Tracy Evans

Garden Chic

2012-02-28T10:19:00.000Z

It feels like Spring is just around the corner today, I have frogs and frog spawn in my pond, new shoots in the garden and bulbs showing their heads so it seemed appropriate to use the Eco Green Garden Chic set from Creative Expressions for my creation today.

My background has been coloured with Distress Ink wild honey and spritzed with water. I have stamped my flowers with wild honey Distress Ink, coffee and vermillion Archival Inks to add layers of interest.

All the edges have been distressed with Tim's paper distresser and added to co-ordinated card stock. I have also punched a medium square from white card and again coloured with Distress Ink wild honey and added the floral image to the square to echo the design on the main card.

The sentiment has been added to the top corner along with a pewter bee to echo the stanped bees on my card front.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Idea-Ology Bonanza

2012-02-27T05:00:00.001Z

Morning all, here we are once again, Monday morning which can only mean one thing, time for another fabulous challenge with Simon Says Stamp and Show. This week is an Idea-ology bonanza which is just perfect for me as I LOVE my embellishments!

Art Parts Sweetheart Frames was the starting point for my creation this week, a piece perfect for someone who has just moved home. Decorated with Artful Dwellings, covered with Metal Foil and embossed with the Postal, and Rays and Retro Circles Texture Fades. Add into the mix plenty of Idea-Ology including Hitch Fasteners, Jump Rings, Plaquette, Accoutrements Buttons, Alpha Parts Newsprint and Ransom, Hinge Clip, Timepiece, Game Spinner, Word Key and Word Stick Charm.

The Art Part has been covered with vintage paper from an old book which I have coloured with Distress Ink aged mahogany and then added a layer of Distress Stain picket fence to mute the colour a little. The Artful Dwellings were then covered with metal, embossed with texture fades and coloured with Alcohol Inks Red Pepper, Rust and Espresso.

I cut two hearts from grey board using Tim Holtz Alterations Mini Hearts Set, covered with metal, embossed and coloured with alcohol inks and added to my Art Part. I added HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS using Alpha Parts which I pounded with Gold Paint Dabber to give added texture to each letter. I also added the gold paint to some of my Idea-ology embellishments too.

HOME has been added to jump rings, adhered with Glossy Accents and added to one of my dwellings.I must work with metal more often, I do love the texture and the interest it gives to a piece of art.

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 and 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

Its Those Handsome Hares Again

2012-02-25T16:07:00.000Z

I'm really enjoying using the fabulous Handsome Hares from 100 Proof Press again this week along with the Angle Pocket Watch.

I've coloured a piece of white card with Distress Stains wild honey and vintage photo, blending with water until I was happy with the tone and then for more interest I added vintage photo Distress Ink through a Crafters Workshop template. A little machine stitching to the outside edges lifts the background a little and adds a little more interest.

The hares have been stamped onto the same coloured background with coffee Archival Ink, cut out, added to black card to lift from the background and added to the card. The Angle Pocket Watch has been stamped onto a piece of the coloured card with Archival Ink, added to a piece of black card and Glossy Accents added for dimension.

HARES has been stamped onto punched out squares and added to the card.

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the weekend. Tracy x x

DREAMER

2012-02-24T09:45:00.000Z

Another vintage creation, a little more feminine this time, working outside my comfort zone of earthy tones. The fabulous VINTAGE set is available from The Stamp Attic.

My background piece is from the Vintage Shabby paper stash which I then aged with vintage photo Distress Ink along the edges adding some machine stitching for dimension.

I then took three nested frames from Maya Road (contact Wendy at The Stamp Attic) and painted with Gesso mixed with a little aged mahogany Distress Stain and then stamped my vintage images with coffee Archival Ink. The edges of each frame have then been sponged with aged mahogany Distress Ink.

For more interest and dimension I have cut a flower from the Vintage Shabby paper stash using the Tattered Floral die and created a dimensional flower, again edged with aged mahogany Distress Ink. For further interest I have added YESTERDAY to a Memo Pin. Before adding the frames to the card I have added co-ordinated ribbon to the centre.

To complete I have stamped stars either side of my nested frames.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

NEW RELEASES - ARTISTIC OUTPOST

2012-02-22T06:00:00.003Z

Introducing four new stamp releases…

The wait is finally over. Artistic Outpost is pleased to bring to you four brand new rubber stamp collections that are vintage, edgy, and extremely artful.

We are happy to present: Diesel Punk, Charles and Amelia, Industrial Chic, and London Elements.

What is Diesel Punk? What happened to Steampunk? We still very much love the Victorian magic that is the rage of steampunk, however, we decided to advance the timeline and the trend to a more modern look. It’s like steampunk but with a combustion engine. To us, Diesel Punk is a style that blends the “edge” of steampunk with the art and culture of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. We think of motorcycles, roadsters, red lipstick, trench coats, jetpacks, and jet engines. Three of our new releases evoke our interpretation of this style.

Diesel Punk:

Includes images of good looking guys, a beautiful dame, a kid ready to be a rocketeer, and fast machines to tempt their fates.

Charles and Amelia:

Images featuring the king and queen of the skies when flying was more than transportation – it was an adventure.

I have created a hinged card with the Charles and Amelia plate, the front has been created from some Christmas packaging I saved, painted with Gesso and aged with Distress Stains. I added four pieces of card to the background covered in vintage paper then added the stamped images in coffee Archival Ink, sponging the edges with vintage photo Distress Ink to add to the aged feel. The actual card is also made from grey board and coverd with kraft card and then attached to the door hinge.

I have cut cogs from grey board using the mini gears set, coloured with Distress Inks and added clear rock candy to the top of each. I love the propeller and added this to the centre of my piece adding a copper brad to the centre.

The inside of my hinged card uses images from Industrial Chic below, which works perfectly with all of the other new releases, a perfect combination together.

Industrial Chic:

Backgrounds for any of your projects – steam, diesel, or any other kind of punk.

London Elements:

More of our favorite images featuring the fun icons of London. These work beautifully alone or combined with London Underground or Loverly London.

Pop along to my fellow DT members, inspiration is abound!

· Gerrie Johnnic

· Lisa Somerville

· Suzanne Czosek

· Anita Houston

· Linda Coughlin

· Tracy Evans (me)

· Yvonne Garner

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the new releases as much as I have. I will have more artwork with the new releases over the next few weeks so stay tuned. Tracy x x

Take Your Pick London/Paris/New York

2012-02-20T05:00:00.001Z

We have a great theme for this weeks challenge over at Simon Says Stamp and Show, take you pick London, Paris or New York.

With the Queen's Jubilee and the Olympics there was only one choice for me, it had to be LONDON, using the fabulous London Underground and Loverly London plates from Artistic Outpost to create my door hinged card. Add into the mix plenty of colour from vermillion Archival Ink, brushed corduroy and vintage photo Distress Inks.

My pieces are cut from grey board to give some stability and then hinged with a simple door hinge. I have stamped LONDON on the background of the front piece and sponged with Distress Ink brushed corduroy and added vintage photo to the edges. All my stamping is with vermillion Archival Ink. The handsome gentlemen has been added to a bottle cap, adding Glossy Accents to the top for dimension. A hand stitched button completes the front.

I've cut three hearts from white card and added images to each heart with vermillion ink and aged with brushed corduroy ink. LONDON has been added to jump rings for further interest. On the opposite side I have added stamping in the background using coffee Archival Ink and added the Union Jack to the centre, adding LONDON to the centre of the flag. Blue Moon London Metal Charms add to the theme.

The back of my card has images stamped in black Archival Ink and vintage photo Distress Ink. This would be perfect for anyone celebrating a birthday or anniversary sometime around the Queen's Jubilee or the Olympics.

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

Large Handsome Hares

2012-02-18T12:09:00.000Z

I've been using the fabulous Handsome Hares from 100 Proof Press for my creation this morning along with the Angle Pocket Watch.

I have used the Vintage Cabinet Card in the background cut from Kraft-Core card which has been embossed with a texture fade and sanded. I have stamped the Angle Pocket Watch randomly onto the Kraft base card, again with coffee Archival Ink.

I have stamped the Handsome Hares with coffee Archival Ink and added to the top of the Cabinet Card, adding three jump rings adhered with glossy accents to his top for a little dimension and interest.

The clock is from BoBunny and has also had glossy accents added.

HARES has been added to jump rings and adhered to the top of my Cabinet Card, again for a little more interest.

Thanks for stopping by by, enjoy your weekend. Tracy x x

Moments To Remember

2012-02-16T09:13:00.000Z

A little vintage creation for my DT piece this week for The Stamp Attic using the fabulous VINTAGE set.

I have stamped the ruler and crown in the background with Archival Inks coffee and black and then sponged with Distress Ink brushed corduroy to give that vintage feel to my card. Throw into the mix a little matting onto Bazzill card and some machine stitching and my background is complete.

I have cut three hearts from thick card and covered with torn vintage paper added a little Distress Stain picket fence to tone the text down a little and to add to that aged feel, added a little machine stitching for dimension and stamped my images with Archival Ink. To add a little more interest I have hand stitched three of the Maya Road mini spools to one of my hearts.

"Moments To Remember" sentiment seemed the perfect finishing touch to my card.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Monthly Blog Hop.....................

2012-02-15T06:00:00.002Z

........................With Artistic Outpost, yes it's that time of the month where we showcase some of the fabulous images available from Artistic Outpost and this month we are highlighting the London Underground and Loverly London plates, absolutely perfect when you consider it is the Queen's Jubilee and the Olympics this year.

London Underground Loverly London

I decided to decorate the letters UK to represent the United Kingdom and decorate with the fabulous images from these two plates giving a vintage feel to my overall theme. The letters have been covered with torn pages from a vintage book front and back and coloured with Distress Ink brushed corduroy and vintage photo.

Once completely covered with torn paper and coloured I stamped LONDON randomly over the letter U in vermillion Archival Ink. I added the Union Jack to one side of my letter hung from a screw eye, again stamped with vermillion ink and sponged with brushed corduroy. I cut three circles from white card and added images to each with coffee Archival Ink sponging with brushed corduroy to blend with my background on the letter. Each circle has been edged with black soot Distress Ink to give a little dimension and to lift from the background. A collage of images have been added to the bottom corner along with a mini Union Jack food flag I found in a local store.

Again I have covered the letter with torn vintage papers, stamped CHEERIO in vermillion Archival Ink. I have cut three circles from white card and added images stamped with vermillion and coffee Archival Ink, I love how all these images combine so well together.

They look great together and would be fabulous as a table decoration for the Queens Jubilee, mmmmm may even consider doing a special tea for the occasion!

My fellow Design Team members have created some fabulous pieces using the London plates, pop along and be inspired along the way.

Artistic Outpost are also holding a fabulous Referral Program, the theme being SHADES OF RED why not pop along HERE for all the details and there is a fabulous prize on offer too.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the blog hop. Tracy x x

Les Fleurs

2012-02-14T11:26:00.000Z

A little floral creation using the fabulous Eco Green Garden Chic stamp set (made entirely from recycled rubber) from Creative Expressions.

I stamped my image onto paper with coffee Archival Ink and tore into random strips and added to my background and coloured with Distress Inks wild honey and worn lipstick.

My main panel was stamped onto white card with Archival Ink and sponged with Distress Inks to match my background and matted onto a piece of brown card. I punched small squares from white card and added part of my image to each square giving dimension to my piece and added the sentiment in the bottom corner, sponging the edges with Distress Ink.

I also added a punched square to the corner of my panel to add yet more interest.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Anything Goes........................

2012-02-13T05:00:00.001Z

..............At Simon Says Stamp and Show, anything you like!

I decided to liven things up a little this week with a few bright colours from Distress Stains spiced marmalade, fired brick and mustard seed along with funky images from Dylusions in the form of Love Struck Lucy, Around The Edge, How Does Your Garden Grow and Basic Backgrounds stamp sets. A little texture from Gesso and machine stitching add to the interest of my tag accordion.

The background has been coloured with Distress Stains and I have used the Mini Harlequin Crafter's Workshop template to add a little more interest adding Fired Brick Distress Stain through the stencil in a random fashion. I have stamped numbers with coffee Archival Ink and Picket Fence Distress Stain, again adding more layers of interest. My images have all been stamped with coffee Archival Ink and coloured with Distress Stains. Gesso has been added through sequin waste for a little texture and dimension.

The reverse of my accordion has had the same techniques applied, lots of layers and dimension from images and Gesso.

I really enjoyed creating this piece and it made a refreshing change from my usual grungy, earthy tones and was great to work outside my comfort zone, something I find is a real challenge.

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

HANDSOME HARES

2012-02-11T12:18:00.000Z

I've been using my favourite stamps from 100 Proof Press to create a card; the Large Handsome Hares and Med. Many Line Circle.

I love working on Kraft card and decided to add the lined circle stamped randomly in the background adding highlights with a white pencil crayon.

I've stamped the Handsome Hares with black Archival Ink and again added highlights with a white pencil, adding faux stitching to the outside edge for a little interest.

Three circles have been added with the hares faces to give a little dimension and more interest to my card.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Garden Chic

2012-02-10T10:12:00.000Z

Time for my next creation using the fabulous Eco Green Garden Chic stamp set (made entirely from recycled rubber) from Creative Expressions for this weeks DT piece.

I added the bird image in the background, firstly clear embossed and then stamped with coffee Archival Ink. The background was then coloured with Distress Ink wild honey and machine stitching added to the outside edge.

The bodice was stamped with coffee Archival, cut out and sponged with Distress Ink and again machine stitchine added for a little dimension. I punched out two squares from white card and added part of the dress form image to each square and coloured with Distress Ink.

Two wings from Tim's Idea-ology range (Adornments Regal) coloured with Alcohol Inks were added to the bottom corner to add a little more interest.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

London 2012

2012-02-09T09:51:00.000Z

Continuing with the theme of SHADES OF RED to coincide with Artistic Outpost's Feburary referral theme I have created another patriotic card using the London Underground and Loverly London plates.

I have used grey board in the background which I have painted with Gesso and then sponged with Distress Ink brushed corduroy and edged with vintage photo ink. I have then stamped Cheerio with coffee Archival Ink randomly over the background.

I have cut three hearts from white card and added the images with vermillion Archival Ink and sponged with brushed corduroy again adding vintage photo to the edges. Three black heart jewels have then been added to each heart. The flag has been added and I have stamped Cheerio to the top of the flag.

To complete I have added London 2012 to the bottom of the card. This would make a great card for anyone celebrating a birthday around the Olympics.

We would love to see your creations for the February referral theme over at Artistic Outpost and there is a fabulous prize on offer too.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Vintage Peg

2012-02-07T10:35:00.000Z

I've been using a fabulous VINTAGE set from TJ designs for The Stamp Attic to decorate one of the fabulous large wooden pegs that Wendy has in stock.

I applied two coats of Gesso to my peg and sponged the edges with Distress Ink brushed corduroy. I cut a heart from thick card and covered in torn vintage paper, applied a thin layer of picket fence Distress Stain to tone down the text a little and add to the vintage feel of my piece, along with a little machine stitching to the outside edge. I then stamped my image onto the heart with black Archival Ink and hand stitched the tiny mini wooden spools onto the heart.

To give a little more interest to the peg I stamped ART and the crown onto my peg with black Archival Ink and stamped YESTERDAY onto white card, cut out and sponged with brushed corduroy ink and added to my peg.

These pegs would be great for place settings or even attached to the top of a gift bag.

I also decorated the back of my peg, again added a heart decorated in the same way and stamped with another of the fabulous images from the VINTAGE set.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

A Delicious Recipe........

2012-02-06T05:00:00.001Z

............of Torn Edges, Distress Inks, Button and Wings for Simon Says Stamp and Show.

I decided on decorating an old vintage tin for this weeks piece. Torn Edges check, in the form of torn vintage papers from on old book. Distress Inks check, in the form of brushed corduroy and vintage photo. Button check, from Tim's Accoutrements Buttons. Wings check, using the Heart Wings die. With a little help from Wendy Vecchi from A Form Of Art and It's Face Art, along with the Sewing Room die and Gadget Gears die.

I cut the dress form from grey board along with the gadget gears, mini gears and wings covered with kitchen towel, adhering with PVA glue an idea inspired from HERE. Once the kitchen towel was dry I applied a couple of coats of Claudine Hellmuth Traditional Tan paint and allowed to dry. Once dry I applied Distress Ink brushed corduroy, vintage photo and highlights of black soot to the raised areas. The kitchen towel adds great texture to the tin and really adds to that aged feel. I added some Idea-ology sprocket gears for added dimension along with an Accoutremens Button. The sentiment seemed the perfect finishing touch for the front of my tin.

From this angle you can really see the texture the kitchen towel gives and the dimension from the die cuts.

The inside of the tin has grey board covered with torn pieces from a vintage book which I have adhered with Claudine Hellmuth Multi-Medium Matt, painting some of the medium to the top of the torn pieces. I then applied brushed corduroy ink to the torn paper and the white areas are where the glue resists the ink and gives a great background. Random stitching has been added to the outside edges. I then cut a crown from paper using the Mini Crown and Fleur Set Alterations die and used as a stencil, applying vintage photo ink through the stencil onto the torn paper. I stamped the bodice from the A Form Of Art set of stamps with coffee Archival Ink onto white card and sponged with a little brushed corduroy ink and added to the torn paper. I added the head from It's Face Art, again stamped with coffee Archival Ink onto white card and coloured with brushed corduroy ink and added to the top of my bodice. A small crown adds that finishing touch along with a button to the centre of the bodice with added Bakers Twine. The opposite side has been decorated in the same way but this time has the Queen from It's Face Art added along with her eye added to three bottle caps to give more dimension. I have dangled three Philosophy Tags from the top of my tin for added interest secured with Hitch Fasteners.

The back of my tin has had the same treatment as the front adding gadget gears and mini gears to complement the front.

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

Altered Alice Chapter 12 Challenge, Hearts!

2012-02-05T05:00:00.002Z

Another month has passed by and it's time once again for our monthly challenge over at The Altered Alice and this month we would like to see your HEART(S), especially as we are in the very romantic month of February.

"First came ten soldiers carrying clubs; these were all shaped like the three gardeners, oblong and flat, with their hands and feet at the corners: next the ten courtiers; these were ornamented all over with diamonds, and walked two and two, as the soldiers did. After these came the royal children; there were ten of them, and the little dears came jumping merrily along hand in hand, in couples: they were all ornamented with hearts. Next came the guests, mostly Kings and Queens, and among them Alice recognised the White Rabbit: it was talking in a hurried nervous manner, smiling at everything that was said, and went by without noticing her. Then followed the Knave of Hearts, carrying the King's crown on a crimson velvet cushion; and, last of all this grand procession, came THE KING AND QUEEN OF HEARTS." -- Chapter 8; Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Our sponsor this month is The Octopode Factory, who is offering a $30 Etsy shop gift certificate to one randomly selected winner.

The Octopode Factory has amazing and unique images born from the fertile imagination of Lily Chilvers. The Etsy Shop carries her digi stamps and collage sheets, and she has large and small rubber stamps available through her blog. Be sure to check out all the incredible Alice in Wonderland characters and digital stamp sets, and visit! And for fun and inspiration, be sure to visit Lily's blog and The Octopode Factory Friday challenge blog, or TOFF for short!

I decided on a double page spread in my journal this month and I really wanted to challenge myself to work with a brighter colour palette. I sprayed my background with Dylusions sprays and applied Distress Stain fired brick through a mini harlequin Crafters Workshop template to give a further layer of interest. I tore a heart from scrap paper and used as a stencil, applying Gesso to one heart, inks to another and adding a paper heart for added dimension, again torn from scrap paper. The Gesso gives fabulous added texture to my page.

The opposite page is also adorned with hearts and I added OFF WITH YOUR HEAD which I thought was appropriate with the Queen image from The Octopode Factory. Black and white stripes added using a pen really lift the text from the page.

I also added the alphabet and numbers randomly to my page using Archival Ink and picket fence Distress Stain again adding to the layers of interest.

I added dots around my hearts to highlight and I coloured the fabulous Queen image with Distress Stains fired brick and spun sugar. To complete I added Gesso using the edge of an old phone card to give yet more interest.

This is a very short month, so you have only until Friday, Feb. 24 to submit your entry! As always, projects that feature Wonderland will have two chances at the prize instead of one. Multiple entries are fine, but each must be on a separate post. Please join us!

I would also like to add this to the Artistic Stamper Creative Team Blog where the challenge this month is also HEARTS and The Sunday Stamper with Hels is also HEARTS.

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to seeing your fabulous entries this month. Tracy x x

Imagine

2012-02-04T10:56:00.000Z

I've not created a tag in a long while so decided to use the Madame Birdcage Skirt again for my creation for 100 Proof Press this week.

I embossed my tag with a Cuttlebug folder and coloured with Distress Ink brushed corduroy and vintage photo and added a little random stitching to the edges.

I cut a circle from kraft card and stamped the the bird from her dress onto the circle and coloured with Distress Inks adding FLY to jump rings for added dimension.

I have stamped Madame Birdcage Skirt onto kraft again adding radom stitching to the edges and added to the tag, securing with copper brads. The sentiment IMAGINE has been added to the top and co-ordinated ribbon completes my tag.

Thanks for stopping by and a big HELLO to my new followers, welcome along to my creative journey. Tracy x x

MY MOJO MONTHLY - HEARTSTRINGS

2012-02-03T11:10:00.000Z

If you are looking for a little inspiration this month, pop over to Sarah's blog LA-DE-DAH where you will find some great heartfelt shabby creations from Sarah and an interview from little old me.

I am absolutely thrilled that Sarah invited me along this month, it's an honour to be part of such a fabulous inspirational monthly mojo.

This month Sarah is encouraging you to discover the potential in cheap, everyday materials and encouraging you to recycle.

Enjoy my interview and I would love to know what you think.

Enjoy your day. Tracy x x

A Patriotic Card

2012-02-02T10:19:00.001Z

Artistic Outpost is holding a monthly referral program and this month the theme is SHADES OF RED. For all the details pop over to the blog HERE.

It seemed very appropriate to use the LONDON UNDERGROUND and LOVERLY LONDON plates for my creation this week to co-ordinate with this months referral theme. I created an easel card using red card stock. I added the union jack to the back of my card using a mask and applying Distress Inks fired brick and faded jeans.

I added two rosettes using Tim's mini die and added UK to the top of the rosettes. My handsome gentleman was added to one corner stamped with vermillion Archival Ink.

I added a collage of London images to the top of the easel stamped again in vermillion Archival Ink, I love this colour, a real true red. Two rosettes complete the scene.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Fly Little Butterfly Fly

2012-01-31T15:22:00.000Z

My second creation using the fabulous Eco Green Garden Chic stamp set (made entirely from recycled rubber) from Creative Expressions for this weeks DT piece.

I stamped the butterfly with VersaMark ink and sprinkled with clear embossing powder and coloured with Broken China and Fired Brick Distress Inks.

I stamped the butterfly a second time with coffee Archival ink and again sponged with Distress Inks, cut out and added to the card.

For a little dimension I added FLY to memo pins adhered with Glossy Accents.

I was also thrilled to see that I have two articles in the latest edition of Making Cards Magazine, one using Stampotique images and the other using the Vintage Typewriter set from Creative Expressions.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

A Royal Appointment

2012-01-30T05:00:00.001Z

A warm welcome to another Monday and another fabulous challenge with Simon Says Stamp and Show. This week we would like to see KINGS AND/OR QUEENS in your creations.

As soon as I saw our theme this week I knew I wanted to use the It's Face Art and Art Fit For A Queen sets by Wendy Vecchi to create my QUEEN theme along with a Large Flourish Frame. A torn paper background and a little colouring from Distress Inks broken china and wild honey bring this piece to life.

Once I had covered the background of my frame with vintage torn paper I then stamped the leaf vine from It's Face Art onto the torn paper with VersaMark ink and sprinkled with clear embossing powder. I sponged over the vine with wild honey ink which resists the embossed areas and creates a fabulous background. I used the same stamp again, this time inked with coffee Archival Ink and stamped randomly accross the frame, this gives another layer of interest to my piece. For dimension I decorated Queens and Crowns Art Parts, adding the co-ordinated images to the top and colouring with Distress Inks. I then added a flower to the top corner of my frame to give some balance to the piece using the floral from Wendy's Art Fit For A Queen.

DREAM has been added to jump rings, adhered with Glossy Accents. I found two lovely brass crowns in my stash and added those to my royal frame (there is also a fabulous one HERE) along with the fabulous sentiment - The Crown from Wendy Vecchi, perfect for this piece.

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

She Only Flew When No One Could See

2012-01-28T12:16:00.000Z

I've been using the Madame Birdcage Skirt again for my creation for 100 Proof Press this week.

I have used kraft card and sponged with Distress Ink brushed corduroy to give a vintage feel to my piece. The birds in the background are to echo the bird within her dress and are from a Crafters Workshop template sponged with Distress Ink black soot.

I have added Tim's mini bird and cage as I thought they complimented the image beautifully, adding a little dimension to my creation.

I added a copper heart from my collection of embellishments along with the sentiment from Wendy Vecchi.

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend. Tracy x x

I'm Late, I'm Late I'm Late.......

2012-01-26T11:01:00.000Z

I've been using the fabulous Wonderland Collage once again for my card this week for Artistic Outpost, coupled with Tim's Weathered Clock.

I stamped my background with Curiouser and Curiouser and then sponged the background with broken china ink, I love this colour for Wonderland creations. My weathered clock has been coloured with brushed corduroy ink and a little clear Rock Candy added over the top in a random fashion so as not to cover the whole area. Once dry I then sponged once again with brushed corduroy and the areas with no Rock Candy appear darker.

I added the rabbot to the centre of my clock and coloured with distress inks. I added images to circular fragments and then added to my clock for dimension. The sentiment I'm late completes my card.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Garden Chic

2012-01-24T11:38:00.000Z

I have been using the Eco Green Garden Chic stamp set (made entirely from recycled rubber) from Creative Expressions for this weeks DT piece.

I decided to decorate a box for my first piece which I covered in vintage paper from an old book.

Once I had covered with vintage paper I added the floral image from the set, stamped with VersaMark ink and sprinkled with clear embossing powder. I then coloured with Distress Ink wild honey, a favourite colour of mine at the moment, blending the colour as I moved around the box. I then stamped the same image around the box in coffee Archival Ink.

I stamped the fabulous dress form onto white card using coffee Archival Ink and sponged with wild honey ink, adding coffee ink to the edges for definition. I added a wing from Tim's Idea-ology Adornments Regal and completed with three buttons threaded with Bakers Twine.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Back To Black

2012-01-23T05:00:00.000Z

Another Monday, another challenge with Simon Says Stamp and Show and this weeks theme is a SONG TITLE.

Back To Black by Amy Winehouse is my song title choice represented by a black heart box decorated with hearts from Wendy Vecchi's Love To Make Art set. Coupled with a little foliage from the Tattered Pinecone and a flower from the Tattered Florals die and a key embellishment from Tim's Idea-ology Word Keys.

My Tattered Floral has been created from Kraft Glassine which has been lightly painted with Gesso and scrunched to give that aged feel and a brad has been added to the centre. I then added one of Tim's Word Keys along with some black ribbon behind my Tattered Floral.

The hearts have been stamped onto white card in black Archival Ink and had a layer of Rock Candy applied over the top. Two black buttons threaded with Bakers Twine have been added for further dimension.

To lift the colour a little I have added white dots around the edges of my box with a white gel pen.

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

IMAGINE

2012-01-21T12:05:00.000Z

I've been using the Madame Birdcage Skirt for my creation for 100 Proof Press this week.

I love how she has a bird cage within her skirt hence I added a bird cage using a Crafters Workshop template to co-ordinate with my image

My background has been coloured with Distress Ink brushed corduroy to add to the vintage feel and I have added the cage and branches from the stencil in black soot ink and then spritzed some of the areas with ancient copper Cosmic Shimmer Mist.

I hava added a little Idea-ology foliage to the top of my cage for dimension and added the sentiment IMAGINE. I can see quite a few projects with this lady appearing soon as she could quite easily be used in my favourite steampunk creations.

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the weekend. Tracy x x

Heartfelt Greetings

2012-01-20T09:16:00.000Z

Another weekly piece for my Creative Expressions DT using the fabulous Sentimental Art by Wendy Vecchi, combined with a HEART Art Part from Dress Forms and More.

The background was created with torn paper from an old vintage book, I applied the torn pieces randomly, stamped the fabulous lace background with black Archival Ink and sponged with Distress Ink brushed corduroy.

I also added the lace background to my heart Art Part and again coloured with brushed corduroy to match my background. I added a black heart for contrast. I added a Philosophy Tag with BREATH engraved as I thought this was rather appropriate for my heart card.

I added my sentiment "Within your heart keep one secret place where DREAMS may go" to complete, again very appropriate for my card and perfect for Valentines.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Wonderland

2012-01-19T11:00:00.000Z

My first piece for Artistic Outpost using the wonderful Wonderland plate.

I stamped the clock image in the background with VeraMark Ink and then sponged with Distress Ink broken china, then stamping the same image over the top with coffee Archival ink. The edges have then been distressed and a little brushed corduroy added to the edges.

I have stamped the Rabbit with coffee Archival Ink and coloured with Distress Inks, again sponging with broken china ink. I love this colour for Wonderland, reminds me of Alice's dress.

For a little dimension I have also added images to Fragments.

Don't forget to join the team in February for our monthly blog hop and our referral program, details of which you will find on the Artistic Outpost blog.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Steampunk Art

2012-01-17T09:04:00.000Z

A little more steampunk from me this morning for The Stamp Attic using Tim's Steampunk set and the Weathered Clock die.

The background is a thick piece of card covered with torn paper from an old book adhered with Studio Matte Multi-Medium. When you are adhering the pieces to the card add a few random brush strokes of the medium to the top of the text as when you apply the ink it will resist the medium and leave white areas which adds to the interest in the background.

The background stamp from the Steampunk set was stamped with VersaMark ink onto the torn paper and Detail Clear Embossing Powder sprinkled over the top. Distress Ink brushed corduroy was then added over the top of the embossed areas and as you can see these areas resist the ink and give a fabulous background. I cut the Weathered Clock from thick card and coloured with Distress Ink brushed corduroy, adding black soot to the edges. Clear Rock Candy was then added randomly to the top of the Clock, making sure that some of the areas were not covered. Once dry I added more brushed corduroy Distress Ink and the areas with no Rock Candy applied appears darker, adding to the grungy feel of my piece.

The dashing gentlemen were added to Fragments along with areas from the background stamp and these were then added to my card. To complete I added Steampunk Art from Wendy Vecchi's Steampunk Art set.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Anything BUT A Card

2012-01-16T05:00:00.011Z

ANYTHING BUT A CARD is this weeks challenge from Simon Says Stamp and Show.

A great oppotunity for me to use the Timely Pocket Watch Art Parts, coloured with Distress Stain aged mahogany and stamped with the stripes from Art Fit For A Queen using StazOn black ink. Paper from BoBunny Timepiece Collection was added to the inside of the pocket watch with a little dimension added from the Weathered Clock die. Throw in a little Clear Rock Candy for texture and Gadget Gears for a little more interest. The handsome gent in the middle is from Studio 490 So Serious, coupled with embellishments in the form of a Timepiece and Game Spinners.

The Gadget Gears and the Weathered Clock have had a good helping of Clear Rock Candy to add texture and interest. All the edges to these pieces have been coloured with Distress Ink brushed corduroy and the edges applied with black soot to add to the aged feel.

I stamped the gentleman in the centre with black Archival Ink and added dots using a black pen around the outside of this stamped piece to co-ordinate with the dots around his eyes. I added a little dimension to his hat, stamping twice and adding one layer on top of the other. Add a little Idea-ology for dimension and my piece is complete.

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

The Best Time To Plant A Tree.......

2012-01-15T11:32:00.000Z

................Is twenty years ago. The next best time is now. I have been using the Tall Conifer from 100 Proof Press.

The background was created with Distress Inks which I then spritzed with water. I am quite pleased with this one, I think the trees work perfectly alone.

The text I found on a Google search, think it was listed as a Chinese proverb.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Dimensional Art................

2012-01-13T12:59:00.000Z

..............For my DT piece for Creative Expressions using the fabulous Sentimental Art by Wendy Vecchi, combined with a Large Flourish Frame.

My frame has been coloured with Distress ink and the background piece has been stamped with the fabulous lace background using StazOn black ink.I have also used the background stamp from the A Form Of Art set stamped onto the blue frame.

A little dimension has been added to my bodice adding layers of vintage music paper, coloured with Distress Ink. The smaller bodice is from the Dress Forms and More Art Parts, covered with vintage paper, coloured with Distress Ink and stamped with the lace background.

A brass charm and sentiment from the Sentimental Art set complete my piece.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

I'm So Thrilled.....................

2012-01-12T11:34:00.000Z

...........To have been asked to be a Guest Artist for Artistic Outpost for three months from February through to April. I am so excited about the opportunity to use their fabulous images, I have always loved their style and I am looking forward to using the new releases over the next three months. I will also be participating in their monthly blog hop using their fabulous designs.

If you are not familiar with Artistic Outpost click HERE to be taken to the store and HERE for their blog. Pop back in February to see my first creation and to join in their monthly blog hop.

Enjoy your week, Tracy x x

Pink Perfection

2012-01-10T13:58:00.001Z

A couple of weeks ago I was asked by Scott from 3M if I would like to evaluate/review the Advanced Tape Glider (ATG); of course I jumped at the chance. These are my personal views and opinions:

The ATG is very simple to use and the instructions are very easy to follow using the instruction guide enclosed with the product. The ATG does exactly what it says on the box! There is also a wonderful "how to" video on the website HERE giving a very quick and easy demonstration, what could be easier. The ATG is the perfect tool for use in your creative journey. So simple to use, you simply use the finger trigger to release a controlled application of tape, no cutting required you simply release the trigger when you have sufficient tape; even better there is no mess! The ATG has two 6.3mm x 32.9m rolls of tape included with each Glider meaning its long lasting between refills. The ATG is compact so easy for storage as I know what all crafters are like, we have so many products storage is always a problem LOL. Great colour too as I know quite a few crafters who like anything pink but in my case it makes it easier to lay my hands on the equipment when I need it.

The tape is ACID FREE/PHOTO SAFE so the perfect tool for Scrapbooking, allowing you to adhere photo's and other keepsakes securely, the tape has a very strong hold. The ATG is the perfect tool for all your Card Making requirements, adhering paper, card, ribbon, embellishments and also perfect for Invitations as there is no cutting of tape making mass production so much easier and you know that what you adhere stays stuck, therefore no problems when posting. The ATG bonds to coated and uncoated surfaces, all the surfaces I tried worked a treat. Narrow borders are no longer a problem using the ATG, quick, simple and professional. I also tried a few pieces of ribbon and the ATG was wonderful and gave a great bond and both narrow and wide ribbons ahered to my card perfectly. I also experimented with grey board, mountboard and corrugated card and the ATG adhered them all no problem and my sample card below uses corrugated card to prove my point. The tape also works fabulously with fine glitter too, so perfect if you want to add a border of glitter.
We all love a bargain especially just after Christmas and this fabulous ATG is on offer at the moment at £9.99. Refills are also available independently. Simply click HERE and you will be transported to the 3M website.

I created the card above adhering everything using the ATG and I must admit it was very quick, clean, simple and gives a professional result and most importantly for me gives a great bond, I always worry that pieces will fall off when sending items in the post but once stuck, it's stuck.

I would like to thank Scott at 3M for the opportunity to use a fabulous product, one I will keep in my CRAFT ESSENTIALS.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Red Letter Day

2012-01-09T05:00:00.001Z

Time for another challenge over at Simon Says Stamp and Show and this week our theme is RED LETTER DAY.

Following a search on Google, I found that red letter day originated from the practice of marking the dates of church festivals on calendars in red. The term came into wider use in 1549 when the first Book Of Common Prayer included a calendar with holy days marked in red ink, these dates were designated in the book as a red-letter day; the term is sometimes written without the hyphen. Red letter day today is also known as a gift experience. With this in mind I tried to incorporate both into my card using Tim's Air Travel set to represent the gift experience, a flight being the experience or the journey. Dates highlighted in red were used taken from the Odds and Ends set along with the sentiment stamped in red using vermillion Archival Ink . A dashing gentlemen from the Steampunk set has been added to a bottle cap and a little embossing using clear embossing powder for dimension. Copper brads and a Blue Moon metal charm token add a little more interest to the card.

The background is a piece of grey board cut 5" x 5" and covered with vintage paper from an old book, torn into random pieces and coloured with Distress Ink brushed corduroy. I added five copper brads to the side of my card to add to the masculine feel.

I adhered the vintage paper with Claudine Hellmuth Studio Matt Multi-Medium and applied a few random patches to the top so that the ink would resist these areas and leave random white patches along with the clear embossed image. "The Journey Is The Destination" seemed the perfect sentiment.

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

Birthday Greeting For Grungy Monday

2012-01-05T15:14:00.000Z

I had to join in with the Grungy Monday challenge this week as I have just found out that Tim Holtz celebrates his birthday on the same day as me 7th January, so I could not let the day pass by without creating a little something for the both of us. So armed with plenty of Tim's products I created our card.

I decided to create a card with a difference, I used a door hinge to hinge both my pieces together, but I did not want it to close like a standard card but to remain open, a little like a frame. I used grey board cut 5" x 5" square and covered with black Kraft-Core and sanded the edges to add to the grungy feel.

Once I had covered the grey board I began to decorate each side. I added the Weathered Clock to one side adding several layers of the clock so that it also worked as a frame to house my memory frame and to give added dimension and also to use the die a little differently.

I cut the Weathered Clock from grey board and coloured with Distress Ink brushed corduroy and a little black soot around the edges. I then applied a thick layer of clear Rock Candy, in a random fashion to add to the grungy feel and then added more brushed corduroy over the top to highlight the crackles. My gentlemen from the Steampunk set were stamped onto the back of a piece of Kraft-Core, cut out and added to the memory frame, dangling a cog embellishment for further interest. The hand and Admit One were stamped onto the same card stock and added to the clock. A metal Idea-ology corner completes this side.

The next side has Gadget Gears added applying the same treatment as before with the Weathered Clock, adding a few washers for that masculine feel, coloured with Alcohol Ink. The dashing gentleman and a metal corner complete this side.

The inside has a second memory frame and the background added from the Steampunk set.

Happy Birthday completes the card. This is my last post for this week as like Tim I will be out celebrating my Birthday on Saturday, cannot wait. Wishing you a Happy Birthday Tim, hope you enjoy as much as me!

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Heartfelt Creation...........

2012-01-04T14:51:00.000Z

..............For my DT piece for Creative Expressions using the Sentimental Art set by Wendy Vecchi.

I used one of the Sweetheart Frame Art Parts for this weeks creation coating with two layers of white acrylic paint and once dry stamping with the fabulous lace background in StazOn black ink.

I added the sentiment "I will love you, forever and a day" from the stamp set, perfect for this Art Part. Three black and white buttons, one of Tim's Placquettes and LOVE added to Jump Rings giving dimension to my piece.

I used Tim's Tattered Pinecone die, creating roses rather than pinecones to add to one corner of my heart along with the foliage from the same die. This will make a perfect alternative Valentine's card for my husband.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

The Best Time To Plant A Tree.......

2012-01-03T11:08:00.000Z

..............Was 20 years ago. The next best time is now. The start of my journal page and hopefully the first of many this year. I decided over the Christmas period that I really must experiment more in my journal and get a little more inky for 2012.

My first page concentrates on the Tall Conifer from 100 Proof Press. The background was created using Distress Inks and a Crafters Workshop mini branches stencil.

I added the tall conifers to either side of my path and added dots around the outside of my page. The birds are from Stampotique.

I added a little foliage to the bottom of my page using Tim's Autumn Gatherings die to give a little dimension.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Something Old.....Something New

2012-01-02T05:00:00.000Z

Happy New Year and welcome to the first Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge of 2012. The challenge this time around is Something Old.... Something New.

An old vintage tin for something old, coloured with Alcohol Inks raisin and rust, creating a little steampunk piece using images from Tim Holtz Steampunk set. Something new being a new stamp, not yet inked, Tim's Synchronicity stamp, a perfect addition for a little steampunk, with the addition of Spockets and Game Spinner. Wendy's images also play a part in this piece in the form of the Steampunk Art set along with background image from Tim's Grunge Cirque set. A little background colour from Distress Ink aged mahogany and the inside is complete.

This is what my tin looked like before its transformation. Must admit I really enjoyed altering this one and think this will be the first of many.

I sanded the outside of my tin to remove all the paint and then coloured with Alcohol Inks. The dashing gentlemen are from Wendy's Steampunk Art and Tim's Steampunk set. The gentleman in the background has been stamped onto acetate using black StazOn and the gentleman in the foreground is stamped onto white card, added to a bottle cap, coloured with Alcohol inks and Glossy Accents added to the top for dimension.

The reverse has again been coloured with Alcohol Inks, STEAMPUNK ART added on white card, edges sponged with Distress Ink Aged Mahogany and Tim Holtz Idea-Ology Timepiece and Game Spinner added.

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

Altered Alice Chapter 11 Challenge, Week 1 - Stripes

2012-01-01T05:00:00.001Z

Another month has passed by and here we are again with The Altered Alice and the challenge this month is to use STRIPES in your artwork. Our sponser this month is CRESCENDOh and the Design Team have all been working with the fabulous Alice In Wonderland set by Danita.

This month I decided to create a journal page using these wonderful whimsical images.

I masked my background to create the stripes and used Distress Ink broken china, a colour I often choose as I associate it with Alice's dress. I cut two hearts from white card as hearts are also associated with Alice In Wonderland and embossed one with a Tim Holtz Texture Fade and the second with a Cuttlebug heart embossing folder. I then sponged with broken china ink, added the hearts to my page and then added black and white stripes to the outside edge of each.

I added some of the smaller images from the set to the stripes, keeping it simple using only black Archival Ink. I wanted to keep the images black and use only the one colour, BLUE in this case.

We look forward to seeing your STRIPED CREATIONS, If it features Wonderland, you will have two chances at the randomly awarded prize instead of one. Multiple entries are fine, but each must be on a separate post. Link your entries over at The Altered Alice.

Thanks for stopping by. Happy New Year. Tracy x x

Still In Christmas Mode..........

2011-12-29T12:31:00.000Z

.................At the moment so decided to create a Christmas Card as I don't seem to be able to move on to anything else just yet, maybe at the weekend!

A card for 100 Proof Press using the Tall Conifer which I love using for a Winter scene. This card could so easily be adapted for a Winter birthday. I also added Christmas Day to the top of my card, stamped several times onto white card and sponged with Distress Ink broken china.

I created a scene to my large circle again using broken china ink and spritzing with water to give that wintery feel. The sentiment Let It Snow was the perfect finishing touch.

Hope you all have a fabulous New Year's Eve and Very Best Wishes for The New Year. Tracy x x

Happy Christmas.............

2011-12-23T10:53:00.000Z

............From Me to You. Hope you are all now organised for the festive season and enjoying the final preparations. I have a little wrapping to finish and I am there, I can relax for a few days. This is therefore my final post before the big day.

I have used Large Tree Skeleton, Tall Conifer, Spry Evergreen Branch, Snowflake, Leafy and Christmas Day all from 100 Proof Press.

I simply punched 9 circles from white card and stamped each image onto the circle with black Archival Ink. I sponged each with Distress Ink broken china for that icy touch.

I would just like to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and BEST WISHES for THE NEW YEAR. See you all in 2012. Tracy x x

Keep One Secret Place.............

2011-12-21T17:03:00.001Z

..........Where DREAMS may go. A great sentiment from the Wendy Vecchi set SENTIMENTAL ART from Creative Expressions.

I have used the Residences ART PARTS to create my card using the fabulous lace background that comes with this set to stamp onto each piece. The background has been stamped onto the Residences with black Archival Ink and the edges highlighted with gold Paint Dabber.

The background stamp has been used once again in the background of my card and spritzed with water before stamping. I have added the fabulous sentiment to the top of my card which I think works perfectly with the Residences. This would make a perfect NEW HOME card.

A lock and key from Tim's Idea-ology range completes my card.

Hope you are all enjoying your festive preparations. Thank you for all your support during 2011 and Best Wishes for 2012. Tracy x x

Sewing Is NOT My Forte..............

2011-12-20T09:46:00.000Z

....................Something I decided during a play date with my friend SUE. I suggested some time ago that we should create something a little different and I thought a Tilda Santa was a good idea.......bad idea, I cannot sew, I have no patience oh and I do not follow instructions too well either....a disaster in the making LOL.

So here it is my SANTA, I am describing him as RUSTIC, that's my excuse for the lack of sewing ability.

After purchasing the fabric it was something we needed to try but I have to say I think this will be a ONCE only toe dipping into sewing.

I do however like his rusty stars oh and the fabric............

I also decided to create a trio of snowmen to fit The Play Date Cafe Challenge.

Here is our inspiration photo from The Play Date Cafe, I love love the santa and the splash of colour.

My splash of colour comes from my snowman's scarf.

So there you have it.....my very RUSTIC creations!

Enjoy your week, hope you are all keeping up with the festive to-do lists. Tracy x x

Tags..............................

2011-12-19T05:00:00.000Z

.....................And a little inspiration from Tim are this weeks challenge from Simon Says Stamp and Show.

I've not had chance to join in with the 12 tags of Christmas so this was my ideal opportunity to indulge in a little tag creativity, creating a tag accordion. Each tag has a little inspiration from Tim thrown in for good measure using many of the Alterations dies including Winter Wonder, Reindeer Flight, Carved Ornaments, Tag & Bookplate, along with the Mini Reindeer & 25, and Joy. A little texture has been added using the Snow Flurries Texture Fade and a little Clear Embossing powder. A colour palette of blues/torquoise/green have been used for this seasonal creation with the help of Distress Ink Broken China and Weathered Wood along with paper from the Kraft-Core Nostalgic Collection.

My reindeers have had a good coat of Clear Rock Candy to add texture along with the addition of Baubles to a couple of my reindeers. Christmas Muse Tokens add a little dimension.

I created an accordion from my tags mounted onto Bazzill card stock, making a perfect alternative Christmas Card. The snowman has one of my favourite backgrounds; I added broken china ink to the flurries texture fade, added my card and then embossed my tag.

On the reverse of the accordion I have used the background stamp from the Seasons Silhouettes and added white highlights with a gel pen. I have used the aperture from cutting the Reindeer Flight as a stencil and added Distress Ink vintage photo. Smaller reindeers have been added to the tags, one having Glossy Accents added to the aperture. Adding wish using Alpha Parts gives further dimension. The Carved Ornament has had the same background stamp added using Archival Ink manganese blue.

Ribbon and a Christmas snowflake from the Christmas Adornments complete my accordion.

I would like to take this opportunity to THANK YOU all for taking the time to participate in the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge and your continued support. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for The New Year.

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

Its Cold Outside..............

2011-12-17T10:58:00.001Z

.................Inspiring me to make this card using the Large Tree Skeleton and Snowflake, Leafy for 100 Proof Press.

As soon as I saw the snow outside I thought of this bare tree and decided to add white embossing for that icy feel to my piece. I have added machine stitching around the outside edge for a little depth which lifts this piece a little.

A little corrugated card breaks up the blue, again with a little machine stitchine added to the outside edges. Two snowflake embellishments add dimension.

I have used the snowflake, leafy to create my background, stamping with a VersaMark stamp pad and embossing with white embossing powder to add to the icy feel, again inspired from our weather outside at the moment.

I would also like to enter this into The Artistic Stamper Creative Team's challenge which this month is CHRISTMAS

Thanks so much for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend. Tracy x x

Merry Christmas

2011-12-16T08:48:00.000Z

I am feeling very festive now there is only a matter of days until the big day so I thought I would create a couple more festive cards using the Here Comes Santa set from IndigoBlu from The Stamp Attic.

I created the background using a piece of torn scrap paper and Distress Ink broken china. I created the background first and then stamped the snowflake border at the top of my card.

The trees were then added, with a little shading at the bottom of each tree, Merry Christmas completes my card.

Whilst I was in the festive spirit I decided to create a second card this time using the tree from the set, masked and stamped at the bottom of the card with black Archival Ink. I used the fabulous Zipper once again to create my zipper flower adding a button to the centre along with some black ribbon.

I added a couple of layers of UTEE and placed my card in the fridge and then cracked the enamel to give an aged glass tile look.

I've tried to get a close up shot so that you can see the cracks, must admit they look great in real life.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Bonjour

2011-12-15T09:54:00.000Z

A little creative time using the Bon Voyage set from JustRite for my DT post for Creative Expressions, along with Spellbinders Labels Twenty.

I embossed the white card in the background with a mask to give a little dimension and layered onto black and white card, I love black and white with these images I feel it gives a very classy feel.

I added the Eiffel Tower image to Tim's filmstrip die, sponged the edges with Distress Ink and added behind the Spellbinders shape, giving layers of interest to my card. Buttons and a couple of metal embellishments finish my piece.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x

Through The Looking Glass - Projects With Depth

2011-12-12T05:00:00.001Z

Wow the weeks are flying by and here we are again, another Monday and that can only mean one thing, another fabulous challenge from Simon Says Stamp and Show. As soon as I heard that the challenge was projects with depth I really wanted to decorate a configuration box, something I've not had chance to do for a while so this was the ideal opportunity. I decided on a Christmas configuration coloured with Distress Stain Vintage Photo and decorated with papers from the My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Christmas paper pad. I had great fun decorating each area with Christmas finds along with the use of the Reindeer Flight die, The Tattered Pinecone Die, and The Pine Tree. JOY was added using Grunge Blocks along with a mini Christmas tree and sleigh. Small frames were decorated with images from the Seasonal Salvage Stickers along with a Christmas Muse Token and several vintage finds.

All my frames were coated with a layer of Glossy Accents to protect and added to a bottle cap with paper added from the Seasonal Salvage Stickers. I have also added a dimensional reindeer using the Reindeer Flight die. I was inspired by Shelly Hickox post HERE to create this reindeer using layers of the reindeer stuck together to create dimension and then covered in music paper. Thanks for the inspiration Shelly.

I have added a Pine Tree to this section coloured with Distress Ink Peeled Paint and Vintage Photo around the edges along with JOY using Grungeblocks, again coloured with the same Distress Inks and adhered with Glossy Accents.

A mini Christmas tree is the focal piece here, however, I only had green so a little bleach came in handy! A Christmas Muse Token has been added to the back along with a couple of my vintage finds.

The images from the Seasonal Salvage Stickers worked so well in my little frames.

25 has been added to the back of this section cut from white card using the Mini Reindeer and 25 die, coloured with Distress Ink Fired Brick.

Pinecones have been added cut from Kraft-Core using the Tattered Pinecone Die.

The top of the box has a vintage find added along with a second of those dimensional reindeers but this time using the head only.

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

A Winter's Day

2011-12-10T10:16:00.001Z

A little creative play yesterday using Large Tree Skeleton and Snowflake, Leafy for 100 Proof Press.

My background is created with Distress Ink broken china which I then spritzed with water to give the feeling of snow falling. I added the snowflakes stamped in manganese blue Archival Ink. Added my Skeleton Tree, adding a little shading to the bottom of the tree again with Distress Ink.

I have added a snowflake from Tim's Idea-ology range to give a little dimension and the sentiment Let it Snow, I did not want to over embellish as I think the tree and scene say it all.

There is also a perpetual contest Press It Out taking place at 100 Proof Press and the grand prize is an amazing $100 with 1st place $75 and 2nd place $50. All the prizes are awarded in rubber, mounted or unmounted. The winners will be chosen twice a year, once on 30th June and again on 31st December.

Entry Rules: All artwork must contain primarily 100 Proof Press stamps. By this, we mean most or all of the main images should be 100 Proof Press images. All styles, techniques and mediums are allowed. No size or dimensional limitations apply. Enter as often as you wish. All entries will be placed into the current contest on the day they arrive. All entries become the property of 100 Proof Press and will not be returned. Each entry must have clearly written on it, or submitted with it, the following:

1) Press It Out!
2) Your name, Address and Telephone Number(s)

3) I___________ give 100 Proof Press the ownership of this entry to use in any way. Sign and Date.

Send all entries to: 100 Proof Press, P O Box 621, St. Paris, OH 43072. Good Luck.

Time for a little creative time on the house now in the form of cleaning and ironing, mmmmm, may stick to the card making LOL!

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Bon Voyage

2011-12-08T10:14:00.000Z

Time for my weekly dose of inspiration for my DT post for Creative Expressions, using the Bon Voyage set from JustRite, this set works perfectly with the Spellbinders dies, in this case with Spellbinders Labels Twenty.

I decided on a different colour palette this week, a change from the black and white of last week. I used a mask in the background and sanded over the raised areas, giving some dimension to my piece.

I added a blossom using the Spellbinders Spiral Blossom adding co-ordinating ribbon, PARIS and a little brass Eiffel Tower charm.

Postage stamps added to one side stamped on Bazzil card complete my card.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

2011-12-06T09:35:00.001Z

I am feeling rather festive especially whilst creating my pieces for The Stamp Attic this week using the Here Comes Santa set from Indigo Blu.

I love the snowflake border stamp on this set it's so detailed. On this occasion I have stamped with Vermillion Archival and StazOn Stone Grey ink, adding a little of each colour to the stamp, masking the tree before stamping the second.

I also added some gorgeous trim to the top of my card and then made a floral to match adding a red button to the centre (the trim is available in the shop but not yet on line).

Whilst I was on a roll I created a second card using those wonderful Authentique papers. I also created a zipper flower, which I coloured with Distress Ink Fired Brick. For a little dimension I added a second layer to two of my trees and added text to jump rings.

I also thought it would be fun to create a place setting for Christmas from the fabulous SPOOLS that Wendy has in stock. I added decorative paper to the centre of my spool from the Authentique range and stamped the trees onto the Authentique paper and added two layers to each tree and adhered to the spool. I added the same trim to the top of my spool to match my card above. I cut a banner from the same paper using the Tattered Banners die for the finishing touch.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Elements Of Time.................

2011-12-05T05:00:00.001Z

..................For Simon Says Stamp and Show. Yes it's Monday and time for another fabulous challenge and this time we would like to see your TIME pieces.

I decorated one of Wendy's Timely Pocket Watches, adorned with Tim's Timepieces and Game Spinners. I have used the gentlemen from Tim's Steampunk set to decorate the inside of the pocket watch, stamped onto paper from BoBunny's Timepiece collection. The pocket watch was coloured with Distress Stain Aged Mahogany and stamped with the background stamp from Tim's Steampunk set.

I masked the gentlemen to create a crowd and highlighted one gentleman with a coloured hat which I thought worked perfectly with the "The Hat Makes The Man" sentiment from Wendy Vecchi's Steampunk Art.

I have stamped the edge of my pocket watch with the background stamp from Tim's Steampunk set using black Archival Ink. I used the hand from the Art Parts Dress Forms And More set, coloured with Distress Stain Vintage Photo and stamped the background image onto my hand and added a small button. I cut three tickets from beige card using the Mini Tickets Set and stamped the background stamp onto each in Distress Ink Aged Mahogany. I added the three tickets and hand to the bottom of my pocket watch.

To complete, I added Sprockets, Timepieces and Game Spinners.

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

Altered Alice Chapter 10 Challenge, Week 1 - A Lewis Christmas Carol To All!

2011-12-04T05:00:00.001Z

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from The Altered Alice! This month the Design Team brings you their holiday wishes, and we invite you to send your holiday greetings to The Altered Alice. You have until Friday, 23 December to enter. The winner post will either be a little early or late, as the last Sunday of the month falls on Christmas day!

Our prize this month is a $40.00 gift certificate to Custom Crops, the premier online retailer for crafters of all kinds. From Accuquilt to Zva Creative, adhesives to vinyl and everything in between, Custom Crops offers a huge selection of the products you've been looking for at competive prices with fast, friendly customer service.

I decided to create a double page journal piece for this months creation using images from IndigoBlu.

I applied a layer of Gesso to prime my pages and then added Gesso through a snowflake stencil and allowed to dry. I then applied broken china Distress Ink to my page, spritzing with water to blend. I then sprayed sky blue ink spray by Dyan through a mini numbers Crafter's Workshop mask to add a further layer of interest. Evergreen bough Distress Ink was then applied through the same snowflake stencil to add more dimension and interest to my page.

I added some text "WINTER WONDERLAND" and some black and white interest to my pages along with a border to the bottom of my page.

I cut out baubles using the carved ornaments die and stamped my images onto each bauble, adding a crackle background to each and sponging with broken china ink and then adding to my page. A little computer generated text completes my double page spread.

We look forward to seeing your holiday greetings, If it features Wonderland, you will have two chances at the randomly awarded prize instead of one. Multiple entries are fine, but each must be on a separate post. Link your entries over at The Altered Alice.

Thanks for stopping by. Tracy x x

A Mix Of Steampunk

2011-12-02T14:32:00.000Z

I have been using the Alchemy Symbols, Large Hand Holding Blank Card and Gears to create a steampunk card for this weeks DT piece for 100 Proof Press.

The background has been coloured with Distress Ink vintage photo and my images stamped in black Archival Ink. I have added copper brads down one side to add to that masculine, metal, industrial feel.

Wooden cogs have been added to the top of the card along with a little Idea-ology. The edges have been distressed and I have added STEAMPUNK to metal jump rings, again to add to the industrial feel.

Gears have been added to the card in the hand along with a hinge clip and cog. I have also stamped the gears image to the inside of my card.

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend. Tracy x x

Bon Voyage

2011-11-30T18:24:00.000Z

I have had a little creative time today for my weekly DT post for Creative Expressions, using the Bon Voyage set from JustRite, this set works perfectly with the Spellbinders dies, in this case with Spellbinders Labels Four.

I decided on a classic black and white card this time around, embossing my background using the polka dot mask. I then matt and layered onto black and white card and added a little machine stitching for dimension.

I cut one of the labels from black card and again embossed with the polka dot mask. I stamped my image in black Archival Ink and left the die in place, sponging around the edges with Distress Ink black soot.

I have added some filmstrip using Tim's die, cut from black card and added crowns to the centre, again from the Bon Voyage set of stamps. To complete, I added a pewter crown from Tim's Idea-ology and added the text PARIS.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Merry Christmas................

2011-11-29T08:57:00.000Z

....................Using the fabulous Here Comes Santa set by Indigo Blu from The Stamp Attic.

I used some gorgeous papers Authentique for my card this week. My card blank is from this range and so are the background papers.

I stamped the trees with Stazon Stone Grey onto the Authentique paper, cut out and added to my card blank. I then stamped them a second time, cut out and added a second layer for a 3D appearance to my trees. I stamped Merry Christmas onto white card with vermillion Archival Ink and added to the top of my card.

I also added a large flower, cut using the Tattered Florals die adding 9 layers of flower and shaping to give a very dimensional flower.

Thanks for stopping by. Tracy x x

STARS........

2011-11-28T05:00:00.001Z

................For Simon Says Stamp and Show this week and I decided Christmas was the way to go and created a Christmas card and matching gift bag charm using Tim's Season's Silhouettes and Odds and Ends stamps along with the Reindeer Flight die. The stars on the charm and on the card have been decorated with Ten Second Studio metal and embossed with the Snow Flurries Texture Fade. Embellishments include Christmas Adornments, Jump Rings, Placquettes and Swivel Clasp.

The background has been coloured with Distress Stain Faded Jeans, applying a couple of layers to give more depth of colour.

I used a Sizzix die to cut my stars and matching metal pieces (there is a great die HERE), which I embossed with Tim's Snow Flurries Texture Fade. I cut the reindeer from card and music paper and some recycled packaging and again the packaging was embossed using the Snow Flurries texture fade. To complete the card I added tickets from Tim's Odds and Ends set.

I also created a matching gift bag charm to add to one of my Christmas gifts, again cut using the Sizzix die and embossed with the Texture Fade. I have sanded the raised areas on this piece to add some highlights. I have added JOY to Jump Rings adhered with Glossy Accents to the bottom star; a Plaquettes to the middle star and a Christmas Adornment to the top star. I have attached each star with jump rings and added co-ordinated fibres to each. A unique gift tag for that special friend.

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

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

2011-11-27T10:30:00.000Z

I had an hour to myself this morning and thought I would make a quick card for the Grungy Monday challenge which I have not had chance to join in with for a while. The challenge is to create a little something taking inspiration from Tim HERE.

I used the technique Tim used on my snowman using Alcohol ink colours, stonewashed, sail boat blue and denim. The background is stamped with the stamp from Season's Silhouettes in manganese blue Archival Ink.

I added SNOW to jump rings and added them as buttons to the snowman. I also added BRRR to memo pins.

A little blue scarf from ribbon completes my piece. A simple card but one I enjoyed making just for fun.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

The Hat Makes The Man

2011-11-25T15:23:00.000Z

Another little steampunk creation for my 100 Proof Press DT project this week using the Large Hand Holding Blank Card.

I am loving this hand at the moment, there are so many stamps I can use alongside to create a steampunk piece.

I have embossed the background with a stencil and coloured with Distress Ink black soot. A couple of Tim's Steampunk stamps have been added alongside the hand and some Idea-ology cogs.

To complete I have added an Idea-ology timepiece and the sentiment "The Hat Makes The Man".

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend. Tracy x x

Black and White Christmas...........

2011-11-23T16:23:00.000Z

.................using the fabulous new Christmas Set from Indigo Blu, Here Comes Santa for my DT piece for The Stamp Attic.

Wendy sent me a little wooden arch (ICON) to decorate which I thought would be perfect for my non traditional Christmas card. I painted the wood with a coat of Gesso and then two coats of Black acrylic paint (the black Paint Dabber is perfect for this). I said last time that I would be using this sentiment many times and here it is once again on the front of my arch, stamped in StazOn Stone Gray. How do you like my zipper floral? Wendy has zipper in the shop, perfect for these flowers (they would be great for a steampunk creation, something on my to-do list!); and the white zipper is perfect for colouring with your Distress Stains. The edges of my arch have been coloured with white embossing powder. The edges needed something and the embossing powder worked perfectly to add a little interest to the black background.

In the centre I have stamped the fabulous tree from the Here Comes Santa set, in stone gray ink onto white card, cut out each one and added to the panels. I have added JOY and NOEL to Jump Rings and added the Merry Christmas sentiment.

This set also comes with a fabulous snowflake stamp which I have stamped onto circles and added to the back cover. Once again I have added Merry Christmas and SNOW to jump rings to complete my piece.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Fleur-de-lis

2011-11-22T13:16:00.000Z

Time for my weekly DT post for Creative Expressions, this time around using the Bon Voyage set from JustRite, a set which works perfectly with the Spellbinders dies, in this case with Spellbinders Labels Twenty.

This week I decided to go for a clean, simple classic design in brown and cream which I thought worked well with the Fleur-de-lis image. I have shaded the edges on the first die cut with Distress Inks.

I added the postage stamp in each corner, again from the same set, stamped in black Archival Ink. To complete I cut two corners from brown card and added to the opposite corners.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

TICKETS...................

2011-11-21T05:00:00.001Z

.....................For Simon Says Stamp and Show this week, yes we would like to see some form of ticket/tickets in your creations this week.

A page from the Maya Road Birdcage book was the starting point for my creation, covered with the Kraft Resist Paper Stash using the page with the bird image, coloured with Distress Stain faded jeans, the bird image on the paper then led me to using the Caged Bird Alterations Die to co-ordinate, cut from Grungepaper. The bird cage was aged with Distress Ink vintage photo and embellished with metal pieces from my stash.

The bird cage was then adorned with Tim Holtz Adage Tickets, again aged with Distress Ink and crumpled to add to that aged feel. I also added a Tattered Floral, cut from fabric and added a button to the centre.

The butterfly at the top of my cage came from some jewellery that I found in a sale for 50p which I coloured with rust Alcohol Ink. I added two butterflies, one on top of the other for dimension.

I added a Hitch Fastener to the top so that it can be hung to be displayed if required. My bird has been coloured with Distress Ink and stamped with the Hero Arts Old French Writing stamp in black Archival Ink. I also cut the bars on my cage as I like my bird FREE to do as he pleases LOL.

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

When The Moon Shines

2011-11-18T12:31:00.000Z

I have been using the fabulous new Christmas Set from Indigo Blu, Here Comes Santa for my DT piece for The Stamp Attic.

I created the background using Distress Ink Broken China which I then spritzed with water to give a snowy feel.

All my images have been stamped in black Archival Ink. I love the sentiment on this set, one which I am sure I will use many times.

I tried to challenge myself this time around to create a card with no embellishments so that the stamps do all the talking. Quite a challenge for me as I love love embellishments.

Thanks for stopping by. Tracy x x

The Head Is A Machine

2011-11-17T13:17:00.000Z

Time for my weekly DT piece for 100 Proof Press using Large Hand Holding Blank Card and Gears.

I am loving using this hand with a combination of other steampunk stamps, it works so well. This time around I have decorated the background with the Gears stamp from 100 Proof Press and aged my piece with Distress Ink.

The text was the perfect addition for this piece along with the dashing gentleman, both from a Wendy set, again all aged with Distress Ink and the edges distressed with the paper distresser.

I would also like to enter this piece into The Stampan Challenge which this time around is COLLAGE.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

A White Christmas

2011-11-15T18:28:00.000Z

Wow the weeks are passing by so quickly, I cannot keep up, but I did manage to find time for this weeks DT piece for Creative Expressions using the Stylish Christmas 1 set by Sam Poole.

I went for a very icy feel this time around, using Distress Ink to colour the background, spritzed with water to give a snowy feel to my card.

I love the bird images on this set, the images all co-ordinate beautifully together.

Two snowflake embellishments complete my card for this week.

Thanks for popping by, Tracy x x

Women Only..................

2011-11-14T05:00:00.001Z

For Simon Says Stamp and Show this week so I decided to decorate a bodice and one with a very womanly figure too, decorated with recycled tissue paper (a gift from Tony, Thank You), coloured with Adirondack Color Wash Espresso and Sunset Orange. The bodice has been adorned with flowers made from Tissue Tape, ribbon, Accoutrements and a Philosophy Tag attached with Jump Rings.

I applied the tissue paper, layer by layer using PVA glue and once dry applied the Color Wash. Once dry I added ribbon to the bodice and dangled a key from Tim's Locket Keys.

If you look closely you can see I have added a Trinket Pin to the top of my bodice with the word findings engraved, perfect addition for this piece. I then added my Tissue Tape flowers, adding a button to the centre of one and a Fanciful Button to the other. I created a necklace for my bodice using jump rings and a Philosophy Tag, a simple embellishment but one I feel works well in this case.

To one side I have added some press studs from my collection of embellishments along with a Curio Knob to the top of my bodice.

From the back you can see I used the On The Edge Iron Gate die to decorate the bottom of my bodice, cut from Glassine paper. To complete, I added more studs to the back.

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

Steampunk Gentlemen

2011-11-12T12:05:00.000Z

For this weeks creation for 100 Proof Press using Large Hand Holding Blank Card and Gears.

I embossed the background of my card with a stencil and coloured with Distress Ink vintage photo. My hand has been stamped with Archival black ink and had the gentlemen from Tim's Steampunk set added to the centre, again the edges have been aged with vintage photo ink.

I added a panel to the top of my card stamped with the Gears and again aged with vintage photo ink and the edges distressed with the distresser tool. STEAMPUNK ART added to the top seemed the perfect fit along with some cogs sent to me as a gift from Retro Cafe Art (Thank You). A little Idea-ology completes my creation.

Enjoy your weekend. Tracy x x

Christmas Robin

2011-11-10T11:29:00.000Z

Time for another DT piece for Creative Expressions using the Stylish Christmas 1 set by Sam Poole.

The background is embossed using a Polka Dot mask and coloured with Distress Ink fired brick.

The floral has been created using an EK Success dimensional punch.

The circle has been cut using a Spellbinders die and the bird has been stamped with Archival Inks in Coffee and Vermillion. The brown panel has also been cut using a Spellbinders Edgeabilities die.

Thanks for stopping by. Tracy x x

Birthday Raven....................

2011-11-08T16:51:00.000Z

Created for my friend Sue's birthday who loves RAVEN's.

The background was created with PanPastels and stencils and RAVEN was stamped with a Papermania alphabet stamp set.

I added machine stitching around the edges and added a heart dangling from the wing. The RAVEN is from a collage sheet from HERE.

Thanks for stopping by. Tracy x x

Simon Says....................

2011-11-07T05:00:00.000Z

Recycle/Upcycle this week, perfect challenge for using all those discarded bits and pieces, charity shop finds or unloved items, perfect opportunity to give them a new look.

I had this old book cover just lying around so I thought rather than just throwing it in the bin or just storing something else, I would give it a new look.

The first thing I did was to cover the entire piece in tissue paper which I recycled from a shoe box. I crumpled to add texture before adding any colour with Adirondack Color Wash Espresso and Sunset Orange. I decorated the book cover with images from Tim's Papillon set along with embellishments including Memo Pins, Jump Rings, Corners and Philosophy Tag along with the Filmstrip Frames Decorative Strip Die.

I love the richness of colour the Orange and Espresso gave when sprayed on top of each other. All my images have been embossed with white embossing powder.

I added some dimension to my butterflies, adding one image on top of the other along with FLY added to jump rings, adhereing with Glossy Accents.

I added a Philosophy tag, which I thought was the perfect addition especially with this creation being an ALTERED piece. To complete, I added metal flowers from my stash and a Trinket Pin to one of my butterflies.

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

The Altered Alice Chapter 9 Challenge, Week 1 Autumn Colours In Wonderland

2011-11-06T05:00:00.002Z

"`Off with her head!' the Queen shouted at the top of her voice.

Nobody moved. `Who cares for you?' said Alice, (she had grown to her full size by this time.) `You're nothing but a pack of cards!'

At this the whole pack rose up into the air, and came flying down upon her: she gave a little scream, half of fright and half of anger, and tried to beat them off, and found herself lying on the bank, with her head in the lap of her sister, who was gently brushing away some dead leaves that had fluttered down from the trees upon her face."

-- Chapter 12, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

I wonder if the Wonderland story took place in the Fall of the year? Just as Alice recognized the court characters as playing cards, the trees are losing their cloak of green chlorophyll and showing their true colors of gold, burgundy, scarlet, chartreuse and orange are emerging. Your challenge is to show us a project drenched in fall colours!

For my first piece I created an Autumnal card to represent Autumn in Wonderland. My background is created using Distress Inks and I added trees losing their leaves to add to that Autumnal feel.

Autumn In Wonderland was printed on my computer and my images were coloured with Prisma pencils.

I also created a chunky ATC, again with an Autumnal feel. I love the image on this side from IndigoBlu and will use him many times in the future for my Alice creations.

This is the reverse of my chunky ATC, again coloured with Distress Inks and this time adding the Mad Hatter image along with AUTUMN added to jump rings.

I have added images to the top and the sides of my ATC all from the same two sets along with leaves from Tim's Autumn Gatherings die.

I do love the crackle stamp that comes with the set, it makes for a perfect background to my piece.

Our prize this month is an A5 sized unmounted stamp set from IndigoBlu (a £13 value), or an equivalent amount of A6 stamps. IndigoBlu is a fantastic new British stamp company that makes "Quintessentially English Rubber Stamps" right here in the UK.

The design team have been working with these two fantastic Alice stamp sets, titled appropriately "Alice I" and "Alice II".

I encourage you to go visit IndigoBlu.com. All stamps are on sale right now with their introductory pricing, but that won't last forever, and the designs are all wonderful! In addition to the introductory discount, the Head Honcho Alfie says

"The Altered Alice readers can take an extra 10% OFF during the challenge; just use coupon code AlteredAlice in the voucher code box at checkout!"

Thanks Alfie!

Enter by Friday, November 25 . Our randomly drawn winner and the honorable mentions will be announced on the last Sunday, November 27. Multiple entries are encouraged, but each must be on a separate post. As always, entries that feature Wonderland in some way will get two chances in the drawing instead of one.

I cannot wait to see your entries this month. Link you entries over at The Altered Alice blog.

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Tracy x x

STEAMPUNK.....................

2011-11-04T09:27:00.000Z

................For this weeks creation for 100 Proof Press using Large Hand Holding Blank Card and Gears.

The background paper is from the Crowded Attic paper stash. I have stamped the gears onto the card in the hand and also stamped the hand onto shrink plastic.

I have also added the gentlemen from Tim's Steampunk set to a memory frame and tied to the finger.

To complete I have added STEAMPUNK to jump rings, some chicken wire and sprockets.

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend. Tracy x

Festive Accordion

2011-11-01T15:48:00.000Z

I have made a festive accordion for this weeks Creative Expressions DT piece using the Stylish Christmas 1 by Sam Poole.

I have used Ranger Archival Ink in Vermillion, Coffee and Distress Ink Fired Brick for my stamping.

To create the circle I used a Spellbinders die and used the aperture as a stencil.

The rusty stars I found in my stash and I thought they were the perfect addition to my card.

The reverse of my accordion.

A close up to show the amazing detail of the stamps. Again I have used a Spellbinders die as an aperture and added the robin to the circles.

I really enjoyed working with these stamps and I now have another card for my collection, RESULT!

Thanks so much for stopping by, Tracy x x

Simon Says Stamp and Show............................

2011-10-31T05:00:00.000Z

...............A HOUSE this week so I decided to use the Residences Art Parts for my creation, perfect for our House theme. The houses have been coloured with Distress Ink Aged Mahogany, Brushed Corduroy and Vintage Photo and stamped with background stamps from Wendy Vecchi Be Inspired...Make Art and the Art Of Making It Merry. Embellishments include Tim's Christmas Muse Tokens, Locket Keys, Hitch Fasteners and Jump Rings.

The background piece and the scallop are both Art Parts from the Sample Pack coloured with Distress Inks. Each of the Art Parts has had Gold Paint Dabber added to the edges.

I have added a rusty tree from my stash along with one of Tim's KEYHOLE's from the Idea-ology range. I have also made a door nob from a Hitch Fastener along with a small brad for the other door nob. I have added JOY to the top of my piece added to Jump Rings and adhered with Glossy Accents.

Christmas Greetings has been added to one of my windows cut from the Christmas Memories Kraft Resist Paper Stash along with two Christmas Muse Tokens . To complete I have added a rusty heart and snowflake.

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

Continuing With The Spooky....................

2011-10-29T12:07:00.001+01:00

..............For my DT piece for 100 Proof Press using the Skull stamp.

The background is coloured with Distress Inks adding a moon to add to the atmospheric feel of my card.

I used Tim's iron gate on the edge die for my 3D piece.

I added a bat and the two Skulls to complete.

Just realised I can also enter this into the Grungy Monday challenge where the wonderful Linda is challenging us to use a technique from Tim, Perfect Distress which you can find here.

Enjoy your spooky Halloween! Tracy x x

A Note Of Thanks

2011-10-27T12:57:00.000+01:00

This is my last DT piece using the Vintage Typewriter from Creative Expressions.

Using Distress Ink aged mahogany this time around and corrugated card.

I have used mini paper clips added to the top of my typewriter and stamped numbers again from the same set in each corner of my card.

To complete I have added some Faux Screw Brads.

Steampunk Art

2011-10-25T14:02:00.000+01:00

I have been dabbling with the new Steampunk set once again from Inkadinkado to create a steampunk card for my next DT piece for The Stamp Attic.

I sponged a piece of white card with Distress Ink brushed corduroy and then cut gadget gears from scrap paper using the Gadget Gears die and used as a stencil, sponging Distress Ink aged mahogany over the stencils. I added hand stitching to one side and stamped small cogs on the other corner along with an ornate key, again from the Steampunk set.

I coloured a separate sheet of white card with aged mahogany and stamped the balloons twice, cut out and added to my card. The Steampunk Art sentiment is from Wendy Vecchi's Steampunk Art set.

I stamped the gentlemen from Tim's Steampunk set onto Bazzill card and added to a square Fragment. A Sprocket has been added to one corner along with the pointing finger, again from Tim's Steampunk set.

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your week. Tracy x x

One Colour.....Any Colour

2011-10-24T05:00:00.000+01:00

Where does the time go, here we are again around to another Monday which means another challenge with Simon Says Stamp and Show and this week we would like you to create with ONE COLOUR.....ANY COLOUR. I found this quite a challenge just sticking to one colour but one I enjoyed very much.

I decided to create a card this week using brown tones and the fabulous London images from Artistic Outpost, Loverly London and London Underground. I went for a very aged, vintage feel to my card ageing all the pieces with Distress Ink Vintage Photo. Once again I have added one of my favourite technique's, adding letters to Jump Rings adhered with Glossy Accents to give dimension to my piece, along with an added bottle cap and vintage bunting. Machine stitching has been added to the outside edge.

To create the bunting I simply cut triangular pieces from white card, stamped the flag image onto each triangle with a VersaMark Watermark pad, added clear Embossing Powder and coloured with Distress Ink for that vintage feel. I then added machine stitching to the bunting for added dimension.

I added my gentleman image to a bottlecap again for added dimension and sponged around the entire piece with Distress Ink.

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

SPOOOOOOKY...............

2011-10-22T11:04:00.000+01:00

..............Creation for this weeks 100 Proof Press DT piece using the SKULL stamp.

My background was created with Distress Inks and then spritzed with water to give a mottled effect. I have stamped the skull then added a second generation stamping to give a shadow. SPOOKY has been added to jump rings.

I have also added a pewter corner I found in my stash. I am also entering this piece into The Stampman Challenge which this time around is "Night Time".

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend. Tracy x x

ABCDEFG.............................

2011-10-21T11:57:00.000+01:00

Time for this weeks Creative Expressions make using the Vintage Typewriter set.

I decided to use grey tones this week moving away from the sepia for a change.

I used Tim's Crowded Attic paper stash in the background and layered grey paper tones on top, adding the typewriter keys in the background in strips again from the Vintage Typewriter set.

I have added a Hinge Clip and Mini Paper Clip from Tim's Idea-ology range to complete.

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by. Tracy x x

Things With Wings

2011-10-19T16:23:00.001+01:00

The Crafty Individuals challenge this month is "Winged Things" and the Sunday Stamper is "Leaves" so I am joining in both challeges with my chunky ATC.

I have used images from Crafty Individuals Cl-218 and Cl-265.

The background has been coloured with Distress Inks wild honey, spiced marmalade and worn lipstick.

I have added a Leaf to each side of my ATC, cut using the Tattered Leaves die, along with alphabet charms and brass bird cage charms.

I have added vintage spools, coloured with Distress Stain to the bottom of my ATC to act as a stand/feet.

I used the Autumn Gatherings die to decorate the top.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

WOYWW...............

2011-10-19T05:00:00.000+01:00

.............. Not much has changed on my desk this week as I am lacking in a little motivation. This is my desk as it was on Sunday afternoon and has remained the same since.

I am in the middle of creating a chunky ATC which I am hoping to finish shortly to post later today motivation willing!

My little clock is still running slow as I have still not changed the battery, a must when I have finished this post. The little plastic containers contain a vast amount of embellishments that I love using in my creations and I have only just sorted them into little containers, it's taken me months to organise them, one of those jobs I have just kept putting off, bit like my ribbon storage that needs sorting.

This next area is also where I keep most of my embellishments too, think I have a problem with embellishments, no one can need that many LOL.

This is where I have been spending most of my time the past two days, clearing, chopping and generally tidying the garden and there is still plenty to do. There is probably still another weeks worth of work to get it all sorted for the Winter but I really must get down to some crafting, deadlines are looming. If you have no idea why I am showing you all this then pop over to the QUEEN of desks Julia HERE to find out all the details and visit some like minded folks.

Enjoy your day, thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

STRIPES For Simon Says

2011-10-17T05:00:00.000+01:00

It's Monday and that means time for another challenge over at Simon Says Stamp and Show. I am definitely in the mood for Christmas, highlighted by this weeks DT piece, a Christmas accordion card. The striped background has been created using the background stamp from Wendy's Art Fit For A Queen. Both sides have been decorated using Wendy's The Art Of Making It Merry, Tim's Season's Silhouettes, Christmas Miracle, Reindeer Flight, along with the Carved Ornaments and Pine Tree dies.

The accordion is created from a sheet of 12" x 12" Bazzill card stock. Once I added the stripes to each section I coloured with Distress Ink Fired Brick and added machine stitching to a couple of the areas.

The reverse of the accordion has had the same stripes added, which I absolutely love for Christmas. Another favourite technique of mine is to add letters to jump rings adhered with Glossy Accents and I have added these throughout the accordion.

I have added some dimension to my trees adding layers stamped onto music paper from an old Hymn book and coloured with Distress Ink Peeled Paint. JOY and TREE have been added to Jump Rings along with JOY from the Seasonal Salvage Stickers.

The Poinsettia from The Art of Making It Merry set has had the same treatment as the tree again stamped onto music paper from an old Hymn book and coloured with Distress Ink Fired Brick and to complete I have added a Christmas Muse Token. The reindeer is stamped onto card, cut out and stripes added to match my background piece. The background stamping is from the Season's Silhouettes stamped in black Archival Ink. The little ticket is from Tim's Odds and Ends set of stamps. REINDEER has been added to jump rings.

The bauble from the Carved Ornaments die has again been cut from music paper and added in layers to give dimension and coloured with Distress Ink Fired Brick. I have added a couple of Christmas brads from my stash (there are also some fabulous ones here that would fit perfectly) along with more jump rings to add BAUBLE to the bottom of the page.

The reindeer has been stamped on top of the stripes in black Archival Ink and machine stitching added to the outside edge. The bookplate is from the Tag and Bookplates die, cut from card, the background stamp added from The Art Of Making It Merry along with NOEL added to jump rings. The tree is cut using the Pine Tree die coloured with Distress Ink Peeled Paint and again machine stitching added to the outside edge.

The pine trees have been stamped in Peeled Paint Distress Ink and white highlights added with a Gel Pen. Subtle snowflakes have been added to the background with Fired Brick ink along with the sentiment Make It Merry and machine stitching.

The final section has my image stamped in black Archival Ink, a Muse Token added along with some Tidings Tissue Tape.

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 and 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

Halloween Chunky ATC..............

2011-10-16T11:37:00.000+01:00

..............For this weeks 100 Proof Press DT piece using the Skull, Row Of Skulls, Black Cat Border, Witches On Broom Border, and Poison.

My chunky ATC is decorated with Hocus Pocus papers from Pink Paislee. The skeleton is from a blog friend Lynn, (thanks so much Lynn).

The top has been coloured with Distress Stain black soot and has some chicken wire added along with pumpkin images and Tim's Idea-ology corked vial, decorated with witches.

The reverse has had the Poison image added along with the Row of Skulls. More chicken wire along with one of Tim's Halloween Muse Tokens.

I have added the Haloween images to the side of my ATC along with a skull bead hand sewn to the paper.

And the other side has the same repeated images and skull bead.

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy what is left of the weekend. Tracy x x

Steampunk Chunky ATC.............

2011-10-14T14:44:00.000+01:00

.............for my next DT piece for The Stamp Attic using the new Steampunk stamps from Inkadinkado.

My chunky ATC is cut from a piece of wood and coloured with Distress Stain Black Soot. I have then cut an ATC from thick grey board using the ATC & Corners die and added 7 Gypsies Paddington paper to each and again to the side sections. I have added silver brads down one side, adding black ink with my fingers to dull down the silver a little. The balloon has been stamped onto white card with black Archival Ink, stamping the top section of the balloon twice to give dimension. The propeller has also been stamped onto white card, cut out and added to the top of the balloon. Before adding the ATC's to the chunky piece of wood I added cogs to both sides cut from black card using the Mini Gears movers and shapers die.

The second side is decorated with further images from the Steampunk set from Inkadinkado, one image being added to a Fragment Charm, again to give dimension to my piece. I have added small watch parts to the fragment along with a Game Spinner and Sprockets dangled from the fragment charm. To complete I have added a mini Light Bulb to the bottom edge.

To one side I have added a key cut from grey board using the Hardware Findings die. The key has been coloured with a silver Paint Dabber with a little black ink added to the top.

The opposite side has the lock added, again cut using the Hardware Findings die and coloured in the same way.

I have added recycled watch parts to the top, coloured with a silver Paint Dabber and added a Tattered Banner along with STEAMPUNK printed on my computer.

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend. Tracy x x

Just Your Type Of Birthday.......

2011-10-12T13:17:00.000+01:00

........using the Vintage Typewriter set by Sam Poole from Creative Expressions.

I have stamped the vintage typewriter onto cream card using coffee Archival ink, added Happy Birthday and cut out. I have stamped the image once again but this time onto shrink plastic.

I have used strips of calico in the background which I have machine stitched onto the card.

I have added some of Tim's Idea-ology, a pen nib, jump rings and a hinge clip and added VINTAGE using the typewriter alphabet stamp.

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, much appreciated. Tracy x x

WICKED!

2011-10-11T10:25:00.000+01:00

I had an hour to myself this morning so I thought I would join in a couple of challenges, The Play Date Cafe colour challenge and The Stampotique Challenge which this time around is to create a humorous card.

I loved the colours from The Play Date Cafe this week and wanted to incorporate the WICKED shown in the picture in my creation.

I coloured the background of my card with Distress Ink shabby shutters and then used a new Crafters Workshop template I purchased at Port Sunlight this weekend called mini branches and applied dusty concord over the template. The web and spider were another purchase from the weekend. I added WICKED to the top of my card to resemble the one on the inspiration picture from The Play Date Cafe. I also used the template to add some subtle shadow branches to each letter.

I stamped Mela from Stampotique onto white card and coloured with my Prisma pencils. I also added a witches hat to the top of Mela's head so she looked a little WICKED lol, again the hat was another purchase from the weekend.

The pumpkins, again from Stampotique were stamped onto white card, coloured, cut out and added to the card. To complete I added the sentiment "HELLO GOURD-GEOUS!! sorry I know I can hear you groaning but could not resist LOL. I was going to put a sentiment on there about old age and how we don't get older we ripen but Mela is just too young for that sentiment LOL.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x