Some new makes and some 'finishing offs'

These are both from Judith Maslen parchment patterns. They were started in workshops and finally finished in the last couple of days.

This is using a couple of Groovi plates and a pattern from an accompanying book.

Here is another Judith Maslen pattern - this time Christmas.

It never rains but it pours.....

and on Saturday it sure did.  Our little group of three were Barton on Sea bound for the last Judith Maslen workshop of the year and the heavens opened and the wind howled.  Unbelievable weather conditions.  How our chauffeuse Charmaine coped I don't know? -  but she did and we got there safely but.....just to add to the day (which had only just started) I took a tumble.  Dashing through the door to the hall carrying stuff and trying to get out of the wind and rain I fell headlong flat on the ground.  How embarrassing!!  Oh, boy, do I know about it now.  I have bruises and aches and pains everywhere.  It did shake me up quite a bit.  Let's face it I am too big and too old to go throwing myself around like that.  I didn't parch very well in the morning as I couldn't really concentrate so the morning card I am going to show you was started again from scratch yesterday.  The afternoon one didn't fare much better but apart from having to rescue the border, it wasn't too bad.

Here are the cards:

Christmas Reindeer - jm 138

'Keys' - jm 139

I hope you like them. They are two cards I won't forget in a hurry.

Stay upright - tis safer and more dignified.
Carol
xx

Judith Maslen Workshop - 28th September 2019

We completed two new patterns - as usual - today and I enjoyed the making of them both equally.  They are very different in style.

They are both finished and ready to be mounted on cards. I haven't decided what colour card to use yet so that is partly why I haven't finished them completely.

The first card is called 'Ribbons'  Pat no. jm132.
Judith explained the background to her design and it is based on a Japanese 'Noshi'.
Originally this was a bunch of reed, tied in the middle and represented 'humility'.  Now 'Noshi' is a bunch of ribbons, usually given for good luck, or to decorate a gift.

Here is 'Noshi'.

The second card is called 'Bells across the Snow' and is Pat no. jm131.  Again I haven't finished the presentation.

 I need to be able to see a bit better before I can mount them on matts that are straight so I will show them off again when that has been done.
xx

1st of our 2019 visits to Judith Maslen's workshops

As usual at our Judith Maslen workshop on Saturday (first of the year) we had two super new patterns to work on. Below is a photo of the morning session card jm105. It was designed for a wedding and as I don't have any that I know of in the near or distant future I altered the bottom of the pattern to exclude the words and have attached a very temporary sentiment. This was all after discussion with Judith. The sentiment is very quickly and crudely made and stuck on with removable tape. It isn't even straight.

This is my favourite image of all time from Judith and I really loved doing it.  I must admit though that some of the close and fine work was a struggle.  I have been told I have cataracts that need to be dealt with and I discovered that this is affecting my parchment 'abilities'.  I don't think I will be doing much more until after they have been dealt with.  Ordinary card making seems to be unaffected in the same way - at the moment.

Here is the card:

As I was struggling Judith kindly drew the stick for the sweep's brush. I couldn't bear to think of my clumsiness spoiling the work I was enjoying. And I did enjoy the pattern.

Here is a closeup without the crudely made sentiment.

If any one reading this enjoys parchment work I  can recommend them buying this pattern from Judith  It might be a week or so before it is added on her site. (see sidebar).

Hugs
Carol
xx

Last of the year visit to Judith Maslen's Workshop

Sadly last Saturday was the last workshop of the year. We so enjoy our trips down to Barton on Sea.  We have such fun and have got to know all the regulars so well it is just like a large family get together.
As always we had two brand new patterns to do   Today I have the first one to show you. I had finished on the day but just needed to matt and layer . This one is very unusual and is called 'Mirror-Mirror' - and you will see why.

Sadly my parchment is not as good as I would like it to be.  The Carpal Tunnel syndrome that I had earlier in the year is beginning to return and the pins and needles can be quite fierce at times.

The second pattern is almost finished .  I have some visitors coming tomorrow and I have a busy weekend with other guests so there will be a delay before I can get back to it.

I enjoyed doing both the patterns -  as always and it will seem a long time until the workshops resume next March. I have already paid my deposits.

I'll be on again on Sunday with our next CD Sunday - so I will see you then.
Hugs
Carol
xx

Latest parchment patterns from Judith Maslen

Last Saturday was our 2nd of the year visit down to Judith's for her workshop. Work being the operative word as we did work hard.  For some time during the morning you could have heard a pin drop in the room - which let's face it is unusual.
Fabulous patterns though and here is the morning one - that took all the concentration:

A very different pattern for the afternoon and although it took hard work and concentration it wasn't quite so intense.
Personally I was thrilled that I could make the workshop. I wasn't expecting to as I was due for surgery on my wrist - which was cancelled.  Re-scheduling is inevitable though and I am going to have to miss a workshop sometime.

Here is the 'afternoon' card:

I haven't added any sentiments as yet. They can be done at a later date using a peel off or die cut.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day thank you Judith and thank you to my two companions for the day especially our chauffeur.

More for the Birthday Stash

Today I managed to make two cards from scratch and finish another that I had started. All down to the effect of the steroids I am on. It has gone midnight and I am still busy.
The first card is the one I had started. It is a Judith Maslen parchment  pattern and is a design we started at one of her workshops - when I can't remember.

It is called 'Staffordshire Dogs'.  These I believe (not old enough to remember myself) used to grace the mantelpieces of many homes in Victorian/Edwardian times. The little detail at the bottom is to represent the lace that used to be hung from the mantel.

The next two are ones that I made using new dies. The first one is an Amy die called Brick in the wall. I had a great deal of fun with this one choosing the 'view' and whether to use brick or stone. I diecut 5 different holes  in the wall to see which worked best.  It is a great die.

The second is using a Pamela West image and a 'trellis' die and then a selection of garden tools. I cut these out in different colours so that I could make them look more realistic and have some left for another day.

I had fun but I really think I must go to bed.  Of course it is absolutely pouring down yet again. I find it difficult to sleep when the rain is lashing against the windows.

Sleep tight.
Carol
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Amazing Hats - Judith Maslen workshop project

I went to Judith Maslen's workshop yesterday - 1st of the year - and we did two patterns as usual. This is the first parchment I have done for weeks because of my hand and I admit I struggled especially holding the tools. So here is the centre piece of the first project. I cut off the badly done border. Pattern No: jm084-2. A beautiful pattern I would like to do again post op.

I don't feel that this is as good as it could be but just so pleased that I could go and join in. I would hate to miss any of the workshops but fear that that will be inevitable when I have the op.
Thank you again Judith for a super day and a pattern without masses of embossing which I really can't do at the moment..
Carol
xx

Brand new patterns from Judith Maslen

On Saturday we had our last visit of the year down to Barton on Sea for our workshop with Judith.
Two fabulous new  patterns.
Already looking foward to March 2018 when we start another round of workshops.

Here are the two new cards.

Gold Locket

Amber the Ostrich

We had a wonderful time learning  how to colour the gold on the parchment for the Gold Locket. We used Faber Castell Polychromos pencils on the front and then used a spreading medium to create the subtle nuances of colour.
Amber was fun to do.  Have a close look at her face. Brilliantly drawn by Judith with just a few strokes of the pen  I haven't added a sentiment. Can be done later.
Thank you again Judith for a super day. Pleased I managed to keep up even with the bad hand.
Hugs all round.
Carol
xx

'Buttercups and Daisies' - parchment pattern by Judith Maslen

Here is the second project completed at our last workshop - 'Buttercups and Daisies.'
The important point to this pattern was to emboss the buttercup petals from the front to give a curved and shaped look.  I think this works. My colouring was done with Faber Castell Polychromos pencils although Judith designed the pattern for the use of felt tip pens. As frequent visiors to my site will know - I hate felt tips and don't use them. Judith knows this only too well and there is a certain gleam in her eye when she hands me the pattern at the workshop.

Here is the finished work:

I love our trips down to Barton on Sea and I am looking forward to the next trip in September. Judith is such a fabulous designer and teaches us so well.
Hugs
Carol
xx

'Sepia Owl' - A Judith Maslen Workshop

A week ago was our 3rd workshop of 2017 with Judith Maslen down  in the New Forest.
We had two new patterns (as always) and this is the first - 'Sepia Owl'.
A beautiful design - as are all Judith's designs.  I worked away quite steadily and was enjoying the work but there was a 'likkle' problem.  In the border design Judith had used a 'moon' tool. Stupidly I have a thing about moon tools - I don't like them if they are to be embossed.  But I thought that if  I concentrated and took my time I would  conquer this stupid dislike......but I still made a pigs ear of it.
I tried to sort it out when I got home but made it worse so in desperation I 'took out' the owl which was OK and had taken a great deal of time to complete -  and then set about remaking the card.
I traced and embossed the pattern as before except that instead of the 'moon' tool I used a semi circle with 'sun' tool additions.  I embossed the greeting instead of using the sepia pen and where the pattern called for the tracing and embossing of the owl I used the owl I had saved from the first card.  I very carefully used perga glue on the very edges of the owl and stuck it to the pattern where the drawn owl would be.  So now I have a card I like with an owl that looks very 3D.
Here is my version of Judith's pattern. I hope she doesn't mind.

Hugs
Carol
xx

Last Workshop with Judith Maslen for 2016

On Saturday we had another great day down in Barton on Sea with Judith and all our fellow workshopees.  The weather was apalling but that's not new and our chauffeuse Charmaine successfully battled hard again aginst the wind, rain, dark and motorway drivers.
This time we made a quickish Christmas card in the morning using a star tool to emboss the Christmas Tree and added a few gems to represent the decorations. We used a semi square tool for the borders.  The inset surrounding the tree was coloured with pencil and spread with dorso oil.

I added some Wink of Stella to the tree and the star tool impressions in the border but it didn't photograph well. This pattern is called 'Snowy Tree' and will be Pattern No: jm 068-15

Our second card made in the afternoon was quite tough one.  A lot of work.  In fact I didn't finish it until this morning. It is called 'Shoe Heaven' and will be Pattern Sheet No: JM043-5 in the Boutique series.
Here it is:

To complete this pattern we did painting on the back with felt tips (or some of us did - I used pencils and dorso oil).  We did tracing with black ink. grid work, embossing and using the Almond tool.
I added some Wink of Stella to the embossed segment of the fans and glitter peel off to the diamond in the centre and a glitter scallop peel off to the edge of the pattern.

I already looking forward to starting again in March next year.
Hugs
Carol
xx

'Squirrel's Feast' - pattern by Judith Maslen

Here is the second project from our day at Barton-on-Sea last Saturday. Another brand new pattern.
I am afraid I tweaked this one as well as the Swallowtail.  Nothing to do with Judith's wonderful designs - more my ineptitude in the execution.
Here is my interpretation:

Judith had used an Almond Tool for the border and I didn't like my embossing inside the perforations.  I did say in my last posting that I was having trouble with embossing. There wasn't really enough room to do a new border inside the old one so I started afresh with a new piece of parchment.  I made a new border (own design), traced, embossed and coloured the cherries and embossed the sentiment.  I wasn't displeased with my squirrel so I "took him out" by pricking and snipping the oval out from the old card and attaching it to the new card as a topper by sewing with red beads.
There certainly are times when you can rescue a piece of work as I have above but parchment can be very unforgiving.   I was lucky this time. 
Sorry I tweaked so much Judith but I did save the little varmint.
Thank you for looking.
Carol
xx

'Fantasy Swallowtail' - pattern by Judith Maslen.

Well - we have travelled down to Barton-on-Sea for a Judith Maslen Workshop in all kinds of weather. Frosts, just plain cold, monsoons and last Saturday it was the hottest day yet.  Everyone was just plain sticky and there was no air (well of course there was but it didn't feel like it).

We had two projects as always and we had to work hard - no time off for heat exhaustion.
This posting is about the first project - the 'Fantasy Swallowtail' - No: 1 in a new folder to be called Butterflies Galore.
A beautiful pattern which I proceeded to make a pigs ear of on the day.  I put it down to the heat.
So on Sunday I started a new one and this will be a surprise to Judith as hopefully it has improved greatly  on the one she saw me making.

I have done a couple of tweaks Judith - hope you don't mind. One of the problems on Saturday was my embossing of the flowers - apart from doing them from the front instead of the back (a beyond  careless mistake) I just wasn't having a good embossing day.  So - I used a flower stencil I found on a Pergamano grid.  The flower was the right shape but just a little smaller.  I added a touch of pink to the flowers and then some Wink of Stella to the body of the butterfly.  I was more relaxed and sitting in front of a fan whilst I made this one so I am more pleased with my efforts
Now I just have a few tweaks to perform on the second project.  Just waiting for the place to cool down a bit.  Even with the fan it is too hot.

Thank you Judith for yet another fabulous workshop - my favourite days in the year.  And a big thamk you my companions - Charmaine and Jenny.  Charmaine does the driving and Jenny laughs at my jokes. (They both do really).
Hugs
Carol
xx

Indian Maid - pattern by Judith Maslen

This was the morning project at our workshop day last Saturday.  Quite a bit of work in this one which is why I didn't finish it on the day.
What an unusual pattern.  I loved it as soon as Judith showed it to us.
I have tried to do it justice but I have got a small nail mark on the parchment.  Unfortunate but it sometimes happens - and always at the end of the project and not the beginning.
Here is my Indian Maid

I hope you like her.
Carol
xx

Pas- de- deux - new pattern by Judith Maslen

This lovely pattern was the subject of the afternoon session of our workshop yesterday with Judith.
Yes we were down on the coast in the New Forest again  for the second workshop of the year.

Here is the card.  I have just done the finishing touches.

With Judith's blessing I played about a bit with the pattern and did some of my own 'thing'.  I changed the border slightly and altered the 10 semi circles around the central image.
Judith hasn't yet decided under which subject 'umbrella' this will go but regardless of that it would certainly be perfect for a Birthday, Anniversary, Wedding or Engagement.  Where I have placed one of my parchment flowers could be a heart, butterfly or gems.
We had a fantastic day - as always.  The weather was good and our chauffeuse was first class.
I still have some more work to do on the second card which was the morning session work.  There was a lot to do on this card and I couldn't finish it before we had to break for lunch.
Here's to the next workshop in July.
Carol
xx

'Lucinda' - Victorian Christmas

Sadly the Saturday before last was our last Judith Maslen Workshop of the year -- and we were going down like flies.  Usually three of us devotees go together and kinda take it in turns to drive.  First to drop out was Charmaine who had the chance to go to Portugal to play some golf - who could blame her.  Then Jenny was proper poorly so that left me - who had to drive herself.  I was determined to go as I had missed the one in September.  I drove in awful weather (see I am playing for sympathy here) and after a full day of parchment concentration I was absolutely ..... well you know but I had a fabulous day as always.  I have already booked up for all of the sessions next year.
We had two new patterns as always. I haven't finished the morning one yet.  As it isn't a Christmas one it isn't a priority at the moment.
The afternoon one however has just been finished.  This is 'Lucinda'.

I am a little disappointed in the photo as some of the shading done on the front of the image seems to have suffered a 'whiteout'.  The shading is quite subtle  -  perhaps too subtle for the light outside.  My own addition to the card is to use some pretty tiny glittery snowball flat backed gems.  The last ones from my sheet and I can't remember from where I purchased them.
I have just purchased 'Daisy' from the same series so I will be busy.  I am trying to make as many parchment Christmas cards as I can this year and less decoupage type even though they are quicker to make.

A day by the sea - Part 2

This is the second card made at the workshop - in the afternoon.  A Christmas card.  I was pleased as I am trying to really get started on making all mine.

Here it is:

Most of the work was done at the workshop - just the last bit of the grid and adding the sentiment and the branches done at home.  I know that holly berries don't really go with the fir tree but they finish it nicely.
We used the Faber Castell Polychromos pencils and blending medium for the colouring on the back and then I added some dry work on the front for detail and shadow. I love colouring this way.
About colouring pencils.  I bought my Faber Castell pencils some time ago and love using them but they can be a bit hard.  So I bought myself two tins of the Spectrum Noir pencils as an addition to my arsenal but I must admit that I am disappointed with using them with blending material.  You are supposed to be able to do so but I find they are greasy (perhaps because they are softer) and I have gone back to the Faber.
I will have to find another use for the Spectrum Noir.
Hope you like the card.
Another great pattern thank you Judith. (no long words tonight - too tired).
Carol xx

A day by the Sea

but I didn't see a single wave.  We were of course at Barton on Sea for our third Judith Maslen workshop for 2015.
We have such great days. Diligent but with gaiety (Judith and I are playing word games).
We had two new patterns as always and the first was white work with a hint of colour.
It is called  'Marguerites' and the pattern no: will be - jm069-1.
Here is my finished offering:

I decided to dress the image up a little more than I usually do. The background - printed straight to card - is from a CD - 'from the heart of the garden' by Jane Shasky. The sentiment is die cut and used the same card as the matting  layer. I printed out a paper version of the purple card and the background card and made die cut flowers and added dazzlers.  Also some gems to two of the grid sections on the image.
The pattern for the afternoon session was a Christmas card and I hope to finish that a little later.
Another fun but exhausting day.
Thank you Judith.
Carol xx

A water theme

for our second Judith Maslen Workshop for 2015.
It was off to the seaside on Saturday for the workshop.  There are three of us who travel together - an early start and my turn to drive again.  A round trip of about 140 miles but worth every mile.

Our first 'water' project was a white work pattern called 'Water Iris'. It was quite quiet in the workroom whilst we were concentrating on the embossing. It really is a skill that takes so long to learn and if our endeavours look anything like Judith's sample we are all pleased.
The really pretty detail on the image are the dragonflies and the little star tool  impressions.  I stitched tiny tiny crystal beads through the star impressions to add the look of bubbles and to attach the image to the card.
Here is my offering

Our afternoon project was quite different and I think my favourite.  Judith has designed a series of patterns around Musicals and this one was inspired by 'Singing in the Rain'.

I loved doing this one.  I used Faber Castell pencils and Zest It for the coloring.  This is done on the back of the image and then dry pencils used on the front to add shadow.
The almond shape decorations around the edge were originally one filled in with embossing and one cut out -  alternating.  I chose to use beads in the cut out shapes to add beads that I had of the same shape in order to attach to the background card.
Another fantastic day Judith thank you.  Already looking forward to July.
Carol
xx