Build-a-Wreath And I’m a Builder!

Build-a-Wreath And I’m a Builder!

Hi there.
Thanks for popping in.
Busy day here at the office;
all sorts of new plans and designs going on around me.
So I have taken myself off to a quiet place to chat to you xxxx

We are rearranging all the artwork too, 
and I was just looking at the samples which the Design Team made using our new Linda Williams Groovi Wreath Collection.
Cor. Oh to be that good at parchment art!

This is Linda’s own art, using her own designs.
Simply lovely.

There are so many elements in the collection, 
and so many possible combinations!
It really does allow for limitless expansion.

Let me show you a simple step by step I did on the TV a couple of weeks ago, using the woven wreath…

Woven Wreath

First thing is to figure out which elements you want to add to the wreath – in this case, the holly and the ribbon weave.

I used the Nested circle Plate to establish the position of the elements I want.

First position the holly clusters from the plate on the 4th or 5th circle in. Slide the large plate in over the circle plate.
Emboss the holly using the No. 1 tool
and do one either side.

This will give you the perfect position for the ribbon weave on the same plate. Simples.
Now slide the woven wreath into place and add the twigs and branches, avoiding the holly and the ribbon weave. 
This is a lot lot easier than it looks!
Using the landscape plate from the Groovi Starter Kit,
create a little landscape inside the wreath.
I LOVE this kind of artwork, where you are looking through a quasi aperture. 
(and a white colouring pencil if you want to get there faster)
for the whitework.
Next, add colour.
Pencils work well….
Spectrum Noirs, Polychromos. 
Work from the back.
Now load one of our Clarity Stencil brushes with blue ink,
(Midnight Blue Artistry Ink is a fave of mine.)
and swirl around the back.
This is what it looks like from the front.
Score at the side for a wrap around. 
Wrap around a piece of light blue parchment cut to size.
This will give you that softness in the centre.
And everybody loves a soft centre!
I added a little bling with a Stardust Sakura pen.
They are a delight to use on parchment.
So there we are.
I have said it many times:
I am no parchment expert.
I only started when we invented the Groovi System.
Don’t know the rules, but know a few good and clever women 
who steer me in the right direction whenever I ask for their guidance. 
The fact of the matter is,
you really can’t go wrong with the Groovi System. 
The grooves offer you wonderful designs and lineart, 
which you simply get in and follow!

Linda’s Build-a-Wreath Collection is perfect for me.
I really enjoy the interchangeability.
I love being able to use this bit from one plate 
and that bit from another. 

All plates are available individually, too
And they’re not just for Christmas at all!

Check out a few more of the arty samples made by our team…
Emma Burns

Josie Davidson

Dee Paramour

Linda Williams
I guess what I am trying to show you is that whether you are starting out like me, or a seasoned parcher like Emma & company,
you can get a fab result with Groovi.
Anyway,
must push on.
New walls being erected and all sorts.
We will be sure not to lean on them though,
until Dave gives us the go ahead!
Love & Hugs,
Barb
xxx

88 thoughts on “Build-a-Wreath And I’m a Builder!

  1. Hi Barbara
    Simply beautiful.
    I am just starting to use my build a wreath plates and the ribbon, banners and mistletoe ones, so much you can do with them and not just for Christmas either.
    Looking forward to watching Maria on Wednesday what more could I ask than watching her stunning demos on my birthday
    Enjoy the rest of your day

  2. Hi Barbara
    Simply beautiful.
    I am just starting to use my build a wreath plates and the ribbon, banners and mistletoe ones, so much you can do with them and not just for Christmas either.
    Looking forward to watching Maria on Wednesday what more could I ask than watching her stunning demos on my birthday
    Enjoy the rest of your day

  3. That are just so beautiful amazing art work sounds very busy at clarity towers having a sort out here to do much craft stuff never use so having clear out as they say out with old in with new how things have changed so better get back to it more space xx

  4. Hi Barbara, good decision to escape from it for a bit when it's something you can leave for others to sort out, balances out a wee bit all the times when the bad/hard stuff falls on your shoulders alone.

    I think you need to go back and look at your parchment work from last year. Maybe you've not noticed the difference, your parchment work now is pretty amazing. I love it, love your style. Thank you for sharing this, your artwork looks even better close up than it did on telly, and it really caught my eye on the telly. The close ups help to give me an idea of where I'm aiming for with a technique too. And thank you also for the colouring tips, I think the penny has dropped, at last, adding blue onto green to make it more like a holly blue. Look for the other tone (if that's the right word) in the main colour of what you are trying to achieve, and add that on top of what you have closest in colour. For other green shades adding yellow or brown I guess are other options too. The amount of frustration and time, trying to get the right shade of colour when I've used chalks in the past, and often not succeeding. Easy once someone has pointed you in the right direction, given you the concept. Thank you so much.

    You know what, I don't aspire to produce parchment pieces like the traditional parchers, really not my thing, too fussy and fancy for my brain and eye. No, I'm just happy to learn the basics as best I can, and keep it simple and clean. Groovi has allowed me to try a different craft in my way, instead of being forced to conform to the traditional way. Opened a door that was firmly closed to me because it always seemed their way or nothing. I'm not putting down traditional parchment work, not at all, it's a skill, and requires a great deal of time and skill to make a masterpiece. I'm only saying Groovi allows those of us who would like to join in the craft in our own unique ways the chance to do that. Nothing wrong in that, it would be a very boring world if we were all the same.

    Hope your room building goes well, and you have a lovely evening
    Love Brenda xx

    1. Don't often put comments on although I read the blog every day, re-iterate everything that Brenda M has written, could not have put it better, groovi is magic, traditional parchment would never have been for me as its takes time & patience
      Hope everything goes well with the building and take time out for yourself.

    2. Once again, Brenda you have said what I have wanted to say about groovi. It has certainly been a good experience learning and also incorporating some of the traditional ways too. I had tried to learn traditional parchment many years ago but there were no classes that I could find in Glasgow or Lanarkshire. I am truly thankful that Barbara has brought groovi to us so we can do it our way.

    3. You have a wonderful way with words I agree with your words of wisdom and I've got a beautiful card from you in my keepsake box hugs for and cuddles for daisy xxx

  5. I love the subtlety in the white work and find that a crayon really does help e4specially when I'm in a hurry. I am still an inky, stampy person first and foremost but I also love Groovi for the modern take on parchment xx

    1. Hi Chris – I thought of you last Thursday evening when I went to a 'Make & Take' evening at the Seasalt shop in Fowey. 2 members of their window display team showed us how to make an Owl. Really had fun! Hugs Gilly xx

  6. Hi Barbara, early today to reply to your blog.
    what a wonderful design team you have ,the artwork is amazing.
    Love your take on built a wreath is makes a beautiful results when you put the blue behind.
    I am getting there but as you say it takes as long as it takes but I am getting a result which I am happy to give friends.
    Have a good rest of your day.
    Lynn xx

  7. Hi Barb,
    I watched you do this on Hochanda when you launched the plates and loved it then, so really pleased that I've now got step by steps to help me. The design team samples are awesome as usual. I am really enjoying playing with these plates and am chuffed to bits with the cards I've made with them. Thank you very much and thank you Linda too. Love and hugs Alison xx

    1. Hi bloggy friends,
      Hope today has been ok for you all. I've been up to the eyes in acrylic paint and gesso, trying a bit of home decor – not too sure about it yet! Love and hugs Alison xxx

    2. Hi Alison, I've been inky today making our son a birthday card. I took Barbara's advice and sprayed out the inky mica colours on card and paper to use as backgrounds. Just finished clearing up!
      Snipping is going OK but I'm still not confident enough to risk it on a card, how about you? Maybe I'll do the basic line art then the snipping then everything else so I don't ruin too much work xx

    3. Hi Alison sounds like you've had fun! Just finished a big pile of ironing, just deliberating about groovi or knitting, need to finish the knitting so I think that will win. Sending hugs xxx

    4. Hi everyone,
      Not sure fun was the right word! I was attempting to paint a wooden perpetual calendar for a friend's Christmas present and believe me I was ready to throw it out of the window!!! Love and hugs Alison xxx

  8. I love what you have created with the wreath plates. They are on my wish list just now.
    I have been practicing my cutting and colouring recently and pleased with what I am doing and I have noticed small improvements as I go. I thank Emma Burns for teaching us well at Groovi Scotland and I am looking forward to going to the next one on Saturday.

    1. Hi Fiona, where does Groovi Scotland take place? Is it open to anybody? I'm making a complete dog's chewed blanket instead of picot! Glad yours is improving though. Xx

    2. Hi Fiona,
      As Chris says, you are lucky to have Emma teaching you. I was with Chris at Emma's table at Leyburn and we had a 2:1 session with her. Learned so much in such a short time. Next time you see her, say hi and give her a hug from me . Love and hugs Alison xx

    3. Lynne…..I hold the Clarity Groovi workshops in Scotland. At the moment we are at Giffnock (Renfrewshire) and Tarbolton ( South Ayrshire )
      I will be expanding in the new year to other areas as soon as a venue can be sorted.
      You can join the Groovi Scotland page on FB and I can get your details. Let's see if I can help you with your cutting x

  9. Hi Barbara
    Thank you for blogging this one, I missed how to position the ribbon bits and forgot to watch it on catch up. This really is beautiful and the addition of the sparkle is a great finishing touch. Best thing to do , stay out of the way, especially when walls are being moved!!! Have a lovely evening.
    Love Diane xxx

  10. Hello dear blog friends hope you are ok. Went out for a sort walk today to get some fresh air, coughed all the way there and all the way back! Better not start groovi yet in case I cough and loose my place! Sending hugs xxx

  11. I have to say that apart from the Agapanthus Groovi plates, these Build a Wreath plates have to be my favourites. The designs just blow me away, elegant and beautiful. Xx

  12. Beautiful artwork. I love parchment enjoying learning lots of techniques at class I go to with Maggie Craner. We will succeed both very determined. Not sure I will ever be fantastic but hopefully acceptable. It is so relaxing and Groovi is a big help. The wreaths are gorgeous. Talented ladies. xx

    1. Hi everyone – I hope that you are all as well as can be! We have got warm and damp weather here, but it's heading for colder weather towards the weekend! Love and hugs to you all, Gilly xxx

  13. This Build a Wreath set is certainly versatile and your card is really beautiful Barbara, and thank you for showing all the great work from other members of the team too. I haven't succumbed to Groovi yet but I can appreciate the beauty of it and maybe in the future… I look forward to seeing Maria on Wednesday. x

  14. The samples are beautiful. I just have the twiggy wreath plate but have Christmas images on other ones. I am still practicing my cutting on scraps but am getting better all the time. I would never have attempted parchment craft without Groovi.
    Hugs from Chris X

  15. Hello Barb, what stunning artwork, the plates are beautiful. I wish I could have them all and have the time to do them justice. Hey ho roll on retirement, when I may need to make extra money. I hope the walls are going ok. Take care. Bx

  16. I just love today's artwork. At first I wasn't sure how or where to use the landscape that came with the starter kit but I am loving what you have done with it. It has given me lots of ideas. Thank you.xx

    1. Hi Susan, yeah, I was wondering about new ways of using the landscape too. Seeing Barb's example I might try to pur a wee one in the O of Joy to the World. Worth a go I reckon. Take care and gave fun, love and hugs, Lynne xxx

  17. Hi Barb, love the landscape inside the wreath. It looks beautiful with the blue colouring too. Horrified at your news re NEC, The Bro says the model railway community are utterly fed up with the NEC too echoing others' experiences re poor facilities and ridiculusly high prices. Still, sounds like Dave's got the taste for demlishing and building walls now! Love and hugs, Lynne xx

  18. Beautiful samples and your step by step is just gorgeous. I'm still resisting the full blown groovi hit, but I do admire it. I have some very nice and useful groovi borders and fonts. One of my favourite ways is to have a parchment sentiment strip across my main design so as not to obscure the image. It works really well with the treescape stencil. Carol x

  19. My favourite is when you outlined your work in black – trying to remember if you did it in the front or the back? Will have to check out the Blog on it. If J had my way I would just colour some of the Blocjs and have them in display with lights behind them or hanging over a window! Weird I know but just the plates themselves are collectibles. X

  20. Beautiful samples Barbara. I've been having so much fun with my build a wreath plates. Can't wait to see what all the plans are for future goodies. Love and Hugs xxx

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