Sunday 31 August 2014

New Blog Candy and Some Christmas Inspiration

Hello everyone! I hope you are all well:) We have sunshine today so I am hoping that we have summer back:)
Apologies for not posting sooner as I had said I would....I just don't know where the time goes and with yesterdays class I just haven't had a spare minute:( Obviously I have had to fit some time in for hubby as I can't imagine with my TV schedule this week we will see much of each other.

Blog Candy

So as promised here is the chalkboard card that I demo'd on the show and if you would like the chance to win this card, a Heartfelt Creations stamp of your choice and some crafting goodies just leave a comment on this post and you will automatically go into the random org draw which I will announce next Sunday:)


This is the sample card that I made and not the actual one that I demo'd and I did this one slightly different which gives it a different chalkboard effect:
  • I have taken my black card and dusted over it with an anti static bag which stops any excess embossing powder sticking where you don't want it too.
  • Stamp the image with an embossing ink of your choice and add your Cosmic Shimmer detailed embossing powder and gently tap off any excess.
  • Heat with your heat embossing tool.
  • Now as I just mentioned on this one I have also stamped the image again with some white pigment ink (you can also use a chalk ink) offsetting the stamp slightly giving the letters a shadow.
  • I have then added some of the white ink using my finger, rubbing in circular motion. I have added more in places to give it a more realistic look.
  • Next I have added some green and red pencil as you can see in the picture and again rubbed a little white ink over it to tone down the colours slightly.
  • I have assembled the card as in picture and added some Heartfelt Creation Poinsettias and some of the decorative leave flourishes from the Cut Mat Create  collection. I have also added some of the white ink to the poinsettias to also give these a chalky loo. When stamping the poinsettias I have also used white embossing powder.
  • To finish off I have added a little Cosmic Shimmer Mica Flakes to the centre of the poinsettias.
One of my teamies on the Heartfelt Creations Design Team Gini Cagle has done a similar chalkboard technique using just white ink...this is a great technique if you don't have embossing powders and a heat gun, but would like to give this chalkboard card a go:)

Now I also promised to share my Lantern that I made and taught a class of ladies at Sir Stampalot yesterday.  My inspiration for this was from another teamie on the Heatfelt Design Team Joanne Jamieson - Larkin you can find her lantern here and lot's more 3D projects....she is so talented and has some great projects on her blog:)

 Festive Christmas Lantern





  •  I made the lantern using a template that I made which was similar to the one that Joanne made. Joanne has a link on her blog to one very similar, but it is smaller that mine. 
  • I have used the Festive Background stamp and heat embossed it in gold detailed embossing powder onto heat resistant acetate to create the windows. I die cut out the windows using the Cut Mat Create die from set 2B
  • To decorate the lantern I have add some of the Cut Mat Create decorative borders which I have die cut out in black card.
  • I have added some black lace around the chimney and also some pearls on string.
  • The poinsettias and holly are of course Heartfelt Creation stamps and dies.
  • To finish of the lantern I have added some platinum Stickles glitter and lot's of Pinflair snow dust.
I hope you have enjoyed today's festive post...I will be back tomorrow with a Sunflower project which will be on the show:)
By the way I hope you can all join me for my very first 4 Day Deal which kicks off at 8am with Dean:).....It has been a pretty hectic August prepping for these shows, but I have to say I am so loving my job:) x

Take Care and I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend:) x


43 comments:

  1. Wow, your Lantern is stunning and a beautiful use of acetate sheet for window!!!!
    Love the chalkboard technique too!
    Anybody would be pleased to win this prize me included! Thanks for another chance, Nikki!

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  2. Oh wow these are amazing Christmas creations. Just adore the chalkboard effect on the first and the lantern must look gorgeous with a candle inside.
    Hugs Desíre {Doing Life}

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  3. That is one beautiful lantern you have created using the acetate window just adds to it :)
    thank you for the chance to win.

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  4. I loved the card when I saw it on C & C. the lantern is even better.....xx

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  5. Love both of these Nikki. The chalkboard is so effective and the flowers on it are beautiful. The lantern is just amazing, what a fabulous centrepiece that would make. You must be really busy with all the prep to do for the 4 Day Deal but I'll be surprised if it lasts 4 days - I predict an early sell out! Pat x

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  6. I love the chalkboard card , it is so different in design to the usual Christmas cards, love the die cut flowers and leaves. The lantern would look lovely on my hearth it is so pretty. Great projects

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  7. Hi Nikki, Love the card I saw you demo this on C+ C & the Lantern is great any chance you could do a demo of the Lantern on create and craft ? Can't wait to see the 4 day deal, crafty hugs vanessa xx

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  8. These are beautiful Nikki. Good luck with your shows.
    Crafty Hugs
    Heather xx

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  9. Stunning creations ! Must give chalkboard a go. Looking forward to the 4 day deal x

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  10. This card is gorgeous and so is the lantern! You are one awesomely talented lady! xxx

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  11. Dear Nikki. I love this card and glad you have shown it to us. I wanted to wish you all the best for the C&C 4 day deal shows...... I cannot,wait! Love Michelle S xxx

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  12. Really love the chalkboard card Nikki..........also the lantern.......thanks for the chance to win ! Soooo looking forward to the 4day deal ...don't think it will last 4 days though!!!! Best of luck for the week!

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  13. I love this card, loved watching your demos and must try this technique out! Looking forward to the 4 day deal and think it might just end up in my basket! Good luck for this week.
    Helen Garrington

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  14. I always wondered how the chalkboard was done, thanks for sharing. The lantern is gorgeous too

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  15. Hi. Nikki
    This card is so lovely. I watched you make this card on C & C and thought how amazing it was. The lantern is also stunning. I'll have to see if I can get a template and give it a go.

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  16. Hi Nikki
    Love the chalkboard card and great to have the instructions, you certainly have a busy week ahead!! Will try and catch some of the shows
    Best wishes, Pat

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  17. Hi Nikki
    Love the chalkboard card,and how gorgeous is the lantern! Looking forward to all your shows this week.
    Love Angela x

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  18. Hi Nikki, love this card it's very different and the flowers are lovely. Looking forward to your shows this week I will be watching as many as I can. The lantern looks great as well a real work of art.

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  19. Hi, i really love this card its so clever.Good luck with all your shows this week, will have you on record.xx

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  20. Hi Nikki these projects are gorgeous. I watched you make the card on the show and as Martyn said at the time it is so beautiful, and now the lantern, thank you for sharing them. Good luck with the 4 day deal, sure it will fly like all the other collections x

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  21. Morning Nikki
    The chalk board and lantern are both stunning, looking forward to your shows and the 4 day deal
    Hugs
    Carol x

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  22. Loved the card on the C&C show Nikki and the lantern is fantastic - wow; will have to have a go at this sometime soon. Looking forward to watching today's shows, hopefully soon.

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  23. Hi Nikki
    Such a beautiful card and Lantern
    I have hit the record button ready for Day 1 , really looking forward to your shows , Enjoy !.

    Take Care
    Elaine H X

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  24. I always get inspiration from your blog and this is no exception. Loved your first 'sunflower' show this morning, too.

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  25. The card is pretty, but the lantern is a big WOW! I wish I'd been in that class.

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  26. Hi Nikki, I love, love, love, the chalkboard effect on cards, and this is a stunner !!
    Your lantern is truly fabulous, I too would have loved to have been in this class.
    Enjoy your 4 day deal, I'm just watching you at the moment, fabulous !!
    Lots of love from Patricia xx

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  27. Wonderful card. I haven't tried the chalkboard style, but would love to give it a go. Watched you demo-ing with the Sunflower collection in 2 shows so far. You were brilliant against all the odds (hard to get a word in with Dean - he must have cut you off mid-sentence at least half a dozen times - annoying). Well done Nikki. This is a gorgeous collection, but I just want the papers this time.

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  28. The lantern is so cool. It would be fun to put a lightstick in it so it could actually light up. I love your card. It is so pretty it should be hung up on the wall. Of course I had to pin it. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/415386765604850260/

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  29. Hi nikki.
    I really love this card. Wish I could've seen u demo it but of course I forgot about the bloomin show didn't I silly moo I am!! Grrr so annoyed bit ah well maybe I might win it then I can have a closer look!! Lol

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  30. Hello Nikki
    loving the shows so far and the demos and samples are lovely.
    You're doing a grand job.
    Beautiful lantern also. x

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  31. Morning Nikki,
    Just watched your show on C&C and thoroughly enjoyed it as you are my favourite demonstrator. So pleased you posted this amazing card as it's so beautiful and if I won it it would be the centrepiece on my mantelpiece. Thank you for your wonderful inspiration.
    Lots of love and crafty hugs,

    Ivy ling x

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  32. Wow your chalkboard card and lantern are amazing Nikki, really enjoying all your shows on C&C. The new collection is beautiful. Fern x

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  33. Hi Nikki, im behind this week, again! Have a relative staying for a couple of months and it's proving impossible to have my usual routine with guests!
    These two creations are simply stunning!
    I've recorded your shows today and am about it try and watch at least one tonight. Can't wait!
    Hugs Annie x

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  34. Hi Nikki,
    I loved this card when you demo'd the technique on C&C - many thanks for the photos and instructions. Very inspirational.
    Best wishes, Pam xx

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  35. Love this card it is stunning keep up the good work x

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  36. Hi Nikki,
    Wow! I love the card but the lantern is stunning! Definitly must give it a go for Christmas. Fantasyic creative work as always.

    Love Sheila xx

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  37. Hi Nikki
    I love your card and wish I was as clever as you.

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  38. Saw all your demos Nikki you were brilliant but especially like the chalkboard card, it is so trendy at the moment. keep up the good work Julie Kayxx

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  39. Hi Nikki. This was my favourite demo. I love the chalkboard effect. It's so unusual for a Christmas card bt very beautiful. X

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  40. Both projects are fantastic, thanks you for sharing.

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