Clarity Matters Blog Tutorial: How to use the Multi-needle tools with Groovi plates

Hello hello! Grace here.

I hope this finds you safe, well and having a lovely weekend so far.

We are joined this week by the super talented Jane Telford, our good friend and Clarity Crafts Design Team Member. I will hand you over to our teacher for today…

Festive Topiary Tree

I thought for this project I would show how, by clever embossing within the perforations, you can get a very different looks to the edge. This blog will give you two similar cards by the end of it. Which one do you prefer?

Linda’s book has (yet again) been of great help when using the tools but also the blogs by Glynis have also been of great inspiration. Simply explore this blog platform for other blogs. You can use the search bar to search ‘Glynis Whitehead’.

If you have a go at it, please share it with us all on Groovi Worldwide.

This is where we are headed…

Ingredients

Clear A5 Parchment (GRO-AC-40020-A5)
Linda Williams Christmas Treasures Festive Topiary (GRO-CH-42042-03)
Deluxe Starter Kit 2024 (GRO-SK-42144-XX)
Groovi Guard (GRO-AC-40345-XX)
3-Needle Perforating Tool (PER-TO-70038-XX)
Lindas Handbook for Multi-Needle Tools Book 1 (PER-BO-70291-XX)
1-Needle Bold Perforating Tool (PER-TO-70028-XX)
Shader 1.0mm Embossing Tool (PER-TO-70002-XX)
Perga Colour Exclusive (PER-CO-70060-XX)
Perga Liners (PER-CO-70063-XX)
Colouring Essentials Kit (PER-AC-70431-XX)
8″ x 8″ Amazonia Companion Paper (ACC-CA-31662-88)
Tape Runner (ACC-MS-31065-XX)
Lightwave Led Light Panel & Cover Bundle + Free A4 Translucent Piercing Mat (ACC-LP-30566-XX)
A4 Translucent Perforating Mat (GRO-AC-40307-A4)
Picot Foam (GRO-AC-40625-XX)
x8 Gold Brads (PER-AC-70274-XX)
Ringlock Scissors (PER-TO-70041-XX)
6″ x 6″ Kraft Card Blanks (ACC-CA-31675-66)
Pinky Gray – Greetings Sticker Collection (ACC-SC-31639-A5)

Method

Step 1. Attach a piece of clear parchment to the plate mate over the topiary tree. You need space around the design to do the perforating later. I used some off cuts for this project that I already had, otherwise use A5 for each one. Start off by embossing the rectangle around the tree. Lift it off the plate and you will see you have part of the rectangle missing.

Step 2. Turn the parchment round and relocate it to complete the rectangle. Emboss the tree.

Step 3. You need to do this twice if you want to do both edges.

Step 4. I wanted to use the edge that is on Page 17 in Linda’s book. If you want to use the paper pattern, photocopy page 17 onto thin copy paper. Place your parchment front side up over the pattern (if you want to use it) holding it in place with Groovi tabs. Use the 3-needle tool to perforate the pattern round each corner and along each side but not going right to the centre. Fill in the gap by adjusting the pattern in needed.

Step 5. If you would prefer to not use the pattern, you can do this edge without the paper pattern. Keeping two needles next to the line and the third needle to the outer part, shallow perforate then move the tool one hole along and perforate again. Treat it like a 2-needle tool round the shape, only this one gives you that extra hole. Work from the corner towards the centre each time and you should find that it is easy to meet up in the middle of each line. Do both toppers the same way.

Step 6. On one of the toppers add white work to the leaves at the base and in the ribbon using the shader tool. Now use the Number 2 tool to add white work to the berries in the tree.

Step 7. On the topper with the whitework, emboss scallops with the Number 1 tool, within the perforations as shown.

Step 8. On the other topper, using the Number 2 tool, emboss dots within the perforations as shown. Make the dots generously fill the little triangles.

Step 9. You should now have 2 embossed toppers like these.

Step 10. Use Perga colours to add colour to the back of both toppers. I did both toppers the same colours apart from the berries in the tree.

Step 11. On the topper with no whitework, turn it to front side up and add the red berries using the fine end of the Perga colour pen.

Step 12. On the back of each topper, add Green Perga liner B pencil to the tree.

Step 13. Use dorso oil on a blending nib to blend the colour taking it slightly over the outer leaves but keeping it as a circle. (Pic 19)

Step 14. Re-perforate each topper. I did mine with the 3-Needle tool but if you prefer you can use the 1-Needle Fine tool.

Step 15. On page 15 in Linda’s book it gives you the cutting guide for the dotty edge but not for the other edge. I have enlarged the dotty edge and also done a diagram for the scalloped edge.

Step 16. Take each topper and follow the cutting guide to picot cut the perforated area.

17. Make picot cuts in the same direction on each side, then go back the opposite way and then make the final cut that finishes it off. Be very careful with the dotty edge as they can break off easily.

18. You should now have two similar toppers made.

19. Cut 2 pieces of designer paper that measure 3″x 5½” and attach each topper using brads. Adhere onto the front of two 6×6 card blanks to the left-hand side. Take 2 sentiments and stick onto spare paper that matches the backing paper. Trim around the sticker and stick on the card with the glue runner. (Pic 31)

20. You have now completed your project.

What an epic project. Two in one! Thank you, Jane, for kindly putting together this incredibly helpful (and easy to follow) blog tutorial for us. It’s amazing what beautiful results you can get, when you follow each step. Jane makes it easy!

For those of you crafting at home, please don’t forget to share your versions with us on Groovi Worldwide. We so love to see your versions of these tutorials! And sometimes they even make the Saturday Share blog too! 🙂

Everything that Jane has used in this particular project is available in a shopping list, HERE.

Let’s look at the week ahead of us…

Monday 25th November:
10am – In the SHAC with Barbara – Live on Facebook & YouTube
2pm – Clarity Social TV with Barbara & Paul – Live on Facebook & YouTube
Tuesday 26th November:
10am – Groovi Tuesday with Paul – Live on Facebook & YouTube
2pm – Clarity Social TV with Barbara & Paul – Live on Facebook & YouTube
Wednesday 27th November:
10am – Clarity Social TV with Deborah & Paul – Live on Facebook & YouTube
2pm – Clarity Social TV with Deborah & Paul – Live on Facebook & YouTube
Thursday 28th November:
7pm – In the SHAC with Barbara – Live on Facebook & YouTube
Friday 29th November:
10am – Clarity Social TV – with Barbara & Paul – Live on Facebook & YouTube
2pm – Clarity Social TV – with Barbara & Paul – Live on Facebook & YouTube
Saturday 30th November:
1pm-6pm – Online Workshop with Barbara – Viaduct Paper Collage (Paid event)
Sunday 1st November:
3pm-5pm – Clarity Social TV Brand New Launch with Barbara & Paul – Live on Facebook & YouTube

Another busy week ahead! We so appreciate you joining us on Clarity Social TV.

Travel gently, friends.
Lotsa love, Grace & Jane xoxo

Clarity – The Home of Art, Craft, and Well-Being.