A change of pace...and style

I was recently asked to become a member of The Artistic Stamper Creative Team and on Thursday received my first stamps from them, some of which were from the Mabel Lucie Attwell range. These take me back to when I was about 4 or 5 when I used to have the Lucie (I really want to type a 'y' there lol) Attwell annuals at Christmas.



I've tried to work differently to what I've seen done with the stamps so far and given it a bit of a scruffy distressed feel about it. I've combined Attwell designs with a flower from the Stitchels plate.





This is another one of my splashy backgrounds created with Glimmer Mist sprays and I coloured the images with Copic markers. Hoping to get a few more colours for Christmas :0)))

This card is one of a mini range I'm in the middle of creating and so will blog the others once theyre all done. The little dog is quite a cutie and my favourite in the range.

Things That Matter Most...

Over on Sunday Stampers the challenge this week is to use snowmen.

I chose this little character, 'Snowman', by Daniel Torrente at Stampotique Originals and gave him a heart to hold (the stamp image doesnt have a heart on a string, but I thought once I'd found the right rub on phrase to use (Hold tightly to the things that matter most), he needed to be holding something at least). I couldnt decide between the two photos as one showed the sparkle nicely, the other was a front shot, so I've shown both lol





I created a splashy background from Glimmermists being sprayed onto plastic sheeting then 'mopping' up the colour onto cardstock. I stamped the snowman in black Memento and coloured what I felt needed to be shaded areas in with Copic markers. I drew the heart and string in a non bleed fineline pen then attached ribbon to finish.

I think it always helps 'fix' images to their surroundings if they appear to be actually sitting or standing on a surface and not floating, so I also drew a shadow under the snowman echoing his arms.

As always seems to be the case, the photos look better enlarged, so if you need to see any detail at all, please click on the photos.

Stampotique Originals stamps are available from Carol at Stampotique Originals in the USA or Moira at Happy Daze here in the UK.

Hope you like him...thankyou for visiting x

I was so excited (Craft Stamper)

...when friends told me that this months Craft Stamper (December issue) has one of my cards on the front cover!

WHAHOOOOOOOOOO!!



This issue of Craft Stamper shows an article I put together using the Noel plate by Art Journey based in the Netherlands. Because magazine companies have to work so far in advance with deadlines, the most recent Christmas stamp images from Art Journey hadn't then been released and so I chose my favourite winter season stamp from previous releases, Noel, to create a card, a tag/decoration and a slide mailer (no glass). I also made another card using a thankyou stamp in the same style and colourway to compliment the Art Journey pieces.

Below is a sneak peek of the front of the slide mailer.



And guess what- that means I'm allowed to show a full image of my card on my blog as its on the cover!




Its an excellent issue again, filled with both Christmassy and non-Christmas articles. I hope you manage to get a copy, its out in the shops here in the UK this Friday, but those that sub are already receiving theirs.

For contents of this issue please look here.

Good things come in small packages...

...or big packages, I'm not fussy lol, as long as our postie keeps on delivering my art bits and bobs I don't mind.

Yesterday I recieved a few items from Happy Daze to play with, amongst which was this tiny box canvas. Over at Happy Daze they also have the little tiny easels to display your mini canvases once finished, but I have one of those weird aversions to mini easels (like people have to clowns or belly buttons ...ah, belly buttons, well we wont talk about those lol or woodlice rofl)...which do look really cute but are just not for me, so I turned my canvas into a hanging.

The image I used is by Lost Coast. Its called Head in Hands and is also available from Happy Daze. It looks very different once painted and coloured I think and so you can create either very dramatic 'old film' images in black and white or softer more 21century ones once colour has been added.








Below, you can see the wording on the key (Tim Holtz word key) more clearly, hence the title of the piece - (Memories)- 'All That We Have'. The light had to be quite strong to get the wording to show though and has intensified the blue of the ribbon that holds the key, making it look very stark unfortunately.



Here the photo shows the butterfly's wings a little clearer.



A decorated little stretched box canvas would make beautiful keepsakes don't you think given as a gift and at 65p each for you can't go wrong!

Bargain of the season I think!

Thanks for stopping by. :0)

Oh and Happy Hallowe'en.

Red and Green...

Well Christmas is sneaking upon us. I seem to have been surrounded by Christmas bits and bobs on my craft table since July when I had my first of many Christmas deadlines to meet, so maybe subconsciously I've been doing anything but wanting to get all Christmas-crafty for myself since then.

Recently I thought 'right, lets get all traditional and get lots of red and green out' (as a lot of my other ideas had gone against the grain this year).

So...did I get underway with my Christmas cards?

Am I busy doing my Noddy Holder impression and shouting IIIIIITTT'S CHRIIIIIISTMAAAAAAS!!!!!!!

Nope....lol

IT'S MORE STAMPOTIQUE ORIGINALS GIRLS!!

AND NOTHING TO DO WITH CHRISTMAS!! lol :0) :0)

HeeHee...





Still....plenty of time for Christmas cards....

what??!!

Only SEVEN weeks before Christmas week!!!

AGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Stampotique Originals stamps are available from Carol at Stampotique in the States or Moira at Happy Daze here in the UK.

Stampotique- Lots To Do

Over on Lots To Do is a challenge where we are asked to use paint, stamping and metal.
Here's my contribution (I admit you may need your magnifying glasses for the metal addition but its there in the form of a saftey pin :0) )

The wonderful images are by Stampotique Originals. Stampotique's range of stamps is also available here in the UK from Happy Daze, who incidentally have a fabulous giveaway on offer at the moment so hop on over to their design team blog found here..

Crafty Individuals in Autumnal colours...

The latest challenge over on Gingersnap Creations is to produce an item in Orange, Green and Brown.

I used stamps by Crafty Individuals to create an autumn feel.
The female images on the stamp plate can be cut up individually or left 'whole'. I prefer to leave as one and cut up the images once stamped, if need be as I feel it gives me wider scope.

Sorry for the late post on this challenge. I'd hoped I'd set the blog correctly to upload whilst we spent a few days away up north, but I appear not to have done so ...typical.
First time away in quite a few years so it'll take me a little time to get back into the swing of things I imagine. Could have done with another few days as I didnt get to do half of what I would have liked or visited friends and family but it was a good break.

Best get that washing machine going I suppose...booooo.

Serendipity...with wings.

Recently I was asked to join the Happy Daze design team. Happy Daze, for those that haven't yet had the pleasure of shopping there, stock just my sort of stuff *big grin* so there was no delay in accepting the offer.

I recently ordered a few bits and pieces, amongst which was, what is rapidly turning into a favourite stamp of mine, 'Serendipity'.

With this stamp I also used the central section of Tattered Angels Compass Glimmer Screen stamp, the Tim Holtz Ledger stamp and a butterfly image from Crafty Individuals.





The next piece is using the Serendipity, again with the compass, and also an ArtChix collage image.





All the stamps I've used here can be purchased from Happy Daze.

Snow business

Belonging to the team over at Gingersnap Creations really keeps you on your toes as its a wonderfully active group , something new happening all the time, sometimes with wonderful opportunities to try out stamps that you wouldn't ordinarily get the chance to use until they were released for sale.

This month Cornish Heritage Farms sponsors the site and we were all fortunate enough to receive a selection of their stamps to have a play with, amongst which was the new SL-3182WUM Swirling Snowflakes stamp which both Joanne Wardle (please check out Joannes ideas) suggested that maybe we could come up with a few ideas jointly we set ourselves a few base guidlines and a couple of hours later, voilá.

Quickmakes using a very large, what would ordinarily be seen as a background stamp, used in different ways.







Please hop over to Gingersnap Creations and check out the post which shows all the designs that we created, together.

Spicey Supply Time!

It's another Spicey Supply Challenge time over at Gingersnap Creations, this month as you may know is being sponsored by Cornish Heritage Farms, who have kindly donated a free plate to one lucky person taking part in this theme, which is 'Brads'.

Here's my contribution, one of many shown over on the blog today to give a few examples and ideas to get the old brain cells ticking over.
Those Craft Stamper readers amongst you may have noticed that the ticket in the birds beak is the image from the free stamp given away a few months ago (June issue)designed by Crafty Individuals.



I hope you get an opportunity to take part :0)

Good for the soul...

Made from scraps from this weeks crafting (sorry, those pieces can't be shown until Thursday), I sat and made this card after tea tonight (yep my craft stuff has sneaked its way onto the dining table again).

And not a single stamp used lol...its been a while since thats happened.



Was good to make something so simple with no expectations, little thought and just a tube of glue and scissors. And for it to be so pink and girly makes a real change for me, I tend to stay away from sugary stuff most of the time .

It'll make a nice little card for a birthday or a thankyou perhaps.
Sometimes crafting for 5 minutes to take the edge off the serious stuff in life makes a world of difference don't you think?

And it just so happens that this weeks Mixed Media Monday has a Pink theme and Lots To Do has a Brights theme. Just the job. :0)

Harvest Moon

Today a new Chestnut Challenge begins over at Gingersnap Creations with the theme of 'Harvest'. I have a lack of what I think of being harvest themed stamps...but I do have this- its a B Line stamp from LB Crafts, American Gothic- a farming couple complete with pitch fork, which I stamped and positioned on top of a white cicular piece of paper to create the huge moon effect you sometimes get to see, that appears to fill the horizon, a harvest moon. I've only ever seen this kind of moon once and it was like a huge flying saucer filling the sky like on the film 'Independence Day'.



Don't forget (see my previous post) that this month Cornish Heritage Farms are sponsoring Gingersnap Creations with an opportunity to win some fabulous blog candy.

This Harvest Moon card also ties in with this weeks Tuesday Taggers theme of 'Shades of Autumn', so I've entered this into that callenge too.

Diamonds...

This month Gingersnap Creations is being sponsored by Cornish Heritage Farms and I was fortunate enough to receive the Crown Jewel plate (amongst others) to have a little play with.
This evening I have been mainly playing with metal and a pad of glitter paper that I bought on a whim recently (I'm not usually a glittery person) and so put together a decorated cover for a spiral note pad with the Bling challenge over on Gingersnap Creations and also the white theme of Thank God Its Friday both tapping away at my mind.




...And more close up sparkle with an odd 'diamond' earring as an embellishment.



If you get a chance, please pop on over to the Gingersnap Creations blog where you can find more about the blog candy up for grabs donated by Cornish Heritage farms along with a really interesting interview and gorgeous artwork by Sharon Briss.

Take a seat...oh, and a crown..

As promised a few days ago, here are some sneak peeks (no full shots permitted, sorry, magazine policy...booooo, what a rotten rule) of my part of Craft Stamper's Stamping Contrast contribution featured in this months magazine out today (November issue).

I was given Empty (the chair), Hole Punched (the film negative border)and Crown by Paperbag Studios and available from Wendy at The Stamp Attic here in the UK. The blue paper I used is just listed as 'Digi downloaded Splendour', but is infact Paperbag Studios Splendour which is Digi downloaded from the PBS site.

Here you can see how I used the crown by 'hanging' it onto the corner of the chair. This is a very large tag. The ribbon of this came out quite nicely too as I stamped the crown onto blue satin.





And here is a close up shot of the second piece which is a card.



As often happens, perhaps a stamp that you are not initially drawn to can so often turn into a favourite image with lots of milage (see previous post where I gave it a totally different look) and you find yourself using it all the time.

Thanks for stopping by- I hope you get an opportunity to get a look at the magazine too to see the three other artists work that took part in the challenge, Rachel Jackson, Sharon Neill and Sue Roddis, all of whose work I greatly admire.
The magazine is available online now from The Stamp Attic.

Paperbag Studios All Hallow's Eve

(please click to enlarge image, as theres something on top of the writing that you can't really see too well otherwise)

This months challenge over on Paperbag Studios carries a Hallowe'en theme. Use any Paperbag Studios stamps to create a Hallowe'en themed piece of artwork- it can be a card, tag, 3D piece...anything you fancy making. All the challenge info can be found here(click link) or on the left sidebar of my blog.

Here I used some of the PBS digi stars and background paper by printing them out on a printer, cutting them out and mixing them amongst the stamped images.

The stamps I used are Empty (chair), various stitches from the Stitched and Tied plate and the Prestige (diamonds) stamp.

Its also worth taking a wander over to Donna Downeys blog today to be in with a chance of a very special giveaway by Roben Marie as they are sponsors.

On Friday of this week I'll be showing a few sneak peeks using 'Empty' that appear in the Craft Stamper issue due out at the end of this week.

Wish upon a .....Star

This month Gingersnap Creations are having a Random Redhead moment and have given an extra challenge in the form of 'Stars'.



I used a star shaped piece of chipboard and created multi layers of stamping and Croco Crackle (see PaperArtsy posts below for details).

The inspiration from this came from a tin of beans...the ring pull came off in my hand and I had that "oh great :0(...oh! great! :0) " moment lol



If you take part in the challenge theres a chance to win a gorgeous Stampsmith stamp.

Metal over on MMM

The theme over on Mixed Media Monday is Metal.

Here is a little experimentational/trial and error panel I made. A bit all over the place but great fun. The overall measurements are approx 5" square.

Thanks for visiting :0)

Awww its the last day...

Today's the final day for PaperArtsy's 12 Days of Christmas(see link in left hand bar). Jacqui Chimes is featured having created a very stylish and coordinated range using plates 7 and 8.

Plate 7 includes the little legs I used here to trap little elfie in the envelope lol (see, its not all hard work and no play, my youngest, Kane, and I developed this little idea when we were 'testing out' the stamps when they first arrived.You have to 'test them out don't you ;0) )



I hope you've enjoyed seeing the Paper Artsy DT's 12 Days as much as I have- its great to see all the different styles and ideas.

Its one o'clock and time for lunch...

dum, de dum de dum dum...

lol well for those old rockers amongst us that tune will be with you all day now probably (Genesis early years with Gabriel), for those that wonder what on earth I'm on about its ...

DAY 11 over on PAPERARTSY 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

featuring the following bits and pieces for your table at Christmas ..

A place card ..



A napkin ring..



And you have to have crackers :0)




and also a little notebook from me for all those last minute things that need to be jotted down (I'm still pen and paper not techno queen when it comes to reminders lol)






and a beautifully composed scrap page from the DT member who now lives in Canada, Isa Norris.

So to see Isa's work and for all the instructions on how to make any of the above, please hop on over to PaperArtsy. Don't forget the great giveaway too.

2nd post of the day- New Art Journey

The new stamp plates from Art Journey have been selling at the shop in Holland this weekend (they're not all Christmas based by the way) and are due to be launched in the morning (Monday 14th Sept) online on the Art Journey site.

All the design team have been busy creating cards etc featuring these and all will be revealed this evening at some point.

Here are a couple more of the cards I recently put together
I hope you like them.



Personally I loved working with the boy with the top hat (shown below). Not my initial favourite, but he really really grew on me as there are just so many ideas that flow when using that image. Theres so much 'milage' in this little guy and you'll definitely be seeing more of him featured here in the future. Here I stamped him twice- its not twins.



Thankyou for stopping by and taking the time to look. For more ideas and examples please take a look at the other girls blogs in the team that also received the new stamps to experiment with.

Louise
Godelieve
Liesbeth
Corine
Sija
Willy
Tineke

And just before I forget, a FlickR Pool for all the Art Journey cards etc that everyone creates ( thats 'everyone-everyone' not just the dt :0))) ) has also been set up and details can be found here along with some gorgeous examples that have been posted so far.

See you again I hope :0)

A busy 18 hours blogging ahead.

Morning!

Over the next 18 hours I have such a lot to reveal for various design teams, so please keep an eye out here for Art Journey's new designs with full images of cards I made at about 5pm and at midnight I have lots more to post for Paper Artsy's Day 11.



First off though is the heads up for Paper Artsys 12 Days of Christmas. Yesterday (oops I was out and about and missed posting) was Day 9 where I had a tag shown using more of the Croco Crackle -silver and bronze(I love that stuff, bought 3 more yesterday lol. I just need the turquise now to complete my collection).



Today is Day 10 featuring more designs from the team and another massive giveaway worth £34 to the lucky person who is drawn from the list of comments on the Paper Artsy blog for today.

An excellent afternoon...

Well what an excellent afternoon I've just had.

A month or so back my forum friend Karin mentioned to me there was a workshop at the South Stamp Show in Worthing taken by Lin of LB Crafts which would cover the Ten Seconds Studio equipment. YESSSSSSSSS!!!!

So sitting at the table next to Karin from Chrysalis forum, opposite Crafty Trog aka Alison from UK Stampers forum with our little bit of kit we'd all been given to make the example with (I was very excited, talked way too much, sorry Lin), who should walk in but Helen Chilton who's also on the Craft Stamper DT with me but I've never met..

This is what we made...its a little wrap which reveals a metal frames paper Arsty image. Sorry re poor pics, the lights fading fast.




And then afterwards went off for (another) spend up at the stand. I also think Karin should be on commission as just when I thought I'd bought all I needed, I was talked into 'you have to have this' pearl metal.

REALLY enjoyed it.

Couldnt have done it without Dave sorting out the afternoon with the kids. xx

Heres the stash of crafty items I ended up getting.Lots of metally bits and pieces, crackle and stuff to alter.




If ever you have an opportunity to take any of Lindas classes I highly recommend it. It was the fastest hour ever.
I also met a friend of 'Crafty Trogs', Jackie, who had made a card using the technique I featured in this months Craft Stamper (a couple of posts lower than this- Branching Out). That was really strange meeting someone in real life that's read my article and actually was inspired to make something. I've experienced it online but never face to face, so thanks very much for showing me it was a wonderful effect using the fern.

I enjoyed every minute. I see now why people love workshops. That was my first one ever but certainly wont be my last.

Thanks girls for a wonderful afternoon.

Crafty Individuals cube...

A few weeks ago I landed myself what I call 'a rait bargeen' ( or a rather good deal to those that don't do, whats known in Brighton, as 'Norf-speak' (North-speak)...I'm a northerner living down south and you never lose that accent when a good deal is to be had lol. This bargain was a huge set of wooden blocks.

So on receiving the recent Crafty Individuals images to have a play with I took one of the blocks and turned it into something much prettier I felt.





oh...and this is how the block started out...
I have to admit, I do find the little bee rather cute heehee.



I thought this would suit this weeks Wednesday Stamper Open theme this week and the Small World of Inchies and Twinchies (as the block is a two inch cube and the starting place for this was actually the button on the top.)

New Art Journey Sneak Peeks!

At the weekend Art Journey will be releasing the new Art Journey range at the shop in Sleen in Holland (Netherlands). After the weekend the stamp plates will be available online.

Here are a few sneak peeks...







I really enjoyed working with this new range. So easy. And isnt it always the way that the one you are not sure of what to create with it ends up being your favourite.

I'll reveal the full images at the weekend x

******

ALSO, PAPER ARTSY!

And don't forget to pop over to PaperArtsy for another quick Christmas fix with the latest in the 12 Days of Christmas.
Today Joanne Wardle has Day 6 using a gorgeous fairy plate showing some beautiful delicate quickmakes. I have to admit, this plate is my favourite of the Paper Artsy recent releases.

PaperArtsy Day 4...oooo its my turn!

Day four on PaperArtsy's 12 Days of Christmas.
Its my first appearance on the 12 Days and for this I had a party invitation plate to work with.

PaperArtsy are also stocking the Croco Crackling Colour and so I HAD to try that out!

First of all I stamped out the little character onto white card and drew a pair of legs to match :0)and lay it onto a covered circular beermat (thanks Joanne for the beermat stash)




Brushed bronze Croco Crackle over red card.



Once dry decided to use a circular card (I use the die remain to figure out where to cut out)








Coloured and played around a bit with the composition.



Matt and layered, added a few extras ...





and Da-Daaaaaaaaa!








Also again today is Julie and Joanne, so don't forget to check out their ideas too and leave a comment on the PaperArtsy blog to be in with a chance of winning the free plates.

PaperArtsy Day 3 and Giveaway!

Its the turn of Linda (Lin) Brown of LBCrafts fame to step onto the main podium today at PaperArtsy's 12 Days of Christmas showing wonderful contributions for Day 3, along with fabulous extras from Julie and Leandra.

Leandra also says (which I forgot to mention in previous posts due to the excitement of it all happening) -

PaperArtsy Blog Giveaway: Please leave a comment and we’ll randomly draw a name to win Nut and Meg Plates 3 and Nut and Meg Plate 6 on EZ Mount worth £18.80. This offer ends midnight GMT the day of this posting (06 Sept 2009), and is open to all players worldwide.

Hop on over to the PaperArtsy blog, soak in the ideas and join in the draw!

(I'm off to prep my post to upload for Day 4 as thats meeeeeee :0) )

Branching Out

Its that time again - the new and improved smooth feely copy of Craft Stamper will now be on the shelves.

This month I have a very cheap masking technique published...

Here's what triggered the initial inspiration for the three pieces I put together for this months article- Dave trimming the hedge at the side of the house.



And here are a couple of sneak peeks at the background and ideas that developed from that.



and another simple card...



Thankyou to those who already very kindly left me comments mentioning how much they liked the look of the article on yesterdays post. It's always great to hear feedback on any of the work I get published for Craft Stamper, especially as its magazine policy that we're unable to show any of the work fully on our blogs.

The plate of stamps used is by Innovative Stamp Creations and is available in the UK from Scrapz.

I try and submit varied articles; some quick makes, some more detailed, in the hope that many of the readers will see something they like or adapt to suit at some point. If you manage to get hold of a copy I hope that you enjoy the read .

*******

Don't forget, its Day TWO of PaperArtsy's 12 Days of Christmas. Today features the newest member of the PaperArtsy design team, my friend Joanne Wardle and also featuring Leandras 'partner in crime' for craft weekends, Lin Brown from LB Crafts.

Being There...

I recently received a plate from Paperbag Studios which you will see me using a great deal. Its called Stitched and Tied.



Here I have used the bow, button and stitched elements from the plate to make a contribution towards this weeks Mixed Media Monday (Stitches theme), Wednesday Stamper (Red and Turquoise theme) and One Powerful Hour (Boy or Girl theme).
Its not a 3D piece as it may appear in places. I just shaded to create more depth (eg along the torn edge).



For those that dont like to order from overseas and live in the UK, the Stitched and Tied stamps can be obtained from The Stamp Attic.

The little boy is an image from Crafty Individuals.
********
NEWSFLASH!

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!! PAPERARTSY.

You may have already seen my link on the left bar of my blog, but if not take a look over at PaperArtsy as Leandra has 12 Days of Christmas starting from today on the blog.
Today features Austrailian DT member Julie Harrington's wonderful examples using the first of the new stamp range Nut & Meg.
Each day will feature different members of the team creating samples with different new plates.
(I'm on the starting blocks for days 4, 9 and 11 :0) )

The Stampsmith at Gingersnap

Over on the Gingersnap Creations site is the latest challenge theme, Movie Stars, and also where you can see a selection of examples from many of the new dt members. This month the site is being sponsored by Estelle at The Stampsmith who has offered a prize up for grabs :0) so why not take a look and have a think about what you can submit to the Gingersnap challenge to be in with a chance of winning.

My contribution is an ultra simple example of stamping shown above using a wonderful Marilyn image(available from The Stampsmith)along with buildings, words and a bird from Character Constructions Queen of Tarts plate 10 available from The Stamp Attic.

Izzy Whizzy, Lets Get Busy

Ok...where to begin.

Its still the kids holiday time from school here at the moment so life is still very hectic.

Inbetween all the hectic kerfuffle here I've been making and stamping all sorts of things whilst at the same time being 'Mum', (most of which can't be shown just yet as its top secret stuff, but in the pipeline is Art Journey and Paper Artsy (soon all will be revealed) and I'm also working on the new recently released Crafty Individuals and PBS stamps. I've something very different for myself lined up with Stampotique (and very challenging). All very exciting but keeping me extremely busy. AND Craft Stamper magazine is due out at the end of this week- I have an article using a fab plate from Innovation Stamp Creations.

phew!

Meanwhile....back at the ranch...(ok, its a converted bungalow, but it doesnt have the same thrill factor does it lol) I've been working on more Paperbag Studios. Have you managed to check out the challenges yet? If you have some PBS stamps you should hop on over there and give the challenges each month a whirl. Theres a prize- and as the saying goes, you have to be in it to win it. Whats to lose?



Here it is closer in. Still not too clear really as there's a lot of texture and detail that just disppears on a small scale- (please click on the image for a larger view if need be.)
Its a hanging on an old piece of ripped cardboard (echoing the corrogated digi elements I printed and cut out) using lots of collage pieces and stamping all from Paperbag Studios.



This piece also ties in nicely with this weeks Lots to Do challenge which is Words. I have a phrase and foreign words on the tree :0)

Lots to blog this week I think so keep an eye open if you are passing by. Thanks for popping in.

Gingersnap Creations Team

A few of you may have noticed the link to Gingersnap Creations blog over the month or two on my blog? Well for those that haven't its a blog that has a constant flow of challenges and inspiration throughout the week run by Shar and Ali from the USA.

Recently there was a DT call on there and I'm delighted to say I was fortunate enough to be chosen as one of the team for the initial 6 months requirement. Its the first DT for the group and a wonderful cross section of talent which I'm very pleased to belong to.





Here are links to the artists listed above (isn't it a fantastic idea of Shar's, above, as a means to illustrate the team- theres more info on the Gingersnap blog- well worth checking out)

Founding Femmes ...

Ali Manning

Sharon Briss



Design Team...

Joanne Wardle (UK)

Debby Boltman (USA)

Elina Koutsouradi (Greece)

Erika Taylor (Canada)

Hels Sheridan (UK)

Jean Franks Beck (USA)

Laura Liddell (UK)

Paula Whittaker (UK)


Contributing artist...

Lynn Stevens (USA)

Please take a look at the challenges that appear over there if you are looking to stretch your creativity. Well worth it.

On the count of three....

Over on Paperbag Studios blog is the August stamp challenge where Design Team member Marilyn Rock has created inspirational piece which illustrates this months theme, 'Mix and Match' which is as follows:

Details: The challenge is to choose two (PBS) stamp sheets and choose two stamps from each set and merge them into one piece that creates a definite message or feel! Upload your submission to your blog or PBS gallery and comment here with a link to your creation!!!

Sooooooooo, I took a stamp I've never used before, The Looking from the Delight plate and the Diamonds stamp from Dreamer plate...


I think on a 'non challenge no requirements to meet' day this could stand as it is quite well I think for a quickmake.

Then I needed to introduce two other stamps from the same plates as previously mentioned and transform and merge together to create a different feel- so I used my favourite girl, 'Be Happy', stamped her onto stampbord, scratched a check pattern into the plain dress and placed her over the top of 'The Looking'.


Her upper body isnt quite sitting where it should, and her hands look a little chunky compared to her face, but its certainly transformed the piece into a much happier one.



Finally, I tweaked and coloured areas, added little diamonds and punched flowers, finishing with the final stamp required to meet the 2 plus 2 line up, which is in my case 'Spiral Bound', again from Dreamer plate. I attempted to change the arm a little to try and merge the two together more.

Looking at the three stages, the initial one is more like a card design and the final stage has more of a journal page look about it.
Not sure about it looking at it here on screen, but in RL its so much more 'alive'and the clarity is better. Might take another photo tomorrow in the daylight.

If you have a couple of PBS plates then why not take the opportunity to play along? :0)

Also I've linked this piece to Gingersnap Creations theme GC18 which is Happiness. This theme closes at the end of the month.

Also this weeks Lots to Do challenge theme is Paper Craze and as I stamped onto French book text (thankyou Joanne ;0) ) I thought it would be suitable.

Eclectic Citrus

One of the current themes over at Gingersnap Creations is Citrus. A colourway I would never think to use or attempt if left to my own devices. Thats what I love about a good challenge, I think it should really stretch your thoughts and take your designs out of your comfort zone as it did for me here with this colour combinations.



All stamps used are by Paper Artsy and are taken from their Eclectic range (plates 2 and 4), which I stamped randomly to create a hectic 'voices' background.

Look at those knees....

Over on Gingersnap Creations amongst their wonderful selection of challenges, I spotted the printed paper post by Alison Manning. So simple yet very eye catching.
I was thinking about this post all day yesterday as I just seem to have drawers full of pre printed paper, most of which hasnt seen daylight for years as I only tend to use plain colours, it seems, lately and stamp onto them. So I went on a pretty paper hunt this morning and discovered one of those pieces that I bought during my first year of crafting that I used to just look at, stroke and put away again ....yeah I know, how do I manage to stroke paper and/or craft wearing my 'special jacket' that has extra long sleeves that fastens at the back lol(admit it, I bet you had 'best paper not for using....(ever!)....in those early days :0)

Heres what I came up with....



This three panel folded card is made from matting and layering preprinted paper and stamping/colouring this fab little girl, who is called Marci from Stampotique), which I then folded to make a cute little quickmake.

The saying says' Somewhere on your journey, don't forget to turn around and enjoy the view'

Do you like how I highlighted her little knees with white pen...heehee



*Please click images to enlarge, thankyou*

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Craft Stamper and Stampers' Sampler

Posting on my blog seems a little sparce at the moment due to the school summer break and real life in general, so much so I didnt get time last weekend to mention my latest article in the most recently published Craft Stamper magazine.

I was given a metal pail (not that small actually, the diameter is probably about as wide as your hand is long (unless you are 7 foot tall that is, in which case it would be considerably smaller lol)-nb your hand size is the same size as your face- I learnt that in life drawing class many years ago)...anyway, where were we...pail, ah yes, so I was given this pail to transform in some way.

One Sunday afternoon my youngest son came back from a friends party and in the party bag amongst all the usual bits and bobs was a tub of bubbles. I managed to capture one or two photos (ok ok it was nearer 20 lol) as you never know when a bubble picture will come in handy....and voilá!....The pail photo frame was born.




Here are a couple of sneak pics of the finished item (to see the whole thing you'll have to get a look at the magazine as I'm not allowed to show the pail in its entirity), but I was very pleased with the outcome as it was something a little different for me...almost scrapbooky. *gulp*








The stamps used were all Crafty Individuals from their Blossoms plate.

Below is the image of the issue you should look out for to see that article and lots more ideas from the Craft Stamper team.



This month I also appeared in Stampington's Stampers' Sampler in the Deconstructed Stamping feature that they began last month.




Coinsidentally with more Crafty Individuals stamps.
This piece had already appeared on my blog and to my delight was requested by the magazine having seen it, so I wont repost but the link to the item posted previously can be found here

New Paper Artsy Mini's

Paper Artsy have just released some new additions to their Ink & the Dog Mini's range. Of all the Paper Artsy stamps, the mini ranges have to be my favourite as they are perfect for both backgrounds and main images.

Above I used the splash design, Mini 57, and below I've used Mini 47, 48 and 49. The 'odd' saying used on both pieces is from Paper Artsy Eclectic Plate 2.









The central panel on this second piece is Stampbord which happens to be the theme for this weeks Lots to do challenge.

For those having a grey day...

This is a space filler inbetween programmes on ITV1 (uk tv channel). Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to do that.

Time...

After buying a few bits and pieces in Marks the other day I noticed that the tags from a couple of items of clothing were...well...for not wanting to sound like Mrs Saddo from Saddington, the best tags ever!!! lol. They are made from a mount board that wont even bend! Used as a starting point in creating 'something' I started by covering the tag with a reasonably plain paper.



And as it happens I received some new stamps in the post this week from the Craft Emporium which I thought would fill the gap of 'man stamps' that I seem to subconsciously avoid. I started of with a masculine look in mind, but failed miserably as the Artchix Studio image sneaked on their and turned it all maternal. I can't help it lol.





The theme over on Mixed Media Monday this week is " 'Charming Junk'. So think of recycling, repurposing, reusing" - a perfect theme for me and my M&S tag :0)

The theme over on Crazy Amigos is an open one (a project or a card) with a wonderful opportunity to also win some blog candy consisting of a card from each of the Crazy Amigo Challenge team plus a plate of stamps which look fabulous ( I would love to know who those stamps are by on the Crazy Amigos site).

Butterflies...

I love butterflies.

Just looking at them not touching them, as theres something a teensie bit creepy for me about their furry little bodies and their tap-tapping of their little legs. Something a little alien perhaps. I think my facination of them is the whole transformation thing from chubby little caterpillar destined to munch his way through life to then turn into the most delicate of insects being able to actually take off and fly.

What a life.

I like that quote

The caterpillar does all the work but the butterfly gets all the publicity. ~Attributed to George Carlin

Here's a photo I took of a butterfly the other week when I was wandering around the garden. Not the best photo in the world, but you can still make out the amazing detail of the wing formation. Look at those pleated wings. Incredible. Its a Gatekeeper butterfly, not one I'd actually heard of before until I did a search on ID of various butterflies to go with the write up with my photo.




I named the house Papillon (French for butterfly) when I moved into the village some years ago. All the houses here only have names not numbers unlike previous places I'd lived and as it was a new house back then I was the one left with the task of finding a name. It's such a difficult job, naming a house, that when we moved to the other end of the village recently we took the house name with us and renamed the old place. It was less stressful although a little confusing for the postman.
Even the tables at our wedding were all various butterfly names too with centrepieces and individual name plates that I made with a butterfly theme.
Heres the house name sign for our gate that my Dad made for us...made it freehand, just drew the letters and painted them in once he'd chisled the wood away.Took him no time at all. My Dads where I get all my arty side from, well, Dad and my Grandma I think.



So, like I said, I have a 'thing' for butterfiles lol.

Which takes me to a challenge I spotted this weekend. Over on Stamp Something there's a theme 'Bugs, Butterflies and Other Winged Somethings' :0) I thought that I'd have a go at decorating a chip board butterfly based around the quote "Butterflies are self propelled flowers" with the latest stamps from Paperbag Studios.

After all the natural beauty of the real butterfly, this one is very much a butterfly with bags full of artistic licence lol.Infact, more than bags...perhaps suitcases full with an excess baggage charge lol



Along with that I spotted that this weeks One Powerful Hour is Favourite colour. Now I have two types of favourite colour...one I live with in the house or that I wear, and then a favourite colour to create with. Both totally different. I wear and live with muted tones, greens, soft sea colours etc...where as my fave colours to work with perhaps have more clarity and vibrance. I LOVE creating bits and pieces using turquoises/weathered wood as it has so many fantastic contrasting colours. Here I teamed it up with purple but also love it with all the 'hot' colours to create an impact or with more cool colours ie greens/ blues for a softer piece.
I also tore the page from the phone book which lists company names that begin with the word 'Colour' lol....hard to make out under the stamping layers but its there.



I have a few more of these massive chipboard shapes. Each butterfly wing is about the size of a hand so if you place your hands together side by side thats how big they are

(I bet you are doing the hands together thing, you are arent you lol)

....anyway, next attempt I think I shall alter the shape of the wings some how. I dont really like the smooth stream lined curves on this one that much- a bit 'safe', but was fun to play at the effects I got with various inks, paint, utee and watercolours.

The stamps are all available from Paperbag Studios in the States or from The Stamp Attic here in the UK.

Anyway...congratulations...you made it to the end of the post lol...sorry for the waffle, can you tell I had a bit of free time this morning (unusual for me)so I sat chatting. Wishing you all a happy sunny weekend. Its gorgeous here on the south coast of the UK.

Its a game of two halves...

This is my contribution to a forum swap hosted by Sid in which we are given a two piece jigsaw to transform.
I just HAD to use the gorgeous image of a little girl given for this weeks Art Creations Friday (thankyou Hermine). The background was inspired by a continuation of the games theme which is "Bingo" over on Crazy Amigos, "Games We Play" over on Saturday Suprise and "Sports" over on One Powerful Hour and last but not least "Fun and Games" over on Gingersnap Creations. So thats a five in one plus a swap! :0)))







EDIT** Its just occurred to me that instead of being a tennis racket as I'd thought, this maywell be a butterfly net ....lol....oooops... what do you reckon? Maybe fishing? In which case I'm still ok on the sports front as Fishing is still a sport lol (*grasps at straws lol*)

Summertime...

Inspired by the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge theme this week of Spots and Stripes and the Bird in the Hand theme (use an image of bird in your artwork) over on the Awfully Big Art Adventure I thought it a perfect opportunity to use my new book of images(People and Places 2) and die cut shapes from Crafty Individuals and set to creating this little beach hut.




Here you can see the stamping thats behind the glitter (the crackle stamp)






All stamps (shell and crackle), seagull image and die cut frame by Crafty Individuals.

FLY...

This weeks Think Monday Think ATC theme is FLY.

Here I created an ATC using the Gate, Crown and Number stamps, all from Paperbag Studios. The bird is taken from a digi sheet by Paper Whimsy.

No place...

Here's a hanging made with a few challenge themes in mind.

As you can see I still have the inks and embellishments left out on my table from making the Paperbag Studios house the other day so theres a bit of a common denominator going on as far as colour combinations go.

This piece has a main stamp image from The Stampsmith. The words are printed out using the PC.










The theme over on Mixed Media Monday this week is to 'Play. Have fun with your art, try something different, experiment - enjoy the process. Have fun.' Well I tried but it took so many twists and turns I started to get a little frustrated with the whole thing. It was meant to be a notebook...how far removed would I like to get rofl..

The Sunday Stamper has a theme of Home...so this being No Place Like Home fits well. Hels over at SS is also giving away a huuuuuge amount of blog candy.

TGiF has Red Flowers...so this is my second piece for that (have really been influenced by that theme this week...ordinarily I would never/rarely create with red flowers.)

And last but not least, a second contribution to Wednesday Stampers 'Colourful' theme.

EDIT* Forgot to say...its another acetate piece :0) Not easy to tell from my photos.

Forever Friends...

....and believe me, the person receiving this better be just that after the trauma I went through being so neat and cute to produce this for them. lolol. The lengths you go to for a friend ay...

As any regular visitors reading this will know, I'm not a neat cuddly bear person, but seeing as I went totally beyond all comfort zone boundaries craft wise to produce this I thought it perhaps worth while to enter this into the Forever Friends challenge, which, this week is Pink, Brown and Flowers.

I used a circle of perspex as the main background and so have taken a couple of photos to illustrate this.





I'm now off for a cuppa to calm myself...I could do with a stronger tipple but its not Christmas yet lol....

Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible. ;0) heehee

Home Sweet Home...

Paperbag Studios have a new theme set for their July Stamp Challenge.

Theme: Home Sweet Home

Deadline: July 31

Details: Create your take on the “home” theme using any Paperbag Studios stamps! Upload your submission to your blog or the PBS gallery and comment on the July PBS stamp challenge post (found here) with a link to your creation!!!

Winner will be selected in early August and will receive a $10 coupon toward Paperbag Studios stamps!

My idea for the Home Sweet Home theme is a little house featuring my favourite stamp images (old and new) from Paperbag Studios. It started of with the 'Home is where the heart is' phrase is my head and developed from there.












I also tied my Home Sweet Home piece in with this weeks TGiF theme which is Red Flowers.

And to the Sunday Stamper challenge (Home theme). Also on Sunday Stamper is a mega BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY!!!

All the Paperbag Studios stamps, the Distress inks and the die cut house I used here are available in the UK from The Stamp Attic.

Colourful Wednesday Stamper

Here is another way in which I was able to use the photograph in my previous post (see here)as a background just by tweaking a few buttons here and there. You can just make out the images of the daisy/dandylion type weed flowerheads either side of the girls on their spacehoppers.
Being such a colourful piece I thought it would suit the theme over at Wednesday Stamper this week.
The main image is by 1 Stamp Dreamer who I think are no longer in business but perhaps whose stamps are available elsewhere? The numerical background stamp is by Paperbag Studios.

In the Garden...

Yesterday morning I had a wander around the garden with Daves camera to see what had grown and bloomed that would be of use in my artwork. I took a number of photos which I'll be uploading onto my other blog in the next few days, but on seeing this weeks theme over at TMTA this morning (In the Garden) I had to have a quick go at combining one of my photos with a few collage images from itkupilli.blogspot.com.

Here below is a section of a photograph I took yesterday (taken inside our poly tunnel- a few weeds inside with the shadow of grasses and twigs outside)



I had a bit of a play about with the image and produced a background that I thought could be workable.

Here are a couple of ATC's using the background created from the above photo.

Paperbag Studios New Stamps

JULY 1ST....Pinch punch and all that....

Todays the day that Roben Marie over at Paperbag Studios releases the new range of stamps.

Here are a few samples I created using only these new images.

'Li'l Pixie' card- Here I created a background using paint and then took elements from all but two of the stamps to create a collaged pixie :0)



'My Heart Flutters' hanging- I stamped the stitched flowers to cover a bird shaped die cut and then restamped onto paper that I had previously sprayed with Glimmer Mist, cut the individual flowrs out and glued onto the stamped bird. Finished off with a heart stamped wing and added bling.



'Discover' Tag- A background of Glimmer Mist, Distress ink and Adirondacks. The lower section is made by layering of the 'stems' from the heart ballons and the flower panels.



The stamps are, as always, wonderful to work with and excellent quality.

Available from Roben Marie at Paperbag Studios in the USA or ..

here in the UK from Wendy at The Stamp Attic.

TGiF Alphabet

This weeks TGiF theme is Alphabet.

Heres a little piece I put together using large foam alphabet stamps as a background onto a factory clocking in card, then heavily sanded, doodled and distressed areas. Its one of those 'playing about, passing the time experimenting' pieces I think.
The main girl image is by Artchix Studio

Spiders, Stripes and Stampotique

This weeks Wednesday Stamper is Spiders. So I couldn't not use these Stampotique Originals stamps could I, even though I'm up to my eyes in real life things at the moment :0)

Here I used Mr Stripes and the letter S for the background and Spider Girl for the main image. The main piece is mounded onto an opaque piece of acetate so I photographed it ontop of ribbon so you could see that.

The One Powerful Hour challenge theme is Stripes this week. So as the girl has striped tights and Mr Stripes is in the pic I thought this would fit there too.

All stamps used are from Stampotique. Also available from The Stamp Attic here in the UK.