Blueprints...

...don'tcha just love new stamps?  These cards are simple samples I made using the new Tim Holtz Autumn and Christmas Blueprint stamps.  I didn't really have a chance to play with the Autumn ones so I kept the samples quick and easy - I often get asked for easy cards... so here you go :O))   The Snowman was stamped in Jet Black Archival twice, one of them I cut out and coloured him with a waterbrush and Distress Stains... the other I edged with co-ordinating Distress Ink... the mat is stamped with a snowflake, using Brushed Pewter Metallic Stain to stamp with, loves those stains, chock full of glimmer!   The sentiment is from the Creative Expressions Winter Greetings stamp set.

Another super simples card... the Acorn is stamped twice as before.  I cut out the cup and blended Walnut Stain over the top to colour it.... bobbed onto 3d Foam to add a little dimension... and then edging the base card with Old Paper, Brushed Corduroy and Walnut Stain.  Because the design is so detailed, you don't need to go OTT with the card design.

And finally, the leaf... stamped as before, this time coloured with Distress Stains so the leaf is more smudgy in look.  I painted in red veins with Fired Brick Stain, the trees in the Spinney this year have had red veins... looked soooo pretty!   So there you have it... three super simples cards.  

 

Let me tell you what happened yesterday.  So, my AlfieCat has a catflap and he has finally learned how to use it properly.  He was out playing yesterday lunchtime and I was in the Room of Stash doing stuff.  I heard his bell go tinkle and thought "aw, he has come in to see his Mummy"  I called him and he didn't appear, which is unusual, he is like a little doggy normally and appears if I call him.  Anyways, I then hear this awful yowling noise.  So I called again.  Still nothing, just the yowling.  Uh Oh, I thinks, what has he done.... so I go rushing down the stairs to see him... and upon arriving in the living room I am greeted with the sight of Alf, all puffed up and yowling and... a HUGE black fluffy cat, also puffed up and yowling.  Honestly, it was the size of a panther!  Anyways, it cops sight of me, gives me a right old dog-look, turns tail and nips out of the catflap.  Aha!  So, Alf has himself a boyfriend does he.  I shall have to watch that the Panther doesn't start making a habit of making himself cosy in my living room... in the meantime, Alf is confined to barracks until I find out where Panther has come from.  He is rather cute actually... just not so sure about those enormous...erm... danglybits... you know, the ones that Alf had removed when he was younger... don't want any catty smells in the house!   And with that delightful thought, I shall bid you good-day!  Have a good one.... TTFN

Hels x

Sunday Stamper - Week 226 - Snowflakes

Gooodly Morning Stampers and a very happy Sunday to you all! Many thanks for all your entries last week, it was so nice to see so many different things that make you all happy.  This week I have turned my thoughts to Christmas so the theme is Snow/Snowflakes.  To join in is simples: make a little something, it can be anything you fancy.  Add in the theme AND some stamping and then pop back here with a link to the place you are showing your entry.  If you don't have a blog/photo-web-hosty-thingy, then you can enter via email or on Facebook.  The theme will remain open until 21:00 Saturday 13th October 2012.

As I said, I have been all Christmassy this week and have been making some festive things... and at the same time, having a little play with the new Metallic Distress Stains.  Well, what can I tell you about them?  Firstly, they are PACKED full of metallic-ness... literally shimmering with shimmer-ness... just remember to give the bottle a good old shake, I forgot to do that and ended up with a craft sheet full of liquid that wasn't very inspiring lol  They are also really nicely coloured as well... some metallic colours can be a bit gaudy but Ranger seems to have hit the spot perfectly with these little bottles of bling-ness.

Tag before decoration so you can see the stamping :O))

My base is a tag - a Size 8 one - and I gave it a smooshy background by popping some Picket Fence and Chipped Sapphire Stain onto my craft sheet, dipping the tag, spritzing with water and then drying.  I added a smidge more Chipped Sapphire cos I wanted the background to be quite dark.  I then did a little test of stamping... and found that stamping with the Metallic Stains alone does work... but it is subtle.  And I wanted "in your face" for my snowflakes.... so I an "I wonder if.... " moment and stamped the snowflakes first with Picket Fence Stain ,dried them and then overstamped with the Metallic Stain... yay! Result!  The chalkiness of the Picket Fence gives a nice grip for the Metallic to sit on.

The Snowflake adornment is actually both of the new Alterations Strip dies... Snowflakes and Mini Snowflakes.  I used Tim's new Holiday Paper Stash (not his actual one, like I said before, I don't think he would appresh me rummaging in his studio, nice thought tho' lol)   The Snowflakes are fiddlier to assemble than the Rosette... but not so fiddly that I wasn't impressed... I LOVE them... they are pretty and grungy all in one... and the possibilities are endless.   I have a fancy to cut them from foil tape and see about using Picket Fence Alcohol Ink on them... mmm, nomnomnomnomnom!  I added a couple of sprigs of ferny stuff behind them and a few fancy pins and... check out the new Festive Foliage... oh my word... these are just TOO cute!  Ickle metal snowy flowers... all spikey and cute!  I used Rock Candy Stickles and blinged them up a bit.

Anyways... enough of my wafflings... that's the theme for this week... I got myself sooo excited playing with the Stains that I made another tag at the same time... I will pop that on here tomorrow.  Hope you all have a F A B Sunday.  I am going to take up residence on the sofa.... tis the British Touring Cars at Silverstone today and I plan to sit and watch... Go Plato!!!   Thanks for looking.. .TTFN!

Hels x

Curiously Collaged...

...tis time for the Compendium of Curiosities II challenge... I LOVE this challenge!! I know, I say that every week but it is true! Invented and hosted by the ever lovely Linda Ledbetter, the challenge focuses each week on a different technique from the Duke of Distress himself, Tim Holtz. This week the challenge is sponsored by The Funkie Junkie so there be prizes too! Check out all the deets HERE on how to join in.



This week I had heaps of fun with Tissue Wrap, another fave product :O)) All the deets etc on what goodies I used are HERE on The Stamp Attic blog. I used Juniper Dabber, this was the first ever Dabber colour I ever bought, I love it because it can change colour depending on what you put with it... if you add bluey tones it goes bluey and if you add greeny tones it goes more...erm... green! (well, in my eyes it does lol)


I am speed blogging today because I am still tackling that "to do" list and it seems to be ever growing! Yikes! Thanks for looking... TTFN!

Hels x

Silence Is Golden...

..or rather... my silence is... because dear bloggy buddies, I have lost my voice! I know... fancy that... being someone who is ever so quiet and retiring and all that! Actually, I do have a little bit of a voice... only a smidge, so I am saving it and talking very little... which is annoying the chuff out of me at the moment because I, all of a sudden, seem to have a lot to say! I don't feel poorly sick and my throat isn't sore, I think it's just a lot of over-talking earlier in the week coupled with an airconditioned hall and not enough to drink... memo to self, drink more!



Anyways... onto the new monthly phenomenon that is the all new 12 Tags of 2o12. Unless you have been on a polar expedition you will know about the brand new direction for the traditional Christmas 12 tags... the Duke of Distress is now going to be doing one a month! Yaaahooooo!!! HERE are the deets for the February tag... and guess what.. oh yes, you can enter your ...ahem... entry and there might be goodies to be had. Now, I had a minor hissy fit (ok, a major one) when I saw Feb's design... I didn't have half the things I needed so Jennie and Joanne very kindly stepped in and helped out with the cherub and the honeycomb paper. Now, I haven't got the stamps... nor the Texture Fade and being as I am a bit of a skinflint with Valentine's I won't be buying them... so I improvised (oooh, I no likey doing that with the 12 tags but needs must) and used a flourishy texture fade instead. I pounced lots of Snowcap Dabber into the Texture Fade, wiped off the excess and then embossed it... and it worked! I used Festive Berries, Worn Lippy and Aged Mahogany DI's to colour the tag, edged it with Walnut Stain and then wiped the ink off the dabbered bits... they have gone a bit pinky but... hey, it's not too bad! I don't know about you but I can't wait to see the next one... hopefully I will have more of the stuff this time!


So... back to my poor old voice... or lack of it... **milks it for sympathy** I am offering up some very croaky squeaky prayers that it miraculously comes back over the weekend because I am away to Preston on Monday afternoon for a demo day at Card Craft Plus for their Inspirations week and I am going to be needing a voice so I can waffle on... finger's X'd eh? I will be back tomorrow with a brand new Sunday Stamper theme... a nice easy one for this week. Right... bedtime... maybe my voice will grow back overnight eh? Thanks for looking... have a fabbylicious weekend folks... TTFN

Hels x

Sunday Stamper - Week 181 - Frosty The Snowman... ** PLUS Giveaway**

Goodly Morning Stampers and a very happy Sunday to you all... many thanks for the amazing creations that were entered last week... twas grand to see so many newbies again too! This week the challenge theme is another seasonally oriented one... being... SNOWMEN. Tis a simple one this week, simply include a snowman of some description on your entry.



To join in is simples... make a little something, add in the theme and some stamping and then hop back to this post to leave me a comment along with a link to the place you are showing your entry. Now, as I mentioned yesterday, I have a giveaway this week... and it is my entry... which also made the Tut that I posted yesterday. To be in with a chance of owning this tag, all you need to do is leave a comment... if you also join in with the challenge, your name will be entered twice... the winner will be chosen and random and announced on next Sunday's post. The challenge will remain open until 21:00 Saturday 26th November 2011.



So... my entry... yes, another Christmas tag... this one is actually the tag from yesterday and I have decorated it with diecuts and bling and other festive stashly goodies. I won't go on about how I got the tag inked up as that has all been said before... and there are Step by Step pics to see how I did it too. I will just mention that I managed to get a photo of the Ghost Stamping, showing the way it changes in the light... you know like those Mickey Mouse watches that if you hold it one way he is smiling and the other way he is waving? *please say yes, otherwise I shall feel ever so daft lol*




I don't know about you but I am getting very festive in the crafting department... I am usually the one grumbling in the corner about the C word and huffing and puffing about card making and the like but this year, I have gone Christmas mad and everything I seem to be making is either covered in bling or it has a pinecone on it lol Mind you, I haven't gone that mad yet, I may have bought all my Bazzill cardstock for the cards but...erm... they are still sitting there, uncut, unused and awaiting attention... well, there's always tomorrow ;O))


Anyways... I am keeping this post short... I am fair pooped after a fab day teaching yesterday ... and have another class today... yep, more festive themed creativity! Before I do go though, I will just say again... THANK YOU everyone for all your support this past week... it has been a tough one for me and each and every comment, email and message has really cheered me up and kept my spirits bouyed. Right, I am away before I start blubbing all over, that is not a pretty sight at all!! Thanks for looking... have a very goodly week... TTFN

Hels x

A Combo of Curiosities... Take II

...hands up who is missing the Compendium of Curiosities challenge!! I am... but I am also very excited about Grungy Monday which is starting this next Monday coming which has been devised and is hosted by Linda. Anyways, a few weeks ago I made a tag that was combining some of the elements from the Compendium challenge... and here is another one I have made!




The tag is based on Week 14 which was Basic Masks, Week 24 which was Rock Candy Stickles and finally, Week 30 which was Altered Metal with Paint. Now, as I have waffled on alarmingly in the past about how I am a bit rubbish with this masking lark... I decided to give it another go... I still can't seem to get my head around them but I am liking the letters more and more... so I let this one through and carried on and finished it...




Here are the three tags that I took my inspiration from... and, no, I still haven't done anything with all 35 of them... I am thinking I will just leave them on their book rings... they are accessible and all together there... my pie in the sky ideas about making boards for them and putting them up in the Room of Stash has erm... well... been rejected... well, thinking about it... I put 35 tags onto boards and stick them up on the walls... firstly I wouldn't be able to see them closely (on account of me being a shortarse) and secondly, think of the dust!! And I seriously do not want to have to de-cobweb my tags lol



The tag was stained with Antique Linen Distress Stains... and then I did the masky bit... and then coloured the rest of it with a combo of Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade and Fired Brick with a smidge of Walnut Stain around the edges. The Rock Candy Stickles bit it actually all over the Rosettes... I cut strips of paper from the Lost & Found Stack and coated these with Rock Candy and heat dried it... how cool that I can heat dry glitter glue... gotta lurve Ranger for coming up with this product... anyways... I made three Rosettes, popped them all together and then did the Altered Metal with Paint bit... using a Philosophy Tag and some Trad Tan paint... I wanted the tag to have a smudgey painty look so I left some of the Trad Tan on there... and then I added a ickle Foliage flower with a Snap in the centre.




Oooh, and I nearly forgot... tis my day for the Bubbly Funk DT and this week I have made myself a little notebook using Tando Creative Chip Sheets... all the deets are HERE on the Bubbly Scrumptious blog. This is a little piccie of the front of the book... and I have just been commissioned to make another two... one for Grim and the other for his Mum... I do love making these books - they are simples :O)) Grim doesn't want ribbons on his though... so I am going to make it all manly and hunky... just like he is lol



So... guess what time I got up today? Mmmm, 5am!!! Guess what time I went to bed last night? Mmmm, 3am! I couldn't sleep... I saw the Doc yesterday and he has tweaked my pain meds and I think I am having one of those "getting used to the new meds days"... I am feeling quite perky at the moment but I reckon once I have stopped waffling on at you all I will probably fall asleep and wake up with drool on my chin and imprints of the keys from the laptop on my chops lol Right... gonna go and do something to keep busy... oooh, I can do the books... that is a plan! Thanks for looking... have a very goodly day indeedily... TTFN

Hels x

Scroll & Chips..

...is the recipe for the Everything Wendy Vecchi Yahoo Group challenge... did you know there's a Yahoo Group dedicated to ...erm... everything... Wendy Vecchi? If you lurve Wendy's style and all things Studio 490 and would like to join the group, click HERE ... all the deets are there! Anyways, Lori - who is the List Mom (Mum for us Brits) organises this cool challenge every week... I won't go into too much detail cos you can read all about it when you join... all I will say is that the challenge focuses on Wendy's books... which, BTW, there is a #4 book out now... and... I am a very lucky Hels... because last week I won a copy of Book #4 - all I had to do was join in with the challenge, and let's face it, that is easy seeing as I have a bit of an...erm.. addiction to all things 490.



So... waffling aside... my card... right, our cousins in America use a different size card to our basic A6 one, a size that I rather like... so, I chopped down a square card and made my own version, I think it is a bit bigger than the US ones but still, it makes a nice change not to make a square card... the centre piece was cut using one of Tim's Alterations (can't remember the name of it and I am too bone idle to go and check ROFL) I made a wrinkle free distress on my craft sheet... and yes, there is pink in there... I used to love pink... (hence the http of my blog) and I had pink phones, camera's, clothes, hair accessories, hangbags, jewellry... and then one day I woke up and vomitted (no, I didn't really but I could've done I was sooo pinked out!) Anyways... the pink is Victorian Velvet and Worn Lippy DI's... along with Wild Honey, Crushed Olive, Broken China and Chipped Sapphire... loving the Chipped Sapphire mixed with Victorian Velvet, it has gone mauvey in colour.




The stamping is a technique I learned from one of Wendy's books... ink the background, smoosh said inkpad onto sheet and spritz, stamp into it and then stamp onto card... cooolio or what!! Thanks to Wendy for sharing that cos I use it alll the time! Now, there is a scroll on the card, just under the flower and behind the chips... I should have stamped it further into the middle of the card but that is just me being a dipstick and stamping before I have the embellishment ready. Oooh, and ... if you love Studio 490 and would like to see some new stamps and stash in your mailbox, The Stamp Attic have the whole new range... stamps, Art Parts, Clearly For Art etc... *just saying ;o))* Right... I have a special project on the go... I will be back later (if it works, if it doesn't you won't see me for dust rofl) time to get inky!! Thanks for looking... TTFN

Hels x

490 For a Copy...

...ooohahahahaaa... do you remember CB Radio??? Or is it just me that remembers that "10-4 for a copy" - cos if it is I am so looking like a right old dingbat now... actually the 490 for a copy is true! Last night I had a lovely few hours making a mini book that was actually a class kit from THE Wendy Vecchi who very kindly gave it to Ellen to bring to me!! How lucky am I!!!




I have had this lovely kit sitting here in the Room of Stash awaiting attention but that Christmas thing was getting in the way of me concentrating on it - and I so didn't want to rush this and muck it up! It came with all the pieces stamped onto Grungepaper and board so all I had to do was cut out and ink and assemble. And... in the packet were some gorgeous embellishments that I haven't seen before and I neeeeeeed to find where to get them ... check out the ickle green expoxy flower! How cute!!!



Anyways, I won't waffle on alarmingly about how I made this... that wouldn't be fair to Wendy who's design this actually is... all I will say is that I haven't varied at all from the instructions and pics - yes there are colour pictures included in the kit - Wendy thinks of everything!!!




If one of the flowers had spots on it, mine has; if one of the leaves had numbers on it... mine has! And... another thing I have learned from Wendy - you know when you cut out your flowers and stuff from Grungepaper and board? Well, I have always binned the off cuts... nope! Don't do that... use the snips as layers under your flowers etc - making gluing stuff that is 3d easier and... you can still use Glossy Accents for gluing... brilliant idea huh!




All the inking was done using Distress Inks - combo's of Stormy Sky, Rusty Hinge, Forest Moss, Brushed Corduroy and Scattered Straw with a smidge of Vintage Photo to distress the edges of the pages. So inspired am I by this gorgeous little book, I am going to make my own version, same size etc but just do different flowers and stuff inside it... and I have the 490 set that has all the little wordy's on - like Flip. Fig 1, etc... that is so going to be useful for my next project!




Anyways... I had a relapse yesterday - the Dr had warned that it could happen.. you know, I didn't get out of bed til gone midday! And I spent most of the day huffing, puffing and flopping about - I did manage to make a lovely roast beef in ale... corrr, I am still licking my lips after that... the gravy was just to die for!!! So, it was nice to be able to do a bit of "easy" creating with the kit! Shame the photo's are a bit rubbish... my camera has almost passed over to that big camera cloud in the sky... I have tested it too and for once it isn't the photography that is rubbish... I need a new camera (which means I need to sweet talk Grim into pointing me in the right direction to buy a decent one ROFL) Right... that new mini book is calling for me to go and start it... thanks for looking and have a brill day! TTFN

Hels x

Improvisations...

...aplenty!!! Now, all those 12 Tags of Christmas and I was lucky enough to have most of the stuff I needed... but, I haven't got a glue gun, I haven't got any Adirondack Color Washes and I haven't got any of that thick foamy stuff that the Duke of Distress used to make custom stamps from his Alterations dies. So, first things first, the Color Wash issue - and let's face it, if He uses it and We haven't got it, it does fast become an "issue" doesn't it? (please say yes otherwise I will think I am bonkers LOL) The easiest option would be to buy some... but seeing as I have never needed them before and they have been around for yonks... and knowing my certain... erm... clumsiness with all things inky and stainy, I just knew that getting some would be taking altering to the nth degree (ie, my carpet!) Anyways, I decided to try a Mini Mister with a bit of water and a good old squeeze of Re-Inkers in it... and yes.... it works! Well, the colours aren't as vivid as they could be but I like the effect... so I have saved myself dosh (well, there had to be a first time lol)




So, with the Color Wash issue resolved, I then moved on to the Glue Gun issue. Now, I have to admit, if it is hot, I tend to get the odd burn or blister so have never ventured down the Glue Gun avenue (actually, is there an avenue named Glue Gun? I doubt it ... bear with please!!) It just so happens Grim has a Glue Gun and he keeps it in his garage... anyways, I mentioned to Grim that I needed a hot glue gun... and sort of adopted a slightly moronic expression **nowt new there then!!** in the vain hope he would trust me with it... and he did! So, the poinsettia on Tag #7 was "go" Which is what this 'ere tag is... #7 of 12 and yep, I am still behind on them but I am having the best fun playing.




Then... I noticed that Tim has been making custom foam stamps .... and..... I need one for one of the tags... eeeeeek... what a to do! I have not got any of that foamy stuff and I know not where to get it. So, I am sitting there feeling ever so slightly miffed that I have been well and truly foxed... when all of a sudden a huge flash of lightning appeared, zapped me in the bonce and I had ... an... idea!!! (fear not, I was seated at the time) Why not try to use... KlingON!!!! Tim has covered his foam with Wondertape, which is effectively what is already stuck to KlingOn, so I thought I would give it a try... and wowwwweee, it works! A treat! So, I am no longer foxed and very much in the running for actually finishing the tags now! Yipyah and thrice! Here is a piccie of two of the stamps I have made so far - I can see this being rather addictive. I am polishing my halo as I type, I am multi-tasking now too, feeling rather smug at all the dosh I have saved with my improvisations... mmm, what to spend it on now then!! LMSO




Have you seen the Sunday Stamper yet??? I am giving away my entry, all the deets are HERE if you would like to enter into the draw... don't be shy, tis open to everyone and if you join in with the challenge too, you will be entered twice :O)) Anyways, enough waffling from me for one day... thanks for looking... have a goodly day! TTFN

Hels x

Curiously Doubley Distressed...

...mmm, no prizes for guessing what the theme for the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge is this week LOL Hosted, devised and beautifully represented by the lovely Linda Ledbetter, this challenge is... curiously addictive (see what I did there... curiously!) If you would like to see what I am waffling on about today, please CLICK HERE to be transported, as if by magic, to see Linda's blog.



So... I made another tag... that is 23 tags made so far... I had planned to layer them all onto a big piece of wood and then pop them up onto the wall.. I even saved some wall space in the Room of Stash *note I am using the proper name for my good old room... but more of that later :O))* Anyways, you should see them all now - they are on two book rings and I will need another before the challenge is thru - but they are a really good "aide memoir" (oooh, get me, being all French!) and I have remembered to label the back of them with the technique of the week ;o))



I mentioned the Room of Stash and I am busting with pride now because... after THREE arduous days, it is... TIDY! Seriously, I know that doubters will think that I have just tidied up the desk and that .. but, nay and thrice, I have not only tidied both desks, I have also put stuff away, sorted out all my Distress Ink tools into colour order *be calm my inner control freak*, organised all my Alterations, sorted out the eBay stuff that I am selling at the moment... and... I have even... *please sit down if you are of a nervous disposition* used... the vaccuum!!! Admittedly, it was a bit of a "one whizz is all it needs" job, but hey, it looks better! I will pop some pics on on Weds for the WOYWW - oh and I nearly forgot to say... whilst I was tidying, I was also sorting out all the drawers cos they had just been stuffed with what-not when I first unpacked ROFL



I am getting more and more excited as the week passes... in... FOUR days *not including today cos we are already in today and it sounds better if today isn't included LOL*... Ellen will be here with me, in the Room of Stash with me... and I am like a kiddie waiting for Christmas!!! I seriously cannot wait... we have already had several "separated at birth" moments... so goodness knows what it will be like when we are actually together... actually, I do feel a bit sorry for Grim... he is so not gonna know what has hit him ROFL Right... I have got my crafting head on so I am going to make the most of it and go and make... something.. not sure what yet LOL Thanks for looking... have a very goodly day! TTFN

Hels x

Challenge Hels...

...don't worry, you won't have to see action shots of my backside wobbling as I run about for clues like the Challenge Anneka programme... nope, this challenge thingy that I have started is proving not only to be fruitful (in as much as I actually get cards made) but also... it is rather addictive! So, you know that my Room of Stash is actually a Room of TRASH at the moment... well, I decided to spend the best part of *ahem* seven hours yesterday trying to tidy it up... it is still not quite finished and to be honest, I am getting bored LOL I spent hours making little labels for my Blending Tools in the Craft Spinner...I am two tools short of a full set (that sounds wrong on so many levels ROFL) Anyways... (off I went on one of my waffles...sorry) I decided to have a little respite from the *cleaning.. ssssh... * and made a card.




The challenge was simples: to be made in under 30 mins, Christmas themed, must be a card, must have heat embossing on it and it must be flat for posting. The result is quite a...erm... flat card... which I don't really like - it needs something else, like layers for the sentiment and more bling... but, it was a challenge afterall. All the stashy bits, inks, stamps etc are available at The Artistic Stamper. I used Distress Inks, smooshed onto the craft sheet, spritzed with Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls mists and then the card was dunked *I love that word... dunked... if you say it loads of times it sounds really funny...mmm, just me then LOL* into the inky mix. I dried it all off with a heat gun and then edged the whole piece with Brushed Corduroy.



The heat embossing part... do you know what? I hardly ever do this anymore and I don't know why cos it is like magic, seeing the powders melt into the image *actually, one of the big reasons why I started stamping is cos I loved seeing those powders melt... before that I was a strictly peel offs and stickers girl ROFL* Anyways... the layout of the card is an idea I picked up from the Duke of Distress himself after seeing some tags on his blog... he is so clever isn't he? The little pine cones are stamped and cut out and then blinged with Rock Candy Stickles (which don't show up on the pics)



Guess what? I got another pressie in the post today... look at him, isn't he just the cutest thing ever? Laura picked up that I looooove hares, I have a lovely collection of them which have featured here before.. well, bless her, she has made me a hare... he is a knitted character with a gorgeous little sweater that has an H on it... I think he is just perfect! I wish I could make something like this... I can knit (well, after a fashion - scarves mainly ROFL) but I would never know how to make a little fella like this... anyways... I just wanted to sHare (!) him with you. Well, I have waffled and gone off on tangents and now... I have to go back and get that room sorted... well, I have got a goodly reason why I need to get it done now... because.. in exactly SEVEN days... Ellen will be here, all the way from America!!! Actually, this time next Saturday I will be actually with her at the airport... OMG, I am peeing my pants excited and this room needs to be perfect and tidy for us to be able to come in here, make some art... and trash it up again LOL Thanks for looking.. have a fabby day... oh and there is a new Sunday Stamper theme tomorrow... TTFN

Hels x

Sunday Stamper - Week 124 - Imagine

Morning Stampers... felicitations of the day to you all... and... many thanks to all who joined in with the challenge last week... cool use of string on show :O)) This week the theme is actually a repeat - tis yonks ago since we had this one but... it would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday yesterday, 9th Ocotber, and because he was part of my favest group in the whole wide world ever ... the music of which was the theme tune to my childhood really... I thought I would use IMAGINE as the theme for this weeks challenge. So, simples really, just use the word IMAGINE in your artwork... include some stamping, leave a comment here for me and then I can hop on over to see your art! The challenge will be open until 18:00 Saturday 16th October 2010.



For my entry I have altered another of those cheapy Ikea photo frames by firstly covering it all over with Tissue Tape - from the Symphony set - and then using Stonewash and Cloudy Blue Alcohol Inks to colour it. I gave the whole of the frame a good slather *love that word LOL* of Rock Candy Stickles and set it aside to dry while I made my middle bit.



Speaking of which... this is made from white card, firstly inked with Mustard Seed DI, then I overlaid the Spider Web and letters to spell aRt using Tim's Masks - these have been in my stash for a loooong time and I never really used them until recently... so they are deffo having a revival. Then I used more DI's to colour over the top of the masks... making a nice inky background... I used... erm.. lots of them including Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Crushed Olive, Stormy Sky, Aged Mahod and Peeled Paint... to name but a few LOL



I stamped some foliage onto the middle bit... added on some of the harlequin image that I seem to be using on everything at the moment... check out spidey in his web... he is a Wendy Vecchi Studio 490 stamp... and is my favourite... already!! I then used my ancient date stamp to randomly stamp 09 OCT 19XX depending on the year... ranging from 1947 to 1958 - and then one using my current date stamp for yesterday's date. I slapped a generous layer of Rock Candy Crackle over the piece and set it aside to dry. I made some flowers and leaves using Alterations and Grungepaper & Board... and made some golden roses... see the teeeeensy one?? That is THE smallest rose I have ever made... and am ever likely to make ROFL The word... is from the Brolly Man set - it reads imagined... so I just didn't stamp the D... I think it fits nicely into the Ornate Frame, which was then filled with more Rock Candy for crackles.



So... there you have it... lots of bling and sparkles on this piece - oh and I forgot to mention the Maya Road bits I used too.. pins and Bingo counters. Anyways... I hope you all have a goodly day... whatcha got planned??? A day of getting inky? A day making a lovely Sunday roast? A day of relaxation and rest? Well, I got a day of fast cars and finger's crossed... cos it is the final of the British Touring Car Championship - and... it could be any one of four who could win it, it is that close... so fingers and toes crossed that a certain Jason Plato has the drive of dreams and lifts the trophy... *tis the tomboy in me, loving fast moving vehicles... trains, planes, cars, bikes... LOL* I shall love ya and leave ya and say... thanks for looking... TTFN

Hels x


**PS... posting this early cos Mr Blogger is playing silly beggars and I don't want it to not post properly... :O))**

Curiously Free Of Wrinkles...

...Unfortunately, I am not referring to my face LOL Can you believe that it is the weekend already? Where on earth has this week got to??? I know... my ManFlu bug stole it and ate it up... so we are (nearly) on Saturday... and I am only just getting my Compendium of Curiousities Challenge tag made and posted... have you made yours already??? Or are you wondering what I am waffling on about???




Well, this is a FAB challenge, think I may have said that on various occasions over the last 16 weeks... 16 weeks already!!! Can you believe that we have done 16 weeks of this amazing challenge??? Anyways... if you click HERE you will be transported to Linda's blog... this time it will be magically by an invisible helicopter that has a candyfloss machine installed ready for you to tuck in to... OMG, I really am loooooosing the plot...




So, a tag... some Distress Inks... some Tim Stamps, some Grungeboard... a few dabs of Rock Candy Stickles... some Glossy Accents, a bit of Idea-ology and some Distress Embossing Powder and voila! My entry! Lucky for you that I am still feeling a tad jaded so won't be going into great deets about how I made this tag... tis all in Tim's book anyways. I have to get an early night... well... "ish" cos I need my beauty sleep for I have a playdate tomorrow at the Stamp Attic... actually, it's nearly "today" that I have a playdate... but you know what I mean... so I shall say TTFN... and... keep your fingers X'd that I don't get lost this time LOL... thanks for looking... have a goodly day!

Hels x

A Compendium of Butterflies...

...over on the Lots To Do challenge, the new theme this week is Butterflies/Insects... and seeing as I lurve butterflies, I thought I would join in... I made a card (I know, a card, not a tag!!!) using Distress Inks, Tim Holtz stamps and some Idea-ology.



The card base was coloured with Wild Honey, Crushed Olive, Rusty Hinge and Forest Moss DI's... oh and that was after I had stamped the text in clear and embossed in clear to give a resist (forgot about that bit LOL) I used Mini Misters with Crushed Olive and Wild Honey Re-Inkers in, added in with Perfect Pearls and then spritzed lightly. The sprigs were stamped in Forest Moss and embossed with Shabby Shutter Distress EP. Next I stamped some butterflies with Spiced Marmalade and Fired Brick and then popped a generous layer of Rock Candy Crackle over the top. Once this was dried I popped some Rock Candy Stickles over the crackles.




The Idea-ology has the Chipped Enamel technique on it... using Distress EP's to colour the bits..I made a butterfly out of some Idea-ology Foliage, a Trinket Pin and a bashed brad... this was all popped onto the card and then I stitched the edges... ok, I didn't actually physically stitch them.. I cheated and used Tim's stitches stamp... Me? Sewing? NEVER ROFL Anyways, the CofC challenge this week is using this technique so I am going to enter twice! *I want that prize LOL*



I am in a bit of a huff today you know... cos... some dastardly beast put a WORM onto my lappy and I was not happy that I had to shut everything down cos I really couldn't figure out how to sort it out... Anyways, my IT Technician *aka Grim* had a look at it this morning... and has sorted it all out for me... what would I do without him?? Anyways, while he was doing said sorting, he was telling me about the state of my laptop... apparently, I am supposed to back things up and look after it and tidy it up!!! I didn't know that... so thinking I am clever, I said "ah but do you know how to do the Batik Technique?" Erm... that was a reeeeallly stooopid thing to say cos Grim quite righly pointed out that he doesn't use "craft stuff" whereas I use the computer... mmmm, memo to self... just admit you are thick with computers and let the Master do the techy stuff LMAO... It is a little embarrassing that I am so thick with computers...*ok, not only with computers but that is another story LOL* I mean it took me about seven years to figure out how to upload a pic to Blogger... there is no hope for me LOL Thankfully I have Grim to sort out techernical stuff for me... and guess what! My lappy is going a lot faster than it used to... mmm, maybe there is something in keeping it tidy after all... talking of tidying... erm... the Room Of Trash... still bad, in fact, worser if that was possible.. now has more card and papers and rubbish all over the floor... tsk tsk, I need to get it cleaned... am wondering how long I can keep saying those words before I buckle and get it done ROFL!! Thanks for looking... TTFN

Hels x

Curiously Chipped...

...WhooooHoooo, tis Monday! Tis my fave day of the week... well, it has been ever since Linda came up with the BRILLIANT idea of having a challenge about Tim's book... The Compendium of Curiosities... Linda is wonderful, I may have intimated that before but hey... I am saying it again!!! Her art is not only A~MAZ~ING... but she is also a reaaallly lovely girl too... anyways... in keeping with the usual info about the challenge, I am not saying a word about which page we are on this week... or the theme... so that means that you will be able get have a little ride on this here bus I have laid on to take you globe trotting across to Linda's Blog...




I cannot believe we are on Week 12 already! I have been making a tag for each one... well, I love making tags and the Duke Of Distress does have a reputation of being a tagger... so I copied him... you should see the book ring I have now full of the other tags... I have had to start a new book ring already cos they are so fat... what I am going to do with them after hasn't been thunked up yet... I am waffling I know but... one idea could be... I have this big bare patch on a wall in the Room of Stash... so maybe I will pop them onto a big piece of wood and frame them up there...




I have been using a lot of oranges and browns recently so I decided to branch out into greens this week... I started off by inking the tag with Old Paper, then Crushed Olive, then Pine Needles *I lurve this colour but hardly ever use it!* finally, edging around with Black Soot. I sploshed some water onto the tag and dried with a heatgun... then I stamped some Sprigs in Pine Needles and Distress Embossed with Shabby Shutters EP... I then decided it was a bit boring... so I stamped a mini script with clear ink, clear embossed this and then rubbed some more colour over the top... *get me, "rubbed".. you know I mean blended!!* I stamped some butterflies in Rusty Hinge and Fired Brick... then slapped some Rock Candy crackle over the top... then slapped some Rock Candy Stickles over that... added in the Idea-ology and voila! (erm.. yep, doing that french talking thing again) Finished tag!




So... it is Bank Holiday today so I have been listening to Radio 2 while making my arty stuff... they had Tony Blackburn doing a countdown of million selling singles... oooh, you should have heard me singing along *or maybe not!* Tis a very goodly job that Grim is at footy this afternoon... otherwise his ears would have been bleeding LOL Still, there were a lot of Beatles songs so I had a lovely time... even AlfieCat enjoyed it... he is asleep on his bed in here with me... anyways... enough waffling from me... time to go and have a play with some chipboard and Viva stuff... and a clock mechanism... ooooh, what am I up to!!! All will be revealed soon :O)) Thanks for looking... TTFN

Hels x