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