Beauty Twist on Resist Card

This card is made using the remainder of the twist on resist card from the atc as I like making larger pieces of decorative paper so that there's enough for several projects. It doesn't take that much longer and saves time in the end. I also find it useful to make several variations while the materials are out for the same reason.
The flowery paper in the background is very easy to make. I cut a piece of parchment paper large enough to fit in the standard Cuttlebug folder and sponged it with Raw Sienna Palette ink. I stamped the dog rose from Time To Stamp's Glamour Girls unmounted stamp set (from the Craft Fairy) in Belle Rose Palette ink randomly over the coloured paper. When it was dry, I run it through the Cuttlebug with the Victoria folder for added texture.
I inked a piece of rose lace with brown ink and stamped the saying ( B Line Designs from L B Crafts) in Cognac Palette ink on pale pink card.
I assembled the card as shown in the photo with another of June's Dezinaworld Painted Ladies collage images.

If Wishes Were Pearls ATC

I made this atc from another piece of Twist on Resist technique paper. I used a Hero Arts Floral Lace stamp and the background was inked after embossing with Distress inks in Scattered Straw and Vintage Photo. The twist was done using Belle Rose, Cognac and Raw Sienna Palette inks.
The image is again from June at Dezinaworld's Painted Ladies collage sheet. The words were printed from my computer and the butterfly is German Gold Scrap by Paper Artsy.

Lady in Lilac Twist on Resist Card

Here's a card I've made using the paper from my step by step tutorial for my new Twist on Resist technique. I think it's always good to see what it actually looks like when used for a project.
I've combined the paper with another piece of easy to make background paper which is made by sponging cheap photo paper with Palette inks in Raw Sienna and Cognac. I then stamped some of the script stamps from a set by Time to Stamp in Cognac, Belle Rose and Lavender Sachet. All these colours were used on the resist paper, ensuring that all the colours will blend well.
I used another image from the Dezinaworld Painted Ladies collage sheet by dear June (there is a link to her shop on the side) and stuck this to pale pink hammered card and trimmed the edges with deckle scissors.
I stamped the flower from the Time to Stamp set on a pale pink hammered square card in Belle Rose ink. I added some lilac velvet ribbon, a pink flower and an antique gold brass stamping from Empire Beads to finish.

Twist on Resist Technique

As promised, this is the technique I used for the lacy background paper I made for my Glamour Puss card. It's an easy technique and gives an antique, distressed effect that works beautifully with collage images and photo image stamps. I use the old fashioned parchment paper (the type used for correspondence not parchment craft) which is really good for inking techniques as the ink moves about the paper well.
You Will Need:
Parchment Paper in a light colour (Southfield Stationers)
Distress Inks in 2 0r 3 toning colours
Solvent Ink (Stazon or Palette) in 2 or 3 darker toning colours
Pigment Ink in any colour
Opaque White Embossing Powder
Cosmetic Sponges
Background type stamps of your choice

Here's how you do it:

1. Cut a piece of parchment paper to the required size and stamp the background image all over in pigment ink, the colour doesn't matter as the embossing powder is opaque. Emboss the images with the white powder.
2. Using the cosmetic sponges (Superdrug's are great and cheap), sponge on the lightest colour of Distress ink first-I used Scattered Straw. Add patches of the medium shade-I used Worn Lipstick. Finish with a little of the darkest shade-I used Vintage Photo.
3. Here's the twist! When the ink is dry, dab solvent ink directly on to the white embossing. I used Palette inks in Cognac, Belle Rose and Lavender Sachet. As before, you start with the lightest ink first and build up the colour gradually.

This technique works well with Stazon inks too, although the colours are stronger and need applying with a light hand. You could also try alcohol inks if you have any for a similar effect.
I usually buy my parchment paper in my local stationers who have stocked it for years, but you could try Southfield Stationers website for stockists or buy direct.

Roses Trinket Box Dezinaworld Challenge

I've made this trinket box and as I really love roses decided to use the latest challenge image from June's Dezinaworld as the lady has a rose in her hair and is just perfect for it.
I painted a box blank with burgundy acrylic paint all over and glued some roses from a lovely book of rose photos that I bought last year in a bargain book shop (100s of images for £2.99!). I then distressed the edges lightly with my Basic Gray Precision File Set for a slightly worn look.
I stamped a small flourish image by Anna Griffin in black Stazon ink all round the lid. I cut the lady image out with an oval cutter and then cut out a further larger oval from strong white card. I glued the lady in the centre and then gradually added Diamond Glaze on all round and put gems, tiny flower buttons and butterflies at random and filled the gaps with Suze Weinberg's Beadazzles in Purple Rain. When it dried, I tapped off all the excess and then glued the panel to the box lid.
I stamped a small rose image by Anna Griffin all round the box sides and then glued a cut out rose on each side to finish.

Glamour Puss

This is a card I've made for the latest Trimcraft challenge which calls for glamour.
I decided to use one of the absolutely gorgeous images on a collage sheet from June's Dezinaworld shop called Painted Ladies (see the link on the side to take a look at the fab stuff she has).
I cut the image out and stuck it to a white, then a violet mat. I made a frame for the image by cutting a larger piece of strong card and sticking pressed flower petals around the edges. I used pale yellow pansies, pink hydrangeas, purple delphiniums and red rosebuds.
I made a piece of lacy background paper using a large B Line Designs stamp and my new Twist on Resist technique (more on this later). I added a piece of violet paper embossed with the Cuttlebug new Victoria folder and stuck this to a cream textured card blank. I stuck on the lacy paper and then a piece of crocheted lace.
To finish, I added the image stuck to the floral panel and a butterfly sticker.

Dezinaworld Prize Challenge Entry

I saw this cute baby image on June's great Dezinaworld blog and couldn't resist having a go at the challenge. I decided to use pretty pink and yellow colours for a summery feel. I combined this with a patchwork background for a soft look.
I cut squares of pink and lemon card and stamped on a sunflower by Artemio in slightly darker colours. I masked off the baby image and then stamped on a small flower from a Rubber Stamp Tapestry set using my Millefiori technique. I stamped a saying that I felt exactly fit the baby image in pink on white card and cut it out. The stamp is by Debbi Moore.
I assembled the card on a white corded card blank and added paper flowers with a button centre.

My Own Blog Background At Last!

I'm really pleased that I now have my own blog background using my hand drawn images and there will be more very exciting news on these soon.
My lovely daughter Claire who's a bit of a techno wiz helped with this as I had no idea how to turn my doodles into the background. As she's off to Japan for 10 months shortly, I had to grab her help while she's still home.

Roundie Flowers Swap

These 2 roundies are for saphira's monthly Trimcraft roundie swap. The theme is currently flowers and I decided to do a slightly different take and include girly images and butterflies as well for added interest.

The Daisy Chain roundie has a background coloured with Distress ink in Scattered Straw and then I stamped on a Paper Artsy script stamp in the same ink. I stamped the daisies (Hobby Art), the Gibson Lady (Elusive Images) and the butterfly (B Line Designs) in VersaFine Vintage Sepia ink and then coloured them with Prismacolor pencils. I added a pressed daisy to the girl's hair.

The Blossom roundie has a background coloured with VersaColor ink in Lime and Split Pea and I stamped on the blossom script (Penny Black) in Green Tea ink. The girl (Stamp It), hydrangeas (Impression Obsession) and the butterfly (B Line Designs) are stamped in black ink and coloured with Prismacolor pencils.

Life's A Zoo UK Stampers Challenge 51

This tag is for this week's challenge on UK Stampers Forum and the theme is Z is for Zoo.

I had rather a struggle due to lack of the right type of stamps but found this cute set in my stash. It's called It's A Jungle Out There by My Favorite Things and came from Sir Stampalot a while back.

I stamped the various images and coloured them with markers and water. I cut them out and then dry embossed them on the back to give them a rounded 3D look. I made the tag from white card and coloured it with Distress inks in Scattered Straw, Peeled Paint, China Blue and Vintage Photo. I then stamped on it in the same colours some of the grunge backgrounds from my set (see Challenge 50 post). I then added the text using a saying from the Jungle set, some Hero Arts small alphabet stamps and a Stamp It Antique Alphabetstamp (1712G) from Kangaroo Paw Prints.

More Awards! From Cheryl and Sandra.

I've just been given another 2 awards. How great is that! Many thanks to the lovely Cheryl and the lovely Sandra. It's wonderful to receive recognition like this.
Here are 5 more things I like to do:
1. Teach rubber stamping classes.
2. Browse textile shops for inspiration.
3. Browse charity shops for bargains for altered art.
4. Spend time blogging.
5. Doodling-more on this soon!

I would like to pass an award on to Anne, Claire, Neenie, Lyn and Maxine. Great blogs ladies.

Circle of Friends Award

I've just received this lovely award from Sandra which is a big surprise.

Here are 5 things that I like to do:
1. Spend time with my family
2. Craft!!
3. Read books on the theme of sci-fi & fantasy
4. Listen to my fave bands-Kings of Leon are top at the mo.
5. Bake cakes (oh, and eat them!)

I'd love to share this award with some great friends:
Cheryl, June, Ei, Sam, Liz, Andrea, Rose, Val, May and Jude.

Creative Inspirations Recycled Book

This book is a real labour of love as it's taken me several weeks to get it all together.The book contains a selection of my treasured ATC collection, together with my collection of clothing tags which are far too beautiful to throw away. I'm often asked where my inspiration comes from and the clothing tags are just one source so it will be lovely to have my collection in a book rather than a bag!

The pages are all made from recycled materials with a card base from cereal boxes covered in old sheet music. The pages have all been coloured with various shades of Distress inks to tone with the particular ATC or tag. They are decorated with flowers stamped on old book pages and coloured with Distress inks, butterflies cut from an old book of illustrations, pressed flowers and leaves, lace from packaging and a few jewels. The flower stamp set I used is by Technique Tuesday.

The gorgeous image on the front cover came with an order from Crafty Individuals and I just had to re-use it as it's so pretty.

A Woman's Heart

I made this card as part of a project for the SSP Guild of which I am a Design Team member. The latest issue of the online magazine is now out and if you're interested in joining a friendly and helpful forum for stampers, scrapbookers and paper crafters then click on the link.
Each online magazine has a variety of projects with full step by step instructions so it's well worth a visit to see what it's all about.