Craft Consortium, Winter Woodland, Decoupage Luminarie

Hello!

I wanted to try my hand with something a bit different today - a decoupage Luminarie that has been decorated using toppers and papers that can all be bought from Craft Consortium...  

I've also used Flocking Powder and Pearl Glue to make the 'snow'...

 Not many of us think of using 'Flocking Powder', do we?

So I wanted to see if it could be done...  and more importantly - does it 'work'?

After all - you may already have some in your stash...

So what do you think?

I would say 'not my usual style', but as everything I make varies (due to me having perhaps way too much fun experimenting?) I've given up on that and hope you realise by now that once I have an idea in my head I just give it a shot!

After all, you never know if you don't try!

Here's a close up of the robin...

...  and a view from the top...

You did notice that musical note piece in the centre didn't you?
Not the centre of the top but of the inside?

What you won't know is that that part isn't like the rest of the luminarie...
It's covered acetate - not card.
Which means you can put a battery operated tea light 'round the back
(or a string of fairy lights perhaps?)
and have your display light up.

How do you cover acetate with decoupage paper?
Well, I'm sure there's more than one way...
But for this I simply used some permanent spray adhesive.

Easy peasy!




Here's a shopping list (with links) of supplies used...


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Winter Wonderland

Premium Paper Pad

Metal Vintage Acorn Charms

Santoro - Kori Kumi
Raffia Cord Set
Flocking Powder Set

Pearl Glues - Beyond The Sea

Floral Die Collection

Plastic Buttons - Neutrals

Decoupage Papers

White Wood

Old Music Score

Blue Snowflakes

Metallic Copper


*

I chose to spray this whole project with one quick coat of Clear Varnish as a final, finishing touch.

Why?

 Because as beautiful an effect as the Flocking Powder has, it does tend to shed a little.  One quick spray of varnish simply provides some extra adhesion - which can't be a bad thing now, can it?





I hope I've inspired you to have a playtime of your own!


More decoupage projects coming soon...




Donna... x

Craft Consortium, Winter Woodland, Hedgehog Shaker Tag

I have a very quick Craft Consortium post to share with you all today...

a hedgehog shaker tag!

Aren't these little guys just the cutest?

I've included a photo breakdown of the steps used to make it...

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Cut hedgehog patterned paper to size and mount on a piece of kraft card.

Next, add the stitched circle and glue it into place over the top of the image.  

Then cut out extra hedgehogs and glue into place to add dimension.

Next, cut another piece of Kraft card to size and add the aperture (stitched circle cut out).

Frame using single strands of twine.

(I used red liner tape to hold these in position).

Glue a thin silver glitter card frame into position that's an exact match in size to your base layer with the hedgehogs on.  Then secure these two layers together and leave to one side.

(This is your base layer).

Make a frame that's very slightly smaller in size to your base layer.

Attach silver ribbon to the back of it (I cut my lengths of ribbon in half), then add a layer of acetate - also to the back.

Glue cut out flowers and leaves into position.

(These flowers have been treated to a layer of diluted White Pearl Glue prior to using.  It adds a lovely sheen to the paper).

Next, make two other frames that are exactly the same size as the one you just made above.

Add another layer of acetate to one of these frames - only this time add the acetate to the front, NOT the back.  (I used red liner tape for this part).

Using Silver Pearl Glue, add a thin layer all around the outside edge where the acetate meets the frame.  (Apply glue with your finger).

Leave to dry.

 Trim down the other frame from the outside edge and carefully apply Silver Pearl Glue to this one, too - only this time cover the inner as well as the outer edge.

Once dry, assemble these three layers together - thinest on top, followed by acetate covered in Pearl Glue, followed by acetate with flowers and leaves on.

But don't do that yet!

You need to remember to add your cut out 'shaker' leaves before you put these three layers together!

Once assembled, add more Silver Pearl Glue around the outside edges if you so wish.

Add a hanging loop into place...

and attach to the base section you made earlier.

(I used foam pads).

*

You will notice in that last picture that I've shown you what this looks like as just a plain shaker frame.

It would be equally perfect with a black and white photo in it - don't you think?

*

Craft Consortium supplies used:

Winter Woodland

Premium Paper Pad

Santoro - Kori Kumi

Raffia Cord Set
Pearl Glues - Beyond The Sea

Always & Forever

Metallic Ribbons - Silver

Adhesive Rhinestone Gems - 3mm
Non Shedding A4 Glitter Card - Silver
Silver Pearl Glue

*

Other supplies used:

Acetate

Stitched Circle die.

Red Liner Tape.

*

Enjoy your day...

Donna. x

Craft Consortium, Winter Woodland, Deer Gift Bag + Acorn Tassel

Good morning again!

You know when you start out making a project and then you just look at it and have that moment of clarity that tells you which direction it's going to take?

Well, that's what this was.

And let's be honest...  those moments don't always come along as often as we would like, do they?

We all have projects that nearly defeat us by simply just not playing nice!

So what was this Winter Woodland project for Craft Consortium going to be before it took a little detour, I hear you ask?

  

Well, to be honest you are pretty much looking at it!

It was going to be this design (on the panel you can see) on a Kraft card base...  end of.  

But the more I looked at it the more I knew it would be just perfect as a gift bag...

and what's a gift bag without a cute little tassel, I asked myself?

So I went ahead and made one!!!

Here's the bag...

...  and here's a close up of that tassel!

I've broken this project down into a few steps just to give you an idea of how it all came together:

Tear a piece off the 'Winter Woodland' Premium Paper Pad front cover (this black and white design is from the inside of the cover itself).  Glue it into place on this deer design from the paper pad, trim to size and then attach a piece of leaf ribbon as shown.

Then tear a piece of this gorgeous black leaf paper, trim that to size and attach to the bottom right corner.

(I also slightly distressed the outer edges of my paper before adding the ribbon and added just a hint of grey ink around the outside edge for contrast).

Next, add a strip of silver ribbon that hangs off one edge as shown...

followed by the deer and the flowers.

(Of course, I did draw and cut around the deer topper a few times first.
I always turn my toppers upside down before drawing around them so I don't have to worry about any pencil marks showing.
Glue the cut outs into place behind the topper and leave to dry before putting into position).




As for the flowers?

I wasn't sure if this was helpful/needed or not, but just in case it is useful to anybody I've included a breakdown of how these flowers are made.
(First flower on the left shows the finished flower, followed by a breakdown of layers used to make it.
The flower top left has also been turned through 180 degrees so that you can see just how different it looks by changing the angle).


Then I simply added on a few flower embellishments that were made using decoupage left overs from another project...
and that tassel - which really was as easy as simply having a very good/strong adhesive to secure the knots before trimming.

*

Craft Consortium supplies used:

Winter Woodland

Premium Paper Pad

Metal Vintage Acorn Charms

Santoro - Kori Kumi

Raffia Cord Set

Leaf Ribbon Set

Floral Die Collection

Always & Forever

Metallic Ribbons - Silver

Adhesive Rhinestone Gems - 3mm

Decoupage Papers Set

Metallic Copper


*

Other supplies used:
Holtz Paper Distressing Tool
Holtz Ink 'Hickory Smoke'
Glue

*



As always, thank you so much for stopping by today.



Sending 'crafty hugs' your way...


Donna. x

Craft Consortium, Tell The Bees, Bee Collage Tag

Good morning to you!

It's fast approaching 7.30am here in the UK and it's still pitch black outside.

And I can't craft in anything but natural daylight.  Believe me - I have tried...  even with 'good' daylight lamps on.  It just doesn't 'work' for me.

So as much as I would normally already be crafting by now I'm having to revert to 'Winter Mode' and use the first few hours of each day to check over my blog posts before they go live, or to write them up...  or to edit the photo's that go along with these posts.

Thankfully I know of at least one other crafter who is like me in this respect so I know I'm not completely alone in what might sound quite odd to a lot of you!

Anyhow...

You may have noticed that I've been making a fair few 'Tell The Bees' projects for Craft Consortium lately...  and what happens when you make lots of projects using a paper pad for inspiration?  Well, you get lots of left overs...  obviously! 

Why am I telling you this?

Because this project was inspired and made entirely from some of those leftovers...  

There are no 'how to' photo's on this one as it's a 'leftover surprise' as I like to call them, but for those of you who haven't seen my earlier projects I will at least do another run through of the supplies used...

*

Craft Consortium supplies used:

Tell The Bees

Premium Paper Pad

Linen Cotton Ribbons

Clear Stamp Set

Santoro - Kori Kumi

Raffia Cord Set

Always & Forever

Silver Pearl Glue

*

Other supplies used:

Ink

Brilliance - Lightning Black

Stazon Ink - Timber Brown

Holtz Distress Ink - Picket Fence

Other

Vellum

Mulberry Paper

*

It just goes to show why so many of us 'crafting types' refuse to throw scraps of paper away.  You really never do know when or how they may come in handy.

...  And speaking of scraps/snippets...

I haven't played along with many challenges for a while now, but this tag is the perfect example of how to put snippets to good use so I'm entering it into

Pixies Crafty Snippets Workshop

I hope you find the links to the products used useful.
Craft Consortium really do have some very pretty papers and embellishments, don't they?
And I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what comes next from this shop.




Have a lovely week...

...  and as always - 'Thank You' so much for stopping by today...

Donna. x

Small Christmas Card, (Poppystamps) Wrapped Star + Folk Star, Distressed Edges

It's Poppystamps playtime I'm sharing with you today...

or more specifically the results of my playtime.

So here it is - a quick and simple card made to play along with their latest challenge.

The theme for this month?

Poppystamps

PSC#37

(Masking/Using a Mask).

I ran with the idea I had in my head for this one. 

To be honest, you can't really go too far wrong with brown and blue anyway, can you?  So I can't take any credit for how this has turned out...

It's an easy peasy, simple card...  but somehow I love it.

(And it's dead easy to 'batch make' - if you're into that time saving thing)!

Here's a quick photo of most of the supplies used...

Three ink colours, two dies and some repositional adhesive spray...  

plus a bell and some twine.

Like I said.  Easy peasy!

Need a quick 'how to'?

*

Cut out one Poppystamps 'Wrapped Star' die cut and spray Crafters Companion/Stick & Spray - Repositional Adhesive onto the back of it.

(This is your mask/stencil).

Place the mask onto your card and using a finger dauber, add Holtz 'Broken China' ink in and around the stencil.

(You want to be more heavy handed with your 'finger dauber action' in the middle of the stencil and have a lighter touch as you move out from the centre of the star).

Do the same thing again using Holtz 'Walnut Stain' ink - being sure to leave enough of a gap for the Mirri star to be placed in between.

The Poppystamps 'Folk Star' has been made from three layers of Mirri card - all glued together.  

Once dry, simply use a Pokey Tool to add two holes and then thread through the twine and attach the bell before tying in a bow.

Add a small amount of PVA Glue to secure the knot (dries clear), plus a few sequins.

A hint of Holtz 'Hickory Smoke' and 'Walnut Stain' ink was added all around the edge of this design prior to using a Paper Distress Tool.  

(You can still see the ink but it gives a softer, gentler finish if you do it this way). 

Add a tiny bit of paper tearing around the edge.

Glue into position on a card front...

Finished.

*

I'm also entering this into the following challenge:

Addicted To Stamps And More

Challenge #264 - Clean And Simple

I can't stress how much it means to me when you take the time to stop by...   especially when you leave a comment, too. 

You really do brighten my day...

Donna. x

Craft Consortium, Winter Woodland, Deer Gift Box

Just a quick post today!

I love making gift bags, tags and boxes - I really do. 
So when I saw this "oh so very pretty" deer topper on the Premium Paper Pad double front cover of Craft Consortium's 'Winter Woodland' collection I knew exactly what I was going to make...
A gift box!!!

It's a very simple idea using a craft box die, one birch tree die, some raffia, ribbon, sequins, gems...   and of course some of those gorgeous papers and the deer topper itself - along with some Pearl Glue.

It really doesn't sound like a lot, does it?

But put it all together and you get this...

As always, I've turned the deer topper upside down, drawn around it a few times and then cut and glued the 'cut outs' into place behind the topper for extra strength.  I also love the way this helps the image to 'pop' off the page a little... 

...  and I've cut around double the amount of those pretty red flowers that you can see, cutting into some of them more than others before layering them up and adding the Rhinestone Gems. 

As for the Pearl Glue?

If you look very closely, you should see that each flower sequin has a tiny drop of it in its centre...  and if you carry on looking closely you should also catch just a hint of it all around the edge. 

*

Craft Consortium supplies used:

Winter Woodland

Premium Paper Pad

Santoro - Kori Kumi

Raffia String Set

Leaf Ribbon Set

Floral Sequins

Always & Forever

Silver Pearl Glue

Adhesive Rhinestone Gems - 3mm

*

Other supplies used:

Dies:

Tattered Lace 'Essentials Box Base + Lid'

Sizzix Thinlits 'Birch Trees'

*

If you've had the time to stop by today, 'thank you' so, so much...

I know how busy we can all get so I really do appreciate it.

I've got a few more ideas to share with you over the next few weeks, but that's it for now!

Donna. x

Craft Consortium, Tell The Bees, Resin Flower Tag

I had so much fun making this bright and cheery tag that I'm sharing with you today.

Yes, it's another from the Craft Consortium, 'Tell The Bees' collection...  yet this time my focus is not on the papers - it's on the stamp set itself.

Want to see?

I'm a great believer in 'mixing things up', so for me the idea was to keep the bees black and white so that the focus of the colour lies elsewhere on the tag.

Here's a visual breakdown so you can see just how simply this tag can be made...

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Craft Consortium supplies used:

Tell The Bees

Clear Stamp Set

Premium Paper Pad

Linen Cotton Ribbons

Santoro - Kori Kumi

Resin Flower and Leaves Set

Mini Resin Flowers Set

Leaf Ribbon Set

Raffia Cord Set

*

Other supplies used:

Ink

Versafine - Black

Brilliance - Lightening Black

Holtz Distress - Twisted Citron

Holtz Distress - Walnut Stain

Stazon - Timber Brown

Other

Mulberry Paper 

Acetate - scrap from craft packaging

*

Before even starting to decorate this tag, I made sure that the base of it was thick and durable by gluing a few layers together - but that's a personal preference thing, I guess.  I just know from experience that I prefer my tags to feel 'sturdy'.

Then I focused on the bees...
In addition to layering them up from the back (stamp image, cut it out, turn it upside down, draw around it, cut it out and glue into position behind the stamped image) three or four times, I've also stamped and cut out additional parts to add extra dimension to the front.

See that top itty bitty bee?  That has an extra 'body' part.

The middle bee?  Cut an additional head and wings - just taking out that slight sliver of body in the middle.

...  And the bottom bee?  Extra 'wings'.

Threading two leaf ribbons through the tag at the top, then weaving them gently together before tying into place with a piece of brown raffia cord was all that was needed to complete this fun looking tag.

I do hope you're enjoying my ideas on how to use this set.
It really is so versatile.

Thanks once again for taking the time to stop by...

Donna. x

Craft Consortium, Tell The Bees, Flowers, Lace + Twine

My card for today shares another idea on how to use Craft Consortium's 'Tell The Bees' Collection - which includes a beautiful, muted palette of papers that can be dressed up or down with ease.

As you can see, I've opted for a card with a bright pop of colour, plenty of texture, flowers...  and of course those bees!

  

Want to see the back of it?

It's not as complicated as it looks...  honestly it isn't!

Let me explain...



Take the front cover off the paper pad - removing the topper section for use another day - and cut the front cover into four equal pieces.
(I used the top left section, trimming it to size to fit a standard 5" square card).

Then I tore off a section before getting out my circle dies.

I used one circle to cut away the logo, one to cut a tiny hole near the bottom...   and the third circle (the biggest of the three) was used to cut some circles from the gorgeous patterned paper.
I chose to layer up four of these circles to create a panel with some extra strength - gluing two from the front and two from the back of the front cover to create a sandwich - but don't do this part yet as you need to decorate it first!
(I wrapped around some lace, then added flowers, leaves, more twine and a sequin to mine).

The 'twine circle' at the top was made using one strand of twine (cut to length and simply untwist).
I used high tack double sided tape to hold the ends of the strands in place, and then simply layered them across each other.

Then glue some bees into place.
(I always layer up my bees by turning the 'cut out' upside down and then drawing around it onto scrap card.  Cut out three or four per bee to add visual interest...

...  and add some extra flowers, sequins and a piece of lace ribbon...

...  a scrap of 'Tell The Bees' paper to go underneath the tiny hole...

...  plenty of foam pads...

...  and mount everything into place on a card that already has a piece of the patterned paper glued on to it.
(I favour 'tatty/distressed' edges - as you can see)!

All done.

*

Craft Consortium supplies used:

Tell The Bees
Premium Paper Pad
Linen Cotton Ribbons
Sequins

Santoro - Kori Kumi

Raffia Cord Set
Floral Die Collection

Always & Forever
Resin Flowers - Ivory
Elegant Lace Ribbon - Heart Chain
Adhesive Pearls - 5mm


*


As always, thank you so much for stopping by today...
I hope I've given you some useful ideas on how to use your 'Tell The Bees' Collection for yourself.


'Bye for now...


Donna. x

"I'm Hungry" Tag, Squirrel, Pumpkin (Penny Black)

It's 'Tag You're It' Friday time again folks!

You know how it works...

We have a Featured Artist who provides us with his or her own tag for inspiration...  and then we get to play.

...  And as long as you can explain how you were inspired you can let your imagination run wild at this point...

I sure did!

But I have to confess...   What I've ended up with this time is just so darn cute to me that I'm refusing to part company with it.

It's mine... 

 ...  and I'm not sharing it or giving it away to anybody...

(...  and yes, I am fully aware of just how SAD that makes me sound).

Want to see what makes me so happy every time I look at it?

It's not perfect...  but it's not supposed to be.

That's the absolute beauty of these Penny Black Brushstroke Stamps - they are made to be 'imperfectly perfect'...  

And I just love the way it looks like this squirrel is busy eating!

So what inspired me?

This perfectly perfect little Autumn tag - that just so happens to also be made using an image from Penny Black!

I was struck by how beautifully this had been coloured in and initially my thoughts went to making something Autumn/leaf related that would also use these colours...  but then I got to thinking about other things that speak of Autumn.   Before I knew it I'd settled on my (bought but unused for about a year) Penny Black 'Pumpkin Patch' stamp...  and the Clearly Besotted squirrel and 'I'm Hungry' sentiment just became a natural progression.

(Of course, this could be based in part on the fact that a squirrel is venturing into our garden once again.  I adore squirrels and their scampering antics - they are so utterly charming to watch).

What about you?

Are you a lover or a loather of squirrels?

Of course, it's more than obvious that I've gone for 'selective colouring' this time 'round.  

You may well think I've gone 'nuts'...  (seriously no pun intended - but hey...  if it works, it works)!

Squirrels...  nuts...  oh, never mind!

...  it's just that I wanted the focus of the colour to be on the pumpkin and nothing else.

It makes for a very 'clean' looking tag this way.

Here's a quick rundown of the supplies used:

*

Stamps:
Penny Black 'Pumpkin Patch'
Clearly Besotted 'Great Job'
Clearly Besotted 'Nom Nom'

Tsukineko/Memento Markers:
Toffee Crunch
New Sprout
Rich Cocoa
Pear Tart
Bamboo Leaves
Dandelion
Olive Grove
Tangelo
Expresso Truffle

Other:
Stamp Positioner Tool
Embossing Powder - Clear Gloss
Distress Paint - Picket Fence
Ribbon - Brown
Twine - Brown
Thread - Brown
Needle
PVA glue
Paper Distressing Tool

*



Yes...  you really did read the word 'needle'!
I stitched the ribbon together before tying the twine around it...  then applied a small amount of PVA glue directly onto the twine's knot to keep it secure.

Of course, I think I'm going to have to seal my tag with some spray varnish before I accidentally mark it somehow.
I'm thinking just plain spray varnish rather than my subtle glitter finish varnish...
What do you think?



If you have the time, why not take a look at my team mates tags for this challenge?
You just never know how you might be inspired!

Enjoy your weekend...

Donna. x 

Craft Consortium, Winter Woodland, Hedgehog + Polaroid Frame Card

Do you want to see a sneak peek of the new Winter Woodland Collection in action?

If you do, you've come to the right place...

I did say it was only a sneak peek!

The full reveal is tomorrow (9th October, 2017) so keep your eyes peeled and be prepared to fall in love with this stunningly beautiful new addition to Craft Consortium's Hackney & Co range...  

As this card was relatively easy to put together (once all the 'bits and pieces' were cut out, etc) only two extra photo's have been taken.

One to show the base layer of the card...

(Two patterned papers from the new Premium Paper Pad Collection - plus the tartan decoupage paper)...

...  and the other to show how the Polaroid frame section was made.

(This is the back of the Santoro Wooden Frame, coated with a few layers of Pearl Glue for texture.  The charm has been threaded on using twine that has been twisted apart before being thread through and secured from the back).

Once dry/done, simply glue the two together.

Please note that the shine on the acorn cups, pine cone and tiny flower at the bottom comes from adding a layer of Glossy Accents.

*

Craft Consortium supplies used:

Winter Woodland:

Premium Paper Pad

Metal Vintage Acorn Charms

Decoupage Papers:

Tartan

White Wood

Metallic Copper

Santoro - Kori Kumi:

Raffia Cord Set

Printed Wooden Frames

Mini Resin Flowers Set

Floral Die Collection

Plastic Buttons - Neutrals

Pearl Glues - Beyond The Sea

*

If you have access to the Create and Craft TV channel try watching at 2pm or 9pm (UK time) where you get a whole in depth hour per show to see even more of this new collection in action...  

Available to buy online from the 9th October, 2017

@

Craft Consortium. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today...

Donna. x