Blog Posts – Page 87 of 101 – Crafting with Ashee

Printed Poppy Candle – Painted Poppies

I have fallen in love with the Poppy suite of products in the Spring / Summer catalogue. Here I’ve used the Painted Poppies stamp set to create this printed poppy candle. I’ve not printed a candle in years and was so please with the way it turned out.

I’ve shown this candle in the packaging I created, making the packaging will be my next video. I’ve used a very simple white pillar candle that has been sitting in my stash for simply ages. I wanted to create a gift as of course, we can’t go shopping at the moment.

how did i do it?

I used some tissue paper from my stash to make this. If you have bought the shimmer detailed laser cut designer series paper (DSP) you will find tissue paper separating each page. This is a perfect way to upcycle it. I measured the circumference and height of the candle and then cut out a piece of tissue paper to match.

I’ve stamped using an archival quality ink such as stazon so it won’t run when heated. The colouring in did pose a problem to me as I was afraid that it might run when heated or bleed out of the lines. I decided just to use the Stampin’ Write Markers in the aptly named Poppy Parade. This worked perfectly!!! A word of warning though, it doesn’t bleed out of the lines but did go straight through the paper. I coloured in on my grid paper to stop my desk looking like a murder scene!!

other projects using poppies

The supply list and video tutorial are below. I hope you enjoyed this project. Thank you for dropping by. I hope you are all well and I wish you all the best. Until next time Enjoy Being Creative!!

Ashee xx

Product List

Stamping – An introduction

This is the third in my series of introduction to crafting. This post focuses on the basic tools needed for stamping. Please do check out the first two in this series, focusing on adhesives and tools.

Stamps

TYPES OF STAMPS
- There are two types of stamps that Stampin’ Up! sell:
  1. CLING MOUNT STAMP SETS
    - These are made of red rubber
    - Can be highly detailed and fairly large as needed
    - You can stamp with different mediums including permanent inks and paint.
    - Have adhesive image labels
    - Can be inked using the Stampin’ Write markers.
  2. PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SETS
    - Transparent
    - Can be precisely aligned for repeat stamping, two-step stamping or to create a scene.
    - You can easily mix and match sentiments on a single block.
    - Allows perfect layering of images to create an image with different shadows and depth
INKS
- Dye-based and acid-free
- Can be used for heat embossing
- Come in a range of 50 colours which match the cardstock and markers
- Two Black inks. Stazon which I use for stamping when I’m going to use watercolour. Memento which I use as general black ink and when I use Stampin’ Blend alcohol markers
STAMPING BLOCKS
- Grooved to make them easy to hold
- Come in 9 different sizes
- Can be stored in the storage caddy for easy transporting
- Use to hold your stamps to stamp with
CARDSTOCK
- I mainly use Whisper White or Very Vanilla to stamp on as they are super smooth and perfect for stamping.
- Huge range of 53 colours
- 218gsm weight cardstock
- Colours match inks, markers and embellishments
SIMPLY SHAMMY
- Thick cloth for easy cleaning of stamps.
- Run it under water and squeeze out the excess.
- Makes it easy to clean detailed stamps

These are all the items I use on an everyday basis to stamp with. I find them invaluable and wanted to share them with you. I hope you find this post useful and the accompanying video. Listed below are the other videos in this series. I hope to do some more covering other areas of papercrafting.

Introduction to crafting

I hope you are all keeping well and safe. Remember you can shop with me here at any time. I find crafting a marvelous way to forget about what is going on in the world and just immerse myself in something fun. I would be truly lost without my craft room but even more importantly the wonderful friends I have made through crafting.

Thank you dropping by and until next time Enjoy Being Creative!!!

Ashee xx

Product List

Monochromatic – Thank you Card – A Little Lace

I have this gorgeous monochromatic thank you card to share with you today. This colour uses one of my favourite colours, Bermuda Bay. I love the rich vibrancy of this colour against the whisper white. It works well. What do you think?

A Little Lace is a gorgeous stamp set. I’ve used it before to stamp my own patterned paper to make a bag. I’ll link the video below. This is a great set as it contains sentiments and this lovely lace stamp. Last time I used Melon Mambo and it looked equally

Everything can do with some bling at times. I’ve used the clear faceted gems in the flower centres for some sparkle. They really lift the card and make it come alive.

I will admit that in the last week I feel as I’ve lost my mojo. I am struggling with words to write this blog. Is anyone else feeling the same, I have all the time in the world to craft but just don’t feel like it. Typical!!

This card uses an old technique. I don’t know what is called. I stamped all three white layers together and then separated them so that pattern continues across all the pieces.

measurements

Whisper White:
- 14.35cm x 10cm
- 11.85cm x 7.5cm
- 9.35cm x 5cm
Bermuda Bay:
- 12.35cm x 8cm
- 9.85cm x 5.5cm
- A6 Cardbase – This is an A4 sheet cut in half and then folded in half

The thank you sentiment is from the Label Me Pretty stamp set, an older one but still a great one. I’ve used punches so there is no need for any die cutting here.

other projects

The video tutorial and supply list is below. Thank you for visiting and until next time Enjoy Being Creative!!

Ashee xx

Product List

Soft Suede Handbag – All Dressed Up – Stampin’ Up!

I have his mock soft suede handbag using the All Dressed Up dies from Stampin’ Up! I love the soft suede and the gold details together. It just looks so elegant.

This die set is part of a bundle with the matching dress to impress stamp set that I have used here. The diet is very versatile as not only does it cut out this bag and all the embellishments but also the images from the stamp set such as a shoe and perfume bottle.

Are you a fashionista? I have to confess I’m not. I tend to go around in the same few sets of clothes each week. Leggings and jumpers are my favourite friends. Since I work from home I don’t have to dress up smartly for work either.

This project was meant to be part of YouTube hop but unfortunately due to the current pandemic many people have’t been able to participate as hoped. I will link below my fellow designers who have participated though.

Other 3D projects

I hope you are all keeping safe and well. Thank you for visiting. The video tutorial and supply list are below. Please do visit the links to other videos on his YouTube hop as well.

Until next time Enjoy Being Creative!!

Ashee xx

Dana Sullivan (USA) – https://youtu.be/u3B1g48SEsg

Crafting with Ashee (UK) – https://youtu.be/XxLroJwkUkU

Janice LaRoche (USA) – https://youtu.be/_1kcPH4rdIk

AridDesertDesigns (USA) https://youtu.be/20R-StY_5i0

Kelly Acheson (USA) – https://youtu.be/BiTgubftLYA

Wendy Easler (USA) – https://youtu.be/WhanVHhga1I

Jessica Brigden (USA) – https://youtu.be/91wlGMn4KLs

Product List

Poppy Birthday Box – Peaceful Poppies

This poppy birthday box is a coordinating piece to the birthday card I posted below. I’ve used different patterns from the Peaceful Poppies designer series paper (DSP) to make this box. I think it turned out super cute. What do you think?

I especially love the pattern above with the red poppies against the blue background. It is so pretty. I’ve always thought blue and red go very well together.

The sentiment used here is the same as the card I posted on Wednesday. The stamp set is Peaceful Moments and has some great sentiments. I’ve used the circle punches so that you need no dies to make this box.

Poppy Birthday Box - Peaceful Poppies - alternative design — Poppy Birthday Box – Peaceful Poppies – alternative design

measurements

Poppy Parade – 8″ X 8″ scored at 2″ on all sides
Peaceful Poppies DSP – 7 1/16″ X 7 1/16″ scored at 1 1/2″ on all sides

I’ve made this box before using the Magnolia Lane DSP and Mossy Meadow cardstock last year and thought I would make it again. It is a very simple and easy box to make and can be made in bulk easily. I also must say I love the Poppy Parade textured weave ribbon. I have a few reels of it and just have not been using it so I want to change that too.

other boxes and bags

Thank you for dropping by. I hope you are safe and well. The video tutorial and supply list are below. Until next time, Enjoy Being Creative!!

Ashee xx

Product List

Poppy Birthday Card – Stampin’ Up!

I have a card to share with you today using the Poppy designer series paper (DSP). I love the Poppy suite of products including this paper so decided to make this Poppy Birthday card with it.

I’ve kept this card super simple and just let the DSP doing the talking. It is such gorgeous paper that you really don’t’ have to do much to make a beautiful card. The red is aptly named Poppy Parade as well.

I’ve made a box to coordinate with this card and it will be on the next blog post in two days time.

Do you like Poppies? Next to my gym, there is patch of scrubland and every year I love seeing the beautiful red poppies. They look so striking against the green of the grass. They are also a wonderful symbol of course of remembrance and hope.

measurements

Poppy Parade A6 Cardbase. This is an A4 sheet cut in half and then folded in half.
Whisper White – 14.35cm x 10cm
Peaceful Poppies DSP – 13.85cm x 9.5cm

Do you like flowers? I think they are a wonderful sign of life and hope and never fail to bring a smile to my face.

more floral projects

Thank you again for visiting. The video tutorial and supply list are below. Keep safe and until next time Enjoy Being Creative!!

Ashee xx

Product List

An Explosion of Colour – Pigment Sprinkles

I have an art journal page to share with you today and it is an explosion of colour. It uses the pigment sprinkles that have been sitting in my stash for months. I love how it came out and wanted to share it with you.

Art journaling makes me happy and I think at times such these we have to especially try to do things that make us happy. The Pigment Sprinkles were launched in the catalogue last June but due to customs issues, we didn’t get them until October. I couldn’t wait to buy them and then, of course, they just sat in my stash. Oh my gosh, I love them. I used them to create both the orange background as well as the blue/purple one.

Art journaling is a great way to let your imagination run free. You can explore colours, themes, techniques and just be free!! I’ve used a number of techniques here. There is stamping, stencilling, heat embossing, fussy cutting and of course the pigment sprinkles.

I normally write my blogs a few weeks ahead of schedule. I am writing this on 25th March, so the second day of the increased restrictions. Life as we used to know it has all but disappeared. The weather when we could go out was grey and wet now, of course, we have glorious sunshine. Typical!! We are lucky to have a big garden by city standards so can still enjoy the outdoors easily. I hope you are keeping safe and well and that my projects and videos are helping to relieve the boredom of days inside.

Other art journal pages

The video tutorial and supply are below. Thank you for visiting. Until next time, Enjoy Being Creative!!

Ashee xx

Product List

Tools – Which ones are in my basic craft kit?

This blog post is all about tools and which ones would I include in my basic craft kit. This is the second post in a series on the basics of crafting. My first post was all about adhesives and is linked below.

I get asked many times what I should bring to craft class and I always say a basic kit. What is a basic kit is the next question. I thought I would do this video to show what I consider the basic tools for paper crafting.

Craft Kit to take with me to card club

SNIPS
- These are a multipurpose set of scissors that are perfect for cutting paper, ribbon, card etc…
- They are sharp and the blades have a protected housing
- Fit ergonomically in the hand
BONE FOLDER
- Perfect for scoring, burnishing score lines, folding paper
- Useful for burnishing tear & tape so it sticks well and the backing is easy to remove.
- Firm with no bendiness
- Useful to reink ink pads
TAKE YOUR PICK TOOL
- This is a multifunctional tool
- Attachments include:
  - Sticky Pick Up Tool
  - Stylus with a thick and thin end
  - Paper Piercer
  - Spatula
  - Die Brush
- Replacements for the Sticky Pick Up Tool are available.

Tools I keep in my craft room

SIMPLY SCORED SCORING TOOL
- Comes with an imperial base plate but a metric plate is available separately
- Comes with a stylus with two ends, a thin & a thick one.
- Allows for precise and accurate scoring of both paper and card to make boxes, bags and cards.
PAPER TRIMMER
- Has both metric and imperial measurements
- Includes one scoring and one cutting blade
- The blades are long-lasting
- The scoring tool blade is amazing and gives a great crips scoreline
- The arm extends to 17 inches.
- Sharp, accurate and precise cutting

If I was going to a craft event I would take my snips, take your pick tool and bone folder. Of course, I always take adhesive too. The scoring tool and paper trimmer I keep in my craft room and use every time I make anything.

Roar – Dinosaur Card – Stampin’ Up!

Roar goes the Dinosaur. I love these brightly coloured dinosaurs in the Dino Roar designer series paper (DSP). They are perfect for children’s cards.

Roar Roar - Dinosaur Card - Dino Roar - Stampin' Up! — Roar Roar – Dinosaur Card – Dino Roar – Stampin’ Up!

I really enjoyed making this card. These dinosaurs are actually die cut from the Dino Roar DSP. The dies match not only the dinosaur stamps but also the images on the DSP making them super versatile. They are very easy to line up and cut out and there are separate dies for the scales though I just fussy cut them out.

I used the complimentary enamel shapes as my embellishments and for the scales of the lovely lipstick coloured dinosaur. I haven’t got a clue what species each of these dinosaurs are. They are just pink or blues ones to me.

measurements

Pretty Peacock A6 Cardbase – This is an A4 sheet cut in half and then folded in half
DinoRoar DSP – 14.35cm x 10xm
Whisper White – 13.35cm x 9cm

I think the sentiment is so cute and matches all these little friends on the card perfectly. The dinosaur standing on his friend’s nose was a mistake but I liked it so kept it.

other projects

I hope you like it. Thank you for visiting. The supply list and video tutorial are below. Until next time, Enjoy Being Creative!!

Ashee xx

Product List

Down the Garden Shed Card Tutorial – Stampin’ Up!

I am calling this card “Down the Garden Shed”. It uses the aptly named Garden Shed stamp set. I loved making this card. Colouring and especially watercolouring is so relaxing for me. I love getting lost in the colours and the blending of the colours.

This scene is so lovely and peaceful. In the current turbulent and worrying times, I think we all need a peaceful haven and this looks like a perfect spot. My mother, in particular, loves her garden. When times are tough or we had bad news the garden is her retreat and therapy. I love walking in nature and watching the natural world go about the job of living. I find watching plants grow and the beautiful flowers they produce gives me such hope.

measurements

Thick Whisper White A6 Cardbase – This is an A4 sheet cut in half and then folded in half.
Call Me Clover – 14.35cm x 10cm

I personally love these large image stamp sets with these rural and idyllic scenes to colour in. Do you like them or do you find them to ideal and prosaic?

I bought this stamp set back in June last year so I am pleased I’ve got to use it. I am still on my goal to use everything I buy rather than it sitting lost in my stash forever after. Do you have any crafting goals? Let me know in the comments.

Other projects

Thank you once again for dropping by. The supply list and video tutorial are below as always. Until next time, Enjoy Being Creative!!

Ashee xx

Product List

Printed Poppy Candle – Painted Poppies

how did i do it?

other projects using poppies

Like this:

Stamping – An introduction

Stamps

Introduction to crafting

Like this:

Soft Suede Handbag – All Dressed Up – Stampin’ Up!

Other 3D projects

Like this:

Poppy Birthday Box – Peaceful Poppies

measurements

other boxes and bags

Like this:

An Explosion of Colour – Pigment Sprinkles

Other art journal pages

Like this:

Tools – Which ones are in my basic craft kit?

Craft Kit to take with me to card club

Tools I keep in my craft room

Other Posts

Like this: