Tonic Studios | Damask patterned panel and floral friends card

Today I am sharing a card to celebrate friends. I let you on a "secret". I love my friends! And I loved making this card. It featured some of my most favourite dies from the recent releases from Tonic, the Panel Dies and the Beautiful Blooms, plus that gorgeous sentiment!

I used:
Tonic Patterned Panels Die - Vibrant Damask - USA | UK
Tonic Patterned Panels Die Set - Classic Quatrefoil - USA | UK
Tonic Beautiful Blooms - Sunburst Gazania 1288E - USA | UK
Tonic Rococo Die and Stamp Set Hearts - Vine, Floral and Paisley - USA | UK
Tonic Rococo Die and Stamp Set Heart - Vine - USA | UK
Tonic Indulgence Die & Stamp Set – Friends Are Forever - USA | UK
Nuvo Crystal Drops Gloss - Ebony Black - USA | UK

Card in warm grey, soft green, hot, mid and soft pink, black.

I die cut the base of the card first using the warm grey card twice using the outer die from the Classic Quatrefoil. Then I scored one of them at about 1cm from the top and use that top area to attach it to the back of the identical die cut panel.

Then I die cut the damask pattern out of light green card and then after the outer die using the same one (Quatrefoil) as before. I find it easier this way round as it is more difficult to keep the inner die in position even with tape if first die cut the outer edge. 

I die cut all the other elements using the different die sets, shaped a bit the flowers, layered them up and then attach the sentiment. Finally, a bit of Crystal Drops in Ebony Black for the centre of the flowers. Simple but quite strong combo!

And, by the way, all the Patterned panels will fit nicely on a American A2 envelope or European C6 envelope (for A6 cards).

Anyway, I hope you like it!

Blog Hop | Color Life by Quim Diaz from Coses d'Scrap

Today I am super excited to be able to participate in a very special Blog Hop to celebrate the wonderful new products designed by my friend Quim Díaz from Coses d'Scrap alongside some of my crafty friends including Alberto, Quim, Elena, Gerry...

This is the card I made. I wanted to go colouring, cardmaking and with my minimalist style to showcase the versatility of this collection.

I will let you in to a little secret. I love colouring, but I always find it a challenge to find easy to colour images and many times I don't get a perfect impression when I stamp on watercolour card. 

So these bold printed watercolour papers ready to colour are perfect for me!

I selected the Nature Life pack of 12 x 12 papers printed on watercolour thick paper.

You can learn more about the whole the products from Colorlife here.

I love that the papers are designed so that there are a lot of elements in them, perfect to trim them to create smaller pieces as well as leaving them all in the 12 x 12 paper. I trimmed the that sakura branch and trimmed to fit inside the frame, but then I changed my mind and did not use the frame but layered in to a card. Typical!

I just love the poppies in the bottom as well, so it was a tough choice between them all.

I was lucky enough to be gifted in February the whole set of Distress Markers and I hadn't had a change to use them for a project, so this was the perfect occasion to use them.

As I used Spun Sugar which is already a very light colour, with water even more so, I used the soft felt brush nib directly to the paper.

Then I blended the colour using a water brush. I recommend strongly to get the best quality water brushes you can afford, as there is a huge difference between the cheaper and more expensive ones. I kept an acrylic block near by to use as a palette, scribbled some ink with the marker

Using the fine nib, I added little dots where the shadows should be inspired by the real flowers, like almond tree blossom, that have that sort of dots on them.

To add even more darker dots I used the Fired Mahogany marker. Because the paper is still very damped, the dots bleed slightly so the effect is quite beautiful and random.

Then, I coloured the branch using Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap (just for the accent dots).

For the leaves I used Shabby Shutters marker, though I did not used it direct. I scribbled it on to the acrylic block and with the watercolour marker I coloured it pcking each time the colour form the block.

For the dots effect I used Crushed Olive Distress marker.

Then, I used Tonic Studios Nuvo Glue Pen, which is a dual glue as it dries to a clear tacky finish which is perfect for the next step.

Of course, gilding flakes! I love them! Once the glue was tacky, I placed with my fingers the Nuvo Gilding Flakes, press down to make sure there was contact, and then rub off the excess with a stencil brush.

To add a sentiment, I used one of my sentiments of the Big Sentiments set with Versafine Black ink pad.

Then I attached it to card and added a little bow butterfly using grey bakers twine on the top right corner.

I just love the dot effect! And those flowers are so pretty.

I hope you like it!

Be sure to visit all the bloggers in the blog hop!

- Annika Flebbe

- Alberto Juárez

- Elena Roche

- Gerry Van Gent

- Karine Cazenave

- Paula Pascual ( That's me!)

- Quim Díaz

- Silvia Curti

Thanks Quim for letting me play with your fabulous new collection!

Craft Conversations with the Pros: Marion Emberson

Today is turn to ask the Craft questions to another of my dear friends: Marion Emberson.

 When and how did you start in the craft industry? 

I officially started 12 years ago with the opening of my shop Sugar and Spice Crafts, although I'd been making for many years.

Was it full time? Part time? 

I went straight into full time in to running the shop.

What type of job did you have at first? Did you started as a creative straight away?

As soon as the shop was up and running, I started teaching classes.

How do you describe your job nowadays?

Just recently - June 2015- I closed the shop to concentrate on other opportunities. I consult and design for a couple of craft companies.

Clear stamps designs by Marion for Personal Impressions.

What would you do differently?  

I wouldn't change a thing as the experience I gained from running the shop has led me to hold these current positions.

Be true to yourself and don't try to do anything that isn't you.

Is it hard to work full/part time in the craft industry? Can you name your major challenges you face?

The hardest thing is keeping on top of all the products and trends, as they are forever changing, although if you hang in there, they come round again :) 

Out of everything you do and have done, what is your favourite?

I absolutely love teaching, I love sharing and learning from the students, we all have so many different ideas from the same product.

 Your proudest moment and achievement?

A was a guest presenter on QVC UK for two years, and although a little bit stressful, I loved it.

 What is your favourite project type (mini albums, cards, layouts, home decor...) and colour? 

Well colour has to be …..Teal….and anyone who knows me reading this would expect no less ! 

I really do love Pocket Scrapbooking, Card Making, Mini Albums, Home Decor, Scrapbooking - I've probably listed them all, it depends on the product as to the project, if that makes sense.

Where you go for inspiration?

Pinterest although I've kept all of my US PaperCraft and Creating Keepsakes mags and like to have a flick through and once a seed is sown…well…

What is next for you?

I've been teaching here and in the US to both consumers and retailers but this year I'm actually teaching at 4 stores in the US, I'm really looking forward to that. Hopefully I'll be able to do more of that, if they'll have me back !

 And finally, Do you remember when we first met? Any good/bad impressions?

You're asking a 51 year old menopausal woman, I can't remember yesterday, but I do know it feels like I've known you for many years, in fact, yes, I have known you for many years, but I have no idea where we met, probably a trade show. You're an inspiration to me and I bow down to you. I think I got my clean and simple style from you….So thank you for that :) 

You can find Marion here:

Blog | Pinterest | You Tube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

You can read other Craft Conversations with the Pros here:
Dawn Bibby | Pete Hughes | Kath Stewart| Alberto Juarez | Jane Gill | Beth Kingston

A visit to Sizzix HQ

 

As part of the Sizzix European Blogger team, I got invited among other bloggers to go to Ellison - Sizzix HQ  as I call it - in Wrexham. The bloggers were: Bente Fagerberg from Sweden (originally Norway), Elena Roche from Spain, myself (representing the UK!), Karola Witczak from Poland and Elina Stromberg from Finland.

We were hosted by the marketing team, Alison, Fiona and Kayleigh. Of course, I have known them for years as Fiona used to be my boss while I worked full time at Sizzix. It was lovely to see them again and spent some time with all of them.

The place is lovely. It has change a bit since I saw it last. I loved the cantine with big Sizzix banners and decorations.

No matter how many times, I always get goosebumps when I see my work published or, in this case, big print outs. (My projects are the 2nd and 4th from the left).

We had a fun time going into the craft room, a place where Pete creates all his projects. Talent!

Of course, we did a lot of this! all taking photos of the same thing.

Wales is beautiful. I just love the scenery.

We had dinner in a countryside pub. The food was nice, the company perfect!

And a visit to Sizzix HQ would not be complete with a photo with my Christmas Twin, Pete Hughes. He is even nicer person than he is talented, and he has got talent to fill a few football stadiums.

A Letterpress workshop at Turnbull Grey

One of the best things that working in the papercraft industry has brought to me is getting to meet and become close friends with Julie Hickey. Julie, if you don't know, is one of the nicest and most helpful people around. 

Una de las mejores cosas que me ha traído trabajar en las manualidades del papel ha sido conocer a Julie Hickey, que es una profesional como la copa de un pino ademas de ser una persona excepcional, muy generosa y me ha ayudado muchísimo.

As my birthday present Julie invited me to attend a Letterpress workshop in London at Turnbull Grey (Craft Central, Clekernwell). We were lucky it was very sunny day, London is even more gorgeous with some sunshine. 

Julie me invito a asistir a un taller de Letterpress monotipo en Londres en Turnbull Grey (Craft Central, Clekernwell). Tuvimos suerte e hizo un día soleado, Londres es mucho mas bonito con un poquito de sol. 

The morning started with an abbreviated history of monotype and press by Turnbull Grey's Chris and Angela. I love their workshop. And do you see that beautiful drawer unit? For once it is full of what it was intended to be full with: type.

La mañana empezó con una pequeña historia sobre la imprenta y monotipo que nos dieron Chris y Angela, los que nos impartieron los talleres. Me encanto el pequeño estudio. Y claro me enamore de esos cajones que por una vez si estaba llena para lo que fue construida: tipos.

First we did the single letters print on the press machine. As a shortie (5' or there abouts) I had difficulty in making it work. But everyone else did fine. They are taller!

Lo primero que hicimos fue una impresión pequeña usando la prensa pequeña. Como soy muy bajita tuve dificultad en usarla, pero el resto no. Claro, como son altos!

Then we moved on to the hand operated roller press to create the poster. Julie wanted All you need is Love for her poster in two colours. So, Julie did first her All You need in grey.

A continuación, empezamos a trabajar con la prensa manual para crear el poster. Julie quiso hacer su poster en dos colores así que empezó con un gris para su ALL YOU NEED IS...

And then Chris helped her to create a beautiful pink. 

Y luego Chris le ayudo a crear un rosa para el LOVE.

I decided also on LOVE, but mine Love is Kind, was inspired on the Corinthians 13:4 verse: Love is patient, love is kind.

After debating for a long time which types I would use for each part, I settled on these ones which were quite different on what I had in mind. Caps and bold was the way to go I was told, so I listened. The spacing was less challenging that I thought.

Yo también quise hacer mi poster con LOVE, pero en mi caso es una cita inspirada en un verso de la Biblia. El amor es paciente, el amor es bondadoso-amable. 
Después de debatirme un largo rato sobre que tipos usaría para las palabras me decidí por esta combinación. Los expertos me dijeron que mayúsculas y letras marcadas quedaban mejor así que seguí el consejo. conseguir los espacios entre las letras fue mas fácil de lo que me esperaba.

And these are the results. I was elated with the results. I honestly did not expect it to be so happy with the poster.

Y este es el resultado. Cuando vi la primera impresión me sorprendió lo bien que había quedado. Honestamente no me esperaba que quedara tan bien.

Matthew, Julie's older son came with us as well and his poster was really good, very gentlemen's club in style. The three of us were very happy with the results and with the fun day we had. 

Matthew, el hijo mayor de Julie, asistió también al taller con nosotras. Su poster quedo super bien, muy Gentlemen's club en estilo. Los tres nos quedamos muy contentos con nuestros posters y con la experiencia. 

This is my poster at home, by the stairs, besides Omar's B&W photos. I love it and it is a good reminder to be kind.
Thank you very much Chris and Angela for teaching us and to Julie for the invitation!

Y este es el poster en mi casa, en las escaleras al lado de fotos de Omar en blanco y negro. Me encanta como queda y es un buen recordatorio de lo que es el amor.
Muchas gracias a Chris y Angela por lo que nos enseñaron y a Julie por invitarme!