Roses

Here's a handy link to the fabulous tutorial from Wendy Vecchi about how to make those superb dimensional roses that are all the rage at the moment.  I must also have a go at Sir Tim's beautiful rose encrusted tag here

You don't specifically need that punch - you can make roses equally well using a heart punch, using the same cut away technique sticking the hearts together.  I used my Quickutz heart die to make these roses on this birth card for my niece to intersperse between the two paper apricot roses I had left, and then added some paint to soften the colour and match in.  I used a lot of obligatory old stash on this card - that K & Co frame I've had in my supplies forever!  This card is a lot more girly than my usual style - still, I suppose it is fine, considering the subject.

I have been adding to a layout over the past few days,and really fancy making a big,blowsy rose out of fabric to go on it.  It will have to bubble on in my head for a couple of days, because at the moment, I am packing to go to a retreat.  Exciting stuff, though my crafting ability might be somewhat impaired! I will give an update as to progress next week.

Here's a link to some torn paper flowers from Gabrielle Pollacco:

And yet another link - this time to layered strip flowers which is a really pretty and very dimensional flower. 

Alcohol Inks

Like most crafters, I have stacks of products and purchases that have sadly been under-utilised.  Something that definitely falls into this category is my alcohol inks.  The biggest use I had made of these little bottles of fabulous colour is to blend onto left over photo paper and use on my cards. 

I hate waste, and often find that you only use half a sheet of A4 photo paper for a project.  I have gotten into the habit lately of using the rest of the sheet and making backgrounds with the alcohol inks.  My preference is a combination of 3 inks so that the colours blend better together.  Some gold ink was also "smooshed" in for some shiny contrast. 

The swirl was a left over piece of flourish that I cut on the Cricut machine, and covered with a cheap glitter glue my friend gave me, which I am trying to use up.  The flourish ribbon is actually transparent plastic backed onto white card to give it some pop!

This card is probably more my natural style, I suppose - I cut the leaf from a template, and stamped over the top in blue chalk ink.  These more "arty" cards are reserved for crafty friends who appreciate the techniques and time taken.  My trusty scallop punches come into play once again, along with a few flowers and a prima leaf.  My next series of alcohol ink cards will be a symphony in blue, so when I can start crafting again, stay tuned  ...