ooops, one day early

Hi,
As you might have noticed, the Wish Granted and Day one of the competition was posted a day early.
All day, I thought we were December 1st.
I guess, with my parents landing here in Canada on the 2nd (whom I we have not seen for 18 months), days are not going fast enough! Can't wait!!
That will be my excuse anyway ;)
I was even moaning at Blogger for not posting what I had scheduled, so I posted it manually. Only to be told after that it was supposed to be for tomrrow...

Oh well, you will have one extra day to look for owl 1 then..
See you on **Thursday** (that's in TWO days Isabelle, TWO days... note to myself... two days, two, two, two days... LOL) for the second owl and more fantastic samples!!

Isa xx

Wish Granted ANNNND Find the owl competition!

Hi! you know what that means!?? Even more candies to win!!
How is everyone today? Have you started to put your decorations up??
Looking forward to this week's competition?

First of all, if you want to find out all about our FIND THE OWL COMPETITION, check last Sunday's post.
It all starts today... Behind one of today's link, you will find a little owl.... Ready to look for it?

Now for the wish... We are talking about ... PERFECT PEARLS! This is a wish JOLANDA (pretty name) made:

Jolanda said...

I've just bought a pot of perfect pearl powder in bronze.

I have tried the technique in Tim Holtz's book, but what else can I do with it?

Well, as soon as I submitted this to our little fairies, Ria said: how about using it with clay?
Did you know that our Ria used to be ZEE number one clay expert in the Netherlands? Unfortunately, she cannot use clay anymore, but she kindly shared some dragons she made in the past, which were coloured with Perfect Pearls...

Aren't they just gorgeous??? But don't panic, we won't ask you to make dragons (although, I , personally would LOOOVE to know how to make those)... We just wanted to show you..
Then, Isa (Isasart) said.... how about making a Christmas embellishments with clay and Perfect Pearls! I can do a tutorial! How cool is that?
So here we go.... a fantastic Step by Step for beginners on how to make embellishments with Clay.
Are you ready ??? off we go...

 Isabelle said: 
For this project, I will use: 

VIVA  DECOR  polymer clay, perfect pearl powders but you can use the Cosmic Shimmer ones too, stamps, embossing folders, tree dies Nestabilities, and Marvy marker (not to be used like a marker ;-) )

A roller or pasta machine, long polymer blade to cut the clay , a craft knife, work surface like a piece of glass or a ceramic tile, and, if you want talcum powder.

 

All I need for my project are two balls of Pardo polymer clay : one green and one black.

Always keep the clay in your hands a little moment, it will be easier to work with (when cold, the clay is too hard to blend and work with).

First I blend green with a little part of black because I need  a darker green 

As I like the marble effects, I slightly mix the two clays (not too much) so both colours can still show. I make a slim layer with my past machine (or roller).

 

You can use a little talcum powder with your tools if you are afraid that they will stick.

I texture my clay with an embossing folder open (you choose the other side you want, if you want emboss or deboss effect). Press firmly, you don't need the machine for that.

 I choose the medium tree die and push on my clay.

 

Take off the excess clay gently and cut your clay with a craft knife because de die is not deep enough.

When I have finished cutting, I take two colours of perfect pearl powder and gently rub it on my clay with my finger. It stick like magic !

Maybe I will add few things but here,  it's just to show you how to make your embellishment with texture tools and powders. Because my layer is slim, it will be an ornament to stick on the bottle.

 

I make another tree, with the little die, and texture this time with one stamp, and apply powder too.

Because I want to do a charm I need more thickness, I will add a layer of black clay under my tree.

Just push a little the tree on the black clay, they will stick together once baked.

I choose to cut the black larger because I find it nice

Just use a pointy tool to make a hole before baking

Because we have a piece of clay that it not used, I choose to create two circles. It's a opportunity to show you too that you can texture with a lot of things ! Here I choose the top of Marvy Marker plume II because I love the design that it creates ! :-)

 

Just need to bake (follow the manufacturer’s information).

You can add varnish after baking if you wish.

 

Vous pouvez trouver la traduction de ce post en français sur le blog d'Isa.

Jolanda, we hope you enjoyed this!

Because your wish was granted today, you have won one of the latest Crafts  Too embossing folder and one pack of Pardo clay.

If you too have enjoyed Isabelle's technique, leave a comment below for a chance to win the same prize too!

And don't forget to look for today's owl hidden on our website, behind one of the products Isabelle has used.

 

See you tomorrow for more Christmas projects and a second little owl

Thanks for visiting

Isa

Little competition coming up....

Hello everyone...

We have a little competition coming up, just for 5 days this week... starting December 1st: it's a 

"find the owl competition"

 Nous avons un petit jeu que nous sommes en train de préparer et qui commencera le 1er décembre...

Touvez la chouette!

1/ Everyday, for 5 days, we will post Christmas samples and techniques which I'm sure you will love.
Tous les jours, pendant 5 jours, nous posterons des réas de Noel et différentes techniques pour vous inspirer.

2/ With each sample, you will have links for the material used, as we always do. Behind one of those links, ONE owl a day will be hidden. One of those little cuties above.
Avec chaque réas, il y aura une liste du matériel utilisé avec des liens, comme nous le faisons toujours. Derrière un de ces liens se cachera UNE chouette par jour, une de nos trois adorables chouettes ci-dessus.


3/ With each owl, you will have one LETTER and one NUMBER. Like this... (this is just an example)
Avec chaque chouette, vous aurez une LETTRE et un CHIFFRE. comme ça... (c'est juste un exemple)

By Sunday, you will have 5 letters which will give your the key word and you will have to add the numbers to give me the key code. That's it... 
Then it's just a question to email me to give me your answer. There will be a draw and something to win of course....  So who's playing??

D'ici dimanche, vous aurez 5 lettres qui formeront un mot-clé et 5 chiffres qu'il vous faudra additionner pour obtenir le code-clé. Et voilà...

Après, c'est juste une question de m'envoyer le mot-clé et le code-clé par email... Et bien sûr, il y aura quelque chose à gagner! Alors, qui joue?


See you on Wednesday!
A mercredi!

Isa x

Handmade flowers (get a cuppa post)

Hello, hello faithful followers....
I hear that the cold has settled in the UK and you guys even have snow! really??
We don't -as I write this post- have any yet here in Canada (well, I'm talking south-east Ontario here) but we all know that it won't last. -6°C this morning must be a "friendly" hint that the white stuff will be coming soon....
So there's nothing better than the cold outside to keep us indoors for more crafting... what do you think?
How about handmade flowers this weekend?? We some amazing and inspirational project this Friday ANNNND you can download the step-by-step PDF for one of those. How cooool is zat?? (notice the French accent? lol)

As you will see, our little über talented DT owls have been working their wings off for ya and I'm sure they will really appreciate reading your lovely comments. So get those fingers typing and let us know what you think in the comments below...

Have a lovely weekend and see you on ........ Sunday........ oh... you don't want to miss that one..... And then Wednesday..... that's when the fun starts.... what fun I hear you say?.. Well, you'll have to come back and see, won't ya?

See ya
Isa x

First up... Owl Dawn (lol.. she will love me when she reads this)

  Dawn.... :o)

Here's her sample: 

 

 

Material Dawn used on her card:

CI-188 Sweet Memories Stamp
Vintage Sepia Versafine Ink

Cosmic Shimmer Mister Plum Mist
Versamagic Dew Drop Inks – Gingerbread & Sahara Sand
Leaf Punches and Decorative Pin
Cream Twine
Eyelet Squares Nestabilities Die
Page from Book
Safety Pins
Platinum and Ruby Slippers Stickles

And as I mentioned above, you can download the step by step PDF on our website. 

CLICK HERE

Did you know that we have a tutorials and free mini workshop and technique section?

You can find it HERE

********

Here's a close up on the flowers Jane made

using Dawn's instructions but with copy paper coloured with Paper-Soft-Color.

 Jane used 

Spellbinders 'Blossom' Nesties
Both flowers coloured same 2 layers - light carmine red
6 layers - dark carmine red
Stickles added to one on the left

She didn't soak the paper before scrunching but they were probably still a tiny bit damp from the paint.

****

More samples??? 

We have a beautiful card made by Michelle using one of our Kadoodle stamps

Michelle used: 

Stamp Kadoodle Candlestick Cottage 

Distress inks: Barn Door, WIld Honey, Chipped Saphire and Vintage Photo
Punch X-Cut embossing punch - Snowflake (small) 

Stickles - Glitter Glue - Gold 

 ****

And finally, a different flower by Chris Dark... 

And with all the lovely detailed instructions too

(thank you Chris)

Papier mache shadow box frame
gesso
Tim Holtz Alterations die tattered leaves 

Crushed Olive, Peeled paint, frayed burlap, antique linen, tumbled glass distress ink
Olive Stazon
Crafty Individuals music background, Christmas trees and more
Cosmic shimmer mica powder multi pack
mini mister
pearls

Glitter
Inka Gold: old silver

Chris said:
To make the poinsettia flower I die cut twelve leaves using the tattered leaves die and sprayed them with a distress ink and cosmic shimmer mica powder mixture that I mixed up in a mini mister, spraying first with antique linen mixture and then with crushed olive mixture here and there. I dried the leaves with a heat gun, added some depressions for the veins with a craft pick and sponged over some crushed olive ink to highlight them. The flower is assembled by gluing the separate leaves onto a punched circle of card and then adding some half pearls to the centre.

To decorate the frame I first painted the papier mache shadow box frame with gesso and allowed to dry then stamped inside using a fir tree stamp from the Crafty Individuals 'Christmas trees and more' set in crushed olive distress ink and olive StazOn. Around the edge of the frame I stamped with StazOn ink again and the Crafty Individuals music background and over that in places with the Christmas sentiments from the set. When dry I sponged on some Inka Gold paste in various places and around the edges then sponged over some crushed olive distress ink through some punch waste. To embellish I sprinkled with glitter, edged with frayed burlap ink, attached the die cut word 'joy', tied on the pearl dangle and added the poinsettia flower.

How is that for a fantastic Friday post?? 

Did you enjoy it!?

Thanks for visiting

Isa

ATC competition: we have a winner!

Hi,
Thank you Glennis for the heads up. I confess I had completely forgotten to post the results for the ATC competition. I am so focused on preparing... well, I'm not gonna tell ya...something for next week and the week after, that I forgot... Sowweeeeee

Anyway, the winner is....

BLUESCRAP

Valoute, si tu peux me contacter pour me donner ton nom et tes coordonées, nous t'enverrons les microbeads dès que possible. 

Have a great one everyone!

Isa

JUDE! you are our winner this week

Hi everyone,
Just a quick post to announce the SHRINK PLASTIC winner.
Here's what Mr Random Generator said:

JUDE

jude said...

Wow some fantastic projects ,has given me the urge to start using it again. As havent used for long long time hugs judex   

Congratualtions! 

You have won the SHRINK PLATIC SAMPLER PACK

Please email me with your full name and address and we will send you your prize ASAP. 

The latest wish is now granted! Dont forget to post a comment HERE for a chance to win a prize too!

See you next week

Isa

Wish granted: Masculine cards

hello everyone...
You are in for a treat again this week... as the Design Team has made some amazing and inspiring samples once again. Sometimes, I wish I could show you some sneakies of what we are preparing for you, it's a true bee hive... Actually, I might show you a few snippets later this week as we are preparing something special for the whole of next week... Buuuut, I'm not telling more.... ;o)))

So, onto today.... Wish granted: masculine card. And that wish was made by....

JILL IN FRANCE

I am wishing very hard for some of the above suggestions to be used on mens cards as it would be great to have some different ideas for the men in our lives. Would also wish for more samples using metal paints, cutting dies and all the cosmic range;
xx Jill 

Jill  you have won one CRYSTAL embossing powder and one WHITE embossing powder.

Remember that YOU (blog follower) have the chance to win this too if you leave a comment on this post. 

Good luck!

Now with the technique and the samples.

First up is Michelle with a resist white embossing powder + Distress ink techniques.

Stamp and emboss the snowflakes across the card with white detail embossing powder

 

Ink denim distress ink across the embossed snowflakes then ink pumice stone in the spaces. I used a brush but it will work equally as well with cut and dry or a TH applicator.

Position brass brads in the rings on the design, draw in mock stitching with blue pen, stamp the sentiment then mat and layer onto card blank. Finish with a touch of stickles in the middle of the snowflakes.

******

  

Stamp the image onto white card and emboss with stardust embossing powder. Ink softly with black soot distress ink. Mat and layer onto black card decorate with stickles and ribbon.

 To make these cards I have used

Inkadinkado: Snowflakes a plenty
Inkadinkado: Christmas silhouettes
Versamark ink pad
Embossing powder: stardust
Distress Ink pad black soot
Stickles - Glitter Glue - diamond

These cards use the same technique but with different colours to give a younger 'trendier' feel to the card

And for a more 'contemporary' male card I've gone for a 'denim jean look'

I have used

Inkadinkado: Snowflakes a plenty
Inkadinkado: Christmas silhouettes
Versamark ink pad
Detail embossing powder: white
Distress Ink pad faded jeans
Distress Ink pad: Pumice stone
Stickles - Glitter Glue - diamond
Brass Brads

****

Now, following a similar resist technique, here's what Isabelle (Isasart) did

take a black paper (like bazzil) and apply metallic ink with sponge

A few sneakies...

hi,
yeah, yeah, I know... I'm here to tease again...
This is something we will try to do regularly from now on: show you little snippets of the samples made for the classes to come.
So what have I got for ya today...

The first class I will mention is Jane Collman's class which will take place on November 28th which is a Christmas class all about die-cutting...
Doesn't it look gooooorgeous?? I love the effect on the metal at the back.. but is it metal ?? You'll have to attend the class to find out.. 

***

Next up... well, if you have booked for this class, you're in for a treat...
Remember Kathy Byrne's Halloween H? Well, she has done another centrepiece (or mantelpiece) sample.. a christmas one... a beautiful Christmas one for her class on December 4th....
Wanna see??? Well, I'm not gonna show ya... I'll just tease instead... lol
Here's a little preview..

So who's going??

Crafty Secrets stamps and samples

Hello,
This week we received some new Crafty Secrets stamps. The new plates are just gorgeous (if you know me, you know I'm a big fan) and I wanted to share some of the new designs with you. You can find all the Crafty Secrets stamps online HERE.

Of course, I could not possibly talk about the stamps without sharing a few samples. So here's an altered chocolate box that Michelle has altered for you and also a couple of lovely cards made by Poupette.

Crafty Secrets: Garden girls  

Distress Inks
Versafine

*****

Crafty Secrets: Sweet kids
Basic Grey 6 x6 Paper Pad - Kioshi
Prima flowers
Adhesive pearls
Martha Stewart Deep edger punch: garden trellis
Nestabilities - Labels two
copic markers
distress inks

Crafty Secrets: Sweet kids
basic grey paper pad

flowers

Adhesive pearls
Martha Stewart large punch: Lace heart

Thanks for visiting. 

Hope you enjoyed this post. 

Have a nice weekend, 

Isa