Creative Expressions Butterfly dream stamp card ideas

Hi there, design elf Katrina here again. This time I have been using the Creative Expressions new line of stamps called Stamps to Die for. These stamps are all panel stamps but just because they are a panel it doesn't necessary mean you have to use then as a panel ( as I did with the Skeleton leaves striplet here - http://thefruitpixie.blogspot.co.uk/ ). This time I used the Butterfly dream stamp in a different way ;

For this first card I stamped the stamp out in a black Ranger Archival ink twice and coloured them both in. I then cut them up into 2" squares, the stamp is 2 " wide so it made sense to do a 2" square. I then matted them onto some yellow card and then matted all 4 of them onto an orange card, then yellow again and then onto a 6x6 square card. I drew around all the squares with a black pen to help them stand out and added a die cut sentiment to a die cut label to finish.

Of course you needn't use all 4 of the squares. Here I just used one of the left over squares to make a simple thank you card

They also make cute little tags too!

So as you can see there are many different ways you can use these stamps. I am sure you can think of lots of others too.

How ever you are crafting this week, happy crafting!

                     Love Katrina

Oriental screen card

Morning everyone, design elf Katrina here to show you what I have been up too in my craft nook.

 Have you noticed that the oriental theme is sneaking back? I love all things oriental so I could not be happier. The card I have to show you today defiantly has an oriental look and feel to it but I think it still feels fresh and new thanks to the products Sarah-Jane had chosen for us.

I have chosen a screen card shape for my base that I have cut on my Silhouette Cameo but you could also just fold an A4 piece of card into a concertina card.

For the panels of my screen card I stamped the Creative expressions stamps to die for skeleton leaves using the Ranger archival ink in jet black 4 times and then coloured them all in using my watercolour pencils. I then used a red gel pen to do the border around the strips and cut them out.They were then stuck to the black A4 premium textured card stock and cut out leaving a small border.

I then took the Spellbinders Blossom fan die and cut them out from the black card stock. Now, you might of noticed if you have read any of my other posts here or my blog that I do love to use anything I can to craft with and the foil around sweets, chocolates and biscuits are like a magnet to me. So I have quite a collection of them. But when I needed that something special to go behind these lovely fans to show through the blossom design I had a light bulb moment and broke out the biscuit foil collection!

To attach the foil to the die cut I just popped some white glue onto the back of the die cut and then stuck the foil down. I then found though that if you rubbed foil behind the area of the blossoms with your finger it pushes it through and makes it look padded, which looks great!

To put the card together I stuck the panels to the screen card and then put on the fans but I just attached them with white glue on the handle end and the 2 sides of the fans, leaving the top part open. I then just added the appropriate sentiment and an adhesive gem on each fan.

I hope you like my oriental screen card and will have a go yourself!

   Happy crafting

                               Love Katrina 

Visible image Molly card #2

Hi there, design elf Katrina here again, this time with my second Molly Rules card using the Molly Rules stamp set from Visible Image.

    With this card I used my water based markers instead of an ink pad. The main reason for this was that I wanted to try out a new set but also to see if the stamps would take it. I don't know if you have noticed but not all clear stamps are made equal and with some the ink beads up on the stamp and just makes a mess but not with these, they take the water based marker perfectly and stamp beautifully, as you can see with this card.

I used the splog stamp from the set to make a background for the card and then stamped Molly and coloured her in. These are great stamps if you like to colour. The sentiment is also in the set as well as the little cute skull and the heart. 

To give the card a bit more dimension I made a couple of rosettes with some scrap card to match the colour scheme and then added the little skull on top with the hearts around it.

This is such a nice set to use and I am sure we all know a little angel that would fit the bill, hehe!

Happy crafting

                                           Love Katrina

Visible Image Molly Rules card #1

Hi everyone, Design elf Katrina here again. I think I have been inspired by all the beautiful spring flowers with this card.

   I have been playing with the Molly Rules stamp set by Visible Image. If this name is new to you check the section out in the shop as they have a wonderful collection of stamps, there is something for everyone too. They are also a UK stamp company too.

   I loved this set, although I am not too sure what has become of her teddy's head?!! Their stamps stamp easily and there is no beading of the ink that you can get with some clear stamps. She is also very easy to colour, which ever medium you like to use.

For the fun flowers I used 2 of the new die sets from Sue Willson. The flowers are made from the Cornflower set and the green springs are from the splendid swirls set.

Now I am not a huge flower user on my cards but these flowers are such fun and a little bit different. The springs can also be used in lots of different ways too but I loved them in the centre of the flowers, I just added a button from the Halloween button collection to finish them off.

Hope you like my Molly rules card 

Happy crafting

                        Love Katrina

Crafting busy bag

Hi everyone design elf Katrina here with a slightly out of the box project. As you know if you have read this blog before I do like to use everything and anything in my craftyness and this time is no exception, I am using those wonderful plastic sealable bags Sarah-Jane sends some of our orders in! I know it is not strictly something the Fruit Pixie sells but I thought is was such a good idea you might like to have a go at making one too.

 As a certified craft addict I just HAVE to take things to do with me when I go on holiday, I might not get time to do anything but I would go dolally if I had to go a whole week without my creative bits and bobs being to hand. I have tried and made all sorts of things to put them before I pack them in the case but I think I have found the best one yet, plus it was great fun to make too!!

  I spotted on Pinterest something called a busy bag, a bag to put toys and things in to take with you to keep the children quiet.So I thought why should children have all the fun and adapted it to suit my crafty needs.You could use this not only to take things away with you but for classes or just to move things around the house.

The outer part of the bag is padded with quilt wadding to protect the things inside and has a closure with Velcro so you can alter the thickness of your bag.

On the inside of the front flap I added some pen pockets.

The lining of the bag was cut in half and 4 thick sealable bags were sewn in to make pockets to store anything in really. The reason I like this is they are plastic so waterproof so if anything dose leak in transit it is contained in the bag. It means also you can have a bag for paper crafting and another for your stitching, they will all be safe and kept seperate. Also when they do eventually wear out they can be replaced by stitching in another bag. 

The bags I used are fantastic thick plastic bags the Fruit Pixie sends your order in, They are the best sealable bags I have ever come accross!

On the back part of the bag I also added another pocket with a velcro fastening, thought this would be good to store my art journal

So there it is my new creative busy bag! I have a holiday coming up so I cant wait to pack it and give it a go.

Of course you could make a busy bag for anything you want to. I am sure you can think of lots of ways it can be useful to you.

If you have any questions about my bag feel free to ask

The things stored in my busy bag photos and the bags used are from The Fruit Pixie online shop - http://www.thefruitpixie.co.uk/ 

The bags I used will sometimes come with your order in from the Fruit Pixie.