Stamp Man DT- Anything goes!

I'm a bit late with my DT post for the Stamp Man this fortnight, but in my defence, the Olympics is verrrry absorbing. Plus, it was my birthday weekend, so time sort of got away from me!

The challenge is Anything Goes, so a really easy one, and an easy way to win a Stamp Man voucher!!! I went for a card, using a lovely  Stampendous Cling stamp called Butterfly post .

The stamp is so gorgeous, I just highlighted the butterfly wings and the edge of the postcard with my beloved watercolour pencils. I went for shiny mirri card and a foiled black card background.

A few black and smoky grey gems for added bling- well you can never have too much, right?

Stamp Man DT project- Bling it on!

The challenge at The Stamp Man this fortnight is to Bling it on. We wanna see some sparkle! As always there's a fab Stamp Man voucher up for grabs.

I used a masking fluid and Distress Ink technique I saw in Craft Stamper- and loved digging out that fab butterfly from the Stamp Man's Butterfly Beauties stamp plate. Of course I added lots of bling with some gorgeous little black gems- shame the photo hasn't done them justice! The torn handmade paper and other bits have been hanging around in my stash for an eternity. Good when the colours kinda come together on their own!!!

Right, your turn, get blinging!!!

Travel or time at the Stamp Man

I couldn't stop thinking about Dr Who with this challenge- time travel and all that! However, my project has nothing of the Dr about it- except that he's probably visited Paris a few times in his travels.

I used a gorgeous Stampendous Frantage stamp available from the Stamp Man here. Gently watercoloured it with Wild Honey and Ripe Persimmon Distress Inks. The gold card is punched with a Woodware ribbon slot punch, I quite liked that the sheer ribbon I chose let the gold slats show through.

The stitches round the edge are by Doodlebug and are BY FAR the best rub ons I've ever used. They were so easy to rub on and stuck really firmly, I'd recommend them. I quite like a rub on from time to time!

So the challenge details are a the Stamp Man challenge blog, and the theme is time or travel, so quite broad- there's a fab voucher up for grabs, so well worth an entry!

I'm entering this into the Simon says stamp and show- anything goes challenge.

Stamp Man time!!!! For a man.....

The Stamp Man challenge this fortnight is to make something for a man. Should tie in nicely with those Father's Day cards!!! Having said that, I've made a 50th birthday card- the brief was to include a guitar.

I used the Stamp Man classical instruments stamp plate, love the swirly bits on the guitar. The image is watercoloured with Tea Dye Distress ink and I've used some gold foiling to give it shine. The paper is 7 Gypsies and the Event tag stamp is a new to me Unity ippity stamp. Lots of gold card and matting and eyelets on this one.

Right, there's a Stamp Man voucher up for grabs, so get making and get blogging and we'd love to see what you come up with!

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

Totally Gorjuss- Something new (Event ticket stamp)

Allsorts- Happy Birthday to someone special

Tuesday Taggers- Manly theme (sponsored by the Craft Barn)

Simon Says Stamp and show one for the boys

Crafts and me- Add a ribbon

Stamp Man DT time! Favourite technique!

The challenge at The Stamp Man this fortnight is to show a favourite technique. Oh boy. I can't choose just one........

I made a Fat Page for a swap I'm part of- the theme is water and this gorgeous Fran-tage mermaid from Stampendous just fit the bill perfectly. The background is sprayed inks (favourite technique #1). She's coloured with Twinkling H20s for added shine and cut out (not exactly favourite technique #2, but I do seem to do a LOT of cutting out) then layered up with torn vellum (tearing stuff- favourite technique #3).  Finally lots of bling (favourite technique #4.....well that's pushing it a bit, sticking gems on isn't really a technique, but I do love to do it!!!)

Actually, my all time favourite thing to do is stamp, so really, that's what I'm showing with this piece- and everything else I do, really!!!

Right, there's a Stamp Man voucher up for grabs and if you haven't headed over to the Stamp Man shop online recently, you really should take a look, there's 20% off loads of things and free UK postage for orders over £20 which is not to be sniffed at.

Stamp Man DT project- Shabby Chic or Distressed

Ooh, the challenge this fortnight at The Stamp Man is a doozy- Shabby Chic or Distressed.

I made a banner! The cream ones are covered with Claudine Hellmuth sticky backed canvas- it's gorgeous stuff. They're stamped and inked with distress inks in Antique Linen and Tea Dye. The brown ones are cut from a card box. Added lace and string and buttons and I have a new decoration!

Hope you get chance to join in with the fun over at the challenge blog. There's a gift voucher up for grabs for the winner.

UPDATE: I'm really annoyed, I must have set the timer incorrectly and the post didn't publish at the right time........ grrrrrr.

Stamp Man DT- Use Vellum!

Oof, where did THAT fortnight go? Can't believe it's time for another Stamp Man challenge. This time it's to use some vellum.

I used mine as a mat for my images (the dark blue) and embossed some in my 'bug to use as a central embellishment. Jill's got gorgeous packs of vellum on special offer at The Stamp Man at the moment, so well worth grabbing a pack!

The peacock and background feathers are painted with Twinkling H20s, they've got a gorgeous shimmer to them. Might have accidentally used a bit of stickles glitter too , ahem.....

I'm entering this into Papertake Weekly's Anything goes challenge.

Ingredients list:

Woodware clear stamps- Proud peacock

Aspects of Design stamps- Butterfly beauties (sentiment)

Vellum in Navy (Bright colours pack) and baby blue (pastel colours pack)

Woodware swirly clip

Twinking H20s

Blue ribbon

Diamond stickles

Fancy an ATC challenge and swap? New theme at the Stamp Man- buttons or bows

This month's Stamp Man ATC theme is buttons or bows. I misread it and thought it was buttons AND bows...... given the choice of either usually I would have gone straight for a button, but as I'd already stuck the bow on and the button wasn't looking quite right, I've ended up with just a bow. I quite like it!

Quite a simple ATC this time, but it's such a fab image- it's a Magenta puzzle set called Butterflies, they're a great idea, lots of co-ordinating images in different shaped frames so that you can mix and match them to fit. I was playing around with my new Flexmarkers (late to the party with these, but I'm liking very much......), plus a touch of Stickles glitter. It was a quick make, but I enjoyed it!

Well, this time last week I was at the NEC, probably eating my sandwiches sitting on the floor whilst my feet went to sleep! I was sort of disappointed this year- lots of people were selling the same things, and there was nothing I couldn't have got online really. Didn't stop me from buying..... well, we'd been saving.....

Thought I'd finish off with a few ATCs, March has been a mad month, so I haven't blogged as much as I'd have liked, but here's to April, eh?

ATCs for a handbags and gladrags themed swap.

I called these the patriotic fish. He he, they make me smile!

The Stamp Man challenge- new DT project- Bingo!

Over at The Stamp Man this fortnight, we want you to play Bingo! There's a bingo card to work from- you have to make a line- vertical, horizontal or diagonal.

Green	Fabric	Polka dots
Flowers	Circle	Numbers
Swirls	Metal/metallic	Ribbon

I went for a Green-Flowers-Swirls line. 

I've made this for a lovely friend whose birthday is coming up. I think I might fill it with sweeties! The jar used to hold a big candle, I've got lots of them ready to be decorated.

Over to you! Your turn, show us what you can do.

My Stamp Man DT project- Colours of Spring

It's challenge time over at The Stamp Man challenge blog again, woohoo! This fortnight's theme is Colours of Spring/ Easter. That should be an easy one with all those Easter and Mother's Day cards to make.

I've used one of the stunning Artemio stamp sets newly in stock at the Stamp Man. They're gorgeous images and stamp beautifully. I used pencils to colour the flower image slightly, then aged the edges with Old Paper and Tea Dye distress inks. 

The edges of the card are coloured with Tea Dye distress ink, and I added pretty lilac pearls for a bit of bling!

There are lots of superb projects to look at on the Stamp Man challenge blog- my fellow Design Team members are so very talented! As ever, a Stamp Man gift voucher is up for grabs for the challenge winner.

Stamp Man DT project- texture

For this fortnight's Stamp Man challenge, we want to see you use some texture. I've got a Fat Page to show you. 

I used the free stamp with last month's Craft Stamper. Jill stocks Craft Stamper and Scrap 365 in the Stamp Man shop- always worth popping the latest copy in your basket!!

The texture on this piece comes from the mesh and corrugated cardboard behind the hearts. Fat Pages are 4x4inches square and are swapped and then usually made into little books. I wanted to add interest to this with some texture but it couldn't be too heavy or thick, so I added the impression of more texture with my background.

As ever there's a fab prize up for grabs, and we can't wait to see what you come up with!

Embellish it at The Stamp Man....

I'm having an erm sort of afternoon. Today started off in a promising manner- Mr M has a couple of days off work (twas his birthday yesterday), and as we WENT OUT yesterday, we decided to STAY IN today. The requisite chores were swiftly dispatched, we settled down to be down right decadent- which in this house means watching an over 12 rated DVD on our own. We went for the new X Men, which was very good, then Burke and Hare which was funny. 

Soooooo. Why am I in what can only be described as a meh mood?

The other 3 (husband, child one and Miss Little Legs) are all off to Tae Kwon Do in an hour or so. Love 'em to bits, but I can't wait for them to go today, and I feel guilty for it.

Ah well, shall I show you something I made instead? No point in answering, I'm showing you anyway......

This is my DT card for the new Stamp Man challenge, which is embellish it. I went for one BIG embellishment.......

I'm going to enter this into the Try it on Tuesday challenge of In the Mail- as this is a Valentine's Card that will  hopefully be in the mail to it's recipient.......

Right, I'm going to give myself a good talking to and snap out of it! Wish me luck.

For this card I used....

Aspects of design plate 62- Artistic elements

Aspects of design plate 61- Butterfly beauties

New Stamp Man Challenge- come and join in!

The new Stamp Man challenge is to use RED. Perfect for getting to grips with those Valentine's cards.....

So.....how many are you sending this year?

I used the Stamp Man Aspects of Design Artistic elements stamp plate, it's a fab one. Lots on there for arty crafters- especially you ATCers out there! 

There's also a layer of shimmer on the big heart- I used a Sakura pen, it doesn't show up on the photo, but it's there, I promise!

I'm entering this into the Crafty Cardmakers challenge- no floral embellishments.

Stamp Man end of year awards for 2011

It's that time of year again, when over at The Stamp Man challenge blog, we ask you to show us your favourite or best craft project of 2011.

I've chosen this journal that I altered as part of the collage background challenge.

I was so pleased with how it turned out, I loved the colours and the texture I managed to work into it.

So time to show us your best stuff from the year. Don't forget to grab the blinkie from the challenge blog to be in with winning the prize- and there's some fab prizes up for grabs, for the winner and the top 4!

Thank you for visiting my blog this past year, it's been lovely to have your company. I hope you'll be back for more in 2012.

The Stamp Man challenge- a new technique

The challenge this fortnight at the Stamp Man is to try a new technique. A great chance to push yourself and have a go at that thing you've always fancied trying.....

I went for embossing onto tissue paper, I've fancied doing this for a while, but hadn't come up with the right project. I had it in mind to make my Mom a little scrap book of some photos I took in her garden this summer. I just popped out one Sunday afternoon and took loads of photos on my phone and they came out so beautifully I wanted to give them to her. She works really hard on her garden, and it's gorgeous. So, I tried out my new technique on the cover.

I painted the chipboard cover with Radiant Rain daubers then PVA'd on torn strips of gold tissue paper. I swooshed over the top with a versamark ink pad to catch the raised pattern on the chipboard and the edges of the tissue paper and cover. Then I used some two tone Moonglow embossing powder which gives such a rich shiny finish.

Over the top I stamped some swirls and leaves and then finished off with sparkly punched swirls, some gold flowers which were salvaged from a hair clip, and I made the centres with coiled gold paper flowers. Lots of stickles and copper pearls to complete it and I'm well happy :)

For more information on the Stamp Man challenge click here. Don't forget there's a gift voucher up for grabs.

The Stamp Man challenge- a Christmas ornament!

Ooooh, interesting challenge over at The Stamp Man this fortnight. Didn't know what to come up with for my DT project, until Tim Holtz came to the rescue! I came across the idea for this little beauty on one of his Tags of Christmas blog posts.

It's a little battery operated tealight with a diecut townscape round it. 

Thought I'd do a quick tutorial, cos these are so easy to make!

Die cut the Tim Holtz on the edge die using grunge board or thick card. It's got to be able to bend into a circle, but needs to be stiff enough to stay up. Cut off the end house (check the circumference of your tealight before you do this, make sure the die cut will fit round it) and sponge colour with Distress Inks.

Overstamp with a background stamp- I used a favourite script stamp in Aged Mahogany Distress Ink.

Use a Versamark pen or ink pad and white embossing powder to create some snow.

Cut some lengths of beading wire and bend into interesting shapes- these will be the smoke from the chimneys.

Glue on scraps of acetate or plastic packaging for windows- the fake tealight doesn't give off heat like a normal candle, so there's no fire risk. Add the wire smoke.

Finally, use redline tape to stick the whole thing directly to the tealight.

And.... voila!

Righto, your go! Try making a Christmas ornament and enter our challenge, there's a prize up for grabs as ever! All details on the blog here.

I'm going to enter this into the Artistic Stamper December challenge, which is Christmas.

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!)

Crafty Cardmakers- recycle

Sunday Stampers- use pine colours (lots of pine green in the background!)

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.......

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

Blog candy at The Stamp Man.

What are you waiting for.......... get on over there!!!!

Click on the photo to go straight there!!!