Our last workshop for 2014

Sadly our last Judith Maslen Workshop for 2014 was on Saturday.  I was so glad to have attended this time as I have missed some for various reasons.
We had two wonderful patterns to play with and the whole day was fun, relaxing and informative.

The morning session pattern was a Christmas card called 'Christmas Jewels'.  My version is finished slightly different to the pattern but that is part of the creative fun.

Here is my version:

On Judith's pattern the snowflakes and the sentiment on the ribbon were drawn using white ink but I used some crystal snowflakes I had in my stash and silver peel off's for Happy Christmas.  I also stitched my parchment to the background using tiny crystal beads and holographic thread.

This is a lovely pattern to work and I think would be good for a beginner as it is all white work and a good exercise in embossing larger areas.

The afternoon project was No:2 in a new series called Edwardian Charm.  May I introduce you to
'Clarissa'

The only additions of my own are the five little gems on the right.  The special part of this pattern was creating the fur detail on the coat which looked very difficult but when explained by Judith turned out to be quite easy.  This pattern is a real mix of disciplines including black pen work, embossing, colour work and gridwork.

Thank you Judith for another fun packed year    I look forward to the workshops starting up again next year and I have already booked my place at them all.
Carol
xx

More Christmas cards

I have been busy whilst confined to this sofa. I have been crafting whilst watching the golf and am exhausted mentally with all the ups and downs of the scores.  Difficult to craft with crossed fingers.
Here are 3 more cards that I have finished.  One more Judith Maslen parchment and 2 from La Pashe.

Carol
xx

'Special Delivery'

from the sofa. As a golf and Ryder Cup nut I am not minding my confinement to the sofa as much as I should.  I am managing to do a little parchment and am still trying out the new to me Spectrum Noir pencils. Last time I posted I commented on the difficulty I found sharpening them and my lovely friend Pamela gave me a tip.  To turn the sharpener - not the pencil.  Thank you Pamela it seems to be working.
Here is another of Judith's great patterns.  I really do enjoy tackling these designs.

Okay - back to the TV and the sofa and starting a new pattern.
Carol
xx

Penguin Playtime

Here is another parchment Christmas card to add to my collection and this is a pattern by Judith Maslen.
This time I used my new Spectrum Noir pencils for the colouring.  I was pleased with the blending effect and  the ease with which  the colours blended. I didn't think that I would like another pencil as much as I like my Faber Castell Polychromos but I might change my mind with more use for comparison.  I don't think they sharpen as well as the Faber but that is probably because they are softer.
Here is the finished card

Carol
xx

I have entered my Playful Penguins in The Great Penguin Challenge of 2014.  Thank you Squirrel for the heads up.
xx

More beads

I liked those new CzechMate beads so much that I ordered a few more in different colours.  They were all much admired at our Parchment Workshop yesterday.  I decided to use some on a Christmas card that was my planned project for the afternoon.  The milky white ones looked perfect for mistletoe berries. 
The printed image is from La Pashe - 'The Christmas Box' CD.  I printed it out on to parchment and did a little gentle embossing.  I used a new PCA embossing template for the border.  I touched up the colouring a tad with my new Spectrum Noir pencils and then stitched on the beads for the berries.
A couple of matting layers and some stick on pearls complete the card.

Hope you like it - I do.

Have a good weekend.  Let's hope it stays dry.
Carol
xx