This is the last of the floral themed creations – we’re going to the seaside next month 🙂
The lilies are out again, this time in a gilded earthenware vase. I’ve used the same reinker watercolour technique as last week for the colouring, but added in the wonderful Cosmic Shimmer Gilding Flakes to add a bit of bling and opulence. I’ve left off a sentiment again as this could be suitable for so many eventualities.
Here’s another floral number using this month’s featured Singles stamps from Creative Expressions. I’ve coloured these with the distress reinker watercolour technique onto watercolour paper, and embellished with a bit of decoupage to add depth and a Watts-dots circular border 🙂
As I mentioned last week, I’ve been playing with some crackle effect mediums over the past months. Last week I showed you the two-step Craquelure, new from Cosmic Shimmer. This week: Cosmic Shimmer Crackle Glaze. This is a single step crackle medium which you paint over the base colour which forms the crack colour. The top coat is then painted over the top when dry in the opposite direction, and in the colour that will be cracking. Here’s the result when Antique Linen Distress Paint is cracked over Cosmic Shimmer Mulled Wine Matt Chalk Paint.
As followers of my blog will know, I’ve been playing with some crackle effect mediums over the past months. Well, Cosmic Shimmer have brought out their own to compliment their new paint range, and I’ve finally got hold of some to try. Alongside, I’ve also played with their new Chalk Paint, and some new MDF shapes and floral stamps I’ve been sent to play with this month for my Design Team projects.
This week: Cosmic Shimmer Craquelure. This is a two step crackle medium, both layers go on slightly milky and dry clear. The base coat goes over the colour you wish to be cracked (in this case Antique Linen Distress Paint). The top coat forms a clear crackle, and can then be rubbed over with the crack colour (in this case Mulled Wine Matt Chalk Paint and Vintage Plum Gilding Wax. Where I didn’t get the top coat thick enough, the wax caught more (see top right), but the rest was a really lovely, random crackle. Loved it!
Every now and then I’m asked to work on specific projects under a publication embargo – so the blog goes quiet as I’m furiously working but can’t show you anything 🙁
Today’s post is an example of such projects – they feature the Cordoba die cut set from Creative Expressions, designed by Sue Wilson. Sue herself has approved their publication, which is around a month after I made them, so apologies if I don’t quite remember all the steps!
Creative Expressions have produced a fantastic range of dies and stamps by Sue Wilson – I’ve been given the Spanish inspired design ‘Cordoba’ to play with. This card is the first I produced with the three piece die set.
You will need:
Creative Expressions Cordoba Die Set
Creative Expressions Singles Set of 2 stamps: Perfect Poppy
Creative Expressions Self Adhesive Pearls: Cream (3mm & 5mm)
Cosmic Shimmer Specialist Acrylic Glue
Foundations A4 card: Rich Plum / Milk
Ranger Perfect Medium Pad: Clear
Ranger Distress Ink Pad: Seedless Preserves
– – – = – – –
This frame is inspired by the colours in the Cordoba Mosque, rich blues and golds. The image in the background is a doorway in that very mosque. The frame itself is built up with 5mm foamboard, with the die cut pieces layered over, and thin strips of card pushed round to cover over the thickness of the board. Finally I shaped real brass sheet round the whole thing to create the outer frame.
You will need:
Creative Expressions Cordoba die set
Creative Expressions Woven Leaves Pre Cut Stamp
Cosmic Shimmer Embossing Powder: Bright Gold Metallic
Foundations A4 Card: Cobalt
Ranger Perfect Medium Ink Pad: Clear
Walnut Hollow Metal Roll: Brass
It’s my last play (for now…) for this month’s featured stamps from Creative Expressions. I’ve combined the foliage components with embossed centres from one of the Henna collection to make a very passable impression of a passion flower for this summery card.
For a printable worksheet tutorial, click here.
Another part of this month’s DT goodie pack was the That Special Touch ‘Rulers’ mask. I wanted to use it with the sparkle texture paste and came up with this card design, revisiting the fabulous Creative Expressions Antique Dressforms stamp set.
Also in my goodie package this month from Creative Expressions were two new Singles stamps, Ivy Corner and Botanical Spray. Each features a leafy sprig, along with a cute insect. I decided to get my Distress Markers, Vintage Mist and pearl PVA out to use with them…
I’ve been sent some new goodies for April DT posts for Creative Expressions 🙂
First up from my goodie package are the brilliant Sparkle Texture Pastes from Cosmic Shimmer. These are slightly thicker than their clear texture paste, so keep to shape a little better. The coarse glitter doesn’t interfere with smoothing on too much, so this stencilled card was quick to make (aside from drying time). I did the stencilling in two goes, one for each colour, but more precise appliers may be able to do it in one go.
This is the last of my posts using this month’s featured stamps. I’m back to the Creative Expressions Singles ‘Scentiments’ and taken the image from the thank you stamp to paint with Distress Reinkers. Quite a quick make in a clean and simple style.
Just before the shopping list, don’t forget the BSSBS on 12th-13th April at Ally Pally, early; bird discount of £1 off for tickets booked before 8th April. See you there! Click for details:
