Less is More 143: Recipe: String or twine

Love string or twine and since Less is More I thought you can't get much less than this. One stamp, one length of twine.

The stamp is from a French company called KatzelKraft, if anyone is interested.

Fabric or Lace: Stampotique 122

Stampotique has challenged us to use fabric or lace this week.
Just up my street. Love working with fabric. Here I have created a fabric collage background. It is made from Silk Sari strips. Love the vibrant colours.  Finished off with a mad hessian  fringe.

Art Journey ATC time! Challenge 38

Art Journey's challenge is to make an ATC. Well ATC's are so fun to make so here is my contribution.

A Christmas ATC.

Christmas Block Script and a Christmas Bauble. Both Art Journey stamps. Both have been embossed.

Crafty Individuals October Challenge

October is the theme running over at Crafty Individuals this month.
I have decided to go for a clean and simple card hopefully with class.
Teasels always remind me of autumn and summer's end so I decided to use this stamp to depict autumn.
Although it is a time when most plants are dying back for winter there is always "hope" with the promise of life to come with the presence of seeds, pods and nuts. So this wonderful word stamp was used for the background.

Less is More 142: Trees

I love trees. So when Less is More challenge subject was trees i just had to join in.

Just love this stamp and every time I use it I love it again. It seems to stamp beautifully too. Do you find that some stamps just seem to stamp better than others?
Simple laid onto an embossed card. I didn't think much of this folder until I actually used it and then loved this too. Looks so much better when embossed. Then a flower punch used and simply highlighted with silver gems to set t off.

SDC121: Halloween

I think the title says it all. Stampotique's current challenge,

So here is one of my favourites. Spider Girl. Perfect for Halloween especially with Cone Hat on her head.

Then I thought some more and thought wouldn't it be better if she had some bats with her?

And maybe a bigger spider?

Stamps used:
Spider Girl
Cone Hat
Hearts
Swirl Stalk

SDC120: Handles, hinges, buckles, fasteners, pulls

Stampotique this week came up with a very original challenge that I embraced. I love to be stretched and this certainly made me make something I otherwise would not have done.

I decided to use a zipper as I thought this would be new, novel and unique? It certain is to me, to use a zipper in a card.

Zombie Feist: Trick or Treat?

"Well, la de frickin' dah!"

I would certainly Treat these guys rather than for them to play tricks on me! That would be just too many tricks for comfort. And then I would zip them up quickly!

I stamped the Crowd onto the backing paper first and then again onto tracing paper. This I cut out and overlaid. It makes them look even more ghostly as you can see right through them.

Hope you enjoy?

Less is More 140: White on White Christmas

                                  

After much playing, thinking and experimenting this is the final piece I came up with for this challenge, White on White Christmas with Less is More.

I have used a sycamore seed which I have heat embossed with white. A technique I think or feel is unique to me. Embossing dried leaves and things. One I first did numerous years ago. I actually gave Tim Holtz and oak leaf I had heat embossed and he was amazed by it.

The reason I used this seed head is because its shape reminded me of a mistletoe leaf. A plant strongly associated with Christmas. It felt wrong to add synthetic pearls for the berries, so I hunted for some small white pebbles in the garden. They have gone more yellow in the photo. Again I wanted a very natural backing for the group. So I cut a piece of scrim plaster bandage and damped it down to set . I loved this combination together

Lastly I stamped Happy Christmas and heat embossed in white. I wish I had a stamp that said something like "I am dreaming of a White Christmas"

SDC119: ATC's

I too love ATC's, so well pleased when this challenge was posted on the Stampotique site.
I decided just to have fun and see what came out of the play session with no preconceived thoughts.
And this was the result. Two sticks came out to play and they decided to show me where they lived.  We just had a bit of make believe time and `I was transported to a make believe world for a time. What better stress relief!

Our Street

Stampotique Design Team Call 2014 x 2

I have submitted this creation to showcase for the Stampotique Designer Team call as I feel it really demonstrates my ability to  think "Outside the Box", which is one of the criteria asked for in the brief.

Brooom, Brooom

My work is often peppered with humour. Hence the title for this piece "Brooom, Brooom". Just how a supersonic, modern day witch should travel, house and all, two broomstick powered.

Broom Broom Photoshop

I enjoy combining stamps, using two or more together and finding ways to combine them, adding hats and patterns to create characters and interest.

My work is often a bit quirky and grungy but recently I have been enjoying making clean and simple cards that have a sharp eye for design.

This is a recent example of one of my clean and simple makes. I stamped on to fabric and then free machined stitched into it to add detail and contrast. Simply attached with eyelets and a piece of washi tape and finished with a sentiment in cherry ink.

I have been an avid fan of Stampotique stamps for a long time and have been using them from my early days of exploring stamping. I first happened across Stampotique stamps when I attended a workshop with Sue Roddis, which I think was in 2007. I fell in love with them and started my collection from that day. I believe my use of them in my creations and blog posts contributed to them becoming popular in the UK as I often received comments like " What quirky stamps, not quite sure if I like these stamps or love them, where did you find them?" Over time I saw more and more people start to use them. I would link my blog posts up to where they could be purchased in the UK.

I like to try to use the stamps in an imaginative way. Thinking up new ways to use them and to think outside the box and play with materials.

I have been involved with numerous design teams such as Gingersnaps, Unruly Paper Arts, Rogue Redhead Designs and Something Completely Different. I have been guest designer for a number of stamp companies. I have had my work published in Craft Stamper magazine.

I enjoy challenges as they push you to create and challenge you to adapt and to think around a subject. I like to push my boundaries rather than copy others.

I would be proud, delighted and extremely happy to be part of the Stampotique Design Team in either capacity, the challenge team or the blog team.

LIM:Week 139 Sketch #10: Sketch

Tis week at Less is More it is sketch week.

Here is the sketch to use.

And here is my creation.

I used Technique Tuesday Stamp frames and a Paperbag Studio stamp for the face.

Coloured in the face to give highlight, definition and focus.

As it is a one layer card I will also enter it into One Layer Wednesday.

LIM : Week 138: Felt or Fabric

For the Less is More  this week the challenge was to use fabric.
I have stamped onto fabric with Butterscotch yellow and then free machined into the image to give definition and character. Simple attached with two eyelets and a piece of script tape at the bottom.
A wonderful saying using Cranberry Ink.

SDC117: Birthday Theme

This is my Birthday card for the SDC117 Challenge. 

I started with a word stamp as a background.

The Kisses ribbon was used above this.

I have used Stampotique  stamps "Framed" and "Cone Hat". I first stamped the hat onto the card. I stamped "Framed" onto Kraft card and cut out. I then  carefully cut up the sides of the hat to fit it onto the boys head. "Framed" was slid into position and stuck down.

Tag Along: Masculine

This is my entry for Tag Along: Masculine. I rather enjoy making masculine images and colours.
I have used a "Sneaker" stamp which I can proudly say is my own design. A rather iconic image. It is available from The Artistic Stamper if anyone is interested and only £3.85

Paper Artsy Challenge with Joanne Wardle

I loved joining in this challenge. I must admit I am a sucker for a good pun! And this idea tickled me.
I hope it is eligible as not all the stamps are Paper Artsy. I tried reading very carefully but could find no information as to yeah or nah.
It doesn't really matter as I enjoyed myself, which is the most important aspect.

The splatter stamp and the alphabet letters are both Paper Artsy stamps.

Less is More: Get Well card

Trust me. I did not read the brief carefully enough at Less is More! So thank you Chrissy for bringing it to my attention. I appreciate that. Here is the second take. Similar layout but this time it definitely is a one layer card!

This time the border was sponged ink through a stencil. The stamp was coloured with water colour pens and then huffed on and stamped.

Less is More 137: Get well Card

A simple get well card to join in the challenge at Less is More.

I actually do not have a "Get Well" stamp or anything similar, or least could not find one. I could have hand written or used alphabet stamps but decided I preferred the card plain and simple and I would write Get Well Soon inside instead.

Ironically I have a really dear friend who I talked to yesterday and who has come down with shingles. 

I have just picked some flowers from the garden, baked a cake and will delivery these with a home made curry in about half an hour along with this card.

Over to you Joanna?  Catch!

One Layer Wednesday 157: All about the sentiment:

All about the sentiment at One Layer Wednesday 

I can do that!

Love this sentiment and to bring it further to life I have made openings in the card to mirror the words.
There are punched openings where the love can pour through!

Again I would not have done or known about this challenge if it were not for my stamping friend! Joanna!

Tag 3. Polka Dots

Polka Dots

Since I am playing along with Joanna, it was she who led me to this challenge.

Just a quick bit of fun to keep me on my roll and to tag Joanna back!
The background polka dots is an Artistic Stamper background image.
The spotty ribbon and saying are both Elusive Images stamps.

Less is More 136: Play it Back: To Joanne

Less is More this week is colour week with Dark Green and Rust


                                    

I think this is just such an amazing photograph. I actually have it in my scrapbook of images. Those eyes tell a thousand stories and just soooo beautiful, but also haunting. And the colours glorious.

Joanne and I have been playing together and she is leading me back into enjoying stamping and blogging again.

I only wish we could share a cup of tea together, so the next best thing is to send you this.

Have a great Sunday.

Clean and simple stamping 256

Sketch challenge:    256

                                            

Again the knowledge of this challenge came from Joanne Wardle. I saw her make and looked at the challenge and felt yes, this too would be manageable. I hope Joanne doesn't feel as if I am stalking her. I look at is as if I am playing along with Joanne. Thank you Joanne for again giving me inspiration.

It doesn't take me long to get back into my quirky stride!

Old Paper and Pumice stone were sponged through sequin waste. Then stamped over with 2 different stamps. The border was cut from a paper pad...sorry forgotten the name...I am sure many of you will recognize the image.

Time to come out of hiding!

Yes, I have been a non blogger for long enough now. It is time I came out of hiding and started being active with the blogging world again. It has been a long time for numerous reasons. I was doing 3 courses last year that kept me very busy and that coupled with an unpleasant crafting experience rather took the joy out of it all for me. (some of you may know what I am talking about, but that is as far as I am prepared to go on my blog. It is all behind me now anyway.)

This change has accumulated for a number of reasons. It is a new academic year and a good time to turn a new leaf. My eldest daughter has gone off to Uni which is very emotional but also I am very proud of her and so pleased for her. Thirdly my courses have stopped temporarily so I have a little more time. But 2 weeks time I plan to continue with photoshop level 3 and web page design. We will see how this pans out. I realised a while ago a day was not perfect unless I could learn something new.
Fourthly, I want to salute Joanne Wardle, as her simple cards recently have inspired me that to start I can do simple cards, to break the ice so to speak.

So with less waffle her is my contribution this week.

Less is More 135 Use a Rubber Stamp

and you can add watercolours

So any encouragement you can give me to get me back on the road will be hugely appreciated. Saying that I am away next week so it will probably be quite then.

Thank you all you wonderful crafters.
I know 99.9% of you all are the most generous and sharing people. XXX

Breaking the Fast? And for a Friend

This is for Brenda Brown. A new friend in my life. We have been doing a series of Andy Skinner classes together and although the techniques learnt have been awesome my most treasured memory and experience of them all is getting to know and spending time with Brenda. team.. I promised I would join in the Crafty Individuals February challenge before it ended and what could be a more perfect subject matter. "For a Friend"
This is just a fabulous Crafty Individuals stamp that says so much. I have used TH's resist paper. The world sheet seemed fitting as friendship knows no miles and travels with us where ever.
I covered it in a number of layers of Picket Fence Distress Stains. Then added puddles of Mowed Grass, Lemonade and, Worn Lipstick on to the craft mat and swooshed the tag through it. I then added more Distress Ink to enrich the colours and darkened the edges.

Been very buy

I have been very bush carving a new dimension to my life and this is why this blog has been so quiet. I have been developing new skills and ventures. I am working towards starting a new business and this has entailed new skills to be learnt. I have been taking photoshop classes, attended a business course and started an amazing online course "The Art and Business of Surface Design" You can see the button on the left hand side.

My alternative blog is Flaxen Hare Designs which you can see here. Only two post so far but there is an indication of what I have been up to if you are interested? New ventures....