Sunday 25 March 2012

Sunday Stamper - Week 198 - Blackbird

I began this tag by embossing with a TH tree embossing folder.  I stamped the bullrushes & the bird onto the folder & sandwiched the tag in the middle then ran it through the Vagabond.  I did this on its side so the result was like branches and not a tree.  I then coloured the tag with several distress inks & then splashed with water to remove some of the ink.  I spritzed with Perfect Pearls 'sunflower sparkle' and stamped the phrase (PaperArtsy).  I attached the metal embellishments to a pretty yellow ribbon. 


Spring ...




Monday 19 March 2012

Sunday Stamper - Week 197 - Paper Roses



Well they're not exactly roses but I did roses last week so chose this iddy biddy daisy stamp. 
I painted the tag with Docrafts Rose Pink then stamped & embossed the Deco Lady (Stampendous) in black (My Craft Studio Meltdust).  I made a mask then overstamped with a script stamp (Artemio) then spritzed with Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls.  I inked the edges with Worn Lipstick & Walnut Stain  Distress Ink then stamped the flourish (Tim Holtz) top & bottom.  I stamped & cut out lots of the little flowers (Dawn Bibby I think - quite old), lightly inked them & attached to tag.  I added a dot of White Opal Pearl (Ranger)  to each flower.  I die cut the bird (Tim Holtz) & embossed it making an eye out of the pearl & added to the flower hair.  I embossed the butterfly (Martha Stewart punch) & attached to tag & added a couple of metal embellishements from Tim Holtz to the ribbon & a Prima Tile at the bottom above the pretty white ribbon.  Now that it's finished I can't help thinking that the flowered hair reminds me of those really old flowery swimming caps from decades ago ... he he!  I must find a photo ... 














Thursday 15 March 2012

Sunday Stampers Callenge Week 196 - Misty


My first effort for Hels Sheridan's weekly blog challenge & I think I missed the point (just realised what I said) ... yes I did use mists & spritzers but not to the extent that I should have.  I will try harder next time!  I loved making this tag & used colours that I wouldn't normally go for -  trying harder to get out of my comfort zone. 











I painted the background with Fresco paints & a 'Crafter's Workshop' harlequin mask.  I spritzed the whole tag with 'Perfect Pearls' blue patina,
pewter & biscotti.  The biscotti gives a lovely pearl sheen.  I made the butterfly as per Tim Holtz's March challenge but added blue patina instead of embossing.  I cut out the leaf branch with my Silhouette & painted with 'Fresco' vintage lace then spritzed with biscotti again adding green patina to the leaves.  I added a leaf border to the bottom of the tag.  The flowers were cut on my Silhouette with Tim's 'Lost & Found' card & spritzed with blue patina & biscotti to soften the look (I know, I know I've gone biscotti mad).  I stamped a couple of leaves behind the flowers (Artemio)  & added the hat pins then the main sentiment (Creative Expressions).  Lastly I inked up the ribbon with peeled paint & tumbled glass Distress Stain  (Tim Holtz) & added a yummy genie stone from Prima.

I soooo enjoyed doing this.   


Sunday 11 March 2012

Grunge motorcycle card

I don't make many cards for men but happen to have made several in the last week with this yummy motorcycle stamp from 'darkroom door'. 


I stamped white card with the motorcycle image and distressed the edges with walnut stain ink from Tim Holtz.  I embossed Tim's 'coredinations' card with his 'rays' embossing folder & mounted the stamped card onto it leaving a bit of a border at the bottom.  I attached a piece of Tim's 'negative' strip to the bottom with a 'screw' brad from Creative Expressions & a metal cog from Tim's embellishments range.  I attached some foam pads to the back of the 'coredinations' card to give some depth to it.  Lastly I mounted it all onto a 6"x6" piece of card from Tim's 'Lost and Found' paper pad.  Phew!  What a lot of Tim's goodies!  The overall effect is quite dark but I like it.  This really is quite a quick and easy card to do, great for emergencies!  I'm kinda fond of this stamp as it reminds me of my Grandad & Dad's old workshop in London.  Happy days!


Variations on a theme ...



Monday 5 March 2012

12 Tags of 2012 - March Tag

This was a lovely challenge.  I really enjoyed the mosaic work & know that I'll use this technique lots.




I began by cutting my tag from manila card. I didn't have the stamp but did have the wood effect embossing folder so inked this up with walnut stain ink & just sandwiched the tag inside the folder & applied some pressure.  The effect was quite good.  I then distressed the edges by inking with the same colour then scrapped the edges with a distressing blade.  Couldn't find the metal flowers anywhere (can you believe it & in my lovely tidy study!!) so cut some flowers and leaves from my Silhouette Cameo & used a mixture of 'Heat it up' verdigris embossing powder & Tim's walnut stain distress powder.  Note to self:  do not touch in future until cooled down!  Patience is a virtue.    I also embossed the head of the brad for an antique look.  I stamped the sentiment in black ink and spritzed with Perfect Pearls 'heirloom gold'.  The mosaic butterflies were fun to do (as per Tim's instructions) although I used the distress embossing powder again as I had no 'cement' powder . Looking forward to the next challenge already! 


Crop Day

What a busy weekend.  Thanks to Jackie & Caroline for a superb day on Saturday at 'The Shed'.  I will post a photo of my lovely book next week when I have finished it.  Such a lovely day.