magic of embossing powder brought it to life.  This technique has me hooked!   

If you have not read my earlier post on how to make the base card, you will find it below.  However, since one of my friends has accused me of being naught for tempting her to buy more stash - I will add that you can make this card with a border punch if you don't have a borderabilitie die. 

Thanks for dropping by.

Nellie Snellen Rectangle Frames

I recently changed one of the Nestabilitie squares into a rectangle.  Today I thought I'd see if it was possible to change the Nellie Snellen rectangle die into a larger rectangle....the answer is yes you can!

For my card I used:
6" x 6" Cream card
Patterned vellum
black cardstock
CB folder: Texture
Nellie Snellen Medium Rectangle Die
Stamp: Elusive Images - Tulip Script
Ribbon

For a classie look this gold embossed patterned vellum gives a beautiful base layer

Next I embossed a piece of black card with the Texture folder - place the die on the card, but only cut 2/3rds.  Now reposition the die on the other end of the card and cut 2/3rds again.

Just noticed I've not push out all the bits!  The NS dies cut best if you place the die cut face up with the paper on top.  If your plates are bent....use the edge of the plate.

Sandwich:  A  /  C  /  die cut face up / card  /  B.

My finished card with added image....

This is a great image to colour with Promarkers and distress inks, and the triple embossing enhances the colours and compliments the richness of the cream vellum and embossed mat.

Have a good day!

Thanks and a question

My thoughts this morning are again turned to you my friends and fellow crafters, I want to thank you all for your lovely comments and support.   Crafting can be quite an isolate hobby as often our family and friends cannot understand our desire to craft; to shop: to buy!  So without you being there I think I would be a very lonely crafter!  Blogging has been a great experience for me, and I'm sure it's a feeling shared by many - it's given me the means for sharing my work, learning new skills and most importantly making new friends.

The cupboard is getting quite full!  So full, in fact, that I have forgotten some of the items I have tucked away.  It's a bit like our workdesks, things get pushed to the back! Since Jan 2009 I have posted  253 times; the Cupboard has been hit over 158000 times, and 480 of you lovely worldwide friends have become followers,  but I wonder if you can find what you want?  So I have added a search facility to help you find things, and would be interested to know if it works, if not I will have to look at changing a few of the labels?!?!!?

Today my card is again from Elusive Images - Eastern Grasses ....stamped in Adirondack Coffee ink and slightly coloured with Distress ink - Scattered Straw then embossed with, of course, a touch of the obligatory die cutting with a corner from the Vintage Corner Set.  The cream base card has a leather effect finish.

I have not tried a sepia look before, but I will be doing it again.

As the card says:

 "Best Wishes to you all and Many Thanks"

Nestabilities - use the small dies

Hi, it's sunny again - perhaps summer has returned!  I have today managed to finish planting up my tubs and hangind baskets now they need a bit of warmer to bring them on, and in the meantime I'm back crafting.

I sat on the sofa last night and coloured!  I had a new stamp from Elusive Images and although Glenda had supplied a coloured image for guidance, I found it a challenge with my Promarkers.  After three attempts I was pleased with the colours and the shading of the leaves.  On I went this morning to triple embossing - but the card was too thin and the result was poor in places.  I liked the image so much that I wondered if I could salvage it in some way.  The answer was YES!

I stamped the image straight onto the front of the card and edged the centre fold with three lines.

 A few of the leaves I watercoloured....

then added my cut down embossed image and a sentiment cut

 with the smallest circle die.

So from disaster came a card that I had no idea that I was making!

Now I know why I don't like throwing things away!!