Here's to you Amy!

It is such a great shame that Amy's life ended so tragically. What a talent and such a haunting rich voice. It always amazed me the sounds she made always seemed so natural and effortless. So today I have made a tribute to her...

This sort of evolved as I went along. Since it is memory of Amy I liked the way the tailor's dummy signifies a person yet is not actually here or real. The "lengthen or shorten here" reminded me how the choices we make in life can affect the numbers of years we may live. And the wing was symbolic of the next stage of existence, whatever that may be?

I also wanted to use items I had not used before. The embossing folder which I used on core cardstock. Once sanded a darker colour shows through. The Sewing Room die from Tim Holtz and the Sizzix wings. I must admit the embossing folders I used on the last two items have been used many times.

I decided to use this smokey blue for the sentiment. I did try a more coordinated colour but decided not only did this show up more but the colour worked beautifully with the pinks and the words needed to be emphasized.

I am actually entering this for four challenges for once. Firstly Hel's challenge was to remember Amy and to use Black from her Back to Black album.  Secondly it is for Grungy Monday as it uses both Rock Candy and Rock Candy Distress Stickles. Thirdly it is for Simon Says which is "Anything Goes" week. And fourthly for Dragon's Dream which I have not entered for a few weeks.

There is a fantastic Tim Holtz video HERE on using Rock Candy.

Stampotique: Red, Yellow and Orange

Oh goody.... Thank you Stampotique...........I am loving using these colours at the moment!

First Kiss

I love the story this picture tells. The little guy looks so embarrassed yet proud and rather overwhelmed. It does endear you to him. I had to give him big rosy cheeks in his achievement. Not quite sure how he managed to be so brave. I was toying with what title to give this. It veered towards First Love, Summer Romance but in the end I thought First Kiss was the most appropriate.

To start I used my acrylic inks (which I love by the way) onto watercolour paper. Once dry I started by stamping the Heart String and the Fence. I then used masking fluid so I could overstamp with the Tree, Marcy and Smile. I do adore Smile, he does make me smile. finally I stamped Mwah! and added bits of colour to the Heart String and Marcy and Smile. All these stamps are Stampotique stamps and are available from Happy Daze and The Stamp Attic in the UK.

Less is More Challenge: Button or ribbon

This is my button entry for The Less is More Challenge.

As less is more I think this about sums up my entry.

Hope you enjoy.

Stampsmith : Vintage

There are going to be quite a number of photos in this posting as there is quite a lot to see.

I was keen to join the Stampsmith Challenge again as I do not think I have since March. Their challenge subject this month is Vintage and I was thinking for a while what I could make. I love these images from the sheet "Life is a Balancing Act" and I just have not used them enough. I set myself the extra challenge of using this set. 

 

As you can see they are just wonderful.

 A Juggler. I added his balls to a thin piece of wire so they look as if they are in the air.

So where did I begin? My first thoughts were to look at old Circus posters. I had a good browse on Google images to wet my appetite and get the creative juices flowing. And you will never guess what i found! I found a link to a free download of a Vintage Circus Carousel courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Hey, I thought, this would be great and what fun to construct. I would not need to use the characters they provided but these great images instead.

Another Acrobat

I even used the Tightrope Walker and created a high wire for his act!

Another glimpse with a balancing act in front.

A close up of the unicyclist.

And what is even better the whole platform rotates!

Hope you enjoyed my playtime.

The Artistic Stamper: Hot, hot, hot!

This is my contribution to July Challenge at Artistic Stamper: Hot, hot, hot!

The background I have created with acrylic inks onto watercolour paper. This paper has a texture so when you stamp on it you tend to get a worn looking image, which I like. they look as if they are walking into a heat haze. Quite ethereal.

I have also punched out some hydrangea flowers as a trim. The tag has been stamped with crimson archival and Jo's Flower Cube from Stampotique.

This certainly could not be a cold image, but hot, hot, hot.

Flower Power with Stampotique

This time I thought I would make an ATC for the Stampotique challenge. I decided to use the dangling heart stamp in a different way and thought they look rather fun as flowers. As it was an ATC I could also use up scraps of inked paper I had created from early challenges.

Since the challenge was Flower Power, the time of "make love not war"' I felt the heart flowers were more than appropriate. Eerily (how I love the way this word is spelt and sounds) I also felt the hearts resembled crosses on graves symbolic with war and death.

I was quite pleased with this as I felt it looked fresh and fun yet poignant.

Art Journey Challenge: Children

This is an experiment that I was playing with, and I am pleased with the result. It has worked very well. I was using this glorious image for the Art Journey Challenge: Children

I really like this image and find it very evocative of childhood. I could not resist putting these words, from Tim Holtz,  to it either. They felt perfect. The Art Journey stamps I mainly used are from the Grunge set. A fabulous set in my mind. 

So here are some details of my experiment. I started with the Tim Holtz technique acrylic resist. You can see it HERE. I then stamped extra details, mainly from the Grunge plate, and used sequin waste through which I added Weathered Wood distress ink. The main experiment was to also stamp the image onto acetate. I have been playing with acetate a bit recently. When I laid this over the acrylic image I just loved the result. It gave back the image more detail and it also created a wonderful 3D effect to the squatting child. I was well chuffed.

Grungy Monday 15

This is my contribution to Grungy Monday this week using Tim's method that you can see HERE

My first layer on the tag was Mustard Seed. The smooshed colour over the top is Barn Red. I rather like this combo but I seem to be using these colours quite a bit at the moment. Must be getting over my low point, me thinks!

The butterflies had Fired Brick, Brushed Corduroy, Aged Mahogony and the dark purply one (old age is showing, can't remember it's name just at the mo) applied to the butterfly stamps and then the Tim technique again used. Just come to me! The purple ink is Dusty Concord.

Hope you enjoy.

Gears, Cogs and Watch Bits with Gingersnaps

What a fantastic challenge from Gingersnaps and so suitable for the wonderful images from Dezinaworld. Here I have used two. One of her wonderful tags which are works of art in themselves and I have another of her images which is the woman in the frame.

I am sure you can tell this is one of "those" Ikea frames. I am sure many people have them lurking in their stash. Well, I eventually brought mine out and decided to use it. Numerous acrylic paint daubers were applied to the large frame. Experimenting and adding until I was happy. I initially stopped when it was much darker and then decided to lighten it. Not sure what colours I used now, but quite a few. I am sure I could never repeat it.

It was then stamped with, I think, some Paper Artsy stamps. The frame is definitely a  Paper Artsy stamp and I think the watch is too? Various Tim Holtz dies were used and the railings,  hinge and key hole were given the rusty embossing powder treatment. Of course I had to use my favourite up cycled material again, my famous tomato puree tubes. Several images from The Grapich 45 Steampunk paper set and I think that is about it.

Stampman Challenge: Alcohol Inks

Here is my contribution to The Stampman challenge where we were to use alcohol inks.

The background to the image is made with alcohol inks of glossy paper. The background has been made with distress stains and further stamps applied: Splatter and Star from Stampotique and designed by Jo Capper-Sandon. These are available from Happy Daze and The Stamp Attic in the UK. The main image is one I love from Crafty Individuals. It is currently one of my favourites.

Grungy Monday on a Sunday

Fantastic technique this week over on Grungy Monday. This is one which I really enjoy. You can see how to do it  HERE.

I have used a variety of Tim Holtz stamps to create this tag. I hope you enjoy the words. I thought they were a bit of a pun and fitted this technique perfectly, since it does create an image with perspective.

Rogue Redhead and Scraplings

Some of you may remember that I love "Scraplings". A little while ago I had no idea what these were. I must admit I secretly thought they were rather an odd concept. To make such small cards. But once Gingersnaps had them as a swap challenge and I started making them I just thought, wow, I love these.

Looking at the most recent stamps from Rogue Redhead it felt that they would be perfect for scraplings. So here are just a few to start you off. They are also perfect for getting over crafting block. If you are feeling puzzled as to what to do one day,  may I suggest you just make a scrapling. I find it can really help to break down the block one may be experiencing and then leads on to other thoughts.

Why not try it sometime.

Also may I suggest you take a look at the other stamps and creations over on Rogue Redhead site.

On The Road with Gingersnaps and Dezinaworld

This is my creation for On The Road challenge with Gingersnaps. Yes I have used my favourite up cycling material which is tomato puree tubes. These have been run through the Cuttlebug and as you can see work wonderfully in this little machine with a big attitude. I then wrapped the various patterns around the frame and highlighted it gently with Stazon.

I have used various stamps from Tim Holtz and Paper Artsy and included one of the very gorgeous tags from Dezinaworld, Gingersnaps sponsor this month. You must go a look at her collage steampunk tags. There are all glorious. This one I scrunched up tight into a little ball. Unwrapped it and used walnut stain distress ink to age it further. 

There is loads more inspiration over on Gingersnaps, so why not take a look.

Simon Says and Sunday Stamper

Simon Says Stamp and Show and Sunday Stamper are again sharing this make.

Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge was to use a flourish. In the background I laid  flourish stencils down and sprayed over them wit Tattered Angel sprays. I also used stamps to add flourishes by over stamping onto the background.

For Sunday Stamper the challenge was to use Writing. I thought these words were very poignant especially as the  images depict an era where it was very difficult for women to be liberated and free to follow their dreams.

The images are some wonderful Steampunk downloads from Dezinaworld. 

Dezinaworld is the July sponsor for Gingersnaps. All this month there will be some wonderful creations on Gingersnaps using her images. There is a fab sheet of Steampunk tags that are available from her site. Really yummy. Do take a look.

Simon Says and Sunday Stamper

I am hoping this will fit for both Simon Says, "Show a Word" and The Sunday Stamper is "Words".   All the S's at least! There are some more words on the heart, which is a French script stamp from Stampotique and designed by Jo Capper-Sandon, available in the UK from Happy Daze and The Stamp Attic

The background to this tag is a very simple technique using acrylic paints. There is a tutorial I have written which you can see over on Gingersnaps.

Alcohol Inks with Stampman Butterfly

How about that! Second post of the day. I must have a temperature or something?
Here I have combined Grungy Monday and the Stampman challenge at nth hour. Grungy Monday was to use alcohol inks and the Stampman challenge to use a moth or a butterfly. So this is what I threw together. Boy does it feel good to play again! Hoping we have an unbusy weekend so I can do lots more playing.

There is a link to TIM HOLTZ DEMONSTRATING ALCOHOL INKS VIDEO

By the Sea and Scraps

I love to create these collage backgrounds particularly from using scraps of paper from past makes.

It is the first time I have used this stamp and I think she works well on this textured background. I decided as the background is so textured, she would not stamp too well, so instead stamped her onto acetate. I was pleased I was able to photograph her without a shine to show from the acetate.

I thought about adding colour to the stamped image but decided she did not need anything to detract from the background. I stitched the acetate to the tag. I always like the look of stitch combined with paper crafts and the way it has given this piece an informal frame.

I have created her for two challenges. Firstly "Scraps" with Stampotique and secondly "By the Sea" with Dragon's Dream.