Monday, June 24, 2013

Core'dinations Blog Hop





 

 

Welcome to Day 1 of the Couture Creations & Core’dinations Color Core Cardstock Blog Hop! 

We’re so excited to team up with Core’dinations Color Core Cardstock to share some inspiring projects with you this week, marrying our products together.

We’ll be giving away a fabulous Couture Creations prize package at the end of the week, so be sure to play along and check back on Sunday to see if you’re the lucky winner!

Here are the different ways you can play along with us –

1.      Like Couture Creations on Facebook 

2.      Share this blog post on your Facebook wall and tell us you did on our Facebook wall

3.       Follow our Couture Creations Blog

4.      Comment on Couture Creations blog or on Facebook

5.      Follow Couture Creations on Pinterest

Core’dinations Color Core Cardstock is also posting projects and giving away prizes, so be sure to check out their Blog and Facebook page, too!

 Today I have a layout to share with you using the gorgeous Colour Core Cardstock from Core'dinations.


I have used the  beautiful soft pastel colours in the Pastels Cardstock Pack.  With this versatile cardstock and some lovely embossing folders, you don't need a heap of patterned papers.   Here's how this layout came about.

I first chose a piece of patterned paper for my background.  I then placed a piece of white cardstock in the middle on top. 

This is the fun part!  Grab some core cardstock in 3 different colours and run them through your embossing machine with your choice of embossing folders.


 
The embossing folders I have used are Bouquet, Houndstooth and Crazy Daisy.  I have then sanded them back with a sanding block to reveal the white core underneath.  I LOVE how it just gives it a real soft subtle look.  Almost like it has been white washed.  I then cut my embossed pieces to size.

Using the piercing tool from the Handheld Essentials kit, I then pierced holes all the way round the outside and then hand stitched each piece.  You can also do this on your sewing machine but for me I like the finish of hand stitching and I can use 2 threads too just for a bit of extra dimension.


I then die cut out the tag at the bottom from the Victorian Squares Nesting Dies.  This is tucked under the photo with a couple of other little banners I have cut out from the off cuts of the original 3 embossed pieces.


The hearts were cut from the Hearts Nesting Dies and also run through my Cuttlebug and sanded back.  There were then tucked under the blossoms with the Alcyone doily die

To make the leaves I have used the Turkish Delight embossing folder.  This folder is a fantastic one to have in your collection!  Not only is it useful for backgrounds, but the leaves on this folder are awesome to cut out.  I have again used the core cardstock and then sanded them back.

I have also slipped in a Core'dinations tag for some journaling later.

Lastly my favourite dies, the Tranquility flourish die, tucked under some of the blossoms and the Magical Butterfly die.

Here is a couple of close ups of the embellishments clusters.




 

Head on over to the Core’dinations Color Core Cardstock Blog and see what their Design Team has created using their Color Core Cardstock and our Couture Creations products! They also have  giveaways, so what are you waiting for – head over!

Check in again with us tomorrow for more inspiring projects from Couture Creations & Core’dinations Color Core Cardstock 



Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Waxed Paper Technique

Hi everyone, I'm up on the Couture Blog this week to share with you a fun technique with some embossing folders and some waxed paper.


I'm going to show you how to create a lovely soft background paper which is perfect for stamping a focal image on or just as a background paper.

Choose an embossing folder.  I am using the Extra Flint embossing folder from the Fresh and Fun collection.

Next you will need some waxed paper.  Cut a piece to size and embossing it with your Cuttlebug.

 
 
You will then need to heat your iron up.  Don't add water to your iron just a dry iron is good.  When your iron is hot, lay your waxed embossed piece onto some white cardstock.  You will need to pop a couple of pieces of scratch paper underneath so you don't burn your bench.  Then place a piece of scratch paper on the top and gently iron over the top.
 
 
You will then be left with a piece of card that kind of looks like it has a water mark on it.
 
 
Now you can pull out your ink pads.  Rub and inkpad lightly over the whole card.
 
 
You can see the pattern very lightly starting to form.  Now using a tissue give the card a good rub to remove the ink that will sit on top of the paper.
 





It is a little hard to photograph but you are left with a lovely soft background print.  Your own designer paper!!  Here is a close up for the actual focal point on my card using this technique.

 
Here is another card that I have made using this same technique to create a focal image on my card.
 
 
So go pull your embossing folders out and see how many lovely patterns you can create!  Its a great way to put your folders to another use!

Until next time!

Couture Creations products used

CO723443 - Extra Flint Embossing Folder (Fresh and Fun Collection)
CO723449 - Large Damask Flourish (Elegance Collection)
CO723151 - Bouquet (Serenity Collection)
CO723222 - Ivy Set Doily Dies (Fantasia Collection)


Monday, June 17, 2013

Feeling Sketchy No. 63

Another week has come around again.  Wow they are flying by!  So that means its a new sketch over at Feeling Sketchy

We had the opportunity to work with the gorgeous Lacy Sunshine stamps again this week.  I have really enjoyed playing with these.

Here is the sketch

 
Here is my card
 
 
I have used the image - Lizabeth Butterfly Kisses.  The papers are some that I was given in a RAK so not sure what paper line it is.
 
Head over to the blog and check out what the amazing DT gals have done with these gorgeous images to give you some inspiration. 
 
Until next time
 
Hugs


Wednesday, June 12, 2013

June Challenge - Mad Aboout Scrappin


 
Hey everyone.
 
Its my turn to share my take on the months challenge over at Mad About Scrappin
 
Here is the challenge details
 
 


My choice of word to replace happy was joy, and the frame I made using my nestibilities.  I then painted it and crackled over it .  The paper is an Echo Park pack from Mad About Scrappin.  All the flowers are also from the store.  Leanne has some lovely ones in at the moment so pop over to the shop and have a look.
 
Check out the full details for this months challenge on our Facebook page and have a go.  We love to see what you create!
 
Thanks for allowing me to share

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Layout - Couture Creations

Hello!

Im back today with another layout to share with you.

 
This is a very rare photo of my mum and I together.  We always seem to be the ones behind the camera!  So there is my first tip - try and get pics of yourself and don't be afraid to scrap them!
 
To create this page I started by stamping and flicking some mist over some white cardstock
 
 
 
 
Cut your patterned paper to size and mat onto some black cardstock and adhere to your page.
 
 
I then used the Bouquet embossing folder from the Serenity collection.  What I LOVE about Couture embossing folders is that they have a little slit at the top of the folder so your can feed a long piece of paper through and continue embossing without cutting your paper.  How cool is that?  Couture Creations are the only ones to have this unique design. 
 
So I ran a piece of co-ordinations cardstock through the cuttlebug and then gently sanded it back with a sanding block.
 
 
Once you have stuck this onto your page you can now start and place your embellishments.
 
To embellish this page I have used a few blossoms from my stash.  I also used the Lily G doily die from the Royal Jewels collection.   I cut two out of just plain Reflex copy paper and placed them under my photo.
 
To make the little hearts I used the hearts nesting dies and cut them out of light weight chipboard.  I then painted them with some Tim Holtz distress crackle paint.
 
 
Thanks so much for stopping by!  Until next time
 
Couture Creations products used
 
 
 


Monday, June 3, 2013

Feeling Sketchy No. 62

Good morning sketchies,


It is Monday which means it is time for a new sketch for you to play with.
From this challenge we are changing to a fortnightly challenge so you have 2 weeks to get your project made and entry in for your chance to win the randomly drawn prize at the end of the month.
 
 
 
Here is my card.
 
 
 
These images are so much fun to colour!  I loved playing with this sketch!
 
(The optional challenge is taking a break for the time being but may return in the future)
 
It is also the start of a new month and do we have a fantastic sponsor and prize for you this month.
This month we are being sponsored by "Lacy Sunshine Stamps" Heather is generously offering a $20 voucher to the lucky randomly drawn winner at the end of the month so be sure to get your entries in for your chance to win this fantastic prize.
"Lacy Sunshine Stamps the Official and only authorized shop for Heather Valentin digital stamps and more."

Be sure to pop over to the blog and check out what the other gals on the DT have done.  Some amazing cards this week!

Until next time