Stampotique Designers Challenge/Sunday Stamper Challenge

Edit:  I am also entering this piece for The Sunday Stampers Challenge which is SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW.  I have used a flower which is something old (found in some packaging from something I ordered on-line a while ago) and something new is one of the stamps and the paper which was a NEW purchase for me.  There is some fantastic candy on offer too along with this challenge so why not join in the fun.  The excitement does not stop there, as The Artistic Stamper now have a Creative Team Blog where you can join in this challenge and have more chances to win candy, pop over to the CTB where Jennie and the team have more details.

The Stampotique Designers Challenge this week is a sketch.....

.....I had an hour to myself today so thought I would get my craft goodies out rather then the ironing board LOL.

I really wanted to use these mushroom images from Stampotique by Jo Capper-Sandon which I absolutely love, anything nature themed really appeals to me, probably because I love my garden so much.

The mushrooms are stamped with StazOn timber brown ink onto Bazzill card and then again onto text from a gardening book. I love the fact that part of the text I picked up from the book says umbrella-shaped, very apt for this image I feel.  I have used a Martha Stewart punch for my scalloped edge and added a flower that came with some packaging from a product I ordered on-line.  I spritzed the flower with Altered Originals lime ink spray and added a sentiment, again from Stampotique, Jo Capper-Sandon range.  Have a good weekend everyone, Tracy x

Play Date Cafe Challenge

It's a colour splash over at The Play Date Cafe this week chosen by Sarah Anderson.  I really enjoy the colour splash weeks and sometimes find it quite a challenge just to use a splash of colour but it's great fun.  You can use any shade of green this week so thought I would use a couple of different shades for my cards.

My first card is using a bottle green to create this decoupage type card.  I have used an Outlines stamp and simply stamped onto card stock, cut out and decoupaged.  Simple card to make but is very effective and I can use this for any occasion.

The second card has more of a citrus green added.  I have simply stamped the butterflies (Hampton Art) onto white card with black ink and matt onto black card.  One of the images has been stamped a second time and spritzed with Altered Originals lime ink spray, cut out and adhered on top of the original image.  To complete, I have added a flower, also spritzed with lime spray and a sentiment.

I have used Adirondack bottle ink for this card.  I have punched out a circle from scrap paper and used as a stencil, sponging the bottle ink through the circle onto the card three times.   The stamped image is from Inkadinkado (Delicate Branches).  Pearls, WISH sentiment and three small circles complete the card.

Finally I have created a simple Christmas card again using an Outlines Christmas tree and a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  I think the how to is probably self explanatory with this card.  Have a great Friday everyone, Tracy x

Tinted Christmas - Compendium Of Curiosities Week 7

Linda has set us all another great challenge this week, week 7 of the Compendium Of Curiosities.  For all the details and to view some fantastic artwork pop over to Studio L3.  As always there are some fantastic prizes on offer too.

I'm a little late posting my challenge as I did not have any fragments, but thank you to Wendy at The Stamp Attic those arrived this morning.   I have decided to create a Christmas card this week as I can then keep this for a nephew which will save me a job later in the year, see there is a method in my madness.

I have decorated a triptych with acrylic paints and sprays and Christmas stamps.

The Christmas stamps used at the front are from Inkadinkado, along with which I have added snowflakes, torn papers, and embellishments.

On the inside of my piece is where I have added the tinted fragment, this weeks challenge, the technique of which is detailed on page 55 of the book.

The colours used on my fragment are stonewashed and latte.  Have a good Thursday everyone, see you over at Studio L3 and thanks again Linda for a great challenge.  Tracy x

WOYWW 28th July

Morning WOYWW'ers, I'm a little late this morning as I was up at 4am with my husband who was going away on business and once he left I fell asleep again, hence I am late in posting this morning. 

Not much on the desk this morning apart from a challenge piece half finished which has not been posted as yet as I am awaiting some of Tim's fragments in the post.

Towards the left of my desk are all my purchases, which I keep to one side to ensure I use them before I put them away in the cupboards.

Thought I would also show you my first bunch of cut flowers from my allotment.  I'm quite pleased with how the allotment is going considering it's the first year, we have had beans, peas, lettuce and cut flowers so far and these Calendula's are such gorgeous vibrant colours.

If you would like to join in the fun this week, pop over to Julia's place the Stamping Ground and join us all nosing around at everyones desk, it's great fun.

Need to go back downstairs now to look after this little girl who has been waiting very patiently for her breakfast LOL.  Have a good Wednesday everyone and thank you for your kind comments last week I had a fantastic day at Tatton RHS show.  Tracy x x

Sunday Stamper Challenge/Bits 'n' Bobs

Yesterday I spent the day with Sarah Anderson on a workshop at The Cuby Hole in Crewe.  We had a great day creating cards, and a new challenge for me using all those bits that I often throw away.  We decorated several pieces of white card/watercolour sheets with inks, sprays, paints, stencils etc and then used these decorated pieces to make cards, it was great fun.

One of the cards I made was using this owl, which I simply stamped with black ink onto one of my decorated pieces and cut out, I do love this owl, unfortunately, he comes on a whole sheet of other stamps but I only want this one stamp LOL.

I added lots of bits 'n' bobs again cut from my decorated pieces along with some torn papers taken from some old books.

We also decorated a piece of shrink plastic with torn papers and UTEE, which I loved as you can see through all the layers, great technique.  The flowers were again cut from one of the decorated pieces of card we made earlier in the workshop.  And the obligatory bits 'n' bobs added for the final touches.  Thanks Sarah for a very enjoyable class and I don't think I will ever throw any coloured bits away again LOL.

Sunday Stamper Challenge

Over on Hels' blog this week the Sunday Stamper Challenge is LOVE &/or LIFE, which has been taken from an album track off A Night At The Opera by Queen (Love of my Life). I decided I would make an anniversary card for my husband this week.  Our anniversary is not until the end of August but I thought I would be organised.

I have used Tim's Alterations die Heart Wings this week which I have embossed with a texture fade.

I have coloured the hearts with DI inks pumice stone and fired brick.  I have added a piece of shrink plastic, decorated as we did on yesterday's workshop with papers and UTEE, however one of my papers was quite thick and you can not see through that layer, but never mind I still quite like the effect.  I have spritzed the card with Altered Originals ink sprays, granite and pomegranate.  Just for Sarah, if you are reading, LOL I have even added a couple of hearts and sentiment from card I decorated yesterday at the workshop.  Well it's time to pop over to Hels and check out some fantastic artwork, catch you later, Tracy x

The Play Date Cafe Challenge

I love the colour challenge over at The Play Date Cafe this week, they have been chosen by Julie Ranae, they are a very neutral palette which reminds me of my decorating at home.  I find these colours very relaxing and a joy to work with.

This week I have decided to make a vintage Christmas accordion card.   However, I must apologise for the quality of the pictures as every room I tried to take pitures in the sun was shining far too much hence I have a glare on every picture, sorry about that.

I love the two sentiments above, the first one was an Inkadinkado stamp which was discontinued a while ago and the second one is an Outlines stamp.

For the stamping and sponging I have used DI inks brushed corduroy, tea dye and antique linen along with StazOn black.  On this section I have sponged through a snowflake stencil with an acrylic paint dabber, snow cap.   I have punched two medium circles from cardstock and stamped the reindeer (Penny Black stamp) with StazOn black.  I have used my Dymo machine for the Vintage Christmas sentiment and Noel is an Outlines stamp.  I have also added white pearls to the reindeer's noses.

This is one side of the reverse of the accordion.  I have again used my Dymo machine to produce the snow, believe, santa and tree words.  Again I have punched two circles from card, one black and the other beige and stamped with StazOn black and sponged the edges with DI inks.  I have added snowflakes and santa sentiment using scrabble letters.

This shows one side of my accordion in all its glory.  The Santa is a Stampington stamp, and the collage stamp to the right is a Hero Arts stamp.

These are the two sides of my accordion in all their glory.  Off to have a nose at everyone's lovely artwork over at the Play Date Cafe, why not join me.  Tracy x x

DT - The Stamp Attic

Time for another DT piece for The Stamp Attic....

....using the Inkadinkado Garden Flower.  For this DT piece I wanted the stamp to be the main focus and to try and show just how much detail there is on this stamp.  Not only does it work beautifully with other stamps but can stand just as well on its own.

Look at the fine detail of the stamp, simply gorgeous and fantastic in so many different colour combinations.  I have used the same colour combination as last time to try and show you that you can use the same products in so many different ways.  Stamping has been created using DI ink mustard seed and Adirondack currant, lovely combination but is just as yummy when used with a multi-coloured inkpad or in a single colour, its the detail of the stamp that gives you that professional finish.

I have simply inked the stamp with DI mustard seed and Adirondack ink (starting with the lightest colour first to prevent contamination) and stamped onto white card.  Simply sponge the edges of each piece with mustard seed ink and there you have it, simple but a stunning image.  Each square has been punched out of white card using a medium square punch and layered onto co-ordinated Bazzil card.   I have added one of Tim's embellishents (Philosophy Tags) and Birthday Wishes sentiment (included in this set) to complete my card.

I always think its a good idea to show two cards together just so you can see the difference a technique makes or changing your card stock.  On this occasion I have stamped the image onto glossy card with a VersaMark watermark stamp pad, heat set and then brayered over the top of the image with Adirondack currant, removing any excess ink from the image with kitchen towel.

All the matting and layering is done using My Minds Eye So Sophie Graceful co-ordinated card stock, which co-ordinates beautifully with the inks I have used. To complete, I have added text from a gardening book, button, stitching and Thank You sentiment, also included within this stamp set.  Until the next time.... Tracy x

WOYWW 21 July

Morning WOYWW'ers, another week passes by and here we are again back at my desk.  If you are wondering what I am talking about then pop over to Julia's place the Stamping Ground and pick up all the details and nose at a few desks whilst your there, it's great fun.

My desk this morning is just full of challenge pieces, as soon as I have made one I have moved onto another but worked around these pieces on my desk LOL.  The Christmas project was for Sunday Stamper, the tag for the Compendium Of Curiosities and the purple ones are for the Play Date Cafe.  My WOYWW easel is towards the back of my desk.  I have a few tattered florals cut from projects made earlier in the week and some small really small canvases which I plan to use soon.  I am going to keep it brief this morning as I am off to the Tatton Show.  I will leave you with my plant of the week in my garden.

My Zantedeschia, which a friend gave me when I had an operation on my foot, it is now 3 times its original size and looks beautiful.  Have a geat day everyone, I will try and catch up with you all later when I get back from the Tatton Show.  Tracy x

Compendium Of Curiosities Challenge 6

Linda has set this weeks challenge, if you would like all the details pop over to Studio L3. The challenge this week is sponsored by Eclectic Paperie and there is a fantastic prize on offer, have a go, it's great fun.

We are asked to use Multi-Medium Collage technique this week, turn to page 66 in the book for the technique.  I have decorated a tag with Tim's Alterations die Heart Wings.  Added paper from an old book and Rock Candy to the top.  The tag itself was embossed with Tim's texture fades and coloured with DI inks antique linen and brushed corduroy.   The crown was coloured with DI ink fired brick with stickles added on top.  I have added torn paper to the bottom of the tag along with ribbon, crown and inspire embellishment.

A close up to show that I have also embossed the heart below the paper with another of Tim's texture fades.  Off to look at the amazing artwork at Studio L3, why not join me.  Tracy x

Sunday Stamper Challenge

Edit: I am also entering this as my second piece of art for "anything goes" over at The Stampman challenge blog.

Over on Hels' blog the theme for the Sunday Stamper challenge is BELIEVE &/OR JOURNEY.  As soon as I saw the theme I thought of Christmas so I decided to use BELIEVE for my challenge piece.

I have made an accordion card, made from a 12 x 12" red card cut in half and scored at 3,6, and 9" to give me my accordion.  I have stamped using StazOn Olive Green and DI ink fired brick.  However, it is so bright in my conservatory where I took these pics that it has bleached the red card slightly, so you will have to take my word for it that it is a beautiful Christmas red.   I have used the following stamps, Darkroom Door Christmas Reindeer, Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi Just Word Art, Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz collection Reindeer Flight, Inkadinkado Winter Birds, Inkadinkado Holiday Sentiments, Outlines stamps, and Papermania set Gifted Greetings.

Here is a close-up of one of the pages using the sentiment BELIEVE as required for the challenge.  I love this stamp as you only have to ink and stamp and it looks so professional and does not really need much of anything else.  I just added the hearts to complete.

This is the reverse side of the accordion and again I have used the sentiment BELIEVE.

Close up of my BELIEVE page which I used as my daughter still believes in Santa and I always tell her that I do too LOL.

These pictures show both sides of my accordion.  Why not pop over to Hels' blog and see some fantastic artwork for this challenge.  Have a good day everyone and thank you as always for your kind comments.  Tracy x

The Play Date Cafe Challenge/The Stampman Challenge

Over at The Play Date Cafe this week there is a new sponsor to The Cafe, Artistic Outpost, even more of a reason to play along.  It is also the grand opening of the Stampman Challenge Blog so I am also entering these pieces of art for their first challenge, it is so worth while popping over to the Stampman blog to check out some awesome artwork.   I love this weeks colour challenge at The Cafe mainly because of the picture and that I absolutely love gardening.  However, I have the same problem as Sarah, I just can't keep Lupin's in my garden, I have only just managed to hold onto one that the slugs have not eaten.

After reading my gardening magazines last night I decided that I would do a double page in my journal around a gardening theme.

I have sprayed my pages and used a flower stencil with DI inks shabby shutters and dusty concord.  I also added texture paste before I started the pages as I love the tactile feel of a journal and as much texture as possible.

I have cut a couple of flowers from my gardening magazine to match the colour challenge and decorated around these pieces.

I have added a few circles using a top from a bottle dipped into Gesso, torn papers and stitching.

A few doodles, and garden associated words have been added to complete my double page spread.

Whilst having a few hours to play I also created some cards to match the colour theme.  This one has been coloured using alcohol inks.

A texture fade has been used in the background for this card, along with DI inks shabby shutters and dusty concord.

Finally my last card has been created using sprays.  That is my play time for today, off to do the ironing now, YAWN!  Have a great Friday, Tracy x