NATURE

One of my creations for Sheena's shows that were on Create and Craft on Sunday 18th March. I used the Nature Accomplished set combined with the solar gold Shimmering Mist, I love it and seem to be spraying it on everything I create at the moment.

The background of my Art Part is coloured with Distress Ink vintage photo and I have stamped the branch around the edge of my frame. The leaves at the bottom are from the Floral 2 stencil, coloured with Radiant Rain Copper Colour Concentrate from Luminarte.

From this picture you can see the fabulous shimmer from the Shimmering Mist.  I have also added a little dimension to the branch and added a little florage from Tim's Idea-ology range. The sentiment is from the same stamp set, stamped in black Archival Ink and sponged with vintage photo ink.

Thanks for stopping by, Tracy x x

Handmade Background

Time for our weekly dose of inspiration from Simon Says Stamp and Show and this week we would like to see those HANDMADE BACKGROUNDS.

I'm on my travels this week and by hot air balloon too from the new Tim Holtz Remnants stamps, set against a background created adding Tim Holtz Nostalgic Tissue Tape; one layer of Claudine Hellmuth Studio Classic Teal paint, random layers of Vaseline (petroleum jelly) and then a top coat of Claudine Hellmuth's Traditional Tan paint to create a unique background. Add into the mix the handsome gentleman from Tim's Steampunk set and a little Idea-ology Sprocket Gears and Light Bulb.

Using petroleum jelly acts as a resist and you can see in the background here the areas that have resisted the top coat of paint. The turquoise areas are those that have resisted the top coat of traditional tan paint. I have added a fragment embossed around the edges with tea dye Distress Powder adding one of the handsome gentlemen from Tim's Steampunk set. No gentleman is complete without a lightbulb of course and here I have added one of Tim's mini bulbs to his head to add to the steampunk feel.

I cannot resist a little dimension stamping the top of my balloon onto vintage paper, sponging the edges with Distress Ink evergreen bough to tone in with my background. I have then added my layers to the balloon, adding a little more interest with sprocket gears.

I love the stamp in the background from Tim's new Remanants set, perfect backdrop for my images and I love the added texture the embossing powder gives.

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

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

MARCH HARES

I've been using those fabulous LARGE HANDSOME HARES again from 100 Proof Press, I just love them and they are perfect for this time of year.

I have used torn paper from an old book in the background embossed with Tim's pocket watch embossing folder and then coloured with Distress Ink mustard seed and a little random stitching to the outside edge.

I've used Alpha Parts to add HARES to my card and MARCH to memo pins both adding great dimension and interest to my card.  I've also added jump rings to my HARES tops.

I love these ears from Retro Cafe Art, they are great fun and are perfect for your Easter makes. I have added a little colour to mine with Distress Ink vintage photo.

Hopefully in this shot you can see the texture in the background from the texture fade.

Enjoy your weekend. Tracy x x

Rose Heart

Another inky background used in conjunction with the Heartfelt Bold Bella Rose stamp set and coordinated Die Template.

My inky background is layers of kitchen towel which I have coloured with Distress Stain, adding a little machine stitching to the outside edge.

I cut a heart from vintage music paper and again machine stitched the outside edge and sponged with vintage photo Distress Ink. The roses have then been stamped onto the music paper with Distress Inks. For dimension my last rose has been cut using the coordinated die template. A heart charm is my finishing touch.

The weekend is in sight, yippeee, gardening and inky time for me, what are you up to?

Tracy
xx

NEWS! NEWS! NEWS! NEWS! NEWS!

Two posts in one day, unheard of for me but I had to let you all in on my exciting news.; I am now officially a member of SHEENA DOUGLASS Design Team and I am absolutely thrilled. Most of you will know Sheena from her Paint Fusion range, techniques and designs but there is more to this lady than just Paint Fusion and one of the reasons I am joining the team is to offer more designs on the ARTY side.

Here is one of my cards for Sheena's show on Create and Craft this Sunday (Mothering Sunday) showcasing some fabulous products from LUMINARTE which include some fabulous stencils, one of which I have used above FLORAL 2.  I will be showcasing the Radiant Rain Colour Paint Dabber's and Shimmering Mist Sprays in some of my next cards in future posts, they are fabulous. You can view Sheena's shows at 10am, 12midday, 3pm (wedding show) and 7pm.

Back to my first card, I want to try and show the diversity of stencils and on this occasion I have used Distress Inks to add the leaves to my background, blending the colours as I go.  I have then used the stencil a second time again coloured with Distress Inks but this time cut out some of the leaves to add lots of dimension to my piece.  I thought the springs were a great embellishment for the leaves. Best Wishes is from Sheena's Best Friend Swirls stamp set.

Thanks so much for stopping by, I love your comments. Tracy x x

Adventure Is Worthwhile In Itself

I've been using the fabulous Charles & Amelia plate once again from the Artistic Outpost to create my adventurous piece.

I created a background using torn paper from a vintage book and coloured with Distress Ink aged mahogany, matting onto coordinated card. I also added a little background stamping with black Archival Ink.

My images have been stamped onto white card and coloured with brushed corduroy Distress Ink to age a little, adding to black card to lift from the background. A little more stamping from the Industrial Background plate adds a little more interest along with some old vintage stamps.

Don't forget Artistic Outpost's March Referral theme SPRINGPUNK, all the details of which you can find HERE.

Thanks for stopping by, off to get a little INKY!!

Tracy
x

A little more VINTAGE

I decided on another vintage creation this morning using the VINTAGE set by TJ Designs from The Stamp Attic.

Glassine seemed the perfect backdrop for these images, scrunched to give that aged feel, with a little machine stitching to the edges to give a little more interest.

A little film strip ribbon gives a little more interest to my card adding YESTERDAY to the top stamped onto white card and coloured with vintage photo ink. An accoutrement adds a little more dimension.

I cut my heart from thick card and painted with PaperArtsy Fresco Finish paints London Night and Honey Dew, adding the Glaze for that crackle, so simple and crackles perfectly, sponging the edges with a little vintage photo Distress Ink to add to the aged feel. Moments To Remember has been stamped onto white card and coloured with vintage photo ink. I stamped the two rulers onto white card, scrunched a little and coloured with vintage photo ink.  My mini spools from Maya Road have been hand sewn into place.

Back to the craft room now for a little more creative time, deadlines to meet!! Tracy x x