Wednesday 5 November 2014

Beautiful birch trees...

thinking of you
Hey!

Happy Wednesday, happy Guy Fawkes Day/Bonfire Night and happy Clearly Besotted Stamps release day! That's right, the November release is available to view now and for you to purchase from 10pm tonight (UK time)!

For my final project of the release I've inked up the new set, Birch Trees. This mini set is fabulous and so versatile for so many occasions. I'm thinking birthdays, Christmas an even sympathy cards using this super little set.

tips and tricks

  • I embossed the trees onto vellum to achieve a softer effect. You could always layer vellum over stamped trees to soften their appearance too. 
  • Avoid adhesive showing through the vellum by adding tiny dots of Glossy Accents to the reverse side of the embossed trees.
  • This design works for so many occasions - don't be limited by using only the sentiments from one stamp set. Experiment and use a range of sentiments! 

If you haven't checked out the full release, then what are you waiting for? Pop across to Stephanie's to check it out, make your shopping list and get a ton more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team.

Before I dash, let me wish those of you who are celebrating Bonfire Night a very happy and safe evening. Fingers crossed the weather holds out for the fireworks!

Thanks so much for sticking around with me over the past few days - I'm thankful for every visit and your company. Thank you! :)

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Tuesday 4 November 2014

Thanks a ton...

thanks a ton
Hey!

I hope you're having a whale of a time (sorry, I couldn't resist!) enjoying the sneaky peeks of the new Clearly Besotted November release so far and you're ready for day three of them.  (if you're playing catch up then check out day one here and day two here).

Today I'm sharing a super-sweet mini stamp set, Whale Done, which consist of this adorable whale along with a choice of pun-tastic sentiments. Just my kinda set! I couldn't resist adding a googly eye to this whale - it adds so much character, don't you think?
tips and tricks

  • It's not possible to see on my pic, but I smothered that whale in Glossy Accents. It adds a fabulous dimension! 
  • In order to curl my bow tails a little more, I repeatedly ran the twine in-between my finger and a ruler. I avoided using the blade of scissors as it has a tendency to fray the twine. 
  • The sentiment is purposefully stamped overlapping the stamped water spout (is that what it's called?!) to allow the design to flow and make it easier for the eye to follow.

Be sure to visit Clearly Besotted HQ (aka Stephanie's) for more wonderful sneaky peeks and links to the rest of the super Design Team who have yet more inspirational projects to share with you today.

Well, it just leaves me now to say thanks a ton (hee!) for stopping by here today and I really hope you can join me tomorrow for a final sneaky peek and the full reveal of what's proving to be a fabulous release!

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Monday 3 November 2014

A sweet Christmas...

sweet Christmas
Hey!

Happy Monday and welcome back to day 2 of the sneak peeks of the Clearly Besotted Stamps November release! If you missed out on yesterday's sneak peek you can check it out here. :)

So today I'm moving from delicate, pretty snowdrops onto to fun, festive treats! I've whipped up a super-simple tag featuring the new set, Naughty or Nice?, and I've focused on the nice - well who can resist candy at Christmas, right? ;)
tips and tricks

  • The tag features an extremely simple form of masking. I simply stamped my sentiment first, popped a Post-it note across the centre and stamped the Christmas candy around it. 
  • The two sizes of Christmas candy stamps in the set make it easy to stamp patterns with. If you're using a dye-based ink as opposed to a chalk/pigment based ink, you can always lightly draw a grid in pencil to ensure the pattern spaces out evenly. Just don't try to erase over chalk/pigment ink as it has a tendency to smudge! 
  • If you can't be bothered with the masking technique, you can always stamp the candies all over the tag and trim the sentiment from a separate piece of cardstock to place over the top. 

Well that's all from me today but if you haven't already, please to pop across to Clearly Besotted HQ (aka Stephaine's) to check out even more sneaky peeks from the rest of the wonderful Design Team. It's an absolute pleasure to ink along with these talented ladies every month - so much fun, creativity and talent!

As always, thank you so very much for visiting today! I hope you can pop by tomorrow for yet more sneaky peeks - I dare say you'll have a 'whale' of a time if you visit...! ;)


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Sunday 2 November 2014

Hello, lovely snowdrops!

hello
Hey!

Can you believe it? November already! We have less than 10 weeks to get our wedding sorted - I have a feeling that those weeks are going to zoom by!

But enough of weddings, let's give you a sneaky peek of Clearly Besotted's November release. :) It has been my absolute pleasure to ink up the new set, Winter Blooms. I'm not horticultural expert, but I do love snowdrops and I love how I can use this beautiful set to cater for a number of occasions throughout the winter months.

tips and tricks

  • I embossed the snowdrops onto vellum and added colour on the reverse side using standard pencil crayons. Always check how the colouring looks on the front as it can appear quite subtle and pale.
  • The thin strip of acetate (an old Hambly ScreenPrint) helps to ground the design and is adhered using the strip of silver cardstock at the top to avoid adhesive showing through the acetate.
  • To add a touch of sparkle to my snowdrops, I dug out my old Sakura Startdust pens. You can't see it on the pic, but the snowdrops really sparkle. :) 

Well that's just one sneaky peek of the new Clearly Besotted release, so pop across to Stephanie's to check out many more sneaky peeks from the rest of the fabulous DT including our guesties for the month, Pia Krogh Larsen and Cindy Lovell!

Thanks so much for visiting today and have a wonderful rest-of-the-weekend! :)

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Copyright/Disclosure

I am on various design teams and receive free product to use and promote. I geniunely love the products of the companies and all opinons are honest and my own.

I'm flattered if I've inspired you and you want to CASE anything of mine, but please don't enter it for commercial publications or competitions.
Thank You!
All designs, text, and photographs on Crafting Confessions are ©2009-2016 to Amy Gray unless stated otherwise.