She Knows Her Own Strength

I've used the Cowgirl Strength to create this weeks card for Artistic Outpost.

I cut a star from scrap paper and used as a stencil, sponging brushed corduroy and vintage photo ink through the stencil adding stars to cover my background. I then added a little vintage photo ink around the edges and then spritzed with water.

I cut a large star from white card, coloured with brushed corduroy and vintage photo ink and then spritzed with water.  I used the large star as the backdrop for my focal image, the cowgirl, who has been coloured with Distress Markers.

I have added some natural twine across the top of my card along with some wooden stars to echo the stars throughout my creation and a couple of rusty stars for further interest.

I have added the sentiment "She Knows Her Own Strength" to one side of my card and then stamped again, cut up the sentiment and added to the opposite side.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

Dimensional Heart

Time for my next piece for Creative Expressions using the fabulous heart from the Heart Entwined A5 stamp set.

I used the Spellbinders M-Bossabilities Hearts Embossing Folder to emboss the background on my card using a white pearl card stock to give me a pearl sheen. I applied Distress Stains mowed lawn and salty ocean to my non stick craft sheet, spritzed with water and mopped up the colour with my ATC.

I stamped the heart from the Heart Entwined stamp set onto mountboard, cut out, applied VersaMark ink to the heart and then sprinkled with clear UTEE, adding threee layers and then added Cosmic Shimmer Lapis Black into the mix along with a touch of Perfect Pearls and then stamped into the UTEE whilst hot using the heart stamp.

A touch of silver Paint Dabber was added to the raised areas using my finger along with two Chitchat stickers coloured with peacock feathers Distress Ink. A small crown has been added to the top of the heart for further interest and dimension. To complete I added the sentiment I Love You to the bottom of my ATC stamped with black Archival Ink and coloured with Distress Ink.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Tracy x x

You're A Star

Stars are the inspiration this week - and you’re welcome to take this inspiration literally or you can instead focus on a ‘star’ supply that you could not imagine crafting without!  You could use a punch, decorate a 3D star, decorate a scrapbook page for a star attraction you have visited recently, let your imagination run wild. Whether you're inspired by a star in your life, a crafting star, whatever inspires you, Simon Says Stamp and Show would love to see your intepretation.


A vintage tag inspired by the Picture Star plate from Artistic Outpost was my interpretation of this weeks challenge.

Whenever I see a challenge for STARS I always seem to be drawn to old movies stars, like Fred Astaire and those wonderful leading ladies and the Picture Star plate depicts that perfectly for me. I am also drawn towards vintage tones when thinking of old movie stars created here using Brushed Corduroy and Walnut Stain Distress Inks. No movie star inspired tag would be complete without a touch of Film Strip Ribbon to add to that old style movie feeling. You really should take some time out and watch some of the old classics they are fantastic!

I cut a star stencil from paper and coloured through the stencil with brushed corduroy ink onto my manila tag, adding stars randomly around the background.  I applied walnut stain to the edges for definition and I then spritzed with water to add a little more interest to my background.

I cut a large star from white card, stamped my image with black archival ink and then coloured with brushed corduroy ink, applying walnut stain to the edges and spritzing with water.  I added the sentiment "You're A Star" from the same plate, stamped onto white card and coloured with Distress Inks. To lift the star from my background I matted onto black card.

I added natural twine to the top of my tag along with star buttons threaded with twine. I also added stamped stars to my background using black archival ink for a further layer of interest.

I cut a second star, a little smaller, added my second image again stamped with black archival ink and coloured with Distress Inks and matted onto black card. Film strip ribbon has been added across my tag, attached using the tiny attacher, stamped with SHINE using black StazOn ink.

"You're A Star" has been added to the bottom of the tag along with a few more stars stamped in the background.

For more great ideas please pop over to the Simon Says Stamp and Show blog and take a look at my fellow team members they have created some inspirational projects. Remember there is also the chance to win a $50 prize from Simon Says Stamp.  I always look forward to seeing your creations each week.

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, much appreciated.  Enjoy your week. Tracy x x 

Products Used:

Artistic Outpost Picture Star Stamp Plate
Tim Holtz Idea-Ology - Film Strip Ribbon
Distress Inks - Brushed Corduroy, Walnut Stain
Archival Inks - Black
Black StazOn Ink
Manila Craft Tags
Bazzill Black Cardstock
Twine
Prima Flowers Nature Garden Wood Buttons
Non-Stick Craft Sheet
Ink Blending Tool
Tiny Attacher

OWL

I've been using the fabulous SHARP OWL once again from 100 Proof Press to create this weeks card.

I created the background using broken china and victorian velvet Distress Ink, applying the inks to my non-stick craft sheet, spritzing with water and then mopping up the colour with my card. I added faux stitching around the outside edge for further interest.

I cut a circle from white card using a Spellbinders die and then coloured with victorian velvet ink and added faux stitching to echo the stitching on my card. I stamped the owl onto an inked piece of card stock and cut out and adhered to the circle. I also stamped the SHARP OWL onto shrink plastic and added him to the body of the large owl adding a coordinated button and thread.

From this picture you can see the fabulous dimension the shrink plastic piece adds and the inked background on the owl.

I stamped OWL onto coloured card, cut out and added to the card front along with two coordinated buttons.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend.

Tracy x x x

TIME 2 CELEBRATE

I have used the Auld Lang Syne plate from Artistic Outpost for this celebratory card, proving that just because something says its designed for NEW YEAR does not mean that some of the images cannot be used in different ways.

I have stamped the clock image in the background of my card using coffee archival ink, adding some of the clocks to the centre of my weathered clock.  I then sponged broken china ink over my card to create my background, adding vintage photo ink to the edges.

I cut four weathered clocks from thick white card and adhered together to give dimension. I then coloured with vintage photo ink and added Clear Rock Candy to the top for added texture and interest.  I added game spinners to the centre. "TIME 2 CELEBRATE" has been added around my weathered clock. TIME is stamped using the alphabet from the Secretary Pool plate, stamped with coffee archival ink and coloured with broken china ink.  The number 2 is from Tim's Idea-ology, coloured with alcohol inks and CELEBRATE is from the Auld Lang Syne plate.

To add further interest and dimension I have included some large and smaller cogs, again coloured with alcohol inks.

To add an industrial feel to my card I added two brackets that I purchased from the DIY store to each corner, again coloured with alcohol inks. 

This card has been given to my Nephew for his birthday, highlighting that some stamps can be used in many more ways than maybe first thought.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

Industrial Hearts

Time for my second creation using the fabulous Hearts Entwined stamp set from Creative Expressions.

I embossed my background with the Couture Creations Damask embossing folder, colouring with Alcohol Ink and rubbing over with wire wool to give an industrial feel.

Rusty wire has been added across the metal secured in place using the tiny attacher.  I have stamped the sentiment onto Kraft card using black Archival Ink and added a little black soot Distress Ink around the edges.

The hearts have been stamped onto Kraft card, cut out and had mini gears attached to each to add to that industrial feel.

To complete I have added a pewter heart from the Adornment Charms dangling from the rusty wire.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Stay warm.

Tracy Evans x x

Rustic Charm

Simon Says Stamp and Show are asking what are you known for?  Are you like me and use texture in your arty creations; are your forever adding brown ink to the edges of your cards, are you mad for fabric, what is it that inspires you to start your creative piece, are you known for your inky backgrounds, whatever your style we would love to see what you dream up this week.

I created a collaged piece which I added to a frame showcasing all the things I am known for.

All my close friends and family know I love hearts, I collect anything heart related, jewellery, home decor pieces, garden ornaments you name it, I have it.  I am also a lover of rustic and natural pieces and my framed home decor piece showcases that perfectly. Hearts - check, cut using the Alterations Love Struck Die; texture - check, added using Wendy Vecchi's White Embossing Paste; I love the embellished look - check including buttons from Prima Flowers Nature Garden Wood Buttons to name but a few of my embellishments used in this piece. I had to remove the frame to take some photographs due to the glare from the glass, why do I always make pieces that are so difficult to photograph? I am also known for not thinking things through, I just create what is in my head without any thought about how I will photograph said piece - check, I had major problems taking a picture of this piece in the frame lol!

This is my piece added to the frame, very difficult to photograph without getting background glare and seeing me in the glass, sorry but I did my best lol!

This is how the frame looked before any decoration.  I began by painting the frame with PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Paint Little Black Dress, applying two coats for a good thick coverage. Once my frame was completely dry I then dry brushed with a little gold Paint Dabber to add a little more interest to my frame. The mount inside my frame has been coloured with brushed corduroy and walnut stain Distress Inks to add to that rustic feel.

Once I had coloured my mount I then added some stamping using coffee and black Archival Inks, using Kaiser craft Vintage - Cherish clear stamp. I cut the two hearts from thick card from some old packaging (I love to recycle wherever I can) and covered in white Embossing Paste and once dry I painted with PaperArtsy Fresco Finish paint, adding highlights with a gold Paint Dabber to highlight all the wonderful texture.  I also added some gold coiled wire for added interest. The hearts have a backdrop of a piece of burlap to give that natural rustic charm to my piece along with some vintage lace.

To add a little more interest I also included "cherish" Chitchat stickers to each heart to echo the CHERISH in the stamped images around my mount.

For a liitle more texture and interest I stamped the swirls from Wendy Vecchi's My Kind Of Art stamp set embossing with Queen's Gold Embossing Powder, adding to each corner of the mount. I also embossed the edges of my mount with embossing powder.

My dear friend Terry sent me some wonderful wooden hearts which I thought were a perfect embellishment and also added to the rustic charm of my home decor piece.  I stamped each heart with the Kaiser Craft stamp and coloured with Distress Inks.

To complete, I added Prima Flowers Wood Buttons threaded with natural twine. The inspiration for this piece were the colours in the wallpaper in my office so this will be perfect to add to one of my walls in the office/craft room.

For more great ideas please pop over to the Simon Says Stamp and Show blog and take a look at my fellow team members they have created some inspirational projects. Remember there is also the chance to win a $50 prize from Simon Says Stamp.  I always look forward to seeing your creations each week.

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, much appreciated.  Enjoy your week. Tracy x x 

Products Used:

Tim Holtz Alterations Dies - Love Struck
Tim Holtz Idea-Ology - Chitchat Stickers
Wendy Vecchi Studio 490 My Kind Of Art Stamp Set
Wendy Vecchi White Embossing Paste
Prima Flowers Nature Garden Wood Buttons
PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Paint Little Black Dress
Gold Paint Dabber
Distress Inks - Brushed Corduroy, Walnut Stain
Archival Inks - Coffee, Black
Kaiser Craft - Vintage - Cherish Clear Stamp

Twine
Queen's Gold Embossing Powder
VersaMark Stamp Pad

Floral Delights

Here are a few more sneak peeks of samples I have made for Sheena Douglass, her shows are Monday 21st January 8am, 1pm, and 5pm; Tuesday 22nd January 9am and 4pm; Wednesday 23rd January 8am, 11am, 2pm, and 6pm and Thursday 24th January 8am, 2pm and 5pm. Sheena has a four day deal on Create and Craft using some funky flowers and fabulous sentiments.

 For this card I wanted to give a more feminine feel. I showcased Sheena's images in the Spellbinders Floral Ovals die and blended a little peeled paint Distress Ink around the edges. I kept the aperture and embossed with a Damask embossing folder, again colouring the edges with peeled paint ink.

I coloured the flowers with victorian velvet Distress Marker and the leaves with peeled paint, adding dimension to a few of the leaves.

This card was created along the same lines but this time I made the fantastic sentiment the focal point.

I added a few of the fantastic flowers for added dimension, colouring with victorian velvet ink and spritzing with water, adding a coordinated button to the centre of each.

My third card uses greens and creams, again adding a sentiment to the centre and dimensional flowers, adding Stickles to the centre of each flower for that touch of bling. I sanded back the embossed areas to reveal the core colour.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Tracy x x

A Little Rain Must Fall

Here are a few sneak peeks of samples I have made for Sheena Douglass, her shows are Monday 21st January 8am, 1pm, and 5pm; Tuesday 22nd January 9am and 4pm; Wednesday 23rd January 8am, 11am, 2pm, and 6pm and Thursday 24th January 8am, 2pm and 5pm. Sheena has a four day deal on Create and Craft using some funky flowers and fabulous sentiments.

I wanted to make the sentiment the main focal point on this card. My background is actually kitchen towel which I used to mop up all my Luminarte from previous cards I made for Sheena. I could not throw it away as I thought the colours were fabulous. I used Luminarte Colour Concentrate mediterranean and mallard.

I also added touches of gold Paint Dabber to my background. From this picutre you can see the fabulous texture the kitchen towel gives to my background. I added a wooden umbrella, which coordinates with the sentiment perfectly, again coloured with Colour Concentrate and highlights of gold Paint Dabber.

I added one of the fabulous funky flowrs, which are fantastic for layering together and I added a coordinated button to the centre threaded with twine. You cannot see it here but the shimmer on the flower is just fantastic from the Colour Concentrate.

I love the sentiment which I have stamped in black Archival Ink and coloured with Colour Concentrate, I love this product. I matted the sentiment onto a piece of gold card to lift from the background a little.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I will be back soon with more of the cards I made for Sheena's shows.

Tracy xxx

Two Hearts Joined As One

Well the craft room is the best place to be today and I decided to create a card using a new set of stamps from Creative Expressions - Hearts Entwined.

To create my background I have done a few simple step by steps. I love the gold embossing, it gives this card a lovely opulent feel for me and adds so much texture and interest to the background.

To begin I added mowed lawn and salty ocean Distress Stains to my non-stick craft sheet and then spritzed with water.

Mop up the beads of ink with a piece of card stock.

Continue mopping up the colour until you are happy with the coverage. Dry each layer between each application to prevent any mudding of colours.

Add peacock feathers Distress Ink around the edges of the coloured piece .

Rub over the inked piece with an anti static bag before proceeding with the next step.

Apply VersaMark ink to the top of the embossing folder, I have used the Couture Creations Damask embossing folder. Apply the ink to the debossed area of the embossing folder. Simply dab the ink directly onto the folder.

Place the coloured card into the embossing folder and run through a die cutting machine, I used the Grand Calibur machine.

Remove from the embossing folder and sprinkle with gold embossing powder.

Heat with a heat tool to melt the embossing powder. I love the contrast between the embossing powder and the embossing from the embossing folder.

I coloured a second piece of white card with Distress Stains and then stamped the hearts from the Hearts Entwined stamp set onto the coloured card, cut out, added gold wire and wings for further interest. I also added the sentiment to a coloured piece of card and added a small punched out heart.

I added Chitchat stickers to each heart and three further small hearts to the top of the card.  I love the alternative colour palette for a Valentine's card. This would be perfect for my husband or son.

Thanks so much for stopping by. If you would like to keep up to date with the latest news pop over to the Creative Expressions news page HERE.

Tracy Evans x x x