Rustic Canvas (posted by Claire)

Good morning folks, Claire here with a project featuring Rustic Fragments, one of this month's new releases, they are really useful stamps like all the others in the range. For this project I've combined them with stamps from the Sewing Multibuy.

I began with a canvas board, primed with gesso before applying texture paste roughly with a palette knife. I let the texture paste set for a few minutes so it wasn't too 'squidgy' before stamping into it with the open weave fragment. Then I left it to dry thoroughly before applying acrylic paint in pinks and creams. Once the paint was dry I added some stamping using the other fabric fragment using potting soil archival ink. Next I highlighted the texture with gold gilding wax.

I stamped some of the sewing themed stamps onto cream card using Potting Soil Archival ink and cut them out. I added a little colour to the lacy border with my Graph'It Markers and then set to with glue and foam pads layering them all up.

I added lace, a flower made from scraps of fabric and tulle and then popped in a tag stamped again with the fabric fragments and overstamped with 'Imagine' from Artistic Expressions. I also stamped 'Enjoy the little things ....' onto some tissue and applied that to the corner of my canvas using matte medium.

To finish off I've added some faux pearls and a little button topped with a twine bow.

Thanks for visiting today

Claire xx

A supporting role (posted by Judith)

Hello everyone, I have a couple of cards to show you today using the sewing stamps in a supporting role, stretching their uses and hopefully letting you see how versatile they can be.

My first card uses one of the lacy borders on a wrinkle free distress background. I added some background stamping using a stamp from the Harlequin Fragments stamp set. I stamped a heart image from the Punky Hearts stamp set onto a piece of scrapbook paper, colouring in some of the details with watercolour pencils, and finally added a sentiment from the Sweet Nothings stamp set onto a die cut.

My second card uses another one of the borders to create a masculine romantic card using the Key to my Dreams stamp set. I stamped one of the locks onto the background before adding the border on either side. I coloured the background with an acrylic wash, and added some shading with Distress Ink around the edges. I coloured the images with pencils and added some background detail with a stamp from the Lace Fragments stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by, Judith xx

Making a Frame of it (by Lesley)

I love the versatility of our stamps and today I want to show you how you can turn the Dressmaker's Window into a picture frame.

• Stamp the Dressmaker's Window onto white cardstock using Versafine Black Onyx. Cut out and then cut out the 'window panes', leaving just the frame.
• Paint the frame using Vintage Photo Distress ink and when dry use a coloured pencil to add shade and dimension.
• Adhere frame to a background paper taken from a dictionary, old book etc and trim off the excess paper around the edge of the frame.
• Stamp the mannequin from the Floral Mannequin set onto white cardstock and colour using a combination of Barn Door, Spice Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn and Tea Dye Distress inks. Cut out.
• Cover a 5" square card with patterned paper, run a charcoal pencil around the edges and rub over with your finger to give a smudged effect.
• Attach the frame to the card and then the mannequin using 3d foam pads and finish by stamping the word 'Delight' from Artistic Expressions.

I hope this inspires you to explore the possibilities in your stamps, you may be surprised by the results.

Please drop in again to see more wonderful creations from the Design Team.

Painted Floral Mannequins

Hi there,

Today another idea  stamping the Floral Mannequins. 

Chocolate Baroque has lovely elegant designs but they are also suitable to use them in mixed media projects. I was visiting a friend and we had a play with some Chalk paints. I like the chalky finish of these paints, but you have to work fast because they dry almost instantly. Of course there are painting mediums which can help but I did not have that.

I worked on canvas paper and that creates a real painted effect. This time I really did paint.......not with a brush but a sponge.

I've made two cards, here they are....

I stamped the dress form using the same paint and stamped some fragments of the lace and the lace flower. The lace flower is also embossed on vellum and I've used 3 matching colors of the WOW embossing powders. The word is from the Artistic Expressions, a sheet that matches this style very much.

And the 2nd one........I decided after I stamped the dress form several times to use the craquele stamp from the Echoes of Italy and a small stamp from the Mini Scripts. I've stamped the lace border at the right edge and pressed it also onto a technique tile which I've triple embossed with WOW embossing powder.(Glacier Mint) I've added also some perfect pearl powder onto it to create some lovely shine. I think it looks a bit like old Turkoois ........wouldn't it be a lovely to create a necklace or earrings with that?

The words are from another favorite sheet of mine called Artistic Affirmations and is even more suitable for Mixed media projects. I distressed the edges of the canvas paper and sanded the card stock beneath for a worn look.

Well, this time another style using these stamps, hope you liked it.........

Thanks for visiting and till next time!

The Sewing Room and Floral Mannequins - By Florence

Morning everyone

Today I would like to share with you a card made using The Sewing Room and Floral Mannequins rubber stamps sets.

These stamps have been a joy to work with this month.  

The possibilities for cards and craft projects, using these stamps, is endless.  You don't have to take my word for it.  Grab yourself a cup of coffee and see all of the wonderful projects made by the team.  There has been a new post every day this month with inspiring projects and lots of ideas on how to use the stamps.

To make this card

 Color a piece of white card with Distress Inks using the spritzing with water technique.

Stamp the images onto the backing card.

Stamp the ruffled ribbon twice onto white card, color and cut out.

Stamp the sentiment onto a piece of card, trim to size and color with Distress Inks.

Stamp the mannequin twice.  Once onto white card and once onto pretty papers and cut out.

Color the mannequin that has been stamped onto white card.

Glue the two cut out mannequins together.

Make up the card as seen and add the embellishments.

The fabric tape used on this card can be seen here.

Thank you for looking

Take care,

Florence x

Decorative Wall Hanging (by Julie)

Good morning everyone. Here is my latest creation using elements from both of the fabulous Floral Mannequins and The Sewing Room stamp sets.

I decided to have a go at decorating the new Paper Mache Icons  that were recently introduced to the website.

I started off by giving the surface a coat of Gesso before adding colour with some red and yellow Gelatos. The images straight onto the Icon were stamped with gold Distress Paint and the embossed dots around the edge is molding paste, coloured with gold and copper mica powders, through a stencil.

The ribbon was attached with a hot glue gun as it instantly held the ruffles in place, with no need to wait for the glue to dry.

The beads were glued with Glossy Accents, onto head pins and arranged behind the decoupaged lace stamped flower and the rest of the images were stamped onto separate card, cut out and glued on as shown.

Thank you for stopping by 

CASual Style (by Asha)

Good morning fellow Chocoholics. Here's a super simple card card project featuring stamps from the Floral Mannequins and Dressmaking Collage stamp sets.

I heat embossed the mannequin in black, dabbed on some colour with Distress Inks, fussy cut and adhered it to a piece of cream card. Next I stamped the various elements on bleed-proof card, coloured with alcohol markers, fussy cut and piled them on to the card. Finally, a greeting from the Birthday Words A5 sheet and it's done!

Thank you for stopping by today. As always, details of tools and products used for this card will be available on my blog. Have a lovely and crafty weekend. Come back tomorrow for more crafty inspiration from the team.

Beijinhos, 
Asha

A Trio of Tags (posted by Judith)

Hello everyone, I hope that you are enjoying the wealth of Haberdashery inspiration this month. I have created three tags for you combining the Sewing Stamps multi-buy and the Peacock Parade/Tangled Peacock multi-buy. I wanted to create some designer haute couture style dresses, and decided to use the peacock tails as skirts combined with the bodices of two of the mannequins from the sewing sets. I stuck to a peacock themed colour palette throughout the three tags.

I started the three tags by stamping and embossing the lace strip along the bottom of the three tags, using black ink and clear embossing powder. I then stamped the foot of one of the mannequins on each tag. I stamped each peacock tail onto a tag, using teal ink, and coloured them in using watercolour paints. I used the same paint to colour the bodices, which I stamped and embossed onto a spare piece of card.

I inked each background using Tumbled Glass Distress Ink, and then chose a corresponding ink colour to blend around the edges. I used the same ink colour to stamp an assortment of sewing notions as a border. Finally, I added a sentiment to each tag.

Thanks for stopping by, Judith xx

Vintage pastels (by Miranda)

Hi there,

Today it's my turn to show you my 2nd take on the new stamps. I've used both sheets Floral Mannequin and the Sewing room.

Not quit my style but I went for soft pastel colors. Sometimes you have to do something completely different........I went through my crafting stash to use some of the old paperpads. They are very neglected because most of the time I want to create my own backgrounds. But sometimes it can be easy to use some of them when you don't have so much time.

I have stamped the dress form onto the patterned paper and decoupaged it. On the peach pastel background I stamped all the haberdashery using Memento Desert sand. I stamped the other dress form on the background and cut out some flowers and swirl leaves from the same paper.

It is a simple card and can be created in a short time. 

Thanks for your visit, always enjoy to read your comments!

Till next time,

Tussie Mussie (posted by Claire)

Good morning, Claire here with a project made using some of this month's new stamps. I've used stamps from Floral Mannequin and The Sewing Room to create a Tussie Mussie.

I've made a tussie mussie by stamping lots of the smaller stamps on cream card. I cut a circle from the cream card and then cut a wedge from the circle (about a third) and used this to create cone shape. I added lots of lace, some ribbon and a pretty tassel. I've filled the tussie mussie with stuffing for soft toys and coved it with some tulle (no sewing involved lol, I just used a little glue).

I stamped the dress form, flower and lacey border on cream card using tea dye and victorian  velvet distress ink before cutting them out and popping them in my tussie mussie.

Thanks for visiting today

Claire xx

Floral Mannequins and The Sewing Room by Florence

Morning everyone

I hope you have had a great weekend.

Today I would like to share with you a card made using the fabulous Floral Mannequins and The Sewing Room rubber stamp sets.  Please click on the links to see full details of the stamps.

To make this card

Dab some Distress Ink onto a piece of plastic or an acrylic block and spritz with water.

Take a piece of A6 size white card and "swish" it around in the diluted ink and leave to dry.

Stamp all of the images onto the background piece and leave to dry.

Stamp the ruffled ribbon onto a piece of white card, color and cut out.

Stamp the floral lace two times onto white card, color and cut out.

Stamp the sentiment onto a piece of white card, trim to size and color with Distress Ink.

Stamp the two mannequins onto white card stock, color and cut them out.

Make up the card as seen using foam pads behind the stamped embellishments to give a 3D effect.

The joining of the two pieces of floral lace is hidden behind the mannequin.

Thank you for looking

Happy Stamping

Florence x

Bodice And Bouquets (by Julie)

Good morning, I hope you have been enjoying this months sewing theme. Today I have two cards created from the two new sets that Chocolate Baroque have to offer which are The Floral Mannequins and The Sewing Room. I have used elements of both sets on both of my cards.

 I tried to keep this floral card as clean and simple as possible which I generally find quite hard to do. The floral ribbon has been stamped with Sepia Versafine and coloured with pencils. The three lace flowers have been decoupaged and stamped with blue Versafine onto light-blue card and the leaves were die cut from green card which I had previously stamped with the ruffled ribbon from the Floral Mannequins and one of the vintage mannequins from the Sewing room. I think the sentiment is very fitting for the card and comes from the Mackintosh Clear Sentiments set.

My second is a DL card and is created using basic masking techniques and again I have taken stamps from both sets. I started by stamping the button, thimble and cotton reel onto multiple layers of sticky notes so that when I cut them out I had more than one of each mask. I then applied a length of masking tape from top to bottom and approx. 3 cm in from the edge of the card before stamping the button, thimble and cotton reel, remembering to cover with  masks as I went along. After stamping I coloured the panel with Marigold and Mustard Seed Distress ink, then moved the masking tape so that it covered the coloured panel. You can then start stamping the Peacock Feather Distress ink panel. This panel is very much easier and doesn't require any masking. I stamped a selection of the haberdashery items along with the lacy ribbon using grey Versafine before sponging on the Peacock Feather Distress Ink.

On a separate piece of card I stamped some of the haberdashery items using the grey Versafine before over stamping the vintage mannequins with black Versafine. I then coloured them with pencils before cutting out and adding them to the card with silicone glue.

The finished panel was mounted onto the base card that I had edged with Black Soot Distress Ink.

Thank you for stopping by and we hope to see you tomorrow with some more Design Team inspiration.

All Wrapped Up (by Lesley)

For today's card I wanted to show you how to create embellishments using stamps from The Sewing Room and Floral Mannequins. There is a full step by step for this, so please pull up a chair and take a break for a few minutes.

• Stamp the ruffled ribbon from Floral Mannequins three times on to some 160gsm smooth white cardstock using Vintage Photo distress ink.
• Use a water brush to 'pull' the colour from the ink over each image. Leave to dry thoroughly.
• Stamp the ribbon again with the same ink, turn the cardstock over and stamp on the reverse in the same position. You want to achieve a 'double sided' ribbon for the faux bow. Easiest way it to measure up from the bottom of the cardstock on both sides, mark a line and then position the stamp on this line.  Repeat the water brush technique and set aside to dry.
• Stamp the button from The Sewing Room three times using Vintage Photo and then water brush as detailed above.
• Add shade to the ruffled edge on the ribbons and around the buttons with a watercolour pencil and water brush this shading.
• When everything is dry cut out and then use a darker colouring pencil along the edges of the ruffles and round the buttons.
• To make the faux bow use the double sided ribbon you have stamped and bring both edges into the middle to form a bow shape. Glue together with wet adhesive. When dry cut a curved 'V' shape across the top and bottom edge to create a bow shape. Use a pencil, or similar, in the ends of the bow to help form the 'ears'.
• Glue two of the ribbon pieces together with wet adhesive. When dry attach the full strip horizontally on a folded 5" white square card, placing the join slight left of centre, with wet adhesive. Trim off the excess.
• To create the vertical ribbon cut the remaining ribbon in two so that when attached it looks like a full strip. Fix with wet adhesive, slipping the edges under the ruffled edge of the horizontal one and trim off any excess.
• Attach the faux bow over the join and the three buttons as shown.
• Finally add a wooden button, paper flower or similar in the centre of the bow and stamp the sentiment from the Amazing Birthday clear stamp set using a Versafine inkpad in Vintage Sepia.

I really enjoyed using these stamps to turn paper images into realistic looking embellishments. Hope that you will give this one a try and thank you for visiting. Don't forget there is still more fabulous artwork to come from the Design Team girls.

Vintage Floral Mannequin (by Miranda)

Hi there,

Today it's my turn to show you what I've created with the new beautiful stamp sheets from Chocolate Baroque.

I have been working with Floral Mannequin and the Sewing room. There is also another one in this serie called Dressmaking collage. Difficult to  choose, isn't it? 

The background is done with Distress inks, Victorian Velvet,Walnut stain and Vintage photo.  The borders are stamped with Memento Espresso Truffle and the one with the loops have been decoupaged. I have stamped the lace flower in the background several times and masked it.

I have embossed the torso's with Wow primary Burgundy and Wow Fool's gold. Also coloured them with water based markers in matching colors.

I've added some lovely rose embellishments from ScrapBerry's.

Hope I have inspired you with my card!

Thanks for your visit and hope to see you next time,

Have a nice day,

Floral Mannequins, The Sewing Room and Dressmaker's Window By Florence

Hi everyone

I hope you are enjoying the weekend and the weather is being kind to you.

Today I would like to share some projects made using some of the new stamps. They all work so well together.  To see the new stamps sets in full please click on the individual links:  Floral Mannequins, The Sewing Room and The Dress Maker's Window.   Do also check out the website for the multi-buy offer on these stamps.

Just a thought on the Dress Makers Window stamp.  This stamp can be used in so many different ways not just with the sewing stamps.  Personally, I have been after a window stamp for a many years and this one is perfect.  An absolute delight to craft with.  The design and size of it is fabulous.

My first project is a box style card.  

Box cards are really easy to make and a lot of fun.

The inside of the box is made in exactly the same way as you would make up a front of a card.  The only difference with box cards is that you score the card more times to give you the box shape.

Front view

The next project is a quick and simple card

For this card I have just stamped the frilly ribbon and the sentiment directly onto the card and added a hint of color on the ribbon using water color crayons.  The flowers have been stamped onto separate card stock and cut out.  The card has been made up as seen with foam pads behind the stamped flowers and the addition of a little die cut.

The next card is simple in style but it did take a little time to cut out the bottom of the dress form.  Having said that it was quite easy to cut out with a craft knife.  I found it easier to make all of the downward cuts and then make all of the across cuts.

I mixed and matched the dress forms and made a little modification to the body piece.

For this card I started by stamping the sentiment and the lace trim. I then stamped and cut out all of my pieces and decoupaged them onto the base card using foam tabs.


That's all from me today
Thank you for stopping by

Happy Stamping
Florence x

Floral Mannequin Collage (by Julie)

Hello and thanks for stopping by. I have loved working/playing with this months new stamps and hope you will too. The card I have for you today has been created using the brand new Floral Mannequin set along with the clear Dressmaking Collage stamp.

The Dressmaking Collage stamp is so versatile. I have used it to create the background of this card along with the decorative panel. I have left the whole stamp intact to stamp my design but you can easily cut into the clear stamp and use the designs individually.

If you wish to find out more details about my card then you can find full instructions on my blog.

Many thanks for your visit and please pop back tomorrow for some more Design Team inspiration. 

Ribbon & Lace (by Asha)

Good morning all! Are you enjoying the new stamps? Let me tell you -I am LOVE-LOVE-LOVING them. So, follow me into The Sewing Room and let's have fun with the Floral Mannequins.  It's been more than 4 decades since I had this much fun playing dress-up!

My first card highlights the lovely dress-form from The Sewing Room A5 sheet and was inspired by a wedding dress. I heat embossed the dress-form in black onto heavy weight kraft card. Then I ruffled up some sheer white ribbon and cream lace to "build" the under-skirt of a wedding dress in progress. I can only imagine the hustle and bustle in a real sewing room! For a touch of bridal glamour, I added tiny bling to form a necklace. The greeting is from Loving Sentiments A5 sheet.

More lace on my second card, only this time I'm using stamps from the Floral Mannequins A5 sheet.  The background was created by stamping the lace fragment directly onto a piece of patterned paper followed by a little colouring with Polychromos. The ruffled lace is also from the Floral Mannequins A5 sheet, but this time I heat embossed it in white onto vellum and fussy cut it. I coloured the mannequin with alcohol markers, fussy cut and mounted it with some foam tape. The greeting is from the Birthday Words A5 sheet.

Thanks for stopping by today. Details of products used for these projects are available on my blog. The Design Team has lots of fabulous ideas coming up to inspire you, so make sure you swing by often. :)

Beijinhos,
Asha

Mixing and matching (posted by Judith)

Hello everyone, I have a project to show you today using the Sewing Room/Floral Mannequins multi-buy stamp set plus the Dressmaking Collage clear stamp. I have combined these stamps with an older stamp set: Haberdashery, to create a collaged card.

I started to make my background by stamping the buttons in two corners of a piece of watercolour paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink. I coloured the images with pencils, and then painted the images with Acrylic Wax. I spritzed two pieces of tissue paper with red and orange Dylusions spray, crumpled them up, and dabbed the background to create a mottled effect.

I stamped and embossed the silhouette mannequin onto the background, and then stamped and embossed the floral bodice onto a spare piece of card. I coloured the bodice using water based markers and a water brush. I coloured another piece of card firstly with orange and red inks and stamped and embossed the lace flower twice, which I cut out and layered together. I then coloured the card with Scattered Straw Distress Ink to create a little banner for the sentiment.

I added some background stamping using one of the border images, and finally added some hand drawn stitching, before placing the background onto a black card blank.

Thanks for stopping by, Judith xx

Stamps and paper (by Lesley)

I have always loved patterned papers and I still border on wanting to keep them to stroke because they are too nice to use! However today I want to show you how to get colour into your stamping with very little effort using some of those precious papers.

• Stamp the ruffled ribbon border from Floral Mannequins, twice, onto a piece of pale patterned paper with Versafine Onyx Black. When dry colour the ruffled edges with pencils that tone in with the paper.
• After fussy cutting the borders, use a darker co-ordinating pencil and run it along the edges of the ruffles. This gives the appearance of dimension to the ribbons.
• Stamp the larger of the wire dress forms from The Sewing Room, twice, onto patterned paper (I used the free download from week 4 of our Challenge Blog 8). Cut out the entire image and then cut the tops from the wire frames. Swop these over so that you have a different coloured top to the bottom and glue together. You will have a spare for another project.
• Stamp out two of the small dress form onto another piece of patterned paper, preferably one with a lighter background. Cut out.
• Fold a piece of A4 white cardstock at 12.5 cm to create an oversize DL card, trim as required, and attach the ribbon border across the card as shown. Use a wet adhesive and overlap the borders (you will cover the join with the dress forms). When dry trim off the excess from each edge of your card.
• Stamp the sentiment from the Card Sentiments clear set with Onyx Black then attach the two smaller dress forms flat to the card with double sided tape, positioning as shown.
• Finally curve the larger dress form with your fingers for added dimension and attach with gel adhesive.

I hope this will encourage you to start using some of your paper stash and if that's asking a bit too much why not check out our Challenge Blog where you will find a free printable download every month.

As always there are some fabulous ideas bursting out from the Design Team so why not pop back tomorrow for another dose of inspiration.

Sewing together (by Judith and Lesley)

Today's design is a combined project between Judith and myself using the new sewing stamps.  We decided to do a shared card when we were in Portpatrick last weekend having loads of inky fun at Glenda's first workshops.

Judith started off our 'round robin' by stamping the lace border from The Sewing Room stamp set across an 8" square card. After masking off the top and bottom edges of the lace she coloured the centre panel using shades of orange and yellow ink and then stamped a selection of the sewing images to create the background. At this point she posted it to me, complete with a piece of spare card coloured with the same shades of ink.

I stamped and embossed the embroidered flower, from the Floral Mannequins set, 5 times on the coloured card and then fussy cut. I used the sentiment from the Thinking of You Sentiments clear stamp set and finished the card by attaching the flowers with gel adhesive. 

I know that many of you craft alone and would love to be able to share your creativity with crafty friends, only distance is an issue. Well why not start your own round robin?  Come up with an idea between you and then share the making and finishing of the project. Not quite the same as being in the same craft room, but it can be a great experience to share your work as Judith and I did.

Oh and just in case you wondered, from the original idea to finished project this card completed a journey totalling approximately 633 miles. Proof that you can do things together even if you are miles apart.

Thanks for joining us today, please drop in again soon to see more gorgeous artwork featuring our sewing themed stamps.