Friday 21 April 2017

TGIF Polka Dot Challenge #104 - This Little Piggy

So I have really been trying to hold off using all the new goodies that I got from Onstage and my pre-order, but today's challenge with TGIF made me mix it, old with some of the new... I know, I know. I admit I'm weak willed when it comes to sparkly new crafty goodness!!

This weeks challenge is to add Polka Dots in some way and here is my creation:

Can you spot what's retiring and what might be new???  I knew that the retired large polka dot folder would be the first thing I use on my card and so that's where I started. I also really wanted to use some Blushing Bride glimmer because frankly, I will miss that the most.

The "Hugs" dies is actually a new framelit which comes with two other word shapes, a heart with "lovely" and an oval with "Happy". These new framelits also pair up beautifully with our layering Circles, Ovals and Hearts framelits. I just love how SU thinks of everything regarding coordination.

So what other gorgeous things did I use that are now retiring, sniff sniff. I used one of the Gorgeous Grunge stamps to stamp my Powder Pink background (psst, that's a new incolour) plus added some sparkle with the gold wink of stella, which is also going.

I finished everything off with some sequins behind my "hug" framelit and made it into a shaker card . The sentiment is also from a new stamp set called This Little Piggy, It's such a fun little set and I'm sure you can guess what creature features in it!!!

The retiring list really is selling like crazy and items are flying off the shelves. So please make sure you pop over to my store and check to make sure you have all your Must Have items before they sell out forever: http://bit.ly/shop-retiringlist

Happy Crafting,
Chlo  

Product List 
 

Friday 14 April 2017

Just Add Ink #355 Sketch Challenge - Birthday Delivery

Welcome to another week with the gang at Just Add Ink and this week we have a fantastic sketch to share.
http://just-add-ink.blogspot.com/2017/04/just-add-ink-355sketch.html

I decided to take this sketch and make my card exactly the same. Why change perfection hey!! On this card I decided to use a few new things  that I received from Onstage too. Just to wet your appetite.


So this super cute card I made for my daughter who is turning 10 next week. She isn't really a girly girl so I do try to keep the pink level down as much as possible and nothing to over the top.

The little present stamp, the banner and sentiment are all from a new stamp set called Birthday Delivery, which will be in the up coming 2017/18 Annual Catalogue. The set really reminds me of those old Enid Blyton books I read as a kid. About Brier Rabbit and Brier Fox. The illustrations in those books are almost identical to the stamps in this set. They really are fun and a huge hit... watch this space.

Well that's it for me this week. I hope you all have a fantastic Easter and enjoy spending the time with you family. Fingers crossed the Bunny finds you and leaves you plenty of chocolate!!

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

  Product List 
 

Saturday 8 April 2017

Onstage Sydney 2017 - Dragonfly Dream Coasters

Oh my goodness, I'm so excited I reckon I could scream!! Tomorrow I am off to Sydney with some of my team for Stampin' Up! Onstage Local event.

Even though this will be my 8th convention and we only attended an Onstage back in November, this one really is super special, as tomorrow we will be the first people to see and actually get our hands on the new 2017/18 Annual Catalogue!!

The first thing I like to do is flip through and check out if any of my favorite things are retiring and then I sit down, with a cuppa and a few choccies and go through each and every page. My gorgeous friend and awesome roomie Kim and I talk through every single item on each page. I think it's one of my highlights of going to convention.

Anyway, getting back to the reason for my post today. With attending onstage comes the responsibility of making swaps and this year I decided to revisit an old design that I had made a few years back for a Christmas Craft market. Yep, the good ol' coasters.

You can find the original Swallowtail coaster post HERE. But because that stamp has since retired, I decided to make my new ones with the gorgeous Dragonfly stamp from the Dragonfly Dreams set.


Aren't they stunning and it doesn't matter how many times you make them, they honestly come out different each and every time. To actually make the background, you need a set of Sharpie pens and some rubbing alcohol.

Colour the tiles in with your chosen Sharpie colours, I find colouring in circles makes them bleed better, and then just add drops of rubbing alcohol in spots on the tiles. You do need quiet a few drops, but less is more with this technique.

Once the tiles are completely dry you can then stamp on your chosen image with Stazon. I actually used a stamp positioner, like a Misti or Stamp Master, to get the image perfect. Because the tiles are smooth and the stazon is wet, you might find your stamp will slip if done by hand. I really am hoping to find a Stampin' Up! version of the misti in our new catalogue!!

Next your need to add a clear acrylic over the top, I actually use White Knights Satin (which can be found in Bunnings) When sprayed on it seems to make the colours blend a little better and then sets everything. This needs a good 6hrs to dry before you add the Polyurethane.

Now the Polyurethane is the finish that will make your tiles heat resistant. I buy the Cabots Cabothane Clear in gloss. Give the tiles a really nice, even spray and leave to dry for 24hrs.

Phew, I think that's everything. Oh and just to help you with making these tiles, I have even made a video tutorial for you to watch too!!

Well I had better get back to packing. I can't wait to share all the fun things we have been up to this weekend, so make sure you check back in with me on Monday.

Happy Crafting,
Chlo



Product List