Tonic | Sew Pretty Quick and Easy Card

Today I am sharing another card I made last week for the Tonic Studios shows I did at Create and Craft USA using the new Sew Pretty frames. This one features the Cherish the Moment Rectangle Frame.

I went down the route of super clean and simple! I only added a stamped message - this one is from my stamp set Large Sentiments Everyday Messages | CICSA6143 - and a button from the Tonic Patchwork Perfection Square Stitch Die and Emboss Set. 

I die cut three of the larger Rectangles frames. One for the back is scored at about 1/2" or 1 cm approx. and attached to a plain one by just gluing that flap created to the back.

Then I took the third Rectangle die cut and I used the pin holes to create a simple pattern embroidered across. Then I attached that panel on to the front panel that matches perfectly to disguise all the threads on the back.

I love the texture you get with some threads and these Sew Pretty frames make it so quick and easy! And with all those pin holes, there are so many possible patterns!

Have a beautiful day!

Tonic | Have a beautiful day card!

Today I would like to share this card I made using the Tonic Patchwork Perfection Square Stitch Die and Emboss Set and the Sew Pretty frame, in this case the Have a Beautiful Day circle Frame.

I die cut the spool out of paper that imitates wood finish and wrapped around the spool some embroidery thread. 

The Large circle die cut on the back and the message are from the Have a Beautiful Day circle Frame. The message is die cut out of card and then double embossed with Nuvo Silver embossing powder. A simple technique that makes the die cuts all pretty!

Have a beautiful day!

Hello Lovely!

Last month I got one of the hottest products in the craft market, Tim Holtz new Distress Crayons for Ranger. I couldn't wait to get a play, so here you have the results.

Aside from the Distress Crayons, I used my Big Shot machine, Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 2PK - Tribal Borders #660502, Craft Asylum Tribal Adventure Clear Stamp Set, Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 3PK - Winter Wishes
#660882, as well as black pigment ink, clear embossing powder and smooth white card.

I started by applying a generous stripe of each of the rainbow colours on to a white smooth card, making sure that the colours overlapped.

Using a broad water brush loaded with plain water, I brushed over the lines to blend them.

Using the straight trim I die cut five strips.



I then glue them to the card.



The intensity of the the colours of the crayons stands out against the white card.

I die cut the sentiment, then pressed the ink pad across and emboss it using clear embossing powder and heat embossed it using a heat gun. I did two layers of embossing powder to create a really glossy three dimensional effect.

Then I stamped the messages from the tribal stamped set and emboss them using clear embossing powder. Then I cut around them and add them to the card using foam pads.

I hope you like it!

Paula

Smile Card

So for todays blog post I just wanted to do a simple, fresh card, that makes some one smile.

I used:
Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 3PK - Intricate African Florals #660498
Sizzix Bigz Die - African Florals #660490
Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 2PK - Tribal Borders #660502,
Craft Asylum Best Friends Clear Stamp Set

I die cut all the Thinlits dies out of white smooth card, and the Bigz die out of plain coloured paper. I trimmed about an inch of the right edge. In the inside IU attached a strip of green paper. Then I attach the trim on the right edge.

I then layered the flowers together and add them to the card.

Finally I stamped the message using black ink.

Simple, but hopefully will make some one smile.

Paula

Tonic | Sew pretty simple card

I am back with another way of using the Circle Sew Pretty frame that I made for the Tonic Studios shows last week.

 It features the new Sew Pretty frames, again the Have a Beautiful Day circle Frame, but this time I didnt do any embroidery to it, just left the pin holes on its own. 

That paper piercing effect is gorgeous! I really like the delicate nature of those pin holes.

For the ombre background I used distress inks, blended them well and then die cut them using the layering frame die from the same die set.

The gorgeous scallop circle die? Also included in the same set!

The sentiment is also from the same die set.

Finally, I just used the Nuvo Drops Gloss Dandelion and Pumpkin to add detail to the centre of the flowers. I am really impressed with them, they hold their shape completely and they dry very quickly (compared to other similar products).

Tomorrow, I will be back on Create and Craft USA, for timing check their schedule here.

Tonic | Sew Pretty Frames

Earlier this week I started a new craft adventure: I was on Create and Craft USA representing the fabulous Tonic Studios! 

I have been using Tonic products since they started. My all time favourite paper cutting tool is a 12 years old guillotine from Tonic. ( I got it back when they partnered up with Do Crafts creating their X cut range. But the new ones are identical just with orange details instead of blue.)

You know by now that I love die cutting, and always have admired their intricate and innovative designs, so when they asked me to represent them for some shows at Create and Craft USA of courseI was delighted!

This is one of the first cards I made for the Tonic Studios. It features the new Sew Pretty frames, in this case the Have a Beautiful Day circle Frame.

Each set comes with four dies: one sentiment, an intricate aperture cutting die and two matting and layering (or frame creating) dies.

The innovation of these dies is that they have tiny prick holes in them so they perforate the card just so slightly that creates a beautiful detail that can be embroidered, faux embroidered with a pen, or left on its own as the pin hole detail is so pretty.

For some one like me that started making cards embroidering on card, this was a sort of a full circle thing. 

If you would like to see some demos, you can catch the shows on repeat for a week (till next Wednesday) here.

I simply die cut the aperture die out of white card, as well as the message and the needle (from the Tonic Patchwork Perfection Square Stitch Die and Emboss Set). Using three shades of embroidery thread, I went from pin hole to pin hole creating this pretty effect without any hard work.

As you know, I love clean and crisp cards! I hope you like this card and the new range Sew Pretty range from Tonic.

Oh, and I will be on Create and Craft USA next Monday and Tuesday!

Next Great Create Extravaganza | Giveaway!

My friends over at Craftwork Cards organise a fabulous craft show twice a year up North called Next Great Create Extravaganza (formerly GNPE). It is one of my favourite shows, with so much inspiration from top notch companies and demonstrators.

The Next Great Create Extravaganza will be held on Friday 11th March and Saturday 12th March 2016, at a brand new venue: Knavesmire Exhibition Centre, York Racecourse, YO23 1EX. 

With a focus on papercraft, scrapbooking and home decor, the Extravaganza is the perfect opportunity for you to make, shop & learn, whatever your passion! 

This two-day Extravaganza features a wide variety of creative workshops, expert demonstrations, make & takes and much much more. With plentiful free parking, this event is not to be missed!

Advance ticket prices are just £4.50 per adult, children go free but mush have a ticket and the 2 day pass is £8.50.

Click here to buy your advance tickets.

To celebrate the new venue the organisers have given 10 pairs of 2 day pass tickets - worth £8.50 each! - away to my blog readers, if they leave a comment on this blog post. I

You have till next Sunday Mothers Day 6th March to leave comment and then they will send tickets directly to you next week before the show. 

There are workshops on offer too, some of them have sold out now and many have limited space left. Crafting TV Celebrities will running workshops, including the inspiring Jo Austin and the absolute fabulous Julie Hickey! These can be booked online here.

And you will find the following exhibitors:

• Stitched by Alison
• Sentimentally Yours by Phil M
• Aston Create & Design
• Personal Touch 
• Which Craft?
• The Denim Company
• Anna Marie Designs
• Chloe's Creative Cards
• The Art of Craft
• Gadsby's Decoupage & Dies
• The Make It Company
• The Stamp Hut
• JTS Ribbon Designs
• Craft World
• Petticoat Parlour
• Little Claire
• MDF Blanks
• Samuel Taylors
• Glittermagic & Debbie Moore Designs
• Craft Habitat
• Giles Crafts
• Stamposaurus
• Jellybean Crafts
• Silver Fairy Design
• Oyster Stamps
• Honey Doo Crafts
• Debonair Designs
• Hot Shot Crafts
• Kathy's Crafts
• 1craft1.com
• Craftwork Cards

Lots of demonstrations to watch, see the latest and greatest in crafting goodies. 

Many of your favourite crafting TV celebrities will be there:

Chloe Eadon - Chloe's Creative Cards

Phill Martin - Sentimentally Yours

Amanda Fletcher - Honey Doo Crafts

Paula Walters - WhichCraft?

Anna Marie - Anna Marie Designs 

And of course, one of my bestest friends in the industry, the truly wonderful Julie Hickey from Craftwork Cards!

Remember to comment in this post to get free tickets to the show! You have till Sunday to comment.

Craft Asylum | Stamped wreath card

Tribal stamped card

I am back with one of my favourite stamping type of cards which is to create a colourful wreath perfect for the spring.

I used only the Craft Asylum Tribal Adventure Clear Stamp Set, an acrylic block, inks and buttons. Very simple but quite full of colour and pretty shapes.

I first draw a 4" circle (you can use a die cut circle, a little plate...) and then I stamped first the larger flower three times, then the second largest flower, and so on until the whole wreath was complete. 

(If you would like a more detailed instructions you can check this previous post I did with another Craft Asyulum stamp set.)

Finally I added the sentiment, the little hearts and glued the buttons.

I hope you like it!

Paula

This week blog post for Craft Asylum is out now.
Click here or on the photo for the direct link.

Sizzix | New blog post tutorial Birthday Cards

This weeks post over at Sizzix is out now!

Click here or on the photos for the direct link.

New blog post for Craft Asylum | Cardmaking

New blog post over at the Craft Asylum blog.

Click here for the main photos and explanation on how I made this card.

Sizzix | Bright cards

Click here or on the photo to read more about it!