I thought I'd have...

...a bit of a play.

Before Christmas I bought a set of Card-io stamps from Pinnacle Crafts and did a bit of "batch" making on the Christmas card front. I've since managed to get some more sets but haven't had the time to sit down and have a 'play'.

As our "Knit & Natter" is also a "Craft & Chatter" group, I took along some of my stamps...

...some card blanks and an ink pad.
I started off by drawing a light pencil circle on the card blank...

 ...this is to act as a guide for placement of the design.
This is the selection of stamps that I used for my Christmas card scene...

 ...and as you can see, there is nothing really that 'screams' Christmas. I continued to add the circular frame using the Tapestry leaf stamps...

 ...and that is where I left it. I didn't have any colouring mediums with me but I think I will try this as a non-snowy scene which will mean that it can be used for other occasions.
I had a bit of a play with some of my new stamps...

...including a set of Majestic mini festive leaves. This will probably be a Christmas card but I will have a play around with some gems and liquid pearls in the 'wreath' surround to give the effect of berries.

When I've decided how to finish these off, I'll show you the result. I just need to find a bit more 'playtime'...........................................................

Colour and...

...texture.

The workshop this week at Pinnacle Crafts was to help with creating texture from the use of colour and to encourage folk to pick colours that would normally be outside of their comfort zone.

The first project Andy (Pearson) set for us was to colour a selection of circles with Distress ink pads using the help of the Creative Expressions "Smoothies"...

 ...I have some of the larger ones but hadn't 'played' with the small ones - they are a fabulous size for applying colour where you want to be in control.
I coloured my circles using some of the 2015 colours of Distress ink...

 ...Wilted Violet, Twisted Citron, Fossilized Amber and then threw in a circle coloured with Peacock Feathers.
This is the resulting card...

...the circles were mounted on 3D foam and some folk glazed their circles with Glossy Accents - I didn't as I rather like the more matt finish.

The sentiment was a Hero Arts wooden mounted stamp but unfortunately this is now discontinued.

Although pretty quick & easy, this was a very effective card to start off with.

I'll let you see the other projects from the workshop later in the week...........................................

Time for a...

...messy play-day.

Although I have to say, the only one who got messy was Andy - we all had gloves LOL

The workshop was a chance to play with alcohol inks and as there were only a few of us we were able to spread out and enjoy a lovely day playing with colour.

This inspirational piece was done by Andy (Pearson) and he said that it had been a very happy accident...

 ...my photo doesn't do it justice as it was difficult getting an angle where the light didn't cause a problem. The effect created is of a lovely bluebell dell with a view out to a stream/lake and hills in the distance - it looks stunning in real life.

Andy's picture was created using alcohol inks swirled on a textured 12x12 floor tile. A sheet of 12x12 acetate was laid onto the ink and then the ink was moved out to the edges using finger pressure and a bit of wiggling of the acetate. How the acetate is removed from the tile creates more texture and Andy then 'double dipped' areas of the acetate to create even more colour and interest.

We started off with some sheets of A5 acetate cut in half and the aim was to create a background that we would then stamp over. We used alcohol inks for some...

 ...but also used Promarkers on others...

 ...just to show the different in colour intensity...

 ...because, despite using some of the deepest coloured Promarkers...

 ...the results were very pastel in nature...

 ...giving a very soft effect compared to the inks...

 ...which tend to retain a lot more of their vibrant nature...

 ...I decided to go with one of the Promarker pieces that looked like a cloudy sky...

 ...and this was the card that I ended up with.

After lunch we came back to some more play - this time on the 12x12 sheets.

I will have to try and get some photos without the light reflection...

...because, depending on which way round you look at these pieces, you can see all sorts of images within the colour mix.

A fabulous day having the chance to play with colours that would normally be outside of our individual comfort zones.

The smaller pieces will be great for backgrounds on cards or even to punch out some petals and create flowers and the larger pieces will make very colourful scrapbook layout backgrounds...I'm sure I have some photos of daffodils that would look great against the green piece.

Next week's workshop is texture & colour and Andy wasn't letting on about what we would be doing but said it would be another messy one - better remember the pinny & gloves then.............................

CHA2016 Sneak peeks...

...from Mr Holtz & Ranger.

At last!!! The white ink pad and re-inker have arrived - Andy (Pinnacle Crafts) will be so pleased...

...as this was the colour he was hoping for during 2015's Distress releases.
A new storage container for the Distress Markers...

...yippee!!! I'll be able to keep all of them in the one container and as it is a tin it will match nicely with the tins that hold my 'mini' Distress Ink pads.
On the subject of mini items - it looks like there will be other parts of the range made available in a mini size - making them easier for transporting to crops and workshops.
Now this looks interesting...

...Distress Crayons - look forward to getting my hands on some of these and having a play.

There are a number of other items shown over on Tim's blog but these were the ones that caught my eye. I'll certainly be looking out for their arrival over here after the launch at CHA in the USA.......................................................................................

I totally forgot...

...that this was the last "first Friday".

I didn't remember until rather late on Friday and with everything else that has been going on, felt too tired to fire up the PC.

Now Andy has wanted a 'proper' white all year but he and I both agreed that the last colour for 2015 was likely to be a RED.

Welcome to the lovely Candied Apple...

...a beautiful rich colour so perfect for the Holidays.

I'm all up to date with my new colours except for Lucky Clover & Candied Apple - so something yummy to look forward to................................................................

Just a quick one...

...as I have a lot to get done today.

If you missed that yesterday was the first Friday of the month you will have missed the launch of the new Distress colour for November.

Here it is...

...another green to slot into the range - Lucky Clover sits well along side of Pine needles so will be great for your Holiday crafting if you like to stick with traditional colours.

Only one colour left to be announced - any bets as to what December will bring?....................

October Distress colour is...

...Carved Pumpkin.



What a super colour and certainly perfect for the Halloween season - add some Wilted Violet, Twisted Citron and a bit of Fossilized Amber and you are well away.

This leaves just two months/two colours to be revealed for 2015 - I wonder what they could possibly be..........................................................................

It was Demo Day...

...at Pinnacle Crafts on Saturday.

As usual, Hilary & I met for breakfast first of all and after a yummy sausage sandwich with lashings of brown sauce and a latte for me...

...and toast & marmalade with cappuccino for Hilary - we toddled off to join the already growing queue at Pinnacles.
Andy had prepared lots of fabulous samples and there were lots of ideas and inspiration...

...for getting stuck into those Christmas projects. It is September after all and as all crafters will know, whether we want to acknowledge the fact or not, Christmas isn't that far away if you are wanting to get projects prepared & completed in time. Andy had a lovely time playing demonstrating with alcohol inks - which seemed to be the most popular technique of the day.

Andy had also prepared a few side-stepper cards as samples and he showed folk a quick and easy way of preparing your own base card. He has said that the measurements and a step by step will be available on his blog. However, I'm sure he won't mind me sharing some of the basic instructions.

A standard sheet of A4 card stock is usually 11.5ins x 8.25ins - for ease of measuring Andy trims this down to 11 x 8.25 (28cm x 21cm).

With the CS in front of you in 'portrait', score lightly down the middle (top to bottom) at 10.5cm (Andy used the cm side of a Hougie board). Flip the card round to 'landscape' (the score line will be running left to right now) and using the score line as a finishing point, score down from the top of the card to the line at 3cm, 6cm, 10cm and 21cm - these will form your steps. Before taking the card off your scoreboard, go back to the 14cm point and score all the way from top to bottom.

Now place your card in front of you in 'portrait' once again and using a craft knife and ruler, cut carefully along the light score mark that you made to begin with but only between the 3cm & 21cm score lines. Then gently fold along the various score lines to create mountain & valley folds - one side stepper card. Andy has photos on his blog and also has measurements in metric or imperial.

Time jus flew by and before we knew it we were well into the afternoon so Hillary & I went off for some lunch...

...I tend to be a bit of a creature of habit and had my usual Jacket potato with chilli & salad - Hilary went for tuna in her 'jacket'.

A bit of retail therapy and then back to watch the remainder of Andy's demo.

It was a great way to spend a day, especially as the weather wasn't that wonderful - thank you Andy for another super session of tips, ideas and inspiration.................................................

Yipee!!!...

...I got my wish.

The new Distress colour for September is "Wilted Violet" - isn't it a fabulous mauve/purple shade.

I have been keeping my fingers crossed for a colour like this to be added to the collection and here it is...I'm a happy bunny.

With just 3 shades to go, I wonder if Andy will get the 'solid white' that he is hoping for.....................

With just 4 to go...

...I wonder what colour will be next.

I'm sure there is lots of speculation going on.

On Saturday, I picked up another two of the colours from this year's new releases of the Tim Holtz Distress products from Ranger.

"Blueprint sketch" was the release for July...

 ...and is a beautiful blue. I have had a bit of a play with my marker but not tried adding water or anything else to see how it 'shades' when used like a watercolour.
"Hickory Smoke" was the release for June...

...and as far as I have gotten with this is to update my product list in my planner/notebook. It is a lovely grey - what I would call a 'proper grey' - not the browny colour that is created by Pumice stone.

I now have the markers, reinkers and ink pads for each colour for the first 7 months. I do have a couple of stains, paints and sprays but not for all the colours as I don't tend to use those products as much.

The August release was "Ground espresso", a lovely dark brown that I will be looking forward to adding to my collection.

So what do you think the colour for September will be?

I would still like to see an addition to the mauve/purple shades and I know that Andy at Pinnacle Crafts is still hoping for a solid while (rather than the wash of Picket fence).

Well, only a week to go and we will know what the next release will be.........................................

Okay; so I couldn't wait...

...to break into my Craftwork Cards paper stack.

You knew I wouldn't - didn't you.

Having it sat on the "stroking" corner of the desk was a BIG mistake as it was crying out to be used.

So one constructed box and a covered Bo-Bunny Bare Album later...

This is what I have...

 ...the box base has been lined and the lid covered but no decoration yet. The album has been covered and this photo shows some idea of decoration...

...but nothing is glued down yet and I'm still trying to decide on flowers or perhaps cutting out one of the masks to place across the corner - decisions, decisions.

A work in progress to be sure because once the box & album cover are finished there are all the grey-board pages to cover & decorate. Just a 'little' task to add to the list LOL.........................................

New yummy colour...

...to play with.

Twisted Citron has arrived on my work desk.

Isn't this the most wonderful zingy colour...

 ...perfect for some Summer colouring.
I just had to grab a "Steampunk Betty" and see how the colour looked on CS...

 ...it is certainly fresh and vibrant.
Whilst on the subject of "Steampunk Betty", here she is with some purple hair...

...and a grey mauve outfit - another completed image to add to the collection.

The colouring playtime is progressing well and my collection of coloured images is certainly a lot more healthy than it was a couple of weeks ago...................................................................

Blue Peter moment...

...sort of!

As a child I would watch Blue Peter and loved to see the things that could be made from washing-up liquid bottles and some 'sticky backed plastic' and that was the thought that sprang to mind when Andy mentioned 'sticky backed canvas' during his demo on Saturday.

However, once he started 'playing' with the canvas, all thoughts of children's TV were a distant memory.

This was one of two pieces that Andy had prepared with the intention of making a book style box...

 ...however, time had gotten away from him so there was no finished sample but these pieces looked fabulous (my photo really doesn't do it justice).
Taking a sheet of the sticky backed canvas and some Distress Ink pads, Andy blended the colours to create a mottled effect over the sheet...

 ...and then using some stamps and the same shades of Distress ink - he stamped a random design over the sheet. Once complete...

...he used some white acrylic paint to highlight areas and add to the mottled effect.

The over all effect was lovely and as I have some of this canvas, I will be having a play.......................................................................................

It was Farmer's Market Day this Saturday...

...but I was heading somewhere else.

Andy Pearson (Pinnacle Crafts) was holding a demo day to give folk some ideas about making cards for those awkward folk.

You know the ones...the Fellas!

Andy had the usual selection of samples dotted about but one of the main aspects of the day was sharing techniques that can easily be used for those more masculine creations.

 

Trying to catch a good photo of Andy is not the easiest of things to do...

 ...he has a habit of moving just as you click your camera (another shot of the back of a project LOL).
One of the samples on the table was this candy box...

 ...although the panels look like they are embossed, they are actually die-cuts that have been coloured with gilding wax after having been stuck to some same coloured CS using spray adhesive. The Candy box was made using the WeRMemory Keepers Punch board.
Now there is one thing that Andy loves to do and that is get messy. So it wasn't long before the alcohol inks put in an appearance...

 ...a few squirts of different inks...

 ...some blending solution and some sheets of acetate 'squidged' down over the top...

 ...an additional colour added...

 ...and this is what you end up with when held against white CS...

 ...quite abstract but perfect to add to your stash for use as backgrounds at a later date.
If you are wondering what this is...

 ...it is the scrap that Andy had been using to take off the excess ink before applying to the embossed piece of card that you can see underneath. The reason for the petal/leaf shapes is because Andy was using a Creative Expressions Smoothie (egg-shaped latex sponge) to apply the ink. The audience were obviously impressed with these sponges because a considerable stock on the wall down in the shop was completely gone before the day was out.
There are always sweets on Andy's demo desk. At the other end of the table were imperial mints...

 ...but right in front of me was a bowl of wine gums - I did try to be good.
Considering how hot it was on Saturday, the classroom area was pleasantly cool for most of the time...

...although I'm sure Andy was pretty warm with the sun right on his back all day.

It was a super day. Lots of ideas and reminders of techniques not used for a while. A bit of retail therapy and lunch and a catch-up chat with my friend Hilary.

Thanks Andy for all your hard work....................................................................