The Introverted Crafter

Today I finished the final project in the project book, and therefore my first task! The original was called Just Because, and was designed by Sue Wilson. Here is hers One thing that I was missing completely was the white embossing powder needed for the background, so I changed it completely, by using clear embossing powder and black card. After changing that I decided to change a few more things, namely the stamping in the centre to resist card, and taking out the sentiment at the bottom. Here is my version I inked the resist paper with fired brick and ...yellow? (I've forgotten the name!) distress pads As you can see, using the same technique and tweaking things ever so slightly can produce a completely different card. I love this card. Can't say anything else about it! I've also made a birthday present this week, for my little brother. He is comic book mad and quite the artist, so I decided to use this as a basis for his present. My friend Lo...

Ah the penultimate project. This one was called Harlequin Masquerade and was designed by Sue Wilson. Here is her version I decided to take a few ideas from this, but do something a little different. With the reds, blacks and golds in this, I thought it lent itself well to a masculine card, taking away the beads and the mask and the feathers. So instead, digging through my stash I decided on the theme of arrows. Here is my version I used some of the kraft resist paper and some fired brick distress ink for the triangle, inked along the edge with gathered twigs, and cut a border out of kraft paper. I actually cut two borders and cut one up to put behind the circular arrows. The arrows themselves are made of grungeboard, and painted with either fired brick or black soot paint. The circular arrow works as a C as well, for the intended recipient! I've got to say I'm really loving the kraft resist paper. You can alter it to fit whatever project you're doing if...

So today I have finished another present. Before I show what I have done, first I'd like to share my first experience with UTEE. I got two jars the other day, black and clear. I've used both today, in two different ways. One thing that I didn't realise is that you have to use versamark before adding UTEE crystals and heating with a heat gun, even for jewelry. Cue loads of clear crystals hitting the floor! I ended up heating it in the oven, which worked well. What I absolutely LOVED though, was the black UTEE. This is what I did with it today. I started by finding some cardboard buttons I've had in my stash for ages, with no clue what to do with them. I then wiped versamark powder on them, sprinkled black crystals onto the button, tapped off the excess and heated it until it went glossy. I did this three times. Immediately after the third time I pushed a rubber stamp onto it and left it to cool. This takes seconds. Finally I grabbed some bronze and interference ...

Beginning of a new week, and a new project from the book. This one is called Black and White Beaded and is designed by Sue Wilson. Here is her version Given the fact that I have to rely on what is in my admittedly extensive stash, I was limited by the micro beads I had. I used the gold ones in my last project so I decided to use the red and blue (mainly blue) ones I had from Crafty Creatives a long time ago. Given that fact, I decided to change things up again by omitting the black from this project in place of blue. Here is my version I used a feather embossing folder and some blue paper from an old Gorjuss stash I had.  The quote is stamped on a framelit Gorjuss piece. I decided to change it slightly by putting the last piece at right angles to the rest. Finally I played to my strengths (or at least ignored my weakness) by making a paper bow, and attaching a button to the centre. The good thing about this card is you can easily adjust to either mascu...

Hi everyone, todays post will not have a project from the project book! Instead, I have finally completed the G45 box I've been working on. I started off by painting it black, then chose some G45 papers and some burlap for the inside. As you can see I still have a little problem with straight edges and measurements (hopefully today's investment will make a difference - more on that later!) For the sides on the outside, I decided to layer some papers up. I started with a panel of white card, inked in old paper, then a layer of black card. Finally, the reason for the title - Tim Holtz craft resist paper. I got this for my birthday (albeit belatedly) and I love it! You can ink this however you want. Isn't it cool? I added a little piece I've had in my stash forever, which I painted with gold and a little iced spruce to age it.  Finally, the lid. I started off by using some dark blue sew lovely paper, then some Madam Payraud damask paper, before...

Fourth from the end of the book now! Here is today's, called kindness is a blessing, and designed by Sue Wilson. Here is her version I warn you now, her version is much better than mine! For a start, I have finally come to the conclusion that I cannot tie a bow for the sake of my life. So from  now on it's paper bows! What I wanted to take from this one is the use of one colour in both embossing and die cuts. I think that, if you are limited to only white card, you can still do a very effective card if you have some embossing folders and dies. Enough blathering though, here is my version I also set the challenge with this one of using stuff in my stash that I had never used before. So I used a snowflake embossing folder, which is very effective for a simple background, and the cut and stamp chandelier in the middle, which I coloured using mica powder. I also used the mica powder to colour a clear button in the middle of some ribbon. I know there should be a...