Blossoms for Blossoms

This is the weekend of our Blossom Babe crop and we always make a little something for each other.

This year I got some glass jars from Lakeland and set about them with my Daisy Stamp and paints from Paint Fusion by Sheena Douglass.

Here they are in various stages of completion.

A close up of one that I finished.

The finished article, filled with jewels, ribbon, twine, pearls, torn roses etc.

I printed the names and punched them with a SU punch, mounted onto the SU scalloped circle, then stuck onto the lids.

A little ribbon was tied around the neck to finish.

Before filling I sprayed the daisies with Crafters Companion Spray and Shine.

It bought the black ink through in a shade of pink which I think really added definition.

What do you think?

Paint Fusion Poppies at Cardinal Colours Retreat 2011

Jill wanted some ideas for make and takes at the retreat and I had seen the paint fusion stamps and paints and really fancied having a go. 

I bought the things back from a crop and watched the DVD - which, incidentally, says the the poppies are "more advanced class" - typical me!

These are the results of my first attempts.

I was quite pleased with the results but felt the stark white background was too harsh.

I thought of trying the crackle backgrounds etc on the DVD but didn't really have the time to further that idea. I then saw on Create and Craft some mountboard shapes by Sheena Douglas which look really nice - hearts and tags so I ordered them. This set me thinking and I came up with the plan for the retreat - make bookmark sized rectangles on mountboard.

Lynn got an A1 sheet at Hobbycraft for me which Robert then cut to size.

I spent Sunday morning stamping them as below.

As the mountboard is creamy colour it gives a better background.

I painted in the poppies and leaves and allowed to dry.

The edges were inked with a brown chalk pad then I made a couple of masks with post-it notes for the flower heads.

Once dry, I added the masks then stamped over the background with "early espresso" ink pad from Stampin' Up and an old text stamp I had. I blotted the stamp first to give a lighter image.

I then added a couple of swirls with "rich razzleberry" by SU also blotted first.

This is one of the heart shapes I made in the same way.

Stamps, Paints, Brushes and DVD all available from Cardinal Colours along with other exciting products.

I now have some Christmas stamps so will be making more soon (I hope!).

Thanks to Jill for organising yet another fabulous retreat - if you went along, I hope you enjoyed it too.

Stop by and say Hi!

TFL

xxx