Elegant Primula by Claire

Hi, Claire here with another card made using a beautiful primula stamp from the new stamp sheet Elegant Spring Flowers.

I love this delicate primula with the beautiful script background, I  coloured with image with promarkers and added a little glitter to the centre  of the flowers, unfortunately the sparkle doesn't show up too well in the photo.

I've edged the image with pumice stone distress ink and matted on some dark blue card. To create the corners, I used the bottom die from Shapeabilities Fancy Tags 2 and trimmed the top and bottom of the die cut shape and attached them behind the image. The paper is from one of the Guild paper packs that I've hoarded for ages but I had to cut it as I thought it complemented this image beautifully. to finish off I added some blue ribbon and a little bow

Thanks for visiting, I think these new stamps are perfect for this time of year

Claire cc

more Easter creations (by Miranda)

Hello there,
Today I want to show you the results of a joyful play with inks(stains) and the beautiful 'Easter Traditions' sheet which I've combined with the ' Texture fragments 'window' on the first card. I've used a lot of shimmer.....the window is embossed with white EP and I've used the stains and some water mist. I was very inspired by a card that Glenda created...... The sentiment is also from the Easter Traditions sheet. I attached some thin silver thread and embossed the cross with silver EP and coloured it with the distress markers. You can see the shimmer quit well on this photo.....







On the 2nd card I've used the beautiful large cross from the 'Easter Traditions' sheet. Also embossed it with white EP and used a lot of stains and water. The colours I've used were Broken China, Dusty Concord, Stormy Sky and Tumbled Glass. I combined the sentiment with a lovely corner die from Cheery Lynn. And in the cross I have added a lot of gemstones.........always like those shiny effects.

 

Well you can see that I was very much inspired by those crosses and I really enjoyed the 'play' and that's what it is all about......enjoying the play! So have a nice day and give yourself a moment to play........and to enjoy..

Primula in Sepia by Debbie

Crocuses with a touch of Deco-dence (posted by Judith)

Hi folks, here's another sample from me, using some of the new stamps available on the website I have used the 'Elegant Crocus' stamp plate for this sample.

I created a side step card, using yellow card, and stamped the Deco crocus border onto a strip of card. I masked a part of the stamp before I inked it up, in order to create a continuous strip, as I needed a longer piece of border than one length of the actual stamp. This meant that when I stamped for the second time, I omitted the end crocus. I coloured the main image with Polychromos pencils, using an image from a gardening catalogue for inspiration!

Thanks for stopping by, Judith xx

A Little Snowdrop Easel Card (by Claire)

Hi there, can you tell I love the new snowdrop stamps? Here's another snowdrop card featuring stamps from the beautiful new stamp sheet Elegant Spring Flowers

It was a simple card to make, I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and coloured with promarkers adding very pale dots in the background.  The image was die cut with nesties Labels 4 and I used Bundled Sage distress ink around the edges. I accented the flowers with some glossy accents but you can't see that too well in the photo. To create the shaped easel I folded some pale green card and placed the largest die on the card so that the top overlapped the fold and cut the shape out. I cut another identical shape to mat the image and make the easel topper

. The base of the easel card features the sentiment from Elegant Spring Flowers, stamped again with Memento Tuxedo Black, die cut and distressed with Bundled Sage.  I added generous blobs of Rock Candy Crackle paint to give the sentiment a frosty crackle and popped on some clear dew drops to support the easel. 

 I'll be back later in the week with another spring card but in the mean time my teamies have some more beautiful inspiration for you

Claire xx

Sparkly Snowdrops (by Claire)

Hi there, this is quite a different style of card for me as I don't often make clean and simple cards but I hope you'll agree that this beautiful snowdrop stamp lends itself perfectly to a very simple layout. The stamp is from Elegant Spring Flowers, stamped in the centre of a 7.5" square of Southfield white card and is coloured with promarkers.

I used a Crafters Workshop template,  Mosaic Square  over the top of the image and applied Rock Candy Crackle paint liberally over the image, removed the template and left it to dry. Its really difficult to get a good photo of the effect but its got a beautiful sparkle in real life. Hopefully you can see it a little better in this pic

Once the crackle paint was dry I just matted the image on some pale green card, added some green gems in the corners and popped it on an 8x8  card blank.

Thanks for visiting today, I hope you're getting lots of ideas for your Spring projects

Claire xx

Wedgwood Easter (posted by Judith)

Hi Folks, I'm back again with another sample to show you, using the lovely 'Baroque Eggs' stamp plate. I have chosen a simple blue and white colour scheme, with some white embossing. I knew as soon as I saw these stamps that I wanted to use white embossing on these lovely lacy eggs, and I have used Weathered Wood Distress ink over the top as a delicate contrast. Unusual for me, as I like to use bright colours in my crafting!

I have added some small Tattered Floral flowers, coloured with the same Distress Ink around the edges, and some Crealie leaves.

I'll be back in a few days with another sample, thanks for stopping by, Judith xx

Spring Celebrations (by Glenda)

 

It's my turn to share some of the cards I've been making with our latest stamps and I have two coordinating cards to show you.  The first is made using the primula script stamp from Elegant Spring Florals.  I have coloured it with copics, then carefully covered all of the coloured area with a Versamark pen and embossed with clear embossing powder.  After trimming the panel and rounding the corners, I added shading round the edge using Memento Dandelion and Canteloupe inkpads.

The yellow layer has been stamped with the primula head using Adirondack butterscotch ink, giving a subtle tone on tone effect on the bright yellow.

The sentiment is from the Artistic Expressions stamp set, stamped with Memento London Fog which is also what I used to shade the die cut.  The backing paper is from Prima which inspired the whole colour scheme.

The crocus card was coloured and embossed in the same way and this time I used Adirondack pigment ink, Purple Twilight, to shade around the edge.  I used Memento Lulu Lavender to stamp the little repeat pattern on the white layer then went for a contrasting background paper which you will find on the Essence of Nature CD.  

The sentiment is a rub-on on a clear acrylic fragment.  I used two jump rings to make sure it lay flat rather than twisted - something to bear in mind if you want to use flat dangly charms on your cards.  The large jump ring goes through the knot of the ribbon and connects to a smaller one on the embellishment.

These are both 8x8 inch cards - a size I used to avoid because I felt it was too big.  I've grown to love the bigger sizes now though and enjoy using space to balance design elements.  Hope you've enjoyed these two cards and there's more to come from the rest of the team soon.

Lovely Baroque Eggs (by Clare)

This stamp and the others in this set are so gorgeous!  I'd like to share an eggy card I made using one of the largest eggs.  It was very easy to make, but looks like it took hours!

I textured the front panel of my 4 1/2" x 5 3/4" card with an embossing folder.  I chose this one, because it resembled the pattern of diamonds in the egg itself.  Stamping the egg came next, on white cardstock in SU's craft ink then heat embossing with white powder.  Cut out.  I used a sponge dauber on SU's classic inkpads in a pink, yellow, blue, lavender and green to shade in the egg.  Before mounting to the front, I applied Scor-tape around the outside edge of the egg on the back, so I could apply the lace edging.  I used pop dots to "raise" the egg up. 

The white embossing powder left a very pretty sheen on the cardstock,
which the colors accentuated perfectly!  This set of stamps will be one that I will
definitely use over and over and over again!   

I stamped "Happy Easter" on white cardstock, then cut out using a die.  Using another die, I cut the yellow tag and intertwined the edges.  This caused the yellow one to bend up, giving it dimension.  I used two of the "negative" pieces from the diecut tag as upper corner embellies.  The edge was punched, and the finishing touches of flowers and pearls completed this pretty card.  Now, who to give it to? 

Quick and Simple Eggs (by Debbie)

My card today is a quick make.



I stamped the egg from Baroque Eggs five times with Versa Colour Peony and cut them out. I folded them in half and glued them together. The eggs do fold flat to go in an envelope. I stayed with the pink and white for the backing of the back of the card, simply embossing the white card to add detail. The sentiment is also from the stamp sheet. This card is ideal if you have a few cards to send at Easter.
My target is to make more of these eggs in various colours so I can hang them from twigs at Easter.

Stop by again as the Design Team have lots more inspiration.

Debbie

A Breath of Spring at Easter Time (posted by Judith)

Hi Folks, I have a sample that I'd like to show you today using the new stamps from the 'Baroque Eggs' stamp plate, combined with an old favourite of mine, 'Breath of Spring', and some butterflies from 'Just Butterflies'.

I have chosen to make my background using Distress Stains and the wrinkle free technique, this is so easy, and quick too. I have added the flourish butterfly from 'Breath of Spring with Mustard Seed Distress ink in opposing corners to the background. I have used yellow and purple shades to colour the stamped images, a nod to the crocuses that are starting to appear in our gardens at this time of year.

Keep popping back to see what the other Design Team members have come up with over the coming days. They have made some lovely projects. Thanks for stopping by, Judith xx

I'm so egg-sited (by Debbie)

Hello. My card is made from the Baroque Eggs stamps and the detail on them is exquisite. If these eggs were in a chocolate shop they would definately be very expensive.




I stamped the eggs with Duo Embellishing Adhesive which I had squeezed out onto a foam pad so I could apply it easily. This glue stays tacky allowing time to rub over gold leaf. I applied three different coloured gold leaves and it picked out the detail of the eggs beautifully. I made the butterflies in the same way and cut them out. The sentiment is from Easter Traditions.

A close up of the eggs really shows the detail of the eggs.



I hope this inspires you.
Debbie

Chocolate and pink Baroque Egg (by Claire)

Hi there, here's my first card with the eggstra special new stamps from Chocolate Baroque (oops i couldn't resist that lol). As soon as I saw this gorgeous egg stamp from Baroque Eggs the chocolate and strrawberry colour palette for this card popped into my mind

I've used various shades of brown mica sprays to create a background and stamped the egg with versamark before embossing with a pastel pink embossing powder. I cut the egg out and matted it on some brown card stamped with the beautiful corner stamps from Butterfly Flourish and embossed with the same pink embossing powder.

To create the background I sprayed some white card with shades of pink and brown mica sprays and stamped and embossed the smallest egg from Baroque Eggs with pale pink, deep pink and brown embossing powder.. The background is again matted on some brown card and I added some pink organza ribbon for a finishing touch

I hope you're enjoying all my teamies inspiration with the new stamps, I'm sure you'll agree we're spoilt for choice with all the beautiful new stamps this month.

Claire xx

Purple and yellow Easter and spring creations (by Miranda)

Hello there,

The new stamps of Chocolate Baroque are gorgeous don't they? I've enjoyed creating with them and I was very much in a purple and yellow mood.....(if that's possible) So here they are.........
The first one is a very simple one. I've just masked the coloured area with masking tape and sponged with Versamagic thatched straw and spring pansy.  Then stamped the eggs with different colours Versamagic .I removed the tape and  drawn with a black fine liner two thin  lines to accentuate the sponged area.   The tassels are stamped with black and I've attached some gemstones there. Then stamped the text and the card was finished after layering with black and some mirri paper.

The 2nd one is......also in purple and yellow and when I red the sentiment this idea came up........
The background is done using the Distress Inks Mustard seed and Dusty Concord  with the acrylic bloc technique, the window from the Textured fragments sheet is stamped with the same Distress ink and afterwards I gave some details with coloured pencils and ultra fine glitter. The cross( Easter traditions) and crocus ( elegant crocus) are embossed with a mix of two WOW emboss.powders. Then coloured with the same colours distress markers. They are great! I've decoupaged the cross and crocuses. Well that's it for today, hope to have inspired you and see you next time!

Spring greetz,

New Spring and Easter Stamps

I'm delighted to announce a new batch of stamps.  Firstly we have Easter Traditions which is perfect for those of you who celebrate the true meaning of Easter.  The crosses are beautiful in their own right and I'm sure will be useful for sympathy or confirmation cards.  I actually fancy making some jewellery with the crosses, maybe air dry clay or polymer clay studded with crystals.

This card was made by embossing the large cross with clear powder, then adding Distress Stains and lots of water.  I've found it's one of those 'leave it alone' techniques - the more you mess with it, the more blended the colours become.  You need to know when to stop and wait patiently for it to dry.

I will be doing a giveaway next Friday and picking three winners from all the comments left during the week - who knows, it might be your lucky day!

Then we have two gorgeous floral sets, Elegant Spring Flowers and Elegant Crocus, both with a hint of Art Nouveau.  These are great for colouring in and the script background stamps are perfect with Versamark and chalks or Perfect Pearls.

There is a multi-buy deal on the two Spring Flower sets as well - don't forget to log in first to see your best price, these are all on special offer for Guild members.

Here is a card made with the Elegant Spring Florals.

The sentiment is from Birthday Swirls which is one of our 'Last Chance' stamps that I've been asked to keep by lots of people.  It's a rather useful little A6 sized set - do you think we should keep this one in the range?  Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

Stay tuned for more gorgeous artwork coming soon from the rest of the team.

Any egg-scuse for Chocolate

If you read Craft Stamper, you may already have spotted that our advertisement this month features a new set of stamps called Baroque Eggs.

 

There are some eggsquisite designs on this plate and some eggcellent phrases - eggsactly what you need for Easter.  OK, ok, I'll stop with the eggstraordinarily bad eggy references now ...

I find myself very drawn to imagery of eggs, both natural and decorated.

 

I love the huge variations in colour that you find in nature.  

 

or the lavish fantasies of the Fabergé eggs - very baroque

and not forgetting a little chocolate of course!

Well you can indulge in as much Chocolate as you like this Easter - Chocolate Baroque Eggs have absolutely no calories whatsoever!  Oh, if only all chocolate was the same ...

Here are a few cards I've made with these scrummy new stamps - I'll post more details of how I made these over on my blog.

I seem to have been in a yellow and aqua kind of mood - it's a nice fresh spring palette don't you think?

Before I go, I suggest you keep a close eye on Miranda's blog - she may have a little surprise for her followers coming up soon.

We have more new stamps coming out this week too

Introducing a new designer - Clare Curcio

Since launching Chocolate Baroque nearly a year ago, we have had a lot of interest from outside the UK, particularly the USA, so I am delighted to introduce you to our first American Design Team member, Clare Curcio.

Clare doesn't have many of our stamps (yet), so you will have to wait a couple of days before seeing more of her artwork with our latest collection which goes live this week.  In the meantime, you can read more about Clare in the interview below.

* How did you first hear about Chocolate Baroque?

I first heard about Chocolate Baroque from another crafter, who had the link on her blogsite.  The name "Chocolate" enticed me to check it out, and the word "Baroque" lured me in because it's my favorite period.  I clicked on the link, and I've been a "baroquer" ever since!  I would have loved to wear the gowns of this time in history, and the paintings are absolutely gorgeous!  And then Chocolate Baroque's "Baroque" stamps are even gorgeouser!  (is that a word?)

* What is it you like about our stamps?

The rubber that the Chocolate Baroque stamps are made from is extremely nice, very soft, pliable, but holds up very well under stamping and inking pressures, and is easily cut apart to mount and use!  Very good quality and ease of use are the two things that I hold most importantly in a rubber stamp.

* What was the first set you bought?
 

The first set I purchased was the Home Sweet Home set.  Glenda had a tutorial on her website that instructed how to blend and color the suns rays and the little house in this set.  Once I saw the striking card, I knew I had to have the stamp set and try her technique!  I've made many cards with this set, using the same method - I like the results so well that I can't seem to do it any other way!

click for larger view

* Do you have a favourite stamp set?
 

There are many "favorites" that I have!  It's so hard to place that label on just one set, because they are ALL beautiful!  I think the Christmas stamps, and the fancier stamps with the intricate details are my favorites right now.

* Where do you get your inspiration?

I am a crafter at heart, and have been since I was a little girl.  I look at everything for inspiration - nature, babies, people, flowers, insects, landscapes, objects, etc.  The design team members of Chocolate Baroque have beautiful samples posted!  I love perusing through the postings at Splitcoast Stampers where I post some of my cards/projects, and there are tons of tutorials and places to see there that have instructions, tips and photos on how to do different techniques, or really anything you want!

* Do you have a favourite technique?
 

I love to color, but I don't like going out of the lines.  I think I use heat embossing more because of the ridge it creates on the image lines.  When I color the image, the ridges help me stay in the lines!  Is that cheating?  ;)

* Do you have any tips for beginners?
 

Have fun!  Experiment!  Don't be afraid to get inky!  When I get a new stamp, I like to stamp it a few times, then color it in with different colors, or use one color of heat embossing to see which looks better.  Some stamps look better done in monochromatic tones than in color.

* What’s on your Chocolate Baroque wishlist right now?
 

Oh, this is a very easy question to answer!  Glenda has some beautiful Christmas (any and all), Damask, and Kelmscott Bauble stamps on the retired list that I'd love to get before it's too late!  I love the birds, birdcages and butterfly stamps that she has on the regular list!  Anything floral, too!  I could go on and on and on...

click for larger view

I'm very blessed to have been allowed to be a design team member for Chocolate Baroque!  I feel so humbled by Glenda's generosity and friendship!

It's great to have Clare on board and I know you are going to enjoy seeing her approach to working with our stamps.   Please join me in giving her a warm welcome to Chocolate Baroque!

You can see more of Clare's work on her blog Clare's Paper Works or on the Chocolate Baroque community website. 

Floral gift tag - great for Mother's Day

Hello, Joanne here again.

While I had the colouring supplies out on the desk for the seed packet project in my last post (here if you missed it and would like to see) I coloured the floral spray from the Fragrant Honeysuckle set and turned it into a pretty tag. I think this would be a lovely addition to a gift of a bunch of flowers.


I stamped and cut out with a Beaded Oval Nestability die and then carefully cut the beads off, cutting round the flower head and leaves that extended beyond the basic oval shape,. I coloured the image with Copics and Prismacolor pencils and then sponged ink round the edge. I stuck the coloured piece onto a second beaded oval die cut and finished with a simple ribbon at the top.

I used a Copic marker to colour white silk ribbon on both of these projects - it's a great way to get a match for the colours in your image.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Seeds of Friendship

Hello, Joanne here - I'm delighted to be doing a guest post here on the Chocolate Baroque Design Team blog. I've been playing with the lovely florals from The Rose Tree - perfect for spring!

I made this little gift presentation package. It's perfectly sized to give an actual packet of flower seeds as a token gift but you could also use it to present something like a necklace or earrings - perhaps made with seed beads or seed pearls to continue the theme!


I created a document to make a seed packet "framework" for the image. It's easy to do with a word processing program but if you'd like a quick and easy starting point, Glenda has made mine available as a pdf that you can find on the downloads page. There are some instructions included on there, too.

The image is coloured with a combination of Copic markers for a base layer and Prismacolor pencils to add some detail and depth. I even gave the large flower centers some texture by tapping a brown pencil straight down onto the cardstock with a piece of fun foam underneath.

Thanks for joining me today!
Joanne

Joanne's artwork is featured regularly in Craft Stamper magazine and you can see more of her beautiful work at her blog, Ambrosia & Iron.

Primula in Sepia by Debbie

For my card today I used the Primula stamp from Elegant Spring Flowers.


Onto white card I stamped the flower with Brushed Corduroy twice. I used a water brush to colour the flowers with the same ink. The centre flower was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with various Alcohol Ink pens then cut out. I softened the edges with Brushed Corduroy and mounted onto brown. The backing paper for the card is a download from Chocolate Baroque, Love Letters. This paper comes in various colours and I love it.





Thanks for stopping by

Debbie