Anything but a Card; Art Journey challenge

August's challenge over on Art Journey is "Anything but a Card", so I have made a tag bookmark!

I adore this Summer Girl enjoying fishing and I had great fun playing with paints, inks, stencils and stamps  to create the background. I just had to put a bit of dimension on with the fish on the line. I paper pieced the girl so she would come to life a bit more.

Come on Everybody!

There is a fabulous challenge on the go and September is nearly with us, the last of the Summer holidays must largely be over? So please come on and play with us at Gingersnaps.

Encouraging Words Fridge Magnets

What could be more fun! All of mine are ATC size but they can range in size from 2" x 2" up to 4" X 4" and anything in-between.  There are some more guide lines below. But first if you are in the UK the magnet backing is available from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sheet-Adhesive-Magnetic-Rectangles-0-7mm/dp/B004RFEH6C/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1314206353&sr=8-15

You need to sign up by September 1st but you have until September 15th to complete them. In the UK or Europe you can send them to me (a UK address) and in the US to Ali (US address). These details will be available once you have signed up.

 Gingersnap Creations Encouraging Words Magnets Exchange 

Requirement: each magnet must be between 2”x2” and 4”x4” and include some stamping and more than one layer. 

Media: anything that will take a magnet. Magnetic sheets, magnetic strips and business card backs can be found in most stationary stores and many craft stores. 

Number of pieces: 4 unique designs for 4 unique designs 

Due Date: September 15, 2011 

Sign-up/withdrawal date: September 1, 2011 

Creative Requirements: 

Each piece needs to be original (no photocopies), but you can use whatever supplies and style you prefer. Please ensure your base is sturdy enough to support all layers and embellishments. Remember to include your name on the back of each piece - your email/blog address is optional. Finally, please make sure the pieces you send are at a level you would be happy to receive in return. 

For this exchange, please create 4 different pieces to be exchanged. 


Netty has some really fab ones on her site. A very cool and unique idea. Do hop over and take a look. If these don't inspire I don't know what will!

Here are mine to start your creative juices flowing:

Here is a link to the original post for more details: 
http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/2011/08/gcae8-encouraging-words-refrigerator.html


I am really looking forward to your creations.

Bright and Beautiful

I created this tag for the Bright and Beautiful August Creative Individuals challenge and the Gingersnap Tribute to Teens. 

I just adore this stamp. It is an image that certainly speaks a thousand words. It must bring back such happy memories to so many of us and I just felt the words fitted so perfectly with the image.

Less is More: Things that Move!

This may make you laugh. It did me! 

This CAS card started off as being the submission for the Colours from your flag challenge. But yes, I did just miss the deadline. Damn, I first thought and then I read that this weeks theme is "Things that Move". Since I had used 2 sticks before with springs, how else would they move? I decided to just add these again and voila, it would fit with this weeks theme.

Great save, even if I say so myself.

Altered Page with Stampotique 36

As you my have guessed by the lack of activity on my blog recently that we have been away for a while. It has been wonderful to come home and get inky and messy again and to just play. So this is my contribution to the Altered Page challenge with Stampotique.

I continually view youthful people and am amazed that even if they are not "beautiful" in classic terms,  there is still such beauty in youth. I thought this character was well fitted to the thought.

Waterloo Sunset: Sunday Stamper

Waterloo Sunset? Must be taken from the Bridge if it is! However it was fun playing with all my inks and this great embossing folder. Perfect for the job. It reminded me of those magical times when "Driving in my Car" and suddenly there is a most magnificent sight to behold. It does seem to "awaken the soul".


We are off for a few days soon otherwise I think I would go back and add some people into the car. Some funny cut out faces. Maybe the family. I think this would add something. I will probably do so at a later date.  Also the chrome additions to the car do not look so stark in real life., but I may go back and make these more subtle. ink the edges or something so they are more in keeping. Maybe walnut stain?
So Hels, an incomplete contribution this week but well on its journey.

Less is more: Feeling Fruity

This is the first of my postings today as I will be away then until Sunday. Fairly self explanatory. Less is more, Clean and simple: Feeling Fruity.
In real life there is more shading on the strawberry, with more variation of colour showing.
I rather liked the saying and it felt fitting with picking lots from our garden.

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.

Printing with Packaging Tutorial over on Gingersnaps

There is a printing with packaging tutorial you may like over on Gingersnaps. It is great fun to do and i really like the weathered grungy backgrounds it is possible to create.  If you are interested to read more just hop over and take a look.

This was a background I created and then used in the following piece.

Rogue Redhead: Tags

I am so behind with all my posting. I do hope I get on a better wavelength soon. 

These are some tags I made with the new Rogue Redhead stamps, which I just love. I felt they would also lend themselves to making gift tags and thought to combine them with some of my punches. It is easy to make a batch and have them ready to use when you need them.

There are loads more ideas for these stamps over on the Rogue Redhead site. Why not take a look? There are new posts regularly over there.

Bluebells in May: Laura Liddell

Avery, very quick post to show another make with these glorious stamps from Rogue Redheads. Please follow the link to read more if you are interested but do go and see what the other designers have produced. Well worth a look!

Yes I should be somewhere else instead of posting this!

Bags and Tags with Gingersnaps

This is my Bag and Tag creation for the Gingersnaps Challenge this week. The tags are self explanatory but the bag is a tea bag that I stamped and coloured and then added some sunflower seeds.

There are some wonderful takes on this theme over on Gingersnaps. It is a great challenge. Loads of fun.

Packaging: Gingersnaps

Gingersnaps challenge this week is to use packaging in your creation. As you can see I have used loads of it. Firstly I punched out the wonderful image from a celebratory Coke can. Mounted her onto torn corrugated cardboard packaging which I distressed slightly with acrylic paint. I then ran a tomato puree tube through a Tim Holtz die which I mounted proud of the cardboard. As packaging was the subject I faced the tube with it's design showing. A bar code was added. Packing string and a couple of beer mats torn a placed in the background.

There is loads more to see over on the Gingersnaps blog. Click and view.

Ferns: More Rogue Redhead stamping

Here is another card I have made with the new Rogue Redhead stamps. They are just so fun to use. I am loving them. I have written more about this card if you want to know more. Just follow the link and take your time to see what all the other designers have created with these yummy stamps too.

Rogue Redhead

Craft Room Challenge Post

This is such a last minute posting which is unusual for me to be this last minute. The reason being I have been trying to learn the art of being a lawyer and learn all about the redundancy laws. Self taught! I think I am ready for the big meeting for tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Now on to far happier and joyous happenings. I am trying to choose three items to post for the new design team at Craft Room Challenge

What do you choose?

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I decided to choose three recent makes that I am particularly pleased with.

The first is this which I created for Art Journey blog and was very pleased to be chosen as a winner in March. 

The second is a creation I made for Stampsmith and again I was a winner with this in March. The gods must have been smiling on me this month. Well it is  my birthday month. Lol.

Although this creation did not have lots of comments I still am very proud and pleased with it. I painted the big wheel and circus tent onto patterned paper. Used some simple home made stamps for the Big Wheel, painted the tent so that the stripes where off set to the actual drawn stripes. Drew the tightrope and then thought it would be fun to add some birds sitting on the end. These were stamped on. The Unicyclist was stamped, coloured, paper pieced, cut out and placed onto the rope. I have used varying sizes of mounting pads on him so that it creates an image that sticks out from the page, flat by the rope and gradated as it goes up.

This is my third choice. A birthday card I made for a dear friend who teachers Fashion in an Art School.

As you know if you have read my blog recently I just love this. I will not repeat myself as I have only recently blog it. Do have a look if you want to read more.

So what do I think I may bring to the team. I hope to bring fun and an un preciousness to my creations but are still full of life. I love to use textures, colours and painted papers. I love to explore and experiment with these ideas and a variety of elements and try to push my boundaries when possible. I often like to combine materials and stitching to my makes and be very playful. I hope that this approach may stimulate and inspire others to try new things and just have a go and enjoy stamping.

More Rogue Redhead new stamps.

Well I must admit to really enjoying using these new stamps from Rogue Redheads. It is so easy to create something fun and easy. It is like a breath of fresh air. As you can see I have had fun with this card. A simple spray, a stamped shadow and a overlaid flower simply adorned with a circle punched Hi. I drew lines around the image edges just to define it more and draw the eye in.


Take a look over on the blog and see what the other designers have created.

Wonderful New Stamps from Rogue Redhead

Shar has produced some wonderful new stamps for Rogue Redhead. They are so easy to use and really lend themselves to quick easy makes. Their simplicity are just gorgeous and there are also some very useful elements on the sheets that work so well with the botanicals. It is really worth a look to see how they have all been used. There is also a word sheet available so many sentiments can be put together. Very useful.

As you can see I have simply produced a set of postcards ready for those times a quick note needs to be written.

Simon Says Anything Goes

 

Anything Goes at Simon Says this week. So I took them at their word! I love this creation I put together. I love the colours the complete mix of materials, the eclectic mix, scraps and perforated edges, the space dyed lace. I just love it and enjoy looking at it. Talk about blowing your own trumpet. 

The stamps I used were from Creshendoh.

I do think creating your own background papers adds an extra dimension. I must get out the paints and inks and make some more. have a good old messy time again. Stocks are getting low!

Gingersnaps supply challenge: Twine

This is my contribution to the Twine challenge. The current theme over on Gingersnaps is the Wild West. I do not have any cowboy type stamps but I felt this little lad could easily have been one of the children of the pioneers who made their way out west in America. I have visions of him collecting prairie flowers and grasses as gift for his mother for Mother's day. I am sure this did not exist then but it is current at the moment so the two ideas combined.

Technique Junkies are Gingersnaps sponsors this month. I have used the Faux Barn Door technique from their Feb/ March edition of their online magazine. The base of the ornate plate is dark brown, with the dark blue on top. The technique is available through their website. You can click the link on the side panel as well.

New Art Swap with Gingersnaps

There is a great new art swap running over at Gingersnaps. Our exchange is open to all our Yahoo Group members!

In honor of National Book Month, our format for this exchange will be Bookmarks! As books take us on wonderful journeys to exotic locales, your theme will be "Travel the World". Take us to your favorite place with your art!

In order to participate in the exchange, you will need to become a member of the Yahoo Group, so that we can maintain proper communication. The membership process, including a short questionnaire, is quick and easy. Once you've requested membership, be sure to look for your questionnaire in your email and return it to us ASAP so that we can process your request!

Sign up today! We can't wait to be transported by your fabulous art!

Blogaversary Result

THE RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR 

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Cynthia Schelzig 

Well Done!

I will try to contact you but if you read this then please contact me. We have until May 6th to make contact otherwise I will use the random number generator again.