The Stampotique & Sunday Stamper Challenge

Over on the Stampotique blog Valerie Wilson challenges us to use a template for any part of our project.  For this challenge I have used a large tag as a template (K&Company) and simply drawn around the tag onto watercolour paper.  For the background I have used DI inks fired brick and antique linen, applying ink directly to the paper and spritzing with water.  Sequin waste has then been used, sponged through with DI ink and the edges of the tag sponged with fired brick ink.  I am also adding this for the Sunday Stamper challenge over on Hels' blog. The challenge here is to use the colour RED.

I have added a little Terra effect paint to add highlights of texture and I have then added a large Maya Road chipboard crown which has been coloured with DI inks and clear embossed to give it a sheen.

To complete, I have added text simply printed on the computer.  I could not resist putting this text on the tag, it was the first thing I thought about when I saw the stamp in my cupboard. Pop over to the Stampotique blog highlighted above to see more wonderful creations.  Hope you like, happy crafting, Tracy x x

WOYWW 12th May

Another week, another Wednesday, yes its that time again to have a browse at everyone's desk and what we are all up to this week.  My desk just seems to have purchases on this week.  To the right I have the Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine which I purchased as it has an article on art journaling in stages which I quite fancy trying.

In the centre of my desk is the challenge I completed for the Sunday Stamper challenge, which was to use GOLD in your artwork.  If you would like to see the project in more detail you can see it here.

On the left, by the tv you can just see a glimpse of another purchase I made, a book titled "Who Moved My Cheese?" which is an amazing way to deal with change in your work and in your life, which I thought would be a good read for me as my life has now changed as I have just closed my shop to spend more time at home so this is something I will read over the next few days.

On a close up of my desk you can see my next purchase which are some Terra paints, Ferro Metal Effect colour and some Croco Crackling Colour which I'm hoping to have a play with soon.  The Terra paints are apparently good for adding texture and when thick enough you can stamp into it too, sounds good to me.

To the right of my desk I have a baskef full of projects I have completed along with any challenges I've played along with.  I will either recycle them or use as cards for family and friends.  Oops another purchase to the right which is the BigShot just solely so that I could buy some of the Tim Holtz Alterations dies.  Good job my husband does not read this blog as he would realise how much money I spend on crafts.

To the left of my desk I have some tall built in shelving units, which up until a couple of days ago were in a terrible mess, so thought it was time they had a sort, plus I needed more room for the new stash I keep purchasing oh and more space for more stamps hopefully, I have a thing for stamps (nearly said rubber there but thought that did not sound too good LOL).

Towards the top of the shelving I store all my cards and envelopes, but they may be moved shortly to make even more space for my stamp fetish, you can never have enough stamps I say.

I have worked quite hard this week on sorting more of my craft room oh and participating in a couple of challenges, oh and a magazine article and last but not least I am now also the proud owner of an allotment.  Have I ever grown veg, NO, so this is going to be very entertaining for me, my family and the other allotment owners around me.  The allotment is 27ft by 100ft, I did not realise the size until I got there but I think its going to keep me busy for the summer.  I will keep you updated with my challenges ahead LOL.

If you would like to enjoy more WOYWW desks then pop over to Julia's blog and have a good nose around, its great fun.  Oh and I would just like to say a big THANK YOU for all your kind comments last week, much appreciated.  Have a great Wednesday, Tracy x x

Sunday Stamper Challenge

Over on Hels blog its Sunday Stamper Challenge once again and the theme is to use GOLD in your artwork, which I found very difficult this week as when I went to use my paint it had all dried up, that's how log it has been since I have painted with gold.  So I had to get my thinking cap on.  It also took me well over an hour to find any gold embellishments, which I find amazing with the amount of stash I have in this room of mine.  How come you can never find just what you want, the right colour, the right paint etc etc.

Well after much searching of my craft room and my brain this is what I have come up with, a decorated cardboard heart.

 

 I have painted the heart with waternymph Stewart Gill paint and added highlights of rich gold paint (which I purchased from B&Q today) over the top.  I have then stamped text (from Wendy Vecchi set) onto tissue paper and added to the heart.

My GOLD element is a Sizzix flower cut from gold metal, and embossed using a Cuttlebug folder.  I have then rubbed StazOn black over the raised areas.

To complete, I have added a gold leaf embellishment, love sentiment (printed on the computer and sponged with tumbled glass DI ink) and a button.

I think this would be great to give for an anniversary card alternative.  Hope you like.   Hels is also giving away some great candy this week too, take a look at my sidebar to see this wonderful giveaway or pop over to Hels' blog highlighted above.   Happy crafting, Tracy x x

Play Date Cafe Challenge

The Play Date Cafe Challenge this week is a very pretty colour combination and feels very girly to me hence I have chosen to decorate a handbag.

I have had this bag template for years so thought it was about time I did something with them.  On this occasion I have used a Cuttlebug swirl embossing folder and applied DI ink spun sugar to the raised areas.  I have then used an old Stampendous stamp, again stamped with the same DI ink.  I have added a handbag style stone and a Sizzix flower using black and pink papers. To complete the front I have added 'Style', torn paper and a black button.

This is the reverse of the handbag, again embossed using the Cuttlebug folder and a Sizzix flower added to one corner.

A close up of the handbag showing the stamping detail.  I think this would make a great card for my daughter who is at that age where everything must match including the handbag.  Oh to be 9yrs again LOL.  Have a great weekend.  Tracy x

WOYWW 5th May

Another Wednesday is here, and its that time again to show our desks to all you WOYWW'yers, so here is mine this morning.  I have been working on a couple of challenges this week, which is what you can see on my desk.  You can see this in more detail here.

Other than this challenge I have been spending most of my time sorting my room and starting the challenge for the anniversary of the WOYWW, which I can't show you yet as its not quite finished, oh and its not the anniversary yet LOL.

I have also spent most of the week, when I can in my garden.  Gardening is my first passion and if you would like a nose at my garden you can see pictures here.




 Also on my desk is a basket full of challenges I have completed, which will now be used for birthday cards for friends and relatives me thinks.  I agree with Julia though when last week she was saying that it's great to have everything to hand and not shut away in a cupboard.

So I have also been reorganising my room once again, it is becoming a full time job LOL.

If you look below you can see I have made another purchase, they are CD cabinets, but make great storage for my inkpads, this storage works great as all the inkpads I use frequently are right where I can reach them.



I will also store other items on this unit that I use every day but I think this will be my last purchase for my craft room, only because I'm running out of space to house cupboards LOL.

Well what else has been keeping me busy this week.  If you take a peek below you will see her, yes my little pug pup, Mitzi.

If you would like to see more fantastic desks and have a nose around take a look at Julia's blog here and enjoy.  Have a great Wednesday, Tracy x x








My little friend Mitzi.........

Breath Of Fresh Air

How nice is it to finally get out in the garden.  Gardening is my first passion and is what I have been spending most of the day doing so I thought I would share a few pictures with you all.

Can't believe we actually have some sunshine as you can see from this picture.   This is looking down on my garden at my gazebo, which I am very proud of and it's a great place to sit and relax when the weather gets a little too hot, or that could be wishful thinking on my part.

This picture is taken from the gazebo, looking up at the garden.  I have three small ponds in the garden and love the wildlife they attract.

My borders are filling out nicely now that the weather is warming up a little, but that will not stop me making some more gardening purchases at the RHS Tatton Show, if you have never been I would highly recommend it.

The border you can see in the foreground is relatively new, hence you can actually see soil, which is unheard of in my garden, I like to cram the plants in like a cottage garden.  I love the natural feel of a cottage garden.  Anyway back to crafting now for the afternoon, but just thought I would share my garden with you for a change.  Have a great Monday, Tracy x

Challenges: Stampotique, Sunday Stampers, Play Date Cafe

I'm multi tasking today, I have decorated one canvas which will be suitable for three challenges, 1) The Stampotique challenge which is to think outside the box; 2) The Sunday Stampers challenge over on Hels blog which is to use a KEY in your art and 3) The Play Date Cafe Challenge which is to use the colours light green, light blue and off white.

When I think of a challenge I normally only think of one challenge at a time and I always normally think card, so this is my take on thinking outside the box for The Stampotique challenge.  I have added a KEY for The Sunday Stamper challenge and I have used the colours light green, light blue and off white for the Play Date Cafe colour challenge.

Products used for the canvas were: StazOn ink timber brown, DI inks, tumbled glass and bundled sage, Life's Journey Key, Gesso, charcoal pencil, text stamp, glossy card and Stampotique stamp Welcome Door.

I applied Gesso as a base coat for the canvas and allowed to dry.  Applied tumbled glass and bundled sage ink directly to the canvas and spritzed with water.  Added text to a few areas of the canvas with timber brown ink.

At the top of the canvas I added my own style bunting, along with heart ribbon.   I then coloured a piece of glossy card with the tumbled glass and bundled sage ink and stamped the Welcome Door onto the coloured glossy card, cut out and adhered to the canvas.

I have added a key, 'W' for welcome, torn papers and two hearts to complete. 



The 'W' has been painted with Gesso, a little light blue acrylic and highlights of bundled sage ink added.

I think this canvas would be great as an alternative to a NEW HOME card. 

Have a great Sunday,  Tracy x