Hochanda

Create a simple yet effective watercolour masterpiece for your loved ones with this fabulous step-by-step project by Emily Frasier, a member of the Crafter’s Companion Design Team. Step 1 Start out with a 5.5" x 4.25" piece of watercolour cardstock, and a fussy cut stamped image on masking paper. Step 2 Stamp the image using VersaMark and heat emboss it with white embossing powder.   Step 3 Use the masked image to cover the embossed image.   Step 4 Stamp two more images on the sides of the masked image and also heat emboss them.   Tips: When you stamped the two images on the sides make sure you put good pressure on your stamp. The center image has some dimension due to the embossing; pressing hard ensures that  you get a good imprint.   Step 5 Use Spectrum Aqua markers to add colour in the centre of the flower. Use a water brush to blend it outward. Step 6 Using another complementary colour to the chosen

We're thrilled that Nikki Killinger is back at Hochanda HQ next week - we loved this stunning, shabby chic key cabinet from Creativ Company so much we asked them for a step-by-step project, so you can create them too! Nikki is live on Hochanda this Tuesday 1st November at 10am, 1pm and 5pm.  Step 1 Paint the key cabinet with Chalky Vintage Look paint (1 of 2 colours in the process) two or three times. NB: light colours = several coats. Leave to dry between each coat. Step 2 Paint the wooden key cabinet once with the other of the two colours in the process. Leave to dry. Step 3 Paint the outside of the key cabinet with the other of the two colours in the process. Leave to dry. In order to achieve the slightly worn look, sand with 80 grit sand paper. Step 4 Apply wax at the end. This provides a lovely finish and protects against damp, allowing the key cabinet to be wiped with a damp cloth. You can watch Hochanda live  online , S

Hi there… Next week I am back with a Sizzix Tim Holtz inspired show. I wanted to share a quick tutorial with you using the Sizzix Thinlits Die Set Mixed Media #2. This is one of many die sets that we will be featuring on the show on Tuesday 1st November! Let me know what you think... Step 1 Die cut 3 circles.  Two the same size and one a size larger. Step 2 Take one of the two circles and die cut the mixed media flowers into the centre. Step 3 Layer the circles together. Step 4 Trim a strip of coordinating cardstock and layer onto the card blank. Step 5 Adhere the circle to the card using 3D foam pads and add a stamped sentient. This is a very simple way to use the Mixed Media dies. A great idea of course, is to use them to add backgrounds to your cards.  Add ink and paint to them for art journals or use them in your scrapbook layouts! For many more ideas and inspiration join me on Tuesday 1st November at 8am, 2pm &

Have you found a new passion for mixed media? Or want to try something new with your crafting? Well we have the PERFECT competition for you! We’re giving ONE lucky crafter the chance to win TWO tickets to the Dare to Create Live Retreat with Andy Skinner & Tracy Weinzapfel in June 2017 – worth £396 !   Dare to Create Live Retreat June 24 - 25th 2017 Holiday Inn, Coventry     What’s included with the ticket: One full day workshop, one half day workshop and Dare 2 Create Live Fabulous goody bag Demonstrations on the Saturday evening Onsite shop Refreshments, including lunch (vegetarian options available) Informal Meet & Greet with the tutors for those staying Friday night Workshop days start at 10am.  There will be a break for lunch and hot drinks/water available all day. On Saturday evening, either relax in the bar or come along to some of the fabulous demonstrations that will be available all of which are included with your ticket. If you ar

The secret is out! Kay Halliwell-Sutton will be launching the brand new Gelatos pigment sticks on Hochanda this Friday, 21st October with an incredible One Day Special!  To give you a sneaky peek of what's to come, check out this easy step-by-step project which you can also find featured in the Papercraft Inspirations magazine! The water soluble pigments in Gelatos sticks mean that they can be used either wet or dry. For this stunning sunset card, designer Cathy has applied the pigments dry and used her finger to gently blend the shades. “I wanted to create a border around my background so I masked the edges of a piece of watercolour card with low tack tape before applying the Gelatos colours,” says Cathy. “Once I’d finished blending from red through to yellow, I removed the tape to leave a white frame around the background. I was then able to stamp the different elements directly onto the background.” To create the silhouette image, Cathy inked her stamps using black i

Have you ever fancied creating your very own cheese? Now is your chance! Next week on Thursday 27 th October we’re introducing Aly Proverbs is launching The Big Cheese Making Kit on Hochanda! Keep reading to find out a bit more before the shows… The Big Cheese Making Kit came about through Ailsa's, the Managing Director, love of cheese and the curiosity to find out if she could make herself. This curiosity was triggered by a Celebrity Chef making yoghurt (I won’t name names but he lives in a cottage by the river!) She thought it looked really easy, and thought if you can make yoghurt maybe you could make cheese too? "I started digging about online and found that yes, you could make cheese at home without any fancy equipment or having to age the stuff for 5 years under your stairs. In fact, you can make it really quickly and be eating it within an hour!  I became hooked on making cheese and wanted other people to feel the same. I was always pleased by people’s react

Ahoy there! Today I want to share a project with you from the Sizzix Thinlits Die Set Ship Mates that will be featured on the Sizzix show on 27th October. I am looking forward to bringing you some of your favourite dies. Nautical themed projects are currently very popular and so I have designed a card that would also make a lovely picture for a home decor project. Step 1 Trim 3 layers of cardstock, slightly smaller than the card blank. Step 2 Die cut a circle into the centre of the white panel and create a circle frame so that the aperture is the same size as the one in the white panel. Step 3 Trim a light blue panel and adhere a strip of dark blue. Step 4 Adhere the blue panel behind the aperture using 3D foam pads.  Attach all the layers together and adhere the frame to the front. Step 5 Die cut the boat, wheel and anchor and adhere to the card.  Add adhesive stones to embellish. With dies like this you can allow them to

We’re bringing another, brand new supplier to your screens this Wednesday, 26th September! Let us introduce to you Colourist… Colourist Heat Transfer Paints are a unique range of heat transfer paints. They are applied to ordinary paper and printed onto a wide range of items using an iron or a heat press. There are 35 colours in the range including all the primary colours plus different reds, blues and browns and some really brilliant colours such as Hot Pink. The paints were originally developed for professional fabric designers but have become increasingly popular with crafters who are discovering the versatility of the paints. Unlike ordinary fabric paints, Colourist paints do not sit on the surface of the printed item, they are absorbed into it giving a professional, colourfast finish. The printing process is easy and quick and once printed the items are ready to use and washable! How great is that! On the first Hochanda shows you can look forward to demonstrations gi

We’re so excited that Crafter’s Companion are celebrating their 11th birthday (WOW!) that we’re bringing you 11 days of amazing shows from your Crafter’s Companion guests. with 5 One Day Specials, 2 Weekend WOWs, and 1 Weekday Wonder this is an event you do not want to miss...  “We can’t believe Crafter’s Companion is celebrating their 11th birthday later this month, and we’re so excited that we will be bringing you AMAZING new products, special offers and bonus gifts! We wanted you to be amongst the first to know what’s going on so you can be sure not to miss a thing! So make yourself a cuppa, sit back and relax for an amazing line-up of guests including Leann Chivers, Sheena Douglass, Debbie Shore and Fiona Clayton and make sure you tune in for the launch!”   Here’s a taster of what’s to come…  To Celebrate the Crafter's Companion birthday in style we're giving YOU the gifts! That's right, you'll receive a free gift with EVERY SINGLE ORDER!