30 day Craft Challenge at Creative Expressions - Day 1 Butterfly

Afternoon Everyone,
Another glorious day with beautiful clear blue skies. Let's hope that it continues for a while as it definitely lifts the spirits.

We have some fabulous fun starting today over at  Creative Expressions  where they have announced that they are starting a 30 day Craft challenge.

Today is Day 1 so they are looking for Butterflies.

Interpret each day's challenge as you wish and share your makes using #CECraftChallenge

Dig out your craft stash and use your Creative Expressions, Cosmic Shimmer, Woodware, Pink Ink Designs, Paper Boutique, Paper Tree, Ranger and Spellbinder products!

As I am lucky enough to make samples for Creative Expressions using Woodware stamps, I thought that the first thing I would do was search through my huge stash of cards to see if I had anything that fitted the bill.

This card was made last year while I was at SirStampalot.

We did a class using Mica Powders for a Mica Removal Technique inspired by something that I found on Sue Wilson's blog.

I actually used a stamp designed by Francoise Read for a change. This one is called Vintage Swallowtail. The butterfly image got a little bit lost in the background so I decided to 3D a fussy cut image over the top.

Another card made using the same stamp, only this time I used an embossing folder in the background.

I confess that it is a Tim Holtz one, so I hope that I will be forgiven for that lol.

The diecut sentiments on both cards are available through Creative Expressions.
I hope that you will join us for this fun challenge. It's been nice to have something to focus on as my mojo has been on a bit of a go slow just lately.
Stay safe, and happy crafting.
Hugs Kimx

Inspired by Sue Wilson

Afternoon Everyone,
I told you that I liked leaves and Autumn colours, so here are a few more cards which will hopefully inspire you to join us in our Autumn Colours challenge at CCM.

I found this background technique a few years ago on Sue Wilson's Blog and thankfully bookmarked it on my computer.

I came across my samples a few weeks ago and thought that it would make a good class.

I used Distress Oxide inks to apply colour to my card, which I then covered with pale gold mica powder.

Next I stamped my chosen image with Versamark ink across the background, cleaning the stamp in between each inking.

The versamark lifts the mica off the background leaving a sticky image which you can cover with a darker colour of mica powder.

The final step is to stamp across the background using a dye based ink.

 As you can see I had a great time playing with the technique,

as did 'The Girls'.

It works every bit as well with butterflies, or even snowflakes.

Sue's original was done with a torn paper mask across the centre of the card.
I was less than impressed with my initial effort.........it's a good job card stock has two sides, but this snowflake one isn't too bad I suppose.
I think I'll stick to all over backgrounds though.
No crafting for me today as I have to go back to work again. Never mind everything will still be there to play with another day.
That's the alarm, so I had better get ready to go.
Happy crafting, and have a fabulous evening.
Hugs Kimx

Embossed Bargello

Evening All
Another Friday, boy are they coming round quickly.
I've been playing with my embossing folders again this evening after finding inspiration on Sue Wilson's blog.

She has a video clip showing how to do the Bargello technique using strips of embossed paper, so I thought that I would give it a try.

And if I do say so myself I think it looks fab.

She used plain white embossed strips on her card, but I just had to add some ink on the edges.

I was also reminded of Waxed Paper Embossing , a technique that I haven't played with in ages.
The central panel on this card was created using this technique.

Not wishing to waste anything I coloured the used waxed paper with Alcohol inks and then die cut some flowers from them using some of my Magnolia dies.

I added some extra flowers cut from white card as the waxed paper was a little fragile.
Of course I have another couple of panels to finish off as cards.
Why is it that I can never just make one piece when I'm playing, I always end up with loads of different bits and pieces. Oh well I guess that's why they call it playtime lol.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs Kimx

Mica Removal as inspired by Sue Wilson

Evening Everyone,
Are you safely tucked up and ready for the storm that is set to hit the UK, if the weathermen are to be believed that is. Personally I just hope that they are just covering their backs after the hurricane fiasco of 1987.
I have been trying to finish off some more of the bits from my demo at SirStampalot yesterday.

One of the Pearlex and Distress Ink techniques that I played with was actually inspired by a card that I found on Sue Wilson's blog using the Mica Removal technique. This is my take on her card.

It is very hard to see the shimmer from the Pearlex powder, although I think that it is just about visible in this photo.
Off to bed now, I wonder if I will sleep through this storm just like I did in 1987?
Hugs Kimx