Hi there

Thanks for popping in. I did a demo on TV a couple of weeks ago, using a plate to make a landscape. It’s something I did many, many moons ago, and our Eileen Godwin reminded me of it recently. So I decided to get the idea back out of the cupboard – and put a modern twist on it!!

Then a few folks saw the artwork but not the demo, and were curious as to how it was done. Here, as promised, is a step by step, showing you how you, too, can make a landscape – with a plate!! And I mean a real plate ! Not a Gelli plate!!

• First things first…find a plate!
• Lay it down on a sheet of copy paper, draw around it, then cut it out. Or simply drag one of our super Japanese craft knives around the arc. Perfect.

• Next, let’s prepare a large piece of stencil card 8.5 x 11 inches. (click to find on the website)
• Place the plate mask over the large card.
• Use our low-tack masking tape to create two halves down the centre (tall cards)
• Use the masking tape to make a frame on either side and at the top. Use half the width of the tape on the card, and half off the card.
• Add a moon either side. We have mini moon masks.
• Pick two ink colours. I used Distress ink pad Tumbled Glass first. Then I think it was Villainous Potion for the purple colour.
• We will use our stencil brushes to create the sky. Simply brush right across both open areas, staying close to the edges with the purple.

• Remove the moon masks, and store back on their carrier sheet, ready for next time.
• Remove the masking tape and plate mask. Hang on to them for later though.
• Cut the card righ don the centre, to make two cards. Now you can see why we only used half the width of the masking tape on the card around the edges. Equal all round!

Now for the stamps…

I used trees from this set. Absolutely PERFECT!!! CLICK HERE to find. I’m not kidding. If you like doing landscapes, these silhouette stamps are brilliant. The birds too!

• Do one card at a time. Really easy. Let‘s use Black Archival.
• Stamp the tall fir tree into the snowy area, making sure the tip of the tree sits in front of the moon.
• Replace the plate mask on the one with the swift, then use the tip of the front tree to stamp 2nd 3rd and 4th generation trees into the background. Done x
• Next card. Stamp this tree into the snowy area, again making sure the top of the trees sits in front of the moon.
• Turn the card quickly, line up the base of the trunk, and stamp the same tree 2nd generation ink, to create the shadow. Really easy, but SO effective, right?

That’s pretty much it, except for the beautiful matching Companion Papers from the new Antarctica pad…packed with blues, teals, pinks and wintery colours. Check out the Designer Pad too – fabulous colours.

Oh, and the Embedder. I used a rectangular embedder from the standard set, and modified it to fit. Follow the photos…

• Pick the Embedder closest to the size you need.
• Make 4 pen dots on the back, where you want to see the embedded lines.
• Do 2 sides at a time. Attach the Embedder at the front with Low-tack tape, so that two sides run along two edges between the dots.
• Rub with a tumble dryer sheet, and drag the No. 2 tool the length of the sides STOPPING at the dots.
• Flip to the front, reposition the Embedder, to do the other 2 sides.
• Flip to the back and literally join the dots! 😂
• So now you know how to make ANY size Embed for ANY size centrepiece. You’re welcome 🥰

That’s it. Use our lovely PinkyGray stickers to embellish.

Mount the toppers on white card blanks made out of 8×8 white card blanks – and you have two cool cards!

We‘re off to Dulwich Gallery today, to see a wonderful Japanese exhibition. I’ll tell you all about it next week!
Love always,

Barb xxx

PS Don’t forget to check out the Clarity Matters blog. There’s another super step by step over there too today! We‘re here to keep you company and keep you creative. Because we crafters know only too well, that making things is good for the soul.

Enjoy x x x