Caught in Amber

Hello Crafty Friends,

I usually try to keep my blog strictly to crafty matters but today I will make an exception and express an opinion that normally I would keep to myself.

Following a recent presentation on macro photography, I was shown some outstanding close-up and very detailed images of butterflies apparently visiting flowers and other plants in the garden.  However, all was not quite as it seemed.  I understand that the method of achieving these photographic gems was to capture the butterflies and keep them in a cool environment.  When they were suitably chilly and dopey and the conditions were right for the photographer, these delicate little creatures were arranged on the plants where they would remain until they were warm enough to fly away. This would give the photographer a contrived photo opportunity.  Some might say that this is fair game.  Personally I think it is cruel and interfering unnecessarily with nature, all in the name of art.  I know there are far more outrageous practices to worry about in the natural world but this is one that happened to cross my radar and made me feel incredibly sad for these short-lived creatures.

So, back to the craft world and my sample today.  Although my subject appears to be 'caught in amber' no butterflies were harmed in making this card.  Much more humane don't you think?

Products Used: 

Leafy Swirl Stamp Set 

• White card base 6” x 6”
• Stencil Card cut to 5.25” x 5.25” & 4” x 4” (ACC-CA-30095-77)
• Taupe colour ink pad
• Black Memento ink pad
• Artistry Ink Blending Set (INK-AT-50367-XX)
• Alcohol Marker pens
• Ultra-thick clear embossing powder and heat gun
• Small foil pie dish and wooden clothes peg or similar 

Method

• Stamp a border around the 5.25” square card with Leafy Swirl stamp and with taupe ink blend lightly 
• Stamp butterfly on 4” square card using Memento, colour with alcohol markers and blend taupe around border.
• Tip a tablespoon of clear ultra thick embossing powder into foil tray, hold with peg and heat from below until molten
• While still molten hot pour over butterfly (on a heat proof surface) to create a ‘caught in amber’ effect.  Leave to cool completely
• Mat and layer on to base card

Thank you for visiting me today, your company and comments are very much appreciated.

x Anne

Words of Wisdom

Hello Crafty Friends

In a reflective mood on this Sunday morning,  I would like to share this simple card made using the Serenity Prayer  stamp set with words that guide me.

Hopefully with a little more bounce, I will be back with more makes soon.

Thank you for your company and comments which are very much appreciated.

x Anne

All At Sea

Hello Crafty Friends,

When it comes to buying more stuff for my stash, I am an absolute pushover for anything nautical or if it features a seascape.  It doesn't matter whether it is a new stamp set, paper pad or stencil, if it has the sea included somewhere in the design, then it is in my shopping basket before you can say "shiver my timbers!"

If I'm working on something purely for my own amusement, it could be a page in my art journal, a card or even an MDF project the marine theme materialises before I know it!

Having said all that, it is by way of an explanation for this sneaky little number.

The image stamp I have used is from Claritystamp Ltd and it is called Sailor Round

To create the card:  

• Watercolour wash a background using blue sparkle pen
• Stamp the image in Versafine Onyx Black and heat emboss with clear powder
• Colour image with mica based watercolour paints
• Stamp words using Claritystamp Letterbox stamps on scrap card
• Fussy cut the words and mount on project with foam pads
• Mat and layer on to dark blue card and then on to white card base

I hope you have enjoyed this little distraction from the worry that surrounds us all at the present time.

Thank you for joining me today.  Your company and comments are very much appreciated.

Stay safe

x Anne

Just For Fun

Hello Crafty Friends,

I have been rummaging through my neglected stash of Woodware stamps and came across these.  I am pretty sure this stamps have now been retired but I do believe they were originally designed by the lovely Françoise Read.

So without further ado, how about these to make you smile!

Flip open and inside:

Flip open once more:

And Finally:

Happy Easter everyone. Stay safe.
x Anne

Black and White

Hello Crafty Friends,

Life is very difficult for all of us at the moment, so I will not dwell on the current situation but simply say that I hope you are safe, well and enjoying your crafting.

Today I would like to share a card sample I made using the Claritystamp Woodland Badgers stencil.  I have only used part of the stencil and I can see now that perhaps it wasn't such a good idea, as it drops off on the left side and has made the border a bit skew-whiff. I do like a bit of symmetry and l am now getting quite twitchy about not noticing it when I made the card.

The process for this one is very simple.  I used a palette knife to spread grunge paste through part of the stencil on a black card base and then added a couple more layers on to a white card blank.  To complete the card I have stamped the words from the Clarity New Design Club back issue 129 on to an odd strip of Clarity Designer paper that I had in my bits box.

Thank you for dropping by.  Your company and comments are very much appreciated.

Bye for now
x Anne

Over The Moon

Hi Crafty Friends,

A completely non-crafty post from me today as I am just scooting by to share this photo with you.  

We live in the Bedfordshire countryside overlooking Dunstable Downs and last night as the moon appeared over the downs, for a very short spell before the clouds rolled in, we had the most spectacular view of the moon.

As a keen photographer, hubby rushed out into the garden and took this picture.  Of course, I am biased but don't you think this is a most fabulous shot?  If you can, zoom in, it is worth it!

To quote Patrick Ness:

"There's always beauty, if you know where to look.”

I'll be back again soon with something crafty but in the meanwhile, thank you for dropping by.

Anne  x

 

 

Celebrating Tina Cox Designs

Hi Crafty Friends,


Today I would like to share a different style of card.

Items used to make this card:

1. Tina's Layering Stamps Circles
2. Tina's Layering Stamps Squares 
3. Shaped easel card die
4. Claritystamp Stencil Card
5. Claritystamp Nested Circles Picot Cut Dies
6. Die cutting machine
7. Memento black ink pad
8. Alcohol marker pens
9. Glossy Accents
10. Foam pads

How to:

1. Use Clarity stencil card to create a shaving foam technique coloured background and cut to fit easel card
2. Stamp a decorative panel using Tina’s Layering stamp collection
3. Die cut a circle approx. 2.25”, stamp one of Tina’s floral circles
4. Stamp butterflies and more flowers from Tina’s collection on scraps of stencil card and fussy cut
5. Colour all the elements with alcohol marker pens and add Glossy Accents to main circle image
6. Adhere butterflies and circle panel to upper part of easel card
7. Add fussy cut flowers to decorative panel and fix with foam pads to lower part of easel card to create ‘step’

If you like Tina's designs, for the rest of today there is a 33% discount on them over on the Claritystamp Website.  

Hope to be back again next week with another of my samples

Bye for now
Anne
x