Background Check: Day 1

Posted on 27th July 2015 by perfectly4med

I’m taking part in Online Card Classes’ Background Check, and it’s Day 1, and time to get inky! Some of the techniques aren’t new to me, but a couple are, and a great addition to my mixed media arsenal. Here are the highlights of this afternoon’s play:

I have to admit the cloud on the sunset was a happy accident – my not so low-tack tape happened to tear off my carefully blended area, so a little more ink and a cloud was born! The metallic like sheen on the purple image is also accidental – the Hero Art Ombré pads do seem to have an unpredictable effect when used direct to paper.

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Teal Triptych (for Creative Expressions)

Posted on 27th August 2014 by perfectly4med

My final -ptych card using this month’s featured stamps from Creative Expressions is another play on the tone-on-tone theme. Featuring heat embossing, iridescent watercolour and careful colour choices, this is a simple, relatively quick, and effective card for any occasion.

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Brusho Paint Crystals are go!

Posted on 29th July 2014 by perfectly4med

Ever since I came across the name ‘Brusho’ and saw what Eileen Goodwin had done with them, I just had to have a play! For the unfamiliar, Brusho paints are water-soluble crystals of glorious colour which can be sprinkled onto a wet surface, or scattered dry and then spritzed, or indeed just mixed with water to make a watercolour paint. These are three cards I made this evening, on my first journey with the starter kit. The quotes are courtesy of Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous. For the first two, I stamped over and embossed with white embossing powder. For the last, I tried the faux batik approach, which I was less happy with, in part due to the wrinkled watercolour paper I was using – but that sort of goes with the sentiment of the card! And I love the effect, definitely on my to-play-with-more list!

King of the Castle (for Creative Expressions)

Posted on 25th June 2014 by perfectly4med

In the last of the summer seaside theme posts for this month, I’ve made use of the new Pronty MDF crown available via Creative Expressions as the inspiration for my ‘King of the Castle’ project, also featuring their new Singles stamps ‘Treasure Seeker’ and ‘Sandcastle in the Sun’. I’ve used their acrylic inks to colour the images and added bling with polished silk glitters and pearlescent PVAs. It would be ideal to add to a layout or use as a standalone piece.

For a shopping list and full (printable) step-by-step tutorial: click here [PDF].

More bling next week!

A snapshot of summer (for Creative Expressions)

Posted on 18th June 2014 by perfectly4med

I was wondering how to use the fabulous beach/summer themed stamps from Creative Expressions for this week’s DT card as the sky clouded over and the temperature dropped. Though it’s allegedly summer (according to the meteorologists), this card captures memories of beach-side sun far better than the grey clouds outside! Framed by a Polaroid instant photo size frame, the individual images are layered to give depth and allow easier stamping and colouring. A perfect snapshot of summer.

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Watercolour Card using Reinkers (for Creative Expressions)

Posted on 26th March 2014 by perfectly4med

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:

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Two watercolour effect cards (for Creative Expressions)

Posted on 5th March 2014 by perfectly4med

This month’s Creative Expressions Design Team projects include two new Singles stamps: Get Well Soon and Thank you. I’ve embossed the outlines onto watercolour paper, adding to the attractive distressed look and coloured using Distress Markers and a water brush. The clean and simple look is finished off with matting onto card and a few dots of coloured PVA from Cosmic Shimmer.

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Indian-style Home Decor (for Creative Expressions)

Posted on 18th December 2013 by perfectly4med

This home decor piece uses the Mosaic and Floral Corner Singles stamps from Creative Expressions ‘Henna’ stamp range. By using watercolour paper I hope to have given the impression of the texture of rich Indian fabric, and using offset printing as well as careful cutting given dimension and interest to the piece. A frame from Ikea sets off the project a treat and allows it to stand freely or be wall mounted.

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Crocus Card (for Creative Expressions)

Posted on 20th November 2013 by perfectly4med

It’s another bleak day as I look out of the studio window, but I can inject a bit of late winter colour with another project based on Creative Expressions’ Winter Flowers stamp set.

You will need:
Creative Expressions Winter Flowers unmounted stamp set
Cosmic Shimmer Embossing Powder: Ancient Copper Metallic
Cosmic Shimmer Misting Ink Spray: Sunflower/Meadow Lime/Soft Moss/Purple Violet
Cosmic Shimmer Mist: Pearl
That Special Touch Border Mask: Elegance
Foundations Card: Milk/Teal/Dark Roast Coffee/Coconut White
Ranger Perfect Medium: Clear
Ranger Distress Ink: Peacock Feathers

Ink up the crocus stamp with Perfect Medium and stamp onto Coconut White card. Cover with Ancient Copper Metallic embossing powder, tap off the excess and heat set.
Squirt one spray of each of the Misting Ink colours into a suitable container and use a water brush, or paintbrush to paint the ink into the embossed outline for a watercolour effect. Leave to dry.
Cut out the flower once dry.
For the border, cut a strip of Coconut White card just wider than the border mask. Use the Peacock Feathers Distress Ink on an applicator tool to press through the border mask. Dry with a heat tool before spritzing with Cosmic Shimmer Pearl Mist. Dry.
Print the sentiment with Perfect Medium and emboss before.
Mount onto a card as shown, using foam pads to raise the flower cluster.

Watercoloured Cyclamen Card (for Creative Expressions)

Posted on 30th October 2013 by perfectly4med

It’s my first post for Creative Expressions since I joined their Design Team earlier in October. I’ll be posting a new project each week on a Wednesday. This month the projects will be featuring the Creative Expressions Winter Garden unmounted stamp set, with this card featuring the wonderful cyclamen stamp.

To download a step-by-step worksheet, click here: Cyclamen Card Worksheet [PDF]

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