Happy Birthday

A few weeks ago I sent a card to a friend for her birthday.... and I've only just realised that I haven't shared it.

I started off by creating a brayered and stencilled background using fresco paints. I then tore a strip of this and adhered it to the bottom of the card

I stamped the butterfly and coloured it using Polychromos.  I then cut it out.

I used Darcy's new stencils and added images and backdrop to the card.

I finished by adding some of the Emma Godfrey circles and ribbon.

You may have already guessed.... but I LOVE the latest Paper Artsy releases!  And who could blame me!

Thanks for looking.....

Miniature Things - Paper Artsy Blog Challenge

I have been wanting to join the challenges for a very long time but haven't had chance.  But, while everyone went off to Stevenage today I decided to get the paints out and have fun!

The theme of the challenge is small things / miniature things.  I decided to create a mini book, which I haven't done for a very long time.  It was actually 8 years since I last created a maze book and it was nothing like this one.  I had been crafting for about 3 months and it was made using a sheet of patterned paper and no stamping!

So... the thing about a maze book is that the 3x3 inch  pages are created using 1 sheet of 12x12 paper, and then you add the covers.  There are loads of videos on You Tube so I won't bore you with the basic technique.

I started off with a 12x12 sheet of tissue paper, which I brayered with Fresco Finish paints then added various stamped and painted images.

I then created the covers using the same brayed paint technique.  I stamped and painted the images to the front page

I sandwiched seam binding in between the covers to create a tie fastening before I glued the 1st page to the cover.

Here are the pages

Oops!  Just noticed that the photo of the 1st page is upside down!  I'm planning on making some small tags to fit into the pockets at some stage - but I have a busy week at work and so won't be able to play for at least a week.  I would also like to stamp some quotes..... so many things!  So little time!

Anyway.... I really enjoyed this challenge and look forward in taking part in more.

Thanks for looking.

Inspiration From Eclectica Darcy by Paper Artsy

What can I say.... I am a HUGE Paper Artsy fan and I was eagerly awaiting their latest release.  They have entertained us all week with the new products and it hasn't disappointed.  Even though the reveal of the products started on Sunday the products were available in the shops last week.  I bought mine from The Stamp Attic.  If you pop over you will also see the fabulous stash in their clearance sale too - they are clearing out for new CHA stash.

As soon as I saw the new collection from Darcy my eyes lit up!!  They are eclectic and delightful.  You can see the reveal here

Some of my work was lucky enough to be chosen for the big reveal tonight.  You can see the work created by everyone here

Here is a peak from my creation

If you hop along to the Paper Artsy blog you can see the full work and details.

Thank you Paper Artsy for bringing us great stamps time after time....and thank you Darcy for the FABULOUS designs.
Thanks for looking.

Hearts A Flutter

Last week I was lucky enough to receive the fabulous new Darcy UK stamps from Paper Artsy.  If you haven't seen them yet you can check them out Here. 

I was looking forward to using them all week, and on Saturday I had a craft day with Di and Laura - perfect excuse!!

We managed to decorate a box, create a charm bracelet and make 2 calendars - all in a days work!
Here are our creations:

Di

Laura

Mine

 For my calendar I used an old DVD that came free with a newspaper.  I covered this with a sheet of yummy Kraft paper.

I then stamped the fabulous Darcy-UK images and coloured them with Fresco Finish paints.

Easy Peasy!

I painted the box using a sand coloured paint.

I stamped a crackle stamp using Coffee Archival ink and dried this with a heat tool.

I used a honeycomb stencil and spread some grunge paste coloured with pomegranate paint through the stencil.  Again I dried this thoroughly.

I added some washi tape and pearl swirls.

Next I stamped the key from the stamp set and painted it using Fresco Finish paint.  

I stamped the hearts onto metal card using black Archival ink.  I dried them with a heat gun.  Next I started to emboss the images and give them some definition.  When I was happy with them I attached them to the box using a string glue.

Hope you like our creations.

Thanks for looking.