More cakes

Hi everyone

No cards today or for the last couple of days and still don't have a colour cartridge sorted for my printer, i may have to go and buy one before my replacement gets delivered.

Anyway i thought i would use this opportunity to post more of my cakes on my blog as i have had some lovely comments.

 This first one is a castle wedding cake and i am so annoyed at myself for not making sure i had a good photograph.  The light  was shining in through the window and the whole picture does not do the cake justice.  This was for a young girl who was only 18 or 19 and she wanted her fairytale wedding.  She had seen this cake in a wedding magazine and asked if i could do it so i gave it a try.  There are 2 tiers of cake and i made everything from scratch including the castle top from pastillage icing which dries hard so you can build shapes.  The only things that are not edible are the ribbon on the steps and the windows. The window's are made with some sort of crafty product that i can't remember the name of, you iron it together and it fuses in all sorts of shiny colours.  Leann and i were talking about what i could use and she suggested this and it worked perfectly.    The red roses and lilies are all made from flowerpaste and the castle top on the original magazine picture was bought and made from polystyrene.  However i made the template my self from a card board box and cut each individual piece of icing out and joined it together with royal icing.  I've added a close up below and then painted the turrets in edible colouring.  I've got to say empty crunchy nut cornflake boxes come in handy for all sorts of uses.  They came to pick the cake up themselves and it nearly wouldn't fit into their car it was so big. 

   My second cake is a christening cake and again i used my skills with an empty cereal box.

Again a friend had seen this design on a website and asked if i could adapt it for their little girls christening.  The booties are made of icing and each flower is cut out and stuck on indiviually.  Although the booties were tricky to make and very detailed  the rest of the cake is quite simple and i just loved the finsihed result.

hope you like them.

Louise xx...............
 

Hello Cupcake & Spectrum Noirs

Hi Everyone

I've been busy today printing off my Humphrey CD and my printer colour cartridge has run out so i gave up and got on with some more colouring.  I've chosen pink and green again as i love this combination and used Hello cupcake from lili of the valley.  I've used my Spectrum Noir Pens from Crafters Companion and used my stash of K and Company papers as well as some centura pearl green card from the brights pack to mat and layer.

 I've then added some pink roses from Wild Orchid Crafts and saddle stitch ribbon in dusky pink which i think matches the papers perfectly and some small silver rose charms both from Mei Flower .  I've just started buying from them and their finishing touches are reasonably priced and great quality.  Their delivery was excellent as well, i ordered one afternoon day and my order arrived the next day.  Oh and nearly forgot the  sentiment is from carftwork cards.

I've also made a box and using my ultimate pro and boxer board and decorated it to match the card with charms, ribbon paper etc.

  
Hope you like it.

Louise xx...............

Boxer Board

Hi Everyone

No new cards today as I've been out this morning with Grace my granddaughter and it was boring housework this afternoon.  I took Grace to see Sara at Northallerton today to watch her demo in store as Grace wanted to show Sara some of her spectrum noir colouring.  Sara really made grace feel proud of her work and Grace was chuft to bits.  Hope you managed to make it too if you live close by as she was fab.  She had already decorated a box with a crackle effect and then used Sheena's paint fusion using the Ivy stamp and she was demonstrating this technique.  It was really gorgeous she is a talented lady.  Then she moved swiftly on to my favourite piece of kit the ultimate pro and quickly wowed everyone with how quick and easy it is to make  shaped cards as well as the easier folds.   Anyway Grace's diary didn't allow us to stay more than an hour as she had a party to get to so a bought a few bits and bobs and left Sara with her admiring crowd.

So no cards but i thought I woudl share with you the boxes I have made for the cards i have been showing over the past week.  The board was so quick and easy to use for making a number of boxes one after the other and i think it is fab.   Especially when you have cards that are quite deep, like the pop out and shadow box card and also with chunky Flowers on.  I loved making and decorating these boxes.

Hope you like them..............

Louise xx

All Hand Made

Hi Everyone

Rather than printing, colouring, adding bought flowers, embellishments and using my cuttlebug, today i thought i would make a card from scratch from materials i have.  So i have started by making a 6x6 in card from Centura Pearl and matted and layered with coredenations.  I have used my ultimate pro from crafters companion to emboss the matting and then sanded it.  I know it would have been easier to put this through my cuttlebug but i wanted the background to match the flower embellishments exactly and how easy this is especially if you haven't obtained a die cutting machine as yet.  I've only had mine for about a month as i had to save ups and sometimes i think its good to look at a project and know you've made everything yourself and not bought the items.

 I've embossed and cut out the individual flowers using one of the score boards and layered each flower up with different tones of coredenations and again sanded these. The middle part of the flower i have added pink glitter but on the photo it looks silver, must just be the light as it does match in perfectly.  

 I've also made the corners myself by using a corner flower punch and then finishing them off by using part of a circle punch.  Hope you like it as much as i do.

 Louise xx

Swalk Pink Pop Out

Hi Everyone

I've kept with the pastel colours today and the swalk stamps and decided on pink and for a change an A5 pop out card.  I tend to play safe with 6" square.

 I've just the swalk cd for the background papers and printed them on centura pearl card.  I've used the pink gingham in the background and also printed the A5 flowers in the gingham from the swalk cd and the leaves are on the same sheet.  So a very cheap card, as the only addition i have put on is the small bit of ribbon and a few brads.  Oh and i nearly forgot to say i couldn't be without my ultimate pro from crafters companion, i am a complete convert.

  Hope you like it.....

 Louise xx

Swalk, Mum You're the Best

Hi Everyone

I know its not near mothers day but i love this swalk image and now i have a card ready for someone in advance.  Although i don't think any son or daughter should wait until mother's day to share this with their mother. (someone please tell my kids!)  I also thought i should put my lili of the valley stamps away and work on something else.  You'd think i only had one lot of stamps!  Any way this is my favourite shape of card at the minute as well so i thought i would give it another go.

  

I've used my speccies to colour the image and I'm finding it a lot easier to work with the lighter colour pens for the hair, i think I'm definitely finding it more difficult with the darker browns. I've used background papers from the Swalk CD and a few flowers and a butterfly charm.

  Two things i would change next time is i think i should try and print the background straight onto the centura pearl as then it will be easier to work with rather than sticking paper onto the card base and then put through the cuttlebug.  I've also used stickles to highlight each scallop on the die cut shape but it doesn't stand out very well, so i think tomorrow i may change this to some gems.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx...............

Spectrum Noir Purples

Hi Everyone

I finally decided to give the purples a try today and i am so pleased with the results.  Only 1 card today as i'm just on my way out. 

 I've used my Kand Comapny papers and I was in the mood for something a bit sparkly so i have used irridescent spary and sparkle on the dark purple paper and used stardust on the edges of the flowers and some on her hat and dress. The image is i'm sure you all know lili of the valley.  I don't think i will ever get tired of these.

Hope you like them..........

Louise xx

Time for tea

Hi Everyone

This is my second card of today, like i said earlier i was having withdrawal symptoms from my speccies and blogging i think.  Again its a lily of the valley image and my Kand Company paper that i found a couple of weeks ago.  I think I just haven't managed to match up the colours right and the teapot is a bit too dark and the flowers on her dress are as well but i couldn't bear to throw it away and start again.

Ok, time to put the crafty stuff away as i think it is really time for tea.

Hope you like them

Louise xx............................

Spectrum Noir - LOTV

Hi Everyone

 I've been really busy over the last few days with decoupage kits and i've been having withdrawal symptoms from colouring in, even though i loved the decoupage kits.  So first thing this moprning i couldn't wait to get my hands on them.  Here's my latest card using my fav pens speccies, as they are now affectionately called.  I've used my stash of K&Company papers and couldn't get away from turquoise but this time i've matched it up with green and brown.  I've used a lily of the valley image and a few gems and flowers.  

I've taken a side view picture so you can see it is a shadow box card, i think thts what this type of card is called.  I saw it on one of the demos Leann did on the Humphrey decoupage kit over the weekend on create and craft.  I think it is nearly all sold out now or it may have already gone.   Hope you like it.  Louise xxx..............

Crafters Companion Decoupage Kits

Hi Everyone
Here is a last peek at the cards I have made before the kits air over the weekend.  The choice is Christmas or flowers and i love both of them, so what will it be today, flowers or Christmas, flowers or Christmas?  How about both again!  Enjoy the shows and these cards are only a few of the samples that have been made so watch if you can there will be loads more on the shows.

 Enjoy the shows.

 Louise

Crafters Companion Decoupage Kits

Hi everyone, I'm a bit late today with my post as I've been visiting my friend Katy who's baby Ruby is now 2 and 1/2 weeks old.  She is gorgeous!!!!  Any way I wanted to share some more of the cards i have made with the two die cut Reddy decoupage kits from Crafters Companion.    I really do like my cute cards but i have really enjoyed these stunning images.  hope you like them and watch out for the shows.

Louise

Crafters Companion Decoupage

Hi everyone, well i was going to wait until tomorrow to put these cards up but i couldn't resist as the results i am getting from these kits are just amazing.  This next set is all flowers and they are very traditional, classic and elegant which i just love. 

 All of the cards i have made are just so quick and easy, which is great when you're short of time and this first one is an A4 trifold using my ultimate, couldn't be without it.  Using blue tones in coredenations, a few pearl embellishments and a simple sentiment.  How effective.

I just love lilies, when cake decorating they are quite easy to make and look so classy.  This was a very quick card using centura pearl from crafters companion and i think i would describe the colour as pistachio.  I've scored some lines across the matting, added a bow and a sentiment and its done.

Lastly I've again used centura pearl in pink and a raspberry colour to match the flowers.  I've added the flowers onto an oval scalloped edge die cut and used a tri fold cut.  I'm sure there must be a proper name for this card but i really don't know what it is, if any of you out there know what it is please let me know.  I love using embossing folders on the centura pearl as you achieve such a fab result.



I may have some more for you tomorrow...........

Bye for now
Louise

Crafters Companion Decoupage Kits

Hi Everyone

How about some traditional Christmas decoupage kits with a bit of cute included too.  Watch out for the shows on Create and Craft over the weekend.   Sara and Leann will be there with lots of kits to choose from and you won't be disappointed.  These kits are so easy to remove from the backing as they are already die cut and are really detailed with some lovely images.  

I know we all love our cute images but sometimes traditional fits better.  I've added three photos below but watch out for some more, especially those of you who love flower decoupage kits ......................  
    

  I've used Centura Pearl card to make this card for both the base and matting and layering and I've only added a bow to finish it off.  I've also scored the front of the card diagonally using my ultimate pro to add a little interest to the card.  How easy and simple is that..........................

Again the base card is made of Centura pearl card stock and this time I've used coredenations card stock to decorate the card and distressed it after using a border punch.   I've also sprayed the lovely topper with spray and sparkle and again added some ribbon and a bow.  Very quick to make and so effective.

 And a cute one to keep everyone happy.  I've use coredentions again and embossed and distressed it with a snowflake design and this time used only a little bit of silver mirror card and a white bow. 


Louise ............................. 

Fizzy Moon and Spectrum Noirs

Hi all I've been busy today making samples but wanted to make one for myself first so here it is.  I am so glad lots of you have joined me.  Thanks for all your kind comments about my crafting attempts and i love looking at yours in turn.

I think this stamp is called Fizzy Moon but can't remember where i bought it from.

  I've chosen pink today and used coredinations and paper from my stash of K&Company i found the other day.  I've coloured him in spectrum noirs and used the pinks, skins tones and browns.  I've still not perfected colouring fur yet but I'll keep trying.

 I've also stamped a border using a flower from the SWALK stamp range and then coloured the white card with a pink spectrum noir pen.  I saw this on one of Jane Caroll's recent swalk cards and thought it looked so effective so I've tried it out and it looks ok i think.

Hope you like it.

Louise

Walkies, Lili of the Valley

Hi Everyone,  Yesterday i thought i would try and get my craft stuff organised (or at least start) as i am in a bit of a mess.  I have no craft room (poor me) and i keep my craft items in the garage, my stamps are kept in plastic containers and i've been worried they will get bent and damaged.  So i've put them all in files on laminated sheets as a lot of you crafters out there have done.  While i was looking for all my stamps i found a box with a whole pad of K&Company 12x12 papers with 360 sheets in that i have never even opened.  I think i ordered it from QVC over a year ago as it was on a special offer and i know i'm going to be using the papers as they are lovely.  Here's my first card using them and i'm back to the turquoise colours again.  I've even figured out how to put my signature on the photos and i know there a many effects i can do now but wanted to get these pictures up quickly  but I will play around later.
 

 I love this image and was tempted to put loads of flowers on but thought i would keep it simple and show the papers off.  I love turquoise and brown i think it goes really well togther.  I've used spectrum noir pens, turquoise, brown, skin tones, yellows and greens.

 Bye for now. 
Louise..............................

Birthday Cakes

I think i am becoming addicted to this blogging malarkey!!!!  Thought i would add a few of my birthday cakes for you.  

 This one is for a friends grans 80th Birthday and I loved doing all of the intricate lacework in royal icing.  Very detailed but really satisfying when you see the end result i think.  Loved making the roses, leaves and flowers as well and assembling them into a spray.

 And my second cake below is totally different, for a friend who is  an avid Newcastle united football supporter and she actually got me to go along to my very first football match at St James park a few years ago.  Although it was a good day  i never caught the bug and think I'll keep save and warm indoors with my card and cake making, it was freezing and i had 2 tops, a fleece, a coat and a pair of leggings under my jeans.

The top is all made icing and coloured with edible pens and food colouring and the decoration was painted on by my own fair hands, ok i admit i did some tracing.  Again another satisfied customer.

 Back soon with some more cards and cakes.

Louise ............................

Swalk, orange and green

Hi Everyone, as you can see I'm loving my new Spectrum Noir Pens (have i mentioned this before?) and love this swalk image it's soooo pretty.  I really wanted to try my purples but just love this combination of orange and green that I've put trying the purples off a bit longer.  

I've used the with sympathy image from Swalk Volume 2 Set but used a sentiment from the thinking of you swalk set.  The papers are also from the Swalk Volume 2 CD and the background paper is centura pearl.  I've coloured the image with spectrum noirs using only 4 of the main sets of colours and I've colour tinted the smaller flowers to match the image.  I've also used distress ink on the image as it was just a bit too white to match in with the colours.

I know theres been lots of questions surrounding which card to use when colouring with speccies but in all honesty I have found that the neenah card makes such a difference.  When colouring my colour chart I first of all used a generic piece of white card i had next to my printer as i thought what difference will it make when I'm just using it for a colour guide but i soon found out.  The colours, especially the darker shades bled into the adjacent boxes so i had to start over again as i couldn't possibly have a messy guide. more haste less speed comes to mind.   
Hope you like my card.
 Louise

Swalk Card, using the E- Craft and Spectrum Noirs

My second post for today and this is my first card using a swalk image and spectrum noir pens.  I recently carried out a full day demonstration at Graces Craft Shop, Middlesbrough using the  e-craft  the new electronic die cutting machine and made samples to show on the day.  Everyone at the shop was lovely and they had a fab day learning about the ecraft and testing the machine for themselves and were amazed it need no cutting mat.  I originally coloured the image using my watercolour pens as that's all i had at the time but as the card is quite vibrant i decided to add a spectrum noir coloured image.

 

I made the easel card using my ultimate pro, coredenations card stock and used the e-craft to cut out a heart shaped topper with a perfect shadow in gold mirror card.  I then used the ecraft to cut out the bee, butterfly and daisy's for the card stop.  The daisies are then sprayed with a light covering of Crafters Companion gold spray and sparkle but you cannot see it very much in this photo.  I love using the e-craft as it makes all die cutting really easy especially if you are using shadows as it works perfectly every time.