The Stampman Blog Hop

I have been looking over many of the makes from last year. It was hard to choose my favourite but I think it will have to be this one.

It is an item I made for last years One Heart One World mega blog hop to give away. I really enjoyed making it and it houses some of my favourite stamps on the frame and the wonderful Book of Life in the middle which is triple embossed to create a tile effect.

I really enjoyed last years blog hop with The Stampman so I am looking forward to being part of this years. So here is my contribution.

The Stampman Anything Goes Tag

For The Stampman - "Anything Goes Tag" I have decide to submit this Noel Tag on the lines of one of the Tim Holtz tags from last year. I hope you enjoy it.

Merry Christmas Tag

This is the last week of tags with SCD this year. We will be having a short break over Christmas to be back with vigor in the New Year. Another year sped by. So I think this tag is self explanatory and just to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and thank all of you for playing with us at SCD. It has been great to share all the artwork that has been created. I will just let you know that I will not be leaving comments for this challenge until after Christmas but I promise to catch up then.

Have a good one!

Die Cuts and 3 Colours

I am entering this make into 2 challenges. The first is a Christmas theme with The Stampman where you are to use 3 colours. Mine are red, green and gold.

Secondly I am entering it for the Stampotique challenge which is to use die cuts and punches.My die cut is the tree, the star and the reindeer. The punch I used is a hole punch which I used on metallic red card to create the baubles on the tree.

I rather liked the double meaning of the word Noel. Noel for Christmas and obviously it must be the elf's name as well.

The Magi

  

You know when you make something and although it is very simple it just brings you joy. Well this little tag is it. I don't know why it satisfies me so much but it does. I have given the Magi, the three kings, a printed acetate overlay that had to include the words "Time for Love". If you did not already recognize these little figures, it is a Stampotique stamp called 2 sticks. Ok I had to stamp one a second time to get 3 and then added crowns to make them into kings. The background, a paper scrap, left over from some Cosmic Shimmer, Glimmer mist paper I had created previously reminded me of the sands they may well have crossed while following the Star that led the way.

Looking forward to visiting your Christmas Characters this week at *SCD*  and see who you create. As ever the design team have some fab examples to start you off. Follow that star and take a look.

White Glitter with Gingersnaps

Gingersnaps this week the challenge is to use White Glitter. I decide to use my white glitter as snow and stamped this snowy scene to add it to. I love the way it actually looks as if the snow is falling from the sky.
As you may have discovered it is quite tricky to photograph white glitter to show its qualities. Photographing at a slight angle may help to catch dimension or sparkle? Try it. See how you get on. Any tips please share. I have also included a close up which may show it better.

Bling Bling Christmas Morning!

This is my contribution to the Stampotique challenge to use a bit of bling. I decided to depict Christmas morning with Moon Girl dressed in gold with her gold crown on her head. Moon Girl has a crystal gem on her heart front. Neither her crown or her gem have shown up too well in the photo. The moon is gold leaf. The present have been coloured with sparkly Sakura pens and a touch of puffy snow added to the scene.

Book Plate from the Relish Reading plate.

Here is another idea for using this stamp sheet, "Relish Reading". As you can see by all the makes on the Rogue Rehead Design blog it really does lend itself to so many makes. I thought this may be a nice addition when giving a book to someone to make it even more personal. Perfect for Christmas or Birthdays or just those giving days.

Tags and Trees with SCD

A new month and a new challenge at SCD this week. Artyjen, Sioux, has chosen Trees which may be interpreted seasonally or not, as you choose. I decided to do seasonal and have added presents and the snow flake border. All the team have created some wonderful tags. Sioux has created the most wonderful tag which reminds me of Narnia. It is so lush. It just transports me into the book.

I am sure you will create some wonderful tags. Can't wait to take a peep.

Play Date Colour Challenge 57

Theser are the colours for the 57th PDCC challenge. I decided to make a decoration for the Christmas Tree. A winged reindeer with jewels hanging from the antlers.

Christmas with Tim Holtz and The Stampman

This is a tag I made following one Of Tim Holtz's Tags for Christmas. I am submitting it into The Stampman Challenge. There is a Tim Holtz stamp in the background, and because I did not have any of his special embellishments I adapted what I had. The strip of photos are of my daughters years ago either being stars or angels in the school nativity play and one where my eldest is being a witch at one of her Halloween parties. The large black and white photo is where my older brother has struck me bulls eye with a snow ball. The December 25th I stamped onto a tomato puree tube with Stazon. Cut out, puffed out and attached with small brads. This is one of my favourite tags for all the fond memories it holds.

Magnetic Bookmark with Rogue Redheads

This uses 3 of the images from the "Relish Reading" sheet; the script background, the bookshelf and the saying from Voltaire. I have then coloured it with Inkintense crayons and water. These would make great little Christmas gifts on their own or to give along with a book.

Having made this I can say that I have actually used ever stamp on the sheet. I do not think I can say that about any other stamp sheet I have ever bought! And that is saying something.

There is more details over on the Rogue Redhead site and loads more ideas from all the other designers. A very versatile stamp sheet.

5-Pointed star with one snip

When I was about 10 years old I remember receiving a postcard from my Aunt in America. The card had an image of an of American flag where the stars had been hand appliqued on to it. She wrote that these stars were made by one snip of the scissors.

This so intrigued me and I desperately wanted to know how it was done. No one I asked knew. This was before the internet too.

It was not until my children were young and I was watching a children's TV program with them that I discovered the magic.

I have created a tutorial to share it with you, over on the Gingersnaps blog

The history behind the 5-pointed star on the American flag is interesting too. Apparently George Washington drew a flag that had 6 pointed stars on it as it is said he preferred this option. However Betsy Ross recommended a 5-pointed star. It was not favoured as it was thought it was too difficult to make. Upon which Betsy took a piece of paper and folded it. She then made one cut with the scissors a produced a symmetrical 5 pointed star. It was so impressive that the committee agreed to use her 5-pointed star on the American flag.

SCD Snow Challenge

The challenge this week at SCD is to create anything you like which incorporates snow. This gave me the opportunity to use this dear stamp of reindeer lovingly in the snow. I teamed it up with this backing paper because it looked and felt just perfect. A homage to reindeer.  

Again the last week you all excelled yourselves with your makes. I thoroughly enjoyed your interpretations on the theme numbers. I am sure this week will be just as inspiring. Hop over to the blog and see what the other designers have created!

Play Date Cafe 56

This week I have excelled myself by making 2 items for the PDDC 56 Challenge and this colourway. Thet are the sort of colours I like to work with.  Firstly....

....a sweet little butterfly girl. I am also linking her toe Hels' Sunday Stamper this week.

Secondly a more seasonal make...

Re-worked Santa

Firstly today I have re worked this Santa card. It was not feeling quite right. So I trimmed the backing card and run it through the Cuttlebug in a Tim Holtz embossing folder. Highlighted it with silver ink and distressed the edges with old photo distress ink. Added some charms hanging from the bauble and here is my second take.  I think I feel happier with it. Not quite sure?

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Here is a quicky quick make so I can join in with Hels' challenge almost at the last minute. I have become addicted to making scraplings although technically this is not the correct size. I think they should be 1.5 x 8.5 inches but folded as a card and use paint "chips" swatches. This uses paint swatches but I have deviated from the size. Another Christmas card done!

A Hare for Hels

I have been in knitting mode recently. I have been knitting small things like hats and of course this Hare for Hels as I know she has a real thing about hares. It was a good excuse to knit him and to be able to send to an appreciative friend. I love hats so at the moment I have finished a beret and nearly finished an angora little skull cap. Sound spooky but it is more hare like. LOL. The other thing about knitting hats that I like is that you only need to knit one. Not two gloves, or two socks, or two sleeves. Also I always find it more fun to start something than to finish an item. Sweaters just go on for sooooo long.

Numbers at SCD this week

This is my contribution to the numbers challenge over on SCD this week. We had some glorious contributions last week for wings. A delight to visit everyones blog! Look forward to this week!

Girly Girl Stampotique Challenge

This is my Girly Girl contribution to the Stampotique challenge. As you can see she is stamped onto a piece of old wood that has remnants of wallpaper and further distressing on it. Some of the wallpaper is really old and the bits of blue are really rich and have a powdery texture. These are layers of wallpaper from the past. I teamed her up with a half flower which reminds me of the "Loves me, loves me not" saying. No wonder she looks a bit peeved. The petals have ended on "loves me not!"