Red Could Only Mean One Thing............

....................Christmas, sorry for all of those that are offended by this post but as soon as I saw Hels' challenge for The Sunday Stamper was to use RED in your artwork I instantly thought of Christmas LOL.

I coloured a piece of watercolour paper with DI fired brick and from this piece cut the carved ornaments.  The ornaments were then embossed with a hearts folder and highlighted with Adirondack snow cap ink.  I added highlights of leafing flakes to lift the red a little.

The background piece is also embossed with the same folder.  The sentiment is stamped with DI fired brick and is from Outlines.  I added "bauble" using Tim's Newsprint Alpha Parts.  Co-ordinated heart buttons have been added to complete the look.  Must admit this was a challenge making a Christmas card at the end of May, not one I would like to repeat for a while LOL. Enjoy the Bank Holiday, Tracy x x

A Mixed Bag

I am on catch up again this afternoon, firstly with the challenge over at The Play Date Cafe which this week is a colour splash shown below.

Black and white with a splash of green, must admit the colour splash weeks are my favourite.

My first card is using an image from Outlines, I wanted to try to make a card without too many embellishments, just to challenge myself a little as I love embellishments and use a great deal on my creations so this is a little different for me.

I'm quite pleased with the end result.

My second card is created using Flat Open Flower from 100 Proof Press.

On the single flower I have added Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel and cracked a few of the areas to add to the aged feel.

A pop of green here and there for that splash of colour.

As I am on catch up I have also finally created a card for the Grungy Monday challenge, and only just in time this week. This time around we are using Tim's September 2008 Technique Challenge, which I know as brushless watercolour and have used this technique for many years so luckily with time being short it was a nice and simple one this week.

I have used an image from Penny Black for this simple card and a garden definition from Stampotique.

Co-ordinated buttons and lace add the finishing touches to my card.

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the rest of the Bank Holiday, Tracy x x

A Bird's Journey

Time for another DT piece for 100 Proof Press using the Generic Bird Diagram.

My background piece is from the Kraft Resist paper stash which I have coloured slightly with distress stain antique linen. I have stamped the Number Set, Block onto kraft card stock with coffee archival ink.  Both pieces have been machine stitched into place with black thread. The Generic Bird Diagram has been stamped onto beige card, stamping the wing twice adding the second to the main image to give dimension.

I have added FLY to memo pins and adhered behind the Generic Bird Diagram. Cream paint has been added to a philosophy tag JOURNEY and adhered to the card blank. I have stamped the Generic Bird onto beige card, coloured with distress ink and added to a fragment and dangled the letter B using a jump ring to add to the BIRD theme.

The completed piece has been layered onto black card and then onto a kraft card.  The edges have been sponged with black soot distress ink.  If you would like to see more creative pieces from the DT, pop over to the blog HERE.  Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your weekend, Tracy x x

Be Yourself

Evening all, time for another DT piece using A FORM OF ART set of stamps. I decided to decorate an embroidery hoop this time around as I thought that was quite apt for these images.

The bodice image has been stamped onto a scrap of calico in coffee Archival Ink, masking the image before stamping the background. I have also added the text SPECIMEN 2b to one side of the fabric.  Before adding the fabric to the hoop I have machine stitched around the outside edge with orange to give that pop of colour.

I have gathered some ribbon and hand stitched into place onto the calico, added buttons and a pearl bauble to add a little bling. Could not resist adding a couple more of those fantastic brass steampunk charms, I love them and they made for the perfect embellishment for this piece.

 

To add more dimension I have decorated a dress form Art Part, painted with ice blue Fresco Paint. Once dry I have added text using the background image that comes with the A Form Of Art set using coffee archival ink. I have cut the cage from Grungepaper using the Caged Bird Alterations die, coloured with Distress Ink dried marigold and attached to the dress form.

 

To complete the dress form I have added a flower from the florals Art Parts painted with sky Fresco Paint and a small orange button added to the centre for that pop of colour along with the sentiment BE YOURSELF, again stamped onto calico with archival ink.

I would like to enter this piece for the following challenges:-

Simon Says Stamp and Show some Wendy Vecchi Style
The Sunday Stamper - Diamonds and Pearls
The Stampman Challenge - A Recipe (and I went for Die Cut, Ribbon and Stitches, real or faux).

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Edit:  I have a comment from Wendy Vecchi, I'm thrilled, thank you so much Wendy for taking the time to comment xx.

Only Just In Time........

.........for the Stampotique Designers Challenge which this time around is to RECYCLE, RE-USE, RE-PURPOSE. I was clearing away from my last craft session when I realised that the bits and pieces destined for the bin could be re-used in some way for this challenge.

I decided to create a small gift bag from the off cuts I was about to chuck away from my post below.  I used Jo's Flower Cube which I stamped onto the Calico with maroon archival ink, masking the image as I went along.

I stamped Moon Girl onto shrink plastic and added as an embellishment to my bag, again using small off cuts of shrink that were destined for the rubbish bin.

 

I added buttons from a jumper that I have used for gardening and is now in the bin LOL.  I added the text BITS AND PIECES onto a piece of scrap calico, machine stitched to the bag.  To complete I used some scraps of canvas, again from the rubbish bin, stamped the flowers, cut out and added to the handles with jump rings.  The handles are made with some off cuts of string.  Enjoy your week and thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Grow Where You Are Planted

I was absolutely thrilled when Sara of 100 Proof Press asked if I would like to be on her Design Team and of course I said yes and today is time for my first DT piece using the flower image below (click HERE for the image).

I decided to create a card and matching gift bag for my first piece.

I have stamped the floral image repeatedly on the background, masking each image as I move along to create my own paper background.

Three dimensional flowers have been created from the same flower, stamped on Bazzil card and adhering each layer together, embossing with a ball tool to give some life to the petals.  I have also added GROW to some memo pins and adhered behind the ribbon.

Buttons have been stitched to the centres of the flowers and added to the ribbon.

My co-ordinated gift bag has been created from a scrap piece of calico.  The floral image has been stamped with archival ink, again masking each image as I go along.

I have added a central panel with a single flower, machine stitched around the outside and added a button to the centre. String handles have been added with co-ordinated buttons.  If you would like to join in our journey with 100 Proof Press you can find the blog HERE.

I would also like to enter this piece for The Play Date Cafe challenge as I have used their colour palette for both these pieces .

Thanks for stopping by. Tracy x x

A Piece Of Classical

The Grungy Monday challenge this week is Distress Ink Colour Blocking, a simple technique but very effective.  You can find the demonstration by Tim HERE. I decided I would make a couple of masculine cards this time around which could also be used for Fathers Day or birthday cards for my FIL.

I have used stamps from Darkroom Door stamped with coffee Archival Ink.

The senitment is from the same set from Darkroom Door and I found the clock in my stash from a while ago which was from K and Company.

I have also added the same image to shrink plastic and added as embellishments on top of the main image. The other words are from a collage stamp from Stamp-It.

To complete I added a pen nib and Inspire embellishment.

My next classical themed card uses green DI tones which tie in nicely for The Sunday Stamper challenge which is camouflage/khaki/green colours.  Again I have used the Distress Ink Colour Blocking technique, using peeled paint and crushed olive.

I have added a memory frame to Beethoven and added the letter B to add to the theme. The filmstrip die has been used to add two images, one text and one beethoven. The MUSIC stamp is from Stamp-It, inked with coffee Archival Ink.

 

Brass corners and clock embellishments along with Beethoven have been added to follow on with the theme.  Just have to hope my FIL likes these now LOL.  Enjoy your weekend.  Tracy x x

A STITCH In Time Saves 9

Time for another DT piece for The Stamp Attic, this time using Wendy Vecchi's A FORM OF ART set of stamps, thanks Wendy I love these as I am really enjoying sewing themes at the moment.

I have painted a square Art Part with PaperArtsy Fresco Paint, my first layer is Sky, applying a layer of the crackle glaze next and then the top coat of Ice Blue. The background stamp has been added with Coffee Ranger Archival Ink. I have stamped the bodice onto Grungepaper again with Archival ink and cut out, added lace and a snap to decorate. I stamped the bodice a second time onto shrink plastic using StazOn timber brown and added to the lace with a jump ring.

Alpha Parts have been used to add the lettering along with computer generated text and a Watch Face from Tim's Idea-Ology as I thought this worked perfectly for the word TIME.  I have also added a needle and buttons from my sewing box .

Butterfly wings have been added to the bodice from one of the butterflies on Tim's Papillon set of stamps, adding a little colour to the wings with Distress Ink Broken China. To complete I have added one of the fabulous steampunk charms (scissors), these are gorgeous and I do love my embellishments.  I have also added some small buttons to a jump ring and added to the scissors.

I would also like to enter this for The Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge which this week is to show AN OLD WIVE'S TALE and I obviously had to go for A Stitch In Time Saves 9 especially with enjoying this theme so much and what a fabulous idea for a challenge!  Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

WOYWW The Grand Tour

Morning all, I have been missing for a while for the phenomenom that is What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday, mainly due to the fact that I have not had much to show you and I'm afraid that has not changed much.  As you know I clear away after every craft session so I did not want to bore you with the same old pics all the time.  Well this week I thought I would show pictures of all my crafting area to try and make it a little more interesting for you, especially if you are nosey like me LOL.

This is actually my creative space, where most of my pieces are created.  The piece that you see in front of you is my next DT piece for The Stamp Attic which will be posted later today.

Moving a little more to the left we have storage shelves for stamps and small draws for some of my many embellishments. The little pile of goodies on the bottom of the picture are some new purchases that I have yet to use.

Moving around further we have the paper cupboards that my FIL made me a couple of years ago, great for my 12" x 12" papers.

Back towards the right we have my computer space where I do most of my blog posts and a few more draws for embellishments.

Yet more storage and craft items I need to list on my blog post for my DT piece.

Moving back towards my creative space we have a few sample pieces I made for myself, a bird I was given as a present that I will alter one day soon and yet more embellishment storage.  Hope you  have enjoyed the tour and if you would like to join in the fun, pop over to Julia's place HERE.  Enjoy your Wednesday, Tracy x x

Play Day With The Colours at The Play Date Cafe.........

.....was how I spent my day yesterday.  However, it was so bright in my conservatory that some of the greens did not photograph too well but they are green IRL.

I created this card using a technique I have used many times with clear embossing powder but is shown beautifully on the Hero Arts website HERE.

The butterfly is from Stampington and I have used Distress Inks to add colour.

The collage image is from Hero Arts and has been stamped on Tim's Vintage Shabby paper stash.

The flower is created using the Tattered Floral die from the same paper stash.

This images has been white embossed on a background of dusty concord Distress Ink. I have also highlighted part of the flower in a memory frame and added pewter bees. This time around I have only used a highlight of grey with the small buttons.

My last image is from Inkadinkado, once again stamped with Distress Inks.  A small bird house, bird and butterflies add some dimension along with the 3D heart.

This is our colour palette from The Play Date Cafe, fingers crossed this post stays intact as my last post was removed by blogger along with my 25 comments that I was very proud of, typical.  Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x