As Simple as ABC

It would have been easy to use these ABC stamps as an ATC.. they're the perfect size but they make a fabulous border for this box. Make it as a baby memory box or to wrap that special Christening gift. The border would look good around the Christening cake too.

Stamp the images them in grey rather than black .. this gives a softer look.

Add Golden Berry Dewdrops to the punched flowers around the edge......the flowers hide the joins!

The large flower is made with Sizzix dies and white glitter paper

Hope you like it

Effie

XXX

Julie: Layered Ephemera Tags.

Hi there.

Last week, those of you who read my blog, Notes on Paper, might have seen the first project I made using one of the gorgeous new range of paper roses now available at 3DJean.co.uk:

If you didn't already see it then this was the end result:

But, if you pop over and visit my original post you can also see the slideshow step-by-step tutorial I made to demonstrate how I built up the layers.

Once I'd made the first tag, for the card above, I carried on going using the same supplies to make more layered, ephemera pieces:

The base for these was a selection of blank kraft luggage tags and index cards from a stationery shop plus the following 3DJean supplies:

• several 'Mixed Two-tone' Mulberry Paper Roses;
• mixed vintage ephemera from various 'Alter That' kits;
• strips of paper doilies;
• a Lost Coast Designs border stamp;
• various Tim Holtz Distress Inks and
• some Art Chix collage elements.

Now here's how all of that, combined with ribbon from my stash and some 7Gpsies wording stickers, looked when I'd finished:

I loved mixing the snooty fat Art Chix cat image with the cigarette card of King Charles!:

And I'm really pleased with how the contrast of periwinkle blue and orange worked here:

And finally, I think one's my favourite: As I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment on the sticker:

"She knew with the right amount of junk she could create a masterpiece"!!!

How about you?

It's kind of exactly how I felt about making these tags so I hope they've made you feel like looking through your stash and throwing together some random, eclectic ephemera ... topped off with a paper rose or two.

It's a great way to use up stash and try out new, slightly eccentric, interesting combinations of both imagery and supplies.

Thanks for reading today, see you in a couple of weeks time. Until then, don't forget to look at the step-by-step here on my blog.

Julie :-)

p.s: If you're at all intrigued by the 'Flawed Work of Art' frame in the background of my photos, it's something I made for a Copy+Paste challenge last year, which you can read the full story here.

Jan:Trick or treat?

It's almost that time when all manner of ghosts and ghouls will knock on your door asking "trick or treat?" Can I ask has anyone ever said "trick" or are you just like me and reach for the sweetie bowl?

Here's my "sweetie" she's one of those delectable Sweet Pea stamps that you can find in the shop.   

Whatever your're doing this halloween enjoy.

Keep it Simple.....

I know colouring in is very popular but I just don't have the patience.......... or a huge amount of Copics or Promarkers so I've kept this very simple. take a piece of white semi gloss card, cut a tag 8x16 cm and use Distress Inks to create your background... I wiped mine on with a makeup sponge. Spray with water and dry with a heat gun .Keep to the same colour palette . Stamp your image in black, add a few pearls and some stickles.......and there you have her..

One Ice Queen! Hope you like her!
Effie

Halloween

Got to be my favourite time of the year. So I just had to have a play with some of the new Cosmo Cricket Matilda Papers.

6X6 pads are great for cards just the right size , so here you go. Two of the cards I made with it.

For the orange one I used some of the Dew Drops. I dont normally use them , I know the other design girls do , but this time I thought I would have a mess around with them and liked the way I could use them round the apature. Then I finished the card off with a couple of the flowers we are now stocking.
Halloweenie (is that a word ?) but not to scary.

Roses

I have been using these lovely mulberry roses on my cards for a while and thought maybe I should stock them. So if you pop over there now we have some in. I of course have used Red and Black ones , but we have pinks , purples and others in stock.

Im still playing with the SweetPea Stamps and with the colours I use think this card looks just a little better now I have added the roses.Hope you think so too.

Shimmerz........

Playing with Shimmerz   a la Ms Wakely. It's a work in progress, I have no idea how to go about the journalling but I do like all the spritzy colours and effects  ( I probably  won't do any journalling!)  

I sprayed this one though a used sticker sheet.

   I just love playing with those sprays!
                                                                                                               Effie
                                                                                                              XXX