Welcome Crafters to this weeks' blog.....
Today I'm revisiting one of my favourites from Jamie Rodgers Crafts Collection... MDF!!
I LOVE using these, as they are a fantastic alternative to card making, but with so many size options... you can be just as creative!!
I wanted a subtle, yet traditional vintage style... perfect for those Christmas gifts!
Step 1
I used the above MDF set for this project.....
Using a lovely shade of green card and Clear Drying Glue, I covered the MDF Plaque.
▪️I drew around the circle and then cut out with scissors. After gluing I left for 5 minutes to dry.
I then used a craft knife to trim off the excess pieces from around the edges.
I also poked through the holes using an embossing tool at top of my plaque.
▪️Next I used the above Poinsettia Foliage Stamp Set and chose the holly image.
Taking a small Stamping Block along with Jamie Rodgers Crafts Black Panther Ink Pad, I stamped several times around the plaque.
Step 2
So as I'm sure you will agree... a bit of colour was needed!
I used a green alcohol pen for the leaves, and then a red pen from my Metallic Marker Set for the berries.
See Photo below 📸 - much better :-)
The colour on the berries is light and this is how is wanted it to look.
I then used some Cosmic Shimmer Gold Treasure Metallic Gilding Polish on my finger around the edges of the circle.
I then tied some thick string through the holes in the top.
Step 3
Creating my flowers......
Here, using Polar White Elite Card, I made a selection of flowers using the beautiful Classic Poinsettia Die Set.
📝 NOTE - If you've not come across this die set... it is not your average Poinsettia
This die not only cuts your card, but also and adds an intricate debossed pattern of swirls and stars on the flowers' petals.
Colouring my die cuts.......
Now I was recently inspired by a fantastic crafter on a Facebook Page with her ink shading technique, so I had to give it a go.....
Using the same principle as colouring with alcohol markers, I used my three ink pads (in three similar shades).
Here I used Distress Oxide Ink Pads and my blending brushes (see below).
✅ TOP TIP - Finger Daubers are also a great tool to use, giving you good control.
I shaded the die cut with the lightest ink first, and then used the middle colour two thirds and the last part with the remaing colour so it created a lovely graduated effect!
Colours used in this order :-
▪️Saltwater Taffy (1)
▪️Festive Berries (2}
▪️Lumberjack Plaid (3)
I repeated this process for all of my flowers
Now to create extra detail and dimension...
I used a Ball Tool / Embossing Tool and Shaping Pal (moulding mat) to shape my flowers and give a little authenticity.
Then I added one of my go-to products - some gold Metallic Gilding Polish to the smaller poinsettia.
Step 4
I then did exactly the same for the fir sprigs - this time using the Festive Foliage Die Set.
Again I coloured with my Distress Oxide Inks -
▪️Old Paper (1)
▪️Peeled Paint (2)
▪️Rustic Wilderness (3)
For the sentiment, I chose one of Jamie Rodgers Crafts Circle Sentiments - Happy Christmas Circle and cut it from dark green and brown card.
I also used a thin gold pen to add some highlights to the text.
Once done, I glued the sentiment to the plaque using Jamie's Clear Drying Glue.
Step 5
The final stage was to add the beautiful Poinsettia flowers and sprigs to my plaque.....
I did this using my Hot Glue Gun, for strength and speed!!
✅ TOP TIP - A Hot Glue Gun is a a great tool to use when working with MDF.
On the large flower I glued some stamens to the centre and a gem to the smaller ones.
And that is it!!! :-)
I really enjoyed this project, and was great to try out another technique from a fellow crafter...
I will certainly be using the shading technique from now on.
Have a great rest of the week and please come back next week for my next blog.
Now it's over to you... go have fun creating and I look forward to seeing your creations on our Facebook Group - Create With Craftmania And Jamie Rodgers.
Cheers everyone and enjoy your week crafting.
Take Care
Ian x
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A lovely Christmas plaque, love the colours xx