Sneak Peek - Tonic Studios - NEW ShadowBox Creation Dies Set - For Dad

Hi Everybody

Tonic Studios have done it again with the Brand New Shadowbox Creations Die sets.  It's a whopper of a die with loads in the pack.  There is a total of 38 dies some cut and some deboss - brilliant!  Join Jodie on Friday 3rd March at 9am on Create & Craft TV.

This incredible bundle contains 38 craft dies, including:

• 1 frame base die
• 8 deboss sentiment dies
• 2 ribbon slit dies
• 9 deboss decorative element dies
• 12 mini layering dies designed to perfectly cut your photos for use with our Shadowbox Insert Die Sets
• 4 hanger / stand dies
• 2 full cut decorative element dies

So I thought I would start my sneak peeks with an easy one just for Dad :)

What I Did

• Take the shadow box die and cut out in your chosen double-sided scrapbook paper or card stock.  Once cut fold on score lines, burnish and glue together starting with the longest sides first.  Then glue the short edges to form the box frame.
• Next take some black cardstock, cut the largest outer edge die, then place the verso detailed frame on to it and cut the centre of the panel out using the next rectangle down in size.
• Using the flower dies from the insert die sets, cut out as many as you need together with the small leaves die from the shadow box die set.
• Die cut from the alphabets D-A-D from black card.  Remove the letters from centres and put to one side.  Gild with Indian Gold Embellishment Mousse.  Put DS Tape across the back of the gilded letters and then return the centres of the letters.
• Gild the detailed frame and the flowers using in Indian Gold.
• Out of black card, cut the smaller rectangle die from the insert set.  Next die cut man panel out from the right-hand side of panel and trim the other side away with a craft knife.
• Cut out the centre rectangle from ivory card and glue inside the shadow box.
• Add the man panel to inside of box. Put 3D foam onto the rear of the letters and stick in positon inside the box.
• Glue the gilded frame in place on top of box edge, add the flowers and leaf detail.
• Lastly cut a card stand from black and add to the back of the box so that it stands up.

What I Used

Tonic Studios Shadow Box Card Die Set

Tonic Studios Shadow Box Inserts Die Set

Tonic Studios Man Panel Die Set

Tonic Studios Novo Embellishment Mousse - Indian Gold

Tonic Studios - Glue Pen

We hope you have been inspired.

Thanks

for

Popping By

xxx

Mixed Media Canvas with Tonic Studios Autumn Die Collection

Hi Everyone

MJ here.  I hope you have had a fab weekend.

Today I am sharing a small mixed media canvas I made for the launch of Tonic Studios new Autumn Die Collection.  It is very easy but quite effective.

The dies cut like butter through the funky foam.  On my previous post I had cut the grasses from foam and used as a stamp for the background. 

What I Did

• Start with a 5" x 7" canvas board.
• Die cut a tall grass piece from funky foam together with some leafy branches and butterflies.
• Glue the die cuts to the canvas and allow to dry completely.
• Paint the canvas and die cuts with two coats of black gesso.  Leave to dry.
• Next use some gold embellishment mousse added to a little water in a spritzer bottle and spray lightly across canvas.
• Take Fresh Copper, Aquamarine, Indian Gold, Spring Green and Mother of Pearl embellishment mousses and apply to the die cuts using your finger (or cotton bud) until you are happy with the colours.
• Enjoy!

What I Used

Autumn Die Collection - Pinecone Season

Autumn Die Collection - Autumnal Oak

Nuvo Embellishment Mousses - Various Colours

Funky Foam

Funky Glue Pen

We hope you have been inspired.

Thanks

for

Popping By

Xx

NEW Autumn Die Collection from Tonic Studios - Stunning!

Hi Everyone

Sorry it’s been a while since blogging last but we have been experiencing problems with Blogger!  But we are now back in the room and raring to catch up with some lovely projects starting with Tonic Studios NEW Autumn Die Collection and Embossing Folders.

As usual they have come up trumps with this oh so usable Autumn Die Collection.  Each die is individually fabulous but use them together to create  scenes etc. and you have the WOW! factor in your hands.

Join Jo on Friday 29th July at 8pm on Create and Craft TV for the introduction of these Autumn Die sets. These dies create perfect centerpieces on your cards and paper craft projects. There are four die sets in the range; the Pine Cone Season Die set, the Autumnal Oak Die set, the September Harvest Die set and the Fallen Leaves Die set.

Here is my first project for you using both the dies and embossing folders together with Nuvo Embellishment Mousses.

What I Did

• Use an 8” x 8” cream card blank.  Cut a 7 3/4” square from caramel card and glue to front.
• Next cut a 7” x 7” brown square and a 5” x 5” brown square.  Use an embossing folder for both squares.  Using a mixture of the Nuvo mousses gently add layers of colour until you are happy with it.  Glue the large square to card front.  Cut a piece of caramel to 5 1/8” x 5 1/8” and adhere to rear of smaller embossed square.  Add to card front with 3D foam pads.
• Die cut a selection of the bramble leafy branch in brown and some of the more delicate leaf branches in caramel.
• Take the bramble leaves and cut off the leaves.  Apart from one set of the medium brown leaves, place them into an embossing folder and emboss.  Using the Nuvo mousses colour the embossed leaves as before.  Glue the leaves in sets of four by forming a cross shape.  Glue large embossed at bottom, then the plain brown medium leaves and lastly the small embossed leaves.  This will form the larger flower.  Add to front of card with the caramel leaves.
• The small flower is made in this same manner but just using two layers of the smaller leaves to form the bloom.
• Die cut a panel to mount a greeting on to finish.  I also added some string loops and Nuvo drops.
• Enjoy!


What I Used


 Tonic Die Set - Autumnal Oak - 1431E
Tonic Die Set – Fallen Leaves - 1433E
Tonic Embossing Folders – Retro Fern - 1442E
Tonic Embossing Folders  - Layered Leaves -1441E
Nuvo Embellishment Mousses – Fresh Copper, Indian Gold , Mother of Pearl




We hope you have been inspired.


Thanks
for
Popping By
xx

NEW Flower Power!! – from Tonic Studios

 

Hi Everyone

MJ has been working with the new floral Verso Dies from Tonic Studios launching tonight 9pm over on Ideal World as POD.  She has loved coming up with ideas for them and she can’t wait any longer to share them with you.

Here is MJ’s first project for you to see.  She started with a cheap £1.99 chalk board!

She has used papers from Tonic’s recent Cameo launch to cover the base using the Pure Matte Adhesive.

 

Next she die cut lots of flowers from all the die sets and layered and shaped them adding some Nuvo Glitter on the edge of the petals and Crystal drops for the centres of the flowers.  All the flowers are also made from the papers.

 

 

Before gluing the flowers and die cut bird and cage MJ added a couple of the Parisian Transfers and distressed the edges of the house with Potting Soil Archival Ink.

 

 

The flowers are gorgeous but the panels that are part of the set ……well you’ll have to tune in to see them in action.  The Design Team have made wonderful projects to inspire you.  These are MJ’s favourite ones to date (she’s a sucker for a dimensional flower).

MJ will be back soon with another project to inspire you along the way.

What Was Used

Tonic Studios Verso Radiant Roselily Die Set

Tonic Studios Verso Bellus Buttercup Die Set

Tonic Studios Verso Delicate Daisy Die Set

Tonic Studios Verso Plush Peony Die Set

Forever Moments Parisian Transfers

Forever Moments Decorative Paper Pack – Millesime Voyage

Nuvo Pure Sheen Glitter – Diamond

Nuvo Crystal Drops – Raspberry Pink

Forever Moments Gilding Blush – Gold Leaf

 

We hope you have been inspired.

Thanks

for

Popping By

xxx

Tonic Studios Rococo Dragonfly Brooch Project

 

Hi Everyone

MJ has a quick and easy project for you today using the new Dragonfly Brooch die simply as a brooch – who would have thunk! ..lol  The photo is not very good so we apologise for this now.  It is a lot bluer in the flesh…honest.  Am determine to show the blue…leave it with MJ a few mins!

 

 

The first thing you need to do is die cut three Dragonflies from card and glue together. Next take Distress Inks in Salty Ocean and Peacock Feathers and colour both sides of the piece.  Then use a flourish design stamp over the top in a toning ink.  MJ used Cobalt Archival Ink and an Indigoblu mini Vintage Flourish stamp.

This picture is a little better we think….

 

 

Whilst the ink is drying pop on your melt pot, if you have one, or use a foil pie dish and make a spout on the edge and hold it with a grab-it tool.  Add enough powder so that you will be able to dip the piece into it, once melted, without burning yourself (MJ much prefers her melt pot but has done it both ways). MJ used WOW Melt-It powder but you can use UTEE.  Hold the dragonfly using a Grab-It tool and dip it carefully in the pot until it is coated removing excess on the edge of pot.  Leave to cool – DO NOT TOUCH whilst still hot you don’t want to burn yourself!

When completely cold MJ added some Treasure Gold – Aquamarine gilding paste and attached a brooch back to rear using Tonic Tacky Glue.  There you have it!

 

 

What Was Used

Tonic Studios Rococo Dragonfly Brooch Die – 76E

Tonic Tacky Glue

WOW! Melt-It Powder – WA50

Treasure Gold Metallic Wax Finish – Aquamarine

Indigoblu Dinkie Vintage Flourish Stamp

Archival Ink – Cobalt

Distress Inks – Salty Ocean and Peacock Feathers

 

We hope you have been inspired.

Thanks for Popping By

xx

Tonic Studios – Forever Dream Canvas Project

 

Hi Everyone

Have you seen Tonic Studios latest releases?  We bet you have and aren’t they glorious!  We just love them (but we always do).  MJ was tidying (we know words you will never hear her utter in usual circumstances but it is Christmas so she can be forgiven) her craft hovel and basically, got bored of that!  So thought mmmmm new dies….mmmmmm let’s craft!  So MJ messed up her space again.  She says it looks far better now..lol xx

It had not to be a long long project as OH would not have been happy so a canvas it was.  This canvas took MJ almost 2 hours but that included all the die cutting too.

 

 

Firstly, MJ took some of the lovely Vintage Paper pack.  Using a border punch she added some detail to edges here and there and then adhered it with some gel medium to cover the canvas front.  Once dried it was time to add some paints.

She then applied the paint with her  fingers (she loves inky messy and a box of baby wipes).  MJ used a chalk acrylic in blue adding where it was wanted until she was happy. The next thing  was to use a stencil and some Grungepaste to add texture.  When this was dry some caramel toned chalk acrylic was added to warm it up a little over the raised areas of paste.  She then popped some script stamp in small areas.

 

 

The next task was the die-cutting.  Each element was cut out three times and glued together to form a chipboard like thickness.  MJ chose the Rococo Dragonfly Brooch, Butterfly Sprig, Delicate Dragonfly, Bunched Roses and the Inspirations Sentiments Dies.

 

 

All the pieces were distressed and stamped over with a script stamps in yellow to add warmth. These were then glued into place on the canvas.  Gilding waxes and Acrylic Glazes were added to both the elements and the canvas edges.  That was it finished.

 

 

What Was Used

30cm x 40cm Canvas

Tonic Studios Forever Vintage Decorative Paper Pack – 663E

Tonic Studios Dotty Geared Border Punch -

Tonic Studios Rococo Bunched Roses Die – 77E

TonicStudios Rococo Delicate Dragonfly Die – 180E

Tonic Studios Rococo Butterfly Sprig Die – 177E

Tonic Studios Inspirations Sentiment Die Set – 367E

Tonic Studios Forever Moments Gilding Blush – Gold Leaf – 37E

Tonic Studio Forever Moments Creative Storage Adhesive

PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints – Lake Wanaka and Caramel

PaperArtsy Grunge Paste

Silks Acrylic Glaze – Solar Gold and Watermelon Mist

Distress Ink – Mustard Seed

Archival Inks – Watering Can and Dandelion

 

We hope you have been inspired.

Thanks for Popping By

xx

Canvas Cameo using Tonic Studios Ascot Pillowbox and Lych Gate Wish Die Sets

Hi Everyone

Hope you are having a fantastic weekend.  Tonight MJ has an easy to do canvas project for you to have a look at.  She loves these new dies and has lots of ideas of things you can do with them.

This canvas is such an easy project so is great for beginners too.

MJ has used an 8” x 8” box canvas.  She cut the border insert die from mirri card and used this as a stencil with Grungepaste to create textured borders top and bottom of piece and dried with a heat tool.  Then she painted the canvas all over with a chalk finish acrylic paint, once that was dry MJ used the Forever Moments Large Crackle Base coat as per instructions.  Then added the Crackle Top Coat and left to dry.  MJ added Gilding Paste across the raised areas.  She added a little script stamp using Tree Branch Archival Ink.

 

 

Next MJ cut the silhouetted ladies head from black card, stuck this to an oval of cream card and using Vintage Photo Distress Ink coloured all over and left to dry.  Then using Versamark Ink and Ultra High Gloss embossing powder she heat embossed over all the surface of the piece.  Leave to cool and then bend to form cracks to age it.  Next it was layered into another coloured oval shape.

MJ next stuck lace and ribbon across front of canvas, added ribbon tails to rear of cameo piece and glued to the centre front, adding a matching bow to finish.

We told you it was easy to do!

What Was Used

Tonic Studios Millinery Shop Die Set  – Ascot Pillowbox 15e

Tonic Studios Verso Strip Die Set - Lych Gate Wish 65e

Forever Moments Antique Crackle Base Coat 31e

Forever Moments Antique Crackle Top Coat 32e

Forever Moments Gilding Paste - Gold Leaf 37e

8” x 8” Box Canvas

PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Paint – Irish Cream

PaperArtsy Grungepaste

Coredinations Card Stock

WOW Powders Ultra High Gloss Embossing Powder

 

We hope you have been inspired.

 

Thanks for Popping By

xx

Tonic Beautiful Buckle Die Set – New Release – Sneak Peek

 

Hi Everyone

MJ is back with a Sneak  Peek tonight of one of the new releases from Tonic Studios.  She choose to use the Beautiful Buckle with a twist!  Not a card this time but a Bracelet Cuff.

As soon as MJ saw this die set she thought it looked like a bracelet or a gorgeous watch strap so she got straight to it with this simple project idea for you.

 

Having recently done this painting technique with her classes MJ decided that it would fit what she had in mind perfectly.  So she gathered together her gesso, inks, paints and glue, put her pinny on and began.

Using the Beautiful Buckle die set MJ cut the inner part of the die from Grunge Paper and then cut the outer edges with the strip die.  Then she cut another band just using the outer strip die.  She gave these pieces a light coat of Vintage Photo Distress Ink and dried.  On reverse of plain piece paint with the Precious Metal Colour paint as this acts as a sealant.  Now she added some random streaks of Gilding Blush – Gold Leaf.  Applied on top of the wax was a light blue wash of colour. Leave to dry.  Using gesso and blue distress ink take a stippling brush and go over some of the areas removing any excess with a dry kitchen towel.  Once dry buff the pieces to bring out the shine.

 

 

Glue fancy cut-out section onto top of plain under section.  Cut to size required to fit wrist.  Add a hitch fastener to one end of bracelet and cut a small slit on the other end so that the fastener will fit through to secure.  Decorate to suit.  Enjoy!

What Was Used

Tonic Studios Verso Beautiful Buckle Strip Die Set

Tonic Studios Forever Moments Gilding Blush – Gold Leaf

Tonic Studios Forever Moments Creative Storage Adhesive

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Grungepaper

White Gesso

Viva Precious Metal Colour – Mother of Pearl

Distress Inks – Peacock Feathers and Vintage Photo

Tim Holtz Hitch Fasteners

 

We hope you have been inspired.

Don’t forget to pop over to the Tonic Blog to see more inspiration from the team.

Thanks for Popping By

xx

Paper Artsy - Playing with Darcy’s Heart

 

Hi Everyone

Isn’t it chilly here in the UK tonight – Gritters out and everything!   Brrrrrrr….lol

Today MJ has been having some messy fun with Paper Artsy Eclectica Stamps using Darcy’s Hearts.  They are fabulous!

 

 

MJ fancied a play this evening whilst hubby was watching all the footy so it was an allowed crafting session be it only a short one..lol

 

 

She worked on the background first by layering a few of the Paper Artsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics.  Once she was happy with the colour MJ chose a stencil to work with and used a darker colour of paint, applying through the stencil with a piece of cut and dry foam.  Dried it with heat tool, replaced stencil but moved slightly to one side to create the shadow effect and sponged through some white paint.  When this was dry she lightly sanded it to blend the colours.

 

 

This is Darcy’s Heart (aint it gorgeous!).  MJ stamped it using Versafine Ink and heat set ready paint.  Coloured to suit, white highlights were added together with script and wording stamped images.  The script image was over-stamped with white paint to knock it back a little.  All she needs to do now is make it into a finished project (one day..lol)

MJ Used

Paper Artsy – Eclectica by Darcy – EDY01

Paper Artsy – Hot Picks – HP1303EZ

Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics – Snowflake, Limelight, Orchid, Sherbet, Claret, Antarctic and Inky Pool

Imagination Crafts 6” x 6” Stencil Template – Time and Motion

 

We hope you have been inspired.

 

Thanks for Popping By

xx

Altered Book Project with Karen Clare

Hi Everyone

What a fabulous day MJ has had today with Karen Clare up in Pink Tulip Creations.  Firstly, thanks to all at Pink Tulip for their great hosting of this workshop and then a huge Thank you to Karen Clare for showing us so many techniques in one day!

Here is how MJ's book turned out....she had a thoroughly enjoyable day together with Sharon. Xx

This is how it started.....

This is how it finished.....

Love the way it layered up with all the textural pieces we were given to use on our books.

Once we added pastes, materials, inks, stains and gilding waxes the books came to life!  The other ladies and gents projects were amazing!  Not one was anything like the other.  Each book an individual work of art.

We hope you have been inspired.

Thanks for Popping By

xx

Grunge Clock Project using Silhouette Cameo

 

Hi Everyone

MJ is on holidays believe it or not, and has been playing with her crafty stash.  Out came her Cameo (mind you it's always out!) and away she went!

She used a 6 x 6 clock and cog cut file that she purchased from the Silhouette store and enlarged it to 26cm x 26cm to make a largish piece for her kitchen.

MJ cut each layer 3 times from 250gsm plain white cardstock mounting the layers together to form chipboard-like pieces.

   

Next, she painted it with 2 coats of IndigoBlu Gee-So Good in black.  Once dry MJ added a mixture of Maimeri Bronze (475) and Deep Gold (151) paint.  Again once dry she used Pebeo Gilding wax in Empire Gold.

 

 

Not entirely happy with the colour, and after welcomed advice from the wonderful Eileen Godwin, more black gesso was dry brushed onto the background areas.  This added shade and made it stand out more.

 

 

All that is left to do now is add the clock mechanism and hands.
 

This clock will sit in a box frame to finish and then hung on MJ’s kitchen wall.  She says ‘it’ll fill a gap!’…lol

We hope you have been inspired.

Thanks for popping by

Xx

Tarmac MDF Plaque using Karen Clare’s Technique

 

Hi Everyone

MJ recently attended a wonderful workshop in Coventry with the lovely Karen Clare where she learnt the Tarmac Technique.  Today we are giving you a brief overview of it for you.

We are lucky that Karen is coming to present this workshop at Dandie Crafts in September and we can’t wait!  Please pop over to her blog for look you’ll be pleased you did. Just click on her name above.

MJ has been playing around with an old MDF shelf from a dismantled shelving in her craft room.  She was wanted to make her OH a plaque to hang in his garage alongside the love of his life – his 1959 Lambretta!  She tried to replicate the oil patches that are all over the garage so didn’t want the colours to blend too much.  MJ isn’t sure she quite got the look she was after but it was close enough as her OH won’t notice it anyway…lol

MJ started off with the old shelf and gave it coat of IndigoBlu  Gee-Sso Good! (white) – it’s a great product with a good consistency.  The black gesso in this range is brilliant for coverage too.  Great for doing the chalkboard stamped effects that are popular still at the moment.

 

 

Next she used a selection of embossing folders and white card and then cut into different sized pieces and glued them to the shelf….ooops…she meant to say…MDF plaque..lol

 

 

Then using her Silhouette Cameo she cut out lettering and shapes to suit her project and added them to her base.

 

 

Then the messy bit….MJ painted the base using acrylics (as that is the best option she had available at home). 

 

 

Oooooooo she then coated it with the magical tar solution (hee hee) and left to dry.  After this she removed the colour until she was happy with the result (well almost happy with the result…she’s never confident at the end!).  To finish her project she applied some gilding wax.

 

What MJ Used

Embossalicious Folder – Script, Watches, Knit One Purl One

Darice Embossing Folder – Squares, Wood Grain, Basket Weave

Acrylic Paints – Permanent Red, Phthalo Blue

Pebeo – Silver Gilding Wax

Silhouette Cameo –  to cut die cuts

 

We hope you have been inspired.

Thanks for Popping By

xx