Rebel Stampers Tag Swap

It's been a long time since I took part in the tag swap.  I vowed to be better at it this year...then missed January!

I made sure that I completed February in plenty of time!

The theme was the letter 'B'

I covered a Manila tag in Paper Artsy paper and then stamped random images over the background.

I die cut a label and stamped a Balloon image which I then coloured in using water colour pencils.  I added a brad to the bottom before fixing the label to the tag.

I had great fun creating this tag and look forward to the forthcoming months.

Thanks for looking....

Rebel Stampers Christmas Card Challenge

Yes, I know!! The dreaded 'C' word!

A challenge was set over at the Rebel Stampers to create a Christmas card each month using certain criteria.  The idea being that it will give us a stock of cards to use at Christmas time.

 I was a little slow in doing this and so did the January and February challenges at the same time!

January's challenge was to use a stamp that had not been used before. For this I used a Paper Smooch Greeting:

I decorated a card blank using Olive green paper.

I stamped the Santa image in Archival ink onto a journalling tag.

The holly wreath was die cut and added to the side of the card and the sentiment stamped at the bottom.

February's challenge was to use gilding flakes:

I covered a card blank using Crafters Companion 'The Snowman' card.

I stamped the Snowman image and covered it in gilding flakes.... I'm getting better at gilding but need more practise!

I then stamped a sentiment and added a snowflake and some bells tied to ribbon.

Well, that's 2 cards made ready for December!!

Thanks for looking....

'Feel Better' Crafting

While poorly over the weekend I was able to create very little.

I was keen, however, to use some of the stunning new Tim Holtz papers that have just been released and can be bought from The Stamp Attic.

I covered  a card blank with some of the totally yummy papers.

I then used a Wendy Vecchi Archival ink to stamp the corner image from the Stampers Anonymous Classics set in all 4 corners.

Next I die cut a deco label - firstly in green coredinations card and then in watercolour paper.

I stamped the pear image in black Archival onto the water colour paper and then heat set the image.

I then water coloured the image using Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters and Vintage Photo distress markers and a water brush.

Once happy, I heat set the image and inked the edges using walnut stain ink.

I added pleated ribbon and a sentiment to finish.

I can see that I am going to have great fun with some of the new papers and stamps and look forward to 'plating' properly when I am recovered!

Thanks for looking...

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2014 - March

I can't believe that it's March already!!

I had a go at creating Tim's March tag - although do not have the stamps, spritzer or stencil that he used!  I also created a card as opposed to a tag so that I can use it at some stage in the year.

Here is my first generation stamped card:

Here is my second generation stamped card:

I really liked the paper smudging technique.  Think I need a bit more practise though!  Thanks for looking.....

Play Day Sunday

I've been suffering from a migraine all weekend and so have barely done much crafting.  However, I still haven't shared with you the creations made during my play day with Di and Laura last week.

We had a fabulous day and created alot whilst having a good natter and a lovely lunch (thank you to Di for bringing lunch).

We decorated an art spool, a mini paper mache hanging and made a card.  Here are my makes:

Art Spool:

 Please excuse the poor picture quality!!

I started off my decorating an art spool using Prima papers and edging it with walnut stain distress ink.

I decided to go with a sewing theme so coloured cotton reels and die cut canvas die forms.

I then started to place them on top of the spool and when I was happy I glued them in place using cosmic shimmer glue.

Here is a side view of the spool. I finished by adding pleated ribbon around the edge of the spool.

I really enjoyed making this.  Though got frustrated when I needed to use a hammer to get the spool to fit together after decorating with paper!!

 Mini Paper Mache Hanging:

Here I used Paper Artsy a layer of Fresco Finish paint followed by a layer of Crackle Glaze and a final layer of Fresco Finish paint.  You can't see the crackle in the picture but it looked pretty awesome!

I then stencilled onto the canvas using paint and added some texture paste in a few places.

The images were stamped onto card and then painted before being glued onto the canvas.

Card:

After not being entirely happy with my paper mache hanging I decided to go back to what I love... that being Wendy Vecchi!!

I covered a card blank using Tim Holtz paper and stamped onto the background using Archival ink.

I then stamped the leaf border around the edge.

I stamped the 'Queenie' image onto card, cut it out and inked the edges.

I did the same with a quote and the butterflies.

I was really happy with how the card turned out....The perfect way to end the day!

So...that was my creations...here are Laura's:

And here are Di's:

I am sure you will agree that they created fabulous pieces of art!  Great fun!

Thanks for looking....