November Key Dates: Workshops, Try it Tuesday and Bag a Bargain

10th November Bag A Bargain:

Vernon Court, Henson Way
Telford Way Industrial Estate
Kettering, Northants NN16 8PX

16th November Craft Dies By Sue Wilson Workshop:
29th November Try It Tuesday: 

Once a month we discount some items in our Factory shop at a bargain price. This month we have bundled some great products for you create wonderful sparkly Christmas decorations, including Cosmic Shimmer Gilding Polish, Cosmic Shimmer Embossing Powder, Creative Expressions Stamp Set and lots more. Its a great little craft project with everything you need in 1 package.
Shop open: 9am-4.30pm
Creative Expressions


16th November Craft Dies by Sue Wilson Workshop:

In this full day workshop you will learn many different techniques on how to use Alcohol Inks to create stunning backgrounds. Working on 3 projects throughout the day you will use various other Dies and products such as Creative Expressions Craft Dies by Sue Wilson Swiss or Belgium Collection, Shadow Box Dies, and your choice of Mini Striplet.

This is only a small class and its a great way to meet other like minded crafters and get some expert guidance from your tutor.

BOOK: CLICK HERE 

29th November Try it Tuesday:

Come along and try out some of the new Creative Expressions Craft Dies by Sue Wilson November Collection, here at Creative Expressions HQ. We also have some great offers in our factory shop! Open 9.00am-4.30pm

30th November Colouring Workshop:

You've seen the tutorial on YouTube and now you get to try it out for yourself! You can learn from the expert herself, Lisa Horton, who will be holding a colouring Workshop here at Creative Expressions HQ on Wednesday 30th November. The day is split into 2 sessions, each at £30, with different themes. In the morning Lisa will cover colouring skin tones (10am-12.30pm) and shading red in the afternoon (1.30pm-4pm) using the Mr & Mrs Claus and Make Gnome Mistake Stamps she designed for Creative Expressions.

For each session you will be given 3 Graphmaster Alcohol Markers, included in the session price, that you will be using for the class. 

BOOK: Call 01536 481778 or email tracey@creative-exrpessions.uk.com

Learn to colour using Graphmaster Alcohol Markers

Hi all!

If you haven't already seen we have just launched a new mini series of colouring basics with Creative Expressions Demonstrator Lisa Horton. The series will consist of a handful of tutorials for you to learn how to colour like a pro. Videos include colouring using red, which is the hardest colour to create depth and shading, skin tones, hair and more.

Lisa uses her Stamp Sets designed exclusively for Creative Expressions, Mr and Mrs Claus CEC787 and her Scandinavian style Gnome Stamp Set 'Make Gnome Mistake' CEC791 and a selection of Graphmaster Markers. All avaible from Creative Expressions stockists. 

Top Tips:

• Use good quality paper, such as our Foundations Card in Bright White, it has a smooth finish which works amazing with the Graphmaster Alcohol Markers.

• To avoid bleeding stamp lines use a Dye Based Ink pad to stamp with. 

• When colouring start with lighter colours first and build up to dark areas and do this process twice. However when colouring skin tones do the opposite start with your darker colours fading to your lightest.

• To create warmer tones use orange and yellow over colours.

• Use Cool greys to add depth.

• Use warm greys to create a vintage look. 

Watch Episode 1 here, where she talks about some basics to colouring and how to colour using red. 

Take a look at our Gallery, all designs by Lisa Horton, pin your favourite on Pinterest!

Santoro Kori Kumi Clock

Morning Crafters

This morning we welcome a new design team member Trudie Howard, you may have already seen some of her fantastic work doing the rounds on Facebook. Trudie has made this fantastic clock using papers and accessories from the Santoro Kori Kumi Range. We just LOVE it! Be sure to leave a few comments below letting Trudie know what you thought of her first project for our team.

Shopping List:

• 20cm x 20cm canvas - you could up-cycle like I have. 
• clock mechanism 
• Kori Kumi Collection 8x8 Paper Pack SKKPPAK002
• Kori Kumi Collection Doilies SKKPDOL001
• Kori Kumi Collection Raffia String SKKRAFS001
• Kori Kumi Collection Bunting SKKBUNT001
• Kori Kumi Collection Laser Cut Wood Shapes - Characters SKKWDNS002
• Foundation Card Milk 40109
• White Gesso
• Cosmic Shimmer Acrylic Glue CSGLUE
• Cosmic Shimmer Colour Cloud Decadent Grape CSPMCCGRAPE
• Creative Expressions Craft Dies by Sue Wilson Stitched Noble Square Dies Set A CED5509
• Creative Expressions Craft Dies by Sue Wilson Stitched Noble Square Dies Set B CED5510
• Smoothies CESMOOTH

Base 

If you are up-cycling a canvas, Gesso the sides to cover any existing picture. Don’t worry about the front as this will be covered by the paper. 

Cut grey board to fit onto the back of the canvas and glue into place. 

Mark the centre of the canvas by drawing diagonal lines from corner to corner. Make suitable sized hole for the clock mechanism. 

Use a 20cm x 20cm piece of milk foundation card as your decorative base. Using the Sue Wilson dies or cut by hand an 18.5cm x 18.5cm square on lilac coloured paper for back panel. Use the Milk Foundation Card to cut another square 13cm x 13cm. Make a 12.5cm x 12.5cm square using the Blowing Kisses paper making sure that the image is in the centre of the square.

Colour the edges of the foundation card and the canvas using the Decadent Grape Colour Cloud and the Smoothie. 

Arrange 3 doilies in the top left hand corner of the canvas, over lapping the edge slightly. 

Stick all the layers in place in the order that you made them and stick the topper to the base canvas. 

From the reverse and using the hole that you previously made in the base board, carefully cut through to the front with a craft knife. Take your time with this. Attach the clock mechanism as per the instructions. 

Add a length of the pink raffia across the bottom of the canvas with a small raffia bow. 

Colour some wooden hearts and a character of your choice with pencil crayons and stick on to the front. 

Trim two bunting pennants and stick in place along with 6 small adhesive dots. 

Add a suitable battery, hang and enjoy.

Other places to find Trudie: 

BLOG

Facebook

Save the Date Wedding Invitation

Items used:
Creative Expressions Foundation Card WHBRIGHT
A4 White Vellum 40024
Creative Expressions Craft Dies by Sue Wilson Arbour Gate CED9403
JustRite Rosed and Vines Clear Stamp Set JRCR-05014
JustRite Grand Wedding Clear Stamp Set JRCR-02192
Cosmic Shimmer Gilding Flakes CSGFSILVDREAM
Creative Expressions Sticky Embossing Powder CSEPSTICKY
Creative Expressions Embossing Powder Silver CSEPSILMET
Craft Consortium Ribbon AFSRBN008
Craft Consortium Buckle AFCHRM013

Step 1. Cut from the card the arbour gate and cut in half down the middle.

Step 2 Using the vellum and the sticky embossing powder stamp the sentiment. Heat the embossing powder and press on the gilding flakes – using a scrunchie to remove any excess.

Step 3. Cut two panels of vellum to fit the arbour gate halves and cover each piece of vellum with versa mark ink. Cover with sticky embossing powder and repeat the gilding flakes as above.

Step 4. Use a PC to compose the details of the wedding. Print out.. A handwriting font looks best.

Step 5. Decorate the panel using the stamps in a combination of silver embossing powder and stamping with distress inks.

Step 6. Place the vellum panels behind the arbour gate halves and glue. Then take the base piece of card  and cut to 18x13 cm. Glue the gates on either side around the outside edges. Leave the middle so that you can insert the decorative elements.

Step 7. Insert the wording in the middle of the gates. Then place the ribbon at the top and bottom of the wording. Affix the “save the date” vellum at the top and at the bottom use one of the buckles and tie ribbon to either side of it.

Other places to find Lynn:

BLOG

Pinterest

Personalised Wedding Bottle Tag

Morning Crafters,

Another Wedding style blog for you all today from Wenche Jensen with this beautiful bottle cover. Such a great idea to add a personal touch to a gift for the Bride and Groom.

Items used:

Creative Expressions Teresa Collins 8'' x 8'' Paper Pad CRE8X8

Cosmic Shimmer Sparkle Paste Frosty Dawn CSPASTSPFROST

Dazzler Aqua Collection 8mm and 12mm 32 Embellishments DAZMIXAQUA

Craft Dies by Sue Wilson - Frames Tags Collection - Pierced Flags CED4304

Frames and Tags Collection Maggie CED4315

Frames and Tags Collection – Tessa CED4308

Shadow Box Collection - Mr and Mrs CED9304

How to Create a Personalised Paper Bottle Cover:

I die cut out all the parts I need. Almost like a puzzle ;-)

I want some extra sparkle on my project, so I use a stencil and Cosmic Shimmer Sparkle Paste on the circle.

While the Glitter Paste dries, I can assemble the other parts. I fold the banner so that the length suit ok to bottle then I will hang the decoration on. This I stapled to the doily and paste on a Dazzler embellishment to hide pin. I choose to use a pin to be certain it would stay together.

I staple the Banner Die Cut, and hide again using a Dazzler. 

When the Glitter Paste is dry I mount the circle onto the doilie with 3D adhesive pads, for some dimension.

The text and hearts are die cut from white foam, to give more definition

I hope you enjoyed this blog and I have given you some wedding inspiration for your big day or a friends. 

More places to find Wenche:

BLOG

Pinterest 

Instagram

How to Make a Elegant Wedding Guest Book

Hello Crafters,

On Today's blog Design Team member Claire Newcombe will be showing you who to make a Wedding Guest Book.

Shopping List:

Craft Dies by Sue Wilson Finishing Touches Perfect Peony Complete Petals CED1432

Mini Stencil Heart Cluster CEMSHEART

MDF 6X6 Book Covers CEMDFBOOK6X6

MDF Wedding Accessories CEMDFWEDACC

Cosmic Shimmer Colour Cloud Ocean Blue CSCCOCEAN & Summer Sky CSCCSUMM

Cosmic Shimmer Texture Paste

Cosmic Shimmer Glitter

Phill Martin CS Gilding Wax Frosty Aqua CSPMGWFRAQUA

Creative Expressions Finishing Touches Satin Ribbon Ocean Blue CESROCEAN

Creative Expressions Self Adhesive Pearls White 5mm SAP5WHITE

Step 1. Prepare the MDF elements by priming them with a 2 coats of gesso. Allow to dry properly between layers.

Step 2. Stamp multiple images of the two smallest Filigree Peony stamps, using Colour Cloud Ocean blue. Use the corresponding Perfect Peony dies to cut out the flowers.

Step 3. Take a ball ended tool to shape the flowers. Work onto a soft surface, like Phil Martins stamping mat, and moving the tool in circular movements in the centre of the flower. Add self-adhesive flat backed pearls to the centre of each bloom.

Step 4. When the gesso is dry, begin applying Colour Cloud Ink to the MDF cover. Use the smoothie sponges to apply the colour. Either in a dabbing or circular motion, depending on the preferred finish.  Allow to dry thoroughly.

Step 5. Apply sparkle texture paste through the heart cluster mini stencil, as a backdrop for the MDF embellishments.  

 Step 6. Extend the texture paste through a portion of the stencil further up the page. Allow to dry.

Step 7. Use Colour Cloud ink and gilding wax to colour tint the MDF elements. Accent areas with Cosmic Shimmer glitter jewels. When dry fix onto the stencilled area of the book cover. 

 Step 8. Use silicone glue gel to apply the stamped flowers around the MDF shapes, ‘catching’ short lengths of ribbon and loops among the petals.

Step 9. Using Cosmic Shimmer Glue fix all your items onto the front to create this simple elegant Wedding Guest book. 

For more inspiration from Claire Newcombe find her:

BLOG

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Instagram

Flickr

YouTube

For more inspiration check out our YouTube channel for lots of tutorials and technique videos on various card designs and products.