Star of Wonder

Hi everyone,
Hope you are all well and keeping warm and cosy in this really cold spell we are having.
My warming potions during this cold weather are Latte's and Hot Chocolate.
Today's post is to enter the Pan Pastels Challenge No 48, the theme being a Song or Carol Title.
I made this card a while back for a challenge that Clarity Stamps had running and as it was so appropriate I thought I would share it again here.

It was kept quite simple and the colour theme was gold, black and white.
Stamps used -  All Clarity - Yule Goat, Star of Wonder Carol and Straw Star.
The Yule Goat stamp is rather cute and unusual, I was so pleased the way it was enhanced when I embossed using  the Shabby White Stampendous Fran-tage embossing enamel. It gave it such a realistic texture and was just an idea I had to see how it would turn out.
The Star of Wonder Carol was stamped and embossed in gold and I used one of the Straw Stars in the centre.
The stamped images were mounted as tags then matted and layered on to the card.
Hope you like this Festive image and thank you for popping by.
Keep warm and cosy xKx

Oriental Sample Cards from Clarity TV Shows Dec 2nd

Good evening,
These are the last of the card samples I made for the weekends shows and are my personal favourites.
The first design uses The Pagoda, Geisha and Water Lilly along with the Cherry Blossom which I already had and a foliage stamp for adding some detail and grounding.

I used the linen textured card again for these two samples and the background of this was coloured and blended using Pans Turquoise and Orange, making sure to add a mask for the "Sun" first.
Once the background was created I removed the "Sun" mask and coloured the sun, leaving a white outer rim, this can also be created by rubbing out the colour around the edge of the sun.
The "Hazy" effect and water were created by rubbing away some of the colour too.
I then stamped the images, added Glamour Dust to the water, gems to the Cherry Blossom and a touch of white also to this and the Lilly using a White Pilot marker pen.
Matted and layered onto co-ordinating card stock and the finishing touch with the opened out raffia ribbon and bow.

This last sample uses the Chinese Lanterns, Best Wishes and Flourish from the set.
I coloured the textured card stock again using one of my favourite combinations of Pans, Magenta and Hansa Yellow Shade, I adore these colours together! The colour blend in the centre is gorgeous.
The flourish is stamped in a row so that the lanterns can "hang" from it and the Best Wishes added above with the contrasting gems.
A piece of raffia contrasts along the bottom and the real WOW factor is when the Glossy Accents are added over the lanterns to really make them "pop" out.
Again matting and layering onto co ordinating card stock and then onto the card.
That's all for now folks, thanks so much for looking at my designs,
Take care & keep warm! xKx

More Clarity TV samples...

So I have just been to get my Christmas tree and it's now secured in its base, watered ready to decorate.
It was mighty chilly out there choosing it and I was pleased to get back in the warm and make a hot chocolate with marshmallows!
The next cards I have for you are using the Wall Flower Collection, La Dame and the Paris Skyline Mask.
This one uses the large La Dame Aux Camellias, the small Yesterday Verse and the Camellia stamp.

I used a Scallop style card for this design as I thought it fitted the elegant style.
This was a very simple and quick card to make, simply using the Pan Pastels Ultramarine Blue Tint and Magenta to colour the background of a piece of textured linen card, this brings a different look and is quite interesting to use. The colours look nice blended together where the two meet.
I stamped the images onto the background and used one of my flowers in complementing colours with a gemstone in the centre. The organza ribbon, again in complementing colours was added down the centre and then the whole thing matted and layered onto the card before adding the gems around the outside.

Next I used the Paris Skyline Mask.

Again a very simple design, I positioned the negative section of the Paris Skyline Mask onto textured linen card and coloured with the Pan Pastels Phthalo Blue.
To create the "moon" I cut the circle out from a punch on a post it note which could then be held in place over the Eiffel Tower after removing the negative mask shape.
Covering my coloured in Skyline area with the positive section of the Paris Skyline Mask and with the moon mask in place I then coloured the upper area with Pans Magenta. Being careful to blend and soften the colour nearer the Skyline. I kept the colour stronger at the top of the card and blended to a paler shade as it reached the Skyline.
The May all your Dreams phrase was then stamped and a heart gem added along with some Glamour Dust "Stars"
The textured card was then matted and layered on black card stock before attaching to the finished card.

The last card I have to show you in this colour scheme is made using the Wall flower Set.

Again I use a scallop shape card for this design, this time I coloured onto smooth card with Pans Violet and Magenta, blending where the two colours meet to give me the background.
I stamped the Flower Corners in Versamark and coloured with the same colour Pan as I had used in that section of the card.
The dots were added using a Pilot Marker or Posca Pen, it's a bit fiddly but I really like the finish and it makes the whole thing "ping" out.
The single flowers were stamped in the same way, colouring the background with the Pan colour first and then using Versamark, I then cut out the images and used an embossing tool to create shape before attaching with self adhesive pads.
Contrasting gems add the finishing touch along with the white spots on the centre flower.
Thanks again for looking xKx

Clarity Samples using the stamps from the TV Shows 2nd Dec

I've been excited about blogging these samples as they were all made using Pan Pastels and they are the first cards I made after attending Eileen Godwin's fabby Pan Pastel Class the day before!


The first thing I did was to limit my colour palette for these designs.
For the first of the seven designs I made I used red, white and black.

Using the "Thanks Set" I simply coloured the background with the Pans Permanent Red and then stamped the wording and the balloons in Ranger Black Archivale.
I made a mask for the balloon and this allowed me to darken the colour of the balloons inside.
The spots were added using a white Pilot Marker or Posca Pen.
I added dimension which unfortunately doesn't show well in this picture but I really like the effect, it was simply to go over the balloons with "Glossy Accents" which gives the amazing glaze and dimension making the balloons look very real!
The red panel was then layered onto black before mounting onto the card and I used some Washi Tape, along the opening edge and finished with the Gingham Ribbon.

This next sample uses the "Music Notes Set"

  I coloured the background the same as before and stamped the Best Wishes Corner.

The two images were stamped and cut out before mounting with adhesive pads, I also used an embossing tool to give the images some "dimension" and coloured the rose and bow with a red promarker and again added the Glossy Accents.

The flowers I make using my Silhouette Cameo, layer 3 sizes and glue a gemstone in the centre.

Again mounted onto a black panel and then the card.

I'll be back later with the rest of the designs, thanks again for stopping by, warm wishes xKx

Winter Scene Clock

Hi everyone,
How are your Christmas preparations coming along?...
The time is whizzing by now and I haven't had many moments to spare since my last posting, I was at two market events at the weekend.
Saturday was extremely busy with visitors buying their Christmas gifts and Sunday was a wonderful atmosphere all be it exceptionally cold, the wonderful log fires and spiced apple drink given to the stall holders were a real treat though.
Anyhow I have something to share with you that I have made and am entering into the Pan Pastel UK Challenge Blog "Gift Tim

I have used a Printer Tray Style Clock from Tando Creative and the approx size is 205mm diam.
Firstly I painted all the chipboard parts with Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber in Aqua, I usually do a couple of coats, it dries very quick.
I then cut card shapes roughly for each of the sections, planning out the finished design before hand and how I wanted the overall appearance.
The Clarity Snowscape Scene worked perfectly across the top 3 sections, and I think I will use this technique on other makes!
Each section was coloured using Pan Pastels, a mix of Ultramarine Blue Tint, Violet and Phthalo Blue, creating the "snowy hills" as I went along.
I used a Versamark Ink pad to stamp the main images, Deer, Stag, Trees and Snowflakes, all of which are from the Clarity Stamps "Winter Wonderland Lesson 14 Kit"
I then added the colour Phthalo Blue to all the images also using the Violet and Ultramarine Blue Tint or the centre Snowflakes.
Once I was happy with the positioning of everything I glued all the pieces in place.
When dry I then added the background "snow" on the images with a Pilot White marker or Posca pen and the "glittery ice and snow" is my favourite Glossy Accents and Glamour Dust.
The clock numbers were created from the Clarity Stamps Numbers Set, again colouring the oval shapes with the pans and this time using versamark and Personal Impressions Pearl Violet embossing Powder to stamp the outer oval shape and the numbers.
These were then attached with self adhesive pads.
I really enjoyed creating this "Winter Scene" and hope you like it too.
Thanks so much for popping by, sending festive warmth and hugs xKx

Frosty & Bright plaque

Good Morning,
It seems rather appropriate to be posting this little plaque now the weather has turned so chilly, Brrrrrr...
The plaque itself is MDF and approx 15x8cm
I decorate many of these which I sell at market events.
The design is created on card and then stuck onto the plaque.
I used Pan Pastels to colour the background, white, turquoise,blue tint and phthalo blue, creating the hills and winter sun/moon effect.
Then I stamped the horse, foal and foliage from stamps in my stash, the naked tree is from Clarity stamps.
The frost is simply glossy accents and glamour dust
Finished off by adding sparkly fibres threaded through to hang and that's it!
Hope you like it and thank you for visiting.

Film strip sports card

Another week started, hope everyone had a lovely weekend and that the start to the week has been a good one.
How are all your Christmas preparations coming along, are you organised or not wanting to think about it too much just yet, such a busy time eh.
I've plenty to keep me occupied just now with Christmas craft events just around the corner, stock to make orders to fill...
Turning away from the Christmas theme I thought I'd share the latest card commission I did with you all.

I used stamps from the Clarity Sports and Letterbox kits and stuck to monochrome colouring.
I'm not always great with masculine themed cards, something to work on there I think.
I stamped the images onto Clarity card with an Archival inkpad, there in lies another challenge! and used a filmstrip or ribbon edge punch that I have in my stash to create the edges.
I then used a distress inkpad, Pumice Stone and sponged the edges of the "filmstrip"pieces
The main image was mounted flat onto a piece of black gloss card along with the George section.
The other pieces were mounted using foam pads to raise them slightly.
Then I mounted the whole thing on to a white card base.
I think I'll adapt this technique for some more designs...
Hope you like it and thank you for popping by.
Karen xXx

Sending you Sunshine...

Another sample made for the Clarity TV shows last weekend.

When I was sent this set of stamps I immediately turned to the Splodge-A-Mask "Sunburst" to create this card. A lovely look at the sun before winter truly sets in!

It was an easy card, using just two Distress ink pads, Mustard Seed and Spiced Marmalade.

I first blended the Mustard Seed in the centre of the mask and around the "sunburst" then gradually blended in some Spiced Marmalade. The outside flourish corners of the mask were just the Spiced Marmalade.

I stamped the children playing having masked off the outer section of the sun in order to contain the image within just the centre, then stamped the tree and the Sending you Sunshine phrase. The card candy was added and the whole thing mounted on a black card base.

Hope you've had a good weekend...

Just done a bit of a blog hop to catch up on what everyone has been up to and all the lovely creations that have been made.
Thank you to everyone who has stopped by my new blog and left comments and taken a look around also on my Facebook page, it's very much appreciated!
I really enjoyed the Clarity TV shows this weekend, very inspirational as always.
The tasks for the following week are to finish blogging the samples I made for Clarity, to catch up on some orders, make stock for forthcoming markets, enter some of the wonderful challenges out there and make some more samples for the next Clarity shows. That should keep me busy enough!
Thanks again everyone and I hope you have a good week ahead.
Back soon, night night for now
Karen xXx

Christmas Bauble samples using Clarity, Twas the Night & Splodge mat

Three bauble designs using the Twas The Night Clarity Stamps 8, 9 and 10 (Toys, Rooftop and Fireplace)
I stamped and embossed each design on to card circles, the images were coloured using pro-markers. I added some white stickles to the blue version on the chimney top for snow and glitter on the moon. Then using the Splodge mat and Distress inks I blended ink in from the edge of each circle. The rosettes were made by edging the length of a sheet of A4 white paper with a border die put through the Grand Calibur. I then cut the width to 6cm. These were then coloured blended again using the splodge mat and distress inks and stamped randomly with Clarity Christmas miniature stamps to create a background. Each strip was then folded length ways at 1cm intervals and two 6cm lengths were joined together with glue to form each rosette. Bakers twine was threaded through the top of each to finish off.
More samples from today's show soon, thanks for reading
Karen xXx                                                 
                                                      

ATC's using Clarity Stamps

No 1 - Theme of Summer

In May I was fortunate enough to attend Barbara Gray's 2 day workshop retreat at Cowden. This was one of the most amazing craft experiences ever! Barbara is such a warm hearted and generous lady with a wealth of talent and skills to offer. I was truly blown away and the whole thing left me quite emotional and reflective.
I was also lucky enough to meet the most incredible bunch of crafters whom I now consider to be great and loyal friends. We have all since kept in touch in our "special" little group ;-) and one of the ladies had the great idea of starting a Clarity ATC swap between us. Now I have never made Artist Trading Cards before so this was a challenge, artwork fitted on to 2.5" x 3.5" pieces of card to give inspiration to others as well as being little keepsake to treasure. There are 14 of us in the group so 13 different "themes" were chosen, one for each month, and each month we make and send our little work of art to a member on the list in rotation so that everyone gets their own little keepsake. By the end we will have all collected 13 mini masterpieces!
I thought I'd share my makes with you one here so that they may hopefully be of some inspiration and give you some ideas.

The first month was "Summer" and I wanted to create a beautiful summer's day!...

I worked out the proportions on the card and lightly sketched the gingham cloth. The sun was masked using a circle cut from a 1" pinch and the clouds added along with the greenery and hills. The other section of the sun mask was used to enable me to colour the sun. I then stamped the pear tree and the flight of birdsand the kite. I coloured the leaves on the tree with a green pro-marker and nib. I then stamped and coloured the tea set and cake, coloured again with pro-markers. Once this was done I could fill in my gingham cloth using a pro-marker and ruler as a guide. The kite was stamped again to enable me to decoupage it and add the ribbon. Also the cake and top of the cake stand were stamped and decoupaged. As a finishing touch I added the mini ric-rac to the cloth edge and glossy accents to the china to make it more realistic.

All Clarity stamps used - Kite, Pear tree, Flight of birds and stamps from the the remountable baking set.

I hope you like this little offering, another coming soon...
Karen xXx

Nature ATC (No 2)

Ok the second month's subject was "Nature" and it sounds easy but I was lacking inspiration for this one!

I then came up with the idea of creating some sort of nature trail or map - 

I used distress inks to create the brown and green background adding hills and texture. The hardest part about this was the positioning of all the little elements. I stamped the letters to form the words Nature Trail, positioning the wayfarer sign in between the two words. I then added the pheasent and the robin. The deer a part of a larger stamp so I had to mask of the sections of my card I didn't want the rest of the stamp to touch in order to get the elemnts in that I wanted. It was finished by adding a variety of trees, masking some areas to create the hedging. 

All satmps are found on the Clarity website.
More to follow, thanks for looking
Karen xXx

Autumn ATC (No3)

I was rapidly running out of time for this one!
Luckily I had a preview of some of the new stamps for this weekend's TV shows on C&C to prepare some samples from. So I decided to go with these and good old faithful "Puck" such a lovely and versatile stamp!

I wanted to create "Autumn Tints" and the feel of the falling leaves all crisp and crunching.

I wanted to use orange tints with a rich plummy colour so I chose distress inks Aged Mahogony and Spiced Marmalade to blend on the base using the oh so clever and amazing Splodgemat!

The leaf border at the bottom will be new on the show tomorrow, you can't see it all here but it's fab! I stamped this in Walnut Stain distress ink. Puck was simply stamped in Aged Mahogony, coloured with pro-markers and decoupaged. For the leaves I lightly blended Spiced Marmalade again onto paper and stamped the leaves in Aged Mahogony before cutting out and screwing up to give great texture. I attached them with foam pads. My favourite product of the moment is Beadazzles, pots of tiny metalic glass beads and glitz which I stuck on randomly on the base using glossy accents to add detail and texture!

Hope you like this, next one will be in Nov, the theme of happiness, Ummmm

Thanks for looking 

Karen xXx

A Host of Golden Daffodils

I was asked about designing a clock with daffodils and here it is...

I used some stamps that have been in my stash for many years. They are silhouette stamps are are usually coloured before stamping with water based pens like Marvy La Plume. I used some Chalk Eye ink pads for the colouring on this occasion as they are a good shape to enable the detail on the stamps to be coloured. The background daffodils were 2nd/3rd generation ink to get a muted effect. I decoupaged some of the daffodil heads for dimension and blended ink at the base of the stems.

Thanks for looking
More to follow soon
Karen xXx