Makes from a recent Sheila Oliver Class

On the 18th August I went to a cardmaking class with my crafting buddy Jo. The tutor was the very talented Sheila Oliver. This is the second of Sheila's classes we have been to but for this one we indicated to Sheila the techniques we would like to have a go at and she tailored the class specially for us. Two other ladies joined us on the class and we had an absolute blast! Customers going into the shop (Monk's Den at Ashby-de-la-Zouche) downstairs kept asking what all the noise and laughter was. It was an absolutely brilliant day so thankyou Sheila and if you check out her blog here you'll see what I'm talking about.

This first card was using Cuttlebug embossing folders on card and chipboard shapes. We used a mixture of inkpads, acrylic paint, Rub n Buff, gilding flakes, embossing powder and stickles to colour and texturise the various elements.

The second card was beautifully simple and so effective. Again we used CB folders but before placing the card in the folder we tapped embossing ink inside the folder and then embossed. We then covered the embossed area with clear sparkle EP and heated. Result - gorgeous!!! We used a single large snowflake folder for the top part of the card. I absolutely love this Christmas card.

The third card uses CB folders as well but this time with wax paper. We ran a piece of wax paper through the CB in a folder and then ironed it onto a piece of semi-gloss card. We then blended ink onto the card and the wax created a resist. Finally we stamped and embossed our image.

The final card used a totally new technique to me in the final stages. First of all we built up a collage of images and once we were happy with it we covered the whole piece with Bond-a-web and heated it with a heatgun until it bubbled and the bubbles burst. This meant there were areas where you had the shiny melted Bond-a-web and bare areas of card where the bursted bubbles were. We then blended ink over the whole piece and, of course, it settled into the bare areas to leave you with a sort of faux rusted tin effect.

I you click on any of the photos you can see a closeup of the techniques used, especially the sparkly snowflakes and the faux tin. Sheila's classes are so enjoyable and she's a really good tutor. I only wished we lived closer so that we could get to more of them.

Finally, I want to show a pretty pair of earings which were a RAK from Kathryn. She and I shared a series of workshops at Once Upon a Stamp earlier this year. She's been making some really beautiful jewellery and hasn't been blogging very long so please pay her a visit here and leave a comment.

Thankyou for the gift Kathryn, I shall enjoy wearing them.