Sunday, November 20, 2011

OK, OK, OK, I've admitted defeat....

....as we all knew I would.... I've started making my Christmas cards. Every year I say I'm not going to make any, cos they always turn into a chore.....but.....whilst shopping in Hobbycraft with me old muckas Kay and Michelle, I had a bit of an idea for some simple-ish cards. I mean, I know I said I wasn't making any, but I didn't mean I wasn't making ANY. Just not loads.




OK, so apollies for the rubbish photos, but here we go. Simple kraft cards, torn papers, stamped sentiment and a stamped and paper pieced focal image. Plus glitter, ribbon and the odd cherry red pearl gem. 

Success is assured! I knocked out 3 last night, I've got the kit set up next to my spot on the sofa so more can be made whilst telly watching! Hurray for Christmas cards.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Stamp Man challenge- Tim's tags- DT project.

There's a doozy of a challenge over at The Stamp Man this fortnight. You know those goooorgeous Christmas tags that Tim Holtz makes each year? Well we want you to pick one and then use it as inspiration for a project of your own!

I must admit to using several tried and tested "Tim" techniques and ideas on my tag- I dipped the tag base in distress inks that had been spritzed with water, I sploshed more water on to create an aged effect, I used Perfect Pearls and lots and lots of stamping!


The green Perfect Pearls really catch the light. I've loved this project, cos this year I'm already feeling extra Christmassy. We've been watching Christmas films with the kids (we have so many we have to start early to fit them all in, well that's my excuse anyway!), my job is more secure this year, and I've already done the major part of the pressie shopping. The plan is to relax and really enjoy it all this year. I can't wait!!!!


Lots of fibres and charms, most of which are salvaged from last year's Christmas crackers and choccy reindeers.

Right, over to you, there are some fabulous projects on the Stamp Man challenge blog to inspire everyone, along with all the rules, so have a go!

I'm going to enter this into the following challenges:

Happy Daze- explosion of colour
Fussy and Fancy- gift or anything but a card
Artistic Stamper- backgrounds
Try it on Tuesday- Wish you were here (bit of a cheat this one, but I do really, really, really wish Christmas was here!!!! I'll understand if it's too far wide of the mark, lol!)
Sunday Stampers- use pine colours (lots of pine green in the background!)


Monday, November 14, 2011

Sun and Moon.....and the Stamp Man ATC swap!

I'm hosting a swap over on the Docrafts ATC forum- Sun and Moon. The idea is that I'll swap these out in pairs.  My swaps look like this......





My favourite is the firework one- it's also my DT piece for this month's Stamp Man ATC swap. If you feel like joining in, hop over to the blog here

Now I've looked at them again, the dragon is kinda cool.......

Monday, November 7, 2011

Flirty floaty frock.

I've rediscovered this stamp at the weekend, and I looooove it!


I stamped it onto green card then paper pieced it with 2 different coordinating papers. The little Paperartsy swirl stamps round the edges is one of my best ever buys- it's so useful.

I went a bit OTT with the gems, but it does sparkle beautifully in the light :)

Sunday, November 6, 2011

ATC Challenge blog- anything goes or a Mermaid

It's time for a new challenge over on the ATC challenge blog, so if you're an ATCer, get over there. This fortnight, the challenge is mermaids or anything goes.....


This is a lovely Sweet Pea stamps that has been languishing unloved in my stamps for ages. It was nice to dust her off and ink her up.

I've painted it in with Distress Inks, and her body is sparkly- which doesn't come across well on the photo. Lots of pearls to finish her off and voila!

If you fancy being on the ATC Challenge Design Team, there's a call out at the moment. Come and join us, it's fun!

I'm going to enter this into the Papertake weekly challenge, which is anything goes, with optional added bling!

Friday, November 4, 2011

The Stamp Man challenge- collage backgrounds

Ooh, the new Stamp Man challenge is right up my street. Collage backgrounds, lots of getting inky sticky and messy :)

I altered a journal with my background. It may eventually be personalised, but I haven't done it yet, in case the recipient spots it on here......



I used Starburst stain daubers on the background, with lots of sponging through sequin waste and embossing with moonglow 2 tone embossing powder. I stuck on scraps of book pages and red tissue paper.

Over the top I stamped a gorgeous Stamp Man swirl in Aged Mahogany and then used the Tim Holtz haberdashery stamps over the top in black. The journal letters are stamped onto black card with Brilliance Moonlight White ink. I've only got a little ink pad in Brilliance White, but I must invest in a full sized one, it's such a good white ink pad.

Lots of white gel pen and some ribbons on the wires and a Christmas present is born! 

If you fancy a go, head on over to The Stamp Man challenge blog, there's a Stamp Man voucher up for grabs !

Starburst Stain daubers - Canna lily burnt orange, Sweet violet purple teal, Marigold yellow orange and Ramblin rose pink
Moonglow 2 tone embossing powder - golden pumpkin blush
Tim Holtz stamp set- Haberdashery
Aspects of Design stamps - 40 Dragonfly dreams
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad  - Aged mahogany
Brilliance ink pad- Moonlight white

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Do you art journal? Check out NaNoJouMo

Great intentions. The best laid plans. Setting myself up and all of that. I am so guilty of putting pressure on myself to achieve things and that isn't the exactly conducive to being creative. With that in mind, however, I am going to try to use NaNoJouMo to inspire some art journalling this month. No pressure. No expectations. Just an idea and a promise to myself to give a little time each day....might only be 5 minutes, might be all day.

So, NaNoJouMo..... check out DawnDeVries Sokol's fab blog for more info, or the NaNoJouMo section of her web pages. It's about being inspired and journalling every day in November- she will post a prompt every day to spark off some journalling and hopefully this will lead to some activity on my part. Not a full page every day, perhaps just a line, but something!

I'm off to a good start. I've sat and talked it through with my son, and we've both spent half an hour journalling, I've doodled and written a bit on a page with a background I made a while back. He's sat and doodled in black and white in a new journal. We've made plans for creating backgrounds at the weekend when we will have more time. We've been realistic about what we can achieve (BIG step forward for me, that), and we've had fun.

I'll post picture tomorrow I hope, but probably not every day, I'd rather journal than blog I think, at least for November.

So....... anyone else up for the challenge?