Here Comes Summer!

No not really unfortunately, it's just that I've done 2 more pennants using Roni's techniques for my Stampotique callendar. These fit in so nicely with this weeks challenge which is to use triangles. Over to Nellie...

I often like to incorporate geometric shapes in my cards, be it squares, circles, rectangles etc. So this week I challenge you to use  such geometric shape  in your card or project. But not just  any shape you like. I has to be a TRIANGLE. Use just one or as many as you like.

Can’t wait to see what you come up with… So have fun stamping!

 Iv'e used the sliding stencil (bumping) technique for May, with PaperArtsy Fresco acrylics through the hexagon stencil. I really like how this looks with Jo's Medium and Tiny Bee.

June uses cling wrap wrinkles as the background and I've used various Perfect Pearls Mists. Jo's Small Butterfly and Carol's Flower (small) have been painted in Dylusion spray inks.

Please join in with us and use some triangles. You don't have to use Stampotique stamps, but we love it when you do. Don't forget there's a chance to win one of two $30.00 gift certificates to spend in the Stampotique shop (it's even better than a chocolate shop in there :-)  )

Thanks very much for looking and have a fab day xx

Plant A Seed And It Will Grow

The very talented Linda Cain is back at PaperArtsy this week, and her first project was to make a fantastic tag. She used JoFY stamps, and these are very much on top of my wish list - trouble is my wish list is so tall you would get a nose bleed before you got to the top :-)
I've used the rose stamp from the HP 1104 plate, the quote from Ink & The Dog Petals 3, and lots of doodling.
My paper trimmer needs a new blade so it has chewed it's way around the black card, but I quite like the effect so I'm keeping it lol.
Thanks very much for looking and have a fab weekend x

H is for Hug...

This Stampotique challenge this week is to use text on your piece, and at the Craft Barn the  new letter in the dictionary challenge is H. So after much rifling through my dictionary, and totally destroying the H for happiness page  (note to self, don't use so much white pen on thin paper 'cos it rubs holes in it) obviously it was the pens fault not mine lol.
Anyway back at H is for hug, I stencilled a background with PanPastels, then stamped Daniels Heart's and Abstract Foliage. Hug Monster has been coloured with Distress markers, and his very own sentiment Give Self A Hug has been stamped below the definition.

I couldn't resist the googly eyes, but that because I'm a grown up :-)
I'm also sneaking this into the PanPastel challenge which is to use two colours.
Thanks very much for looking and have a great weekend x

You're Beautiful...

She is though isn't she? I think Marilyn Monro is wonderful.

This is the photo inspiration from The Stampsmith challenge this month. Firstly I would love to be able to wear these shoes, but I don't think they're a EEE fit lol.
Marilyn has been stamped in Archival Coffee, and had cream Frantage sprinkled randomly around her.
She's sitting on some Kandy Core that's been embossed, sanded, and had a bit of embroidery cotton wrapped around.
It's been a wee while since I made a card, and just look at the white space on this one - so not me, but I quite like it.
I now need to tunnel my way through the washing and ironing - can you feel my pain lol.
Thanks very much for looking x

Love Is Like A Butterfly...

It's time for another challenge at TIO, and this time it's the lovely May's turn to choose.

Hi Everyone... It's May here again... this time round I have another recipe for you for the next fortnight  "Orange...Purple....Butterflies..."

Thank you all so much for taking part in our Tag it On... We love to see all your fabulous tags our only rule is you must use at least one real stamp  on your tag.. The rest is up to you...Have fun  Enjoy!!

So orange and purple, Mmm time for the distress inks, and butterflies... I used to love the Wendy Craig comedy Butterflies many (many) years ago, and the mere mention of butterflies and the theme tune is running through my head.

I've used Stampotique Small Butterfly, Daniel's Hearts, and Abstract Foliage together with Frantage embossing enamels and glass glitter.

It's all been edged with a little silver Treasure Gold, and a computer generated sentiment.

So, the usual rules, make a tag - how simple is that, and use at least one real stamp.

Thanks very much for looking x

Atishoo Atishoo...

I know I know it's terrible, but I have now officially run out of titles for my blog posts lol.
I've been having a little play with a 6x6 piece of mdf, tissue paper and my Artistic Outpost stamps. I started by painting the mdf  with Irish Cream and Baltic Blue Fresco paints. Then a layer of Eco Green matte medium to stick down my 7 Gypsies tissue paper. 
The stamps are all from the Paris Exposition plate, and have been stamped onto a  old dress pattern which is a really aged brown colour.
The paper lace is one of Tim's strip dies.
I'm entering this into the Artistic Outpost  February Referral which is anything goes, and the
Pan Pastels Challenge  which is to use two colours.
The two men in my life are both watching Top Gear - where did I go wrong...
Thanks very much for looking x

Woo Hoo Thank You Leandra

I was lucky enough to win the prize draw over at PaperArtsy last week , and my new stamps have battled their way through the snow and rain and landed on my mat. I chose the Lynne Perrella 17 plate  which is gorgeous! 
I've been following Helen's posts this week and she has done the most amazing hanging board, and here is my version, using my new stamps.
Lots of crunchy wax paper, fresco paints and Treasure Gold.

I love how oil pastels, paint and treasure gold work together on this paper, and the way it all melts in with the heat gun.
Thanks again Leandra for the stamps, and what stunning new ones from Jo and Lin. That's just pushed my retirement age up a year or two :-)
Thanks very much for looking and have a fab weekend x

Drip Drip Drop Little April Showers...

I've been trying to catch up with my calendar using Roni's techniques and have done March's which is using a rubber band and a brayer, and April's which is faux bleaching.
These are great fun to make, and every technique has been new to me.
For March I've used Stampotique's Old Timey Frog, and for April it's one of my favourites, Under The Parapluie.
Check out Roni's blog, it's amazing, so full of inspiration.
Thanks very much for looking x

Wot No Colours... Stampotique DC 87 Winter Whites

This week, Valerie  challenges us to use various shades of winter whites in our projects - white, shimmer white, off-white, ecru, eggshell, etc.  Here's what she said about this color choice, "Well, it wasn't planned, but this theme has a striking significance for those of us here on the East Coast who have just endured a big winter snow storm!  All of nature is drooping under the weight of a heavy white winter blanket!  Mother Nature really does provide the most beautiful inspiration!"

Oooh this is a real challenge for me as I love to use colour, so I decided that I needed loads of texture instead.
I started with a piece of corrugated card, and painted with Eco Green acrylics in white, clamshell, and butternut. Next I painted a piece of text paper with a watered down version of the same paints.

Tree has been stamped on vellum,  embossed in white, and edged in Antique Linen distress ink.
The Artemio leaves have been stamped with Vintage Script in Coffee Archival.

Next came my favourite bit... I painted the bird house in white acrylic, then stamped Roc's Stacked Boxes in brown, and liberally sprinkled with Frantage embossing enamel.

Next it was time to decorate the front . I stamped Wee Owl and covered him with a cabochon and popped him on his house. A bit of sticky embossing powder next and lots of fake snow.

The star has been die cut and stencilled with texture paste, then inked and glittered. I was quite getting into the swing of this no colour thing by now lol. To finish off I added a piece of pleated paper to the bottom, painted a few dead twigs (this just about describes my garden at the moment) in white acrylic and added loads more 'snow'. 
I had loads of fun making this, and am now totally covered in paint, glue and glitter :-)
Please join us over at Stampotique Designers Challenge and show us your whites (who remembers the Daz doorstep challenge lol)
I'm also entering this into
Simon Says Stamp And Show - something messy
Fashionable Stamping - birds
Stamping Sensations - fur and feather
Sorry this has been soooo long, and thanks very much for looking x

I've Been Inspired (But Not By The Weather)

Michelle's last project for the week at PaperArtsy was to alter a pencil case. I've had one of those really pale wooden ones kicking around for ages, so it was time to meet the paintbrush. Actually I use cut and dry foam now thanks sooo much for the tip Leandra.
My PA crackle glaze had arrived in the morning  - I've counted up and already have 4 other makes of crackle medium. I love the effect but cannot ever get one to work for me (I think know that I'm too impatient)  So I watched the YouTube video and gave it a go. This stuff really works! Instantly! Yes it's idiot proof :-)
I've used loads of colours, and crackle, and sanding, and stamps from Ink and The Dog Man of Number 4, Gentlemen 4 and Clocks 1. 
Sorry about the rubbish photograph but it's raining (they promised snow) and there is no light to be had!
I've learned so much from everyone over the last month, and had so much fun using my old PA stamps, so thanks very much everyone at PaperArtsy Towers you really have been inspirational.
Thanks very much for looking, and I hope the weather is kind to you x

Off With Her Head!!

Yet more romance for February, this time courtesy of Tim's tags of 2013. Lot's of improvisation this time, as there seems to be a lack of stash in the old romance department.
I don't have his Queen of Heart's stamp so Stampotique's Queen of Hearts, stepped up, together with the letter Q, a heart stamp and the dreaded stamp positioner.
I've also used co-ordinations card and Tim's embossing folders.
Unfortunately even surrounded by hearts and romance Queenie has reverted to type, and so her only comment is 'Off With Her Head'

This was done with Tim's chit chat stickers (adventure is now just venture 'cos it was off with its 'ad' :-)
I'm also entering this into this months Altered Alice challenge which is Romance in Wonderland. Nothing says' I love you' more than a head in a basket.
Thanks very much for looking and have a great weekend x 

PaperArtsy Meets Frantage

The fabulous Michelle Webb is back at PaperArtsy this week, and she has challenged us to make something in 3D. I've used the PA hanging board, lots of fresco paints and distress inks.
I felt that it needed 'something' so I sprinkled a little Frantage embossing enamel on in Aged Ivory.
I've used stamps from the HP1004 plate, and some bubble wrap for the background.
Have a great weekend, and thanks very much for looking x

Love Is In The Air

Over at Stampotique the challenge this week is the colour of lurve, red, pink and white.
I painted my tag with white Fresco paint, then coloured with water soluble pastels.
I've stamped Daniel's Hearts in Archival, and white embossed Heart Vine. Courting has been coloured with Distress Markers.
The XO's have been cut from the Word Play die, and painted, stamped and embossed.
This was great fun to make, and a bit of a change for me as I don't often use these colours.
I'm also entering this into the Fashionable Stamping challenge which is Show Some Love,
 Simon Says Stamp which is Have a Heart
and Happy Daze Love is All Around (tags and lots of Stampotique stamps available here)
Thanks very much for looking x

Tales Of The Riverbank

Yes I know I'm showing my age now, but I remember Hammy hamster well lol.
It's time for another challenge at Dragons Dream Tag It On, and May has chosen Night Riverbank. This means she wants to see, boats, driftwood, and insects. Yikes the only boat stamp I have is a Stamp Camp scene of Venice. You know where they punt up and down the canal river in their gondolas. My driftwood is cardboard that's gone through an embossing folder and inked. I do have an insect stamp, but it's about the size of the gondola so my romantic scene would turn into a B horror movie.
Please join in with us in our challenge remembering to use at least one real stamp.
Thanks very much for looking x

E Is For...

ELK. It's new challenge day at Pan Pastels, and they have chosen animals. It's also new letter time at The Craft Barn Dictionary Challenge and this time it's E.
I've created my background with Pans in purples and blues, and stamped the Sheena Douglass A Little Bit Sketchy stamps in Versafine. (This is their first inking so it's nice to give them an outing) I've coloured some bits with green pencil, and it's all been edged with a bit of Treasure Silver.
I'm really enjoying these challenges, and I like the way the PP's let the text show through and don't warp the paper. I just need to go back and do something for V now 'cos I missed the first week.
Thanks very much for looking x

Under The Microscope

Continuing her week as guest designer at Paper Artsy Suzz has done three fabulous ATC's. I also did three ATC's and they ended up in the big blue filling cabinet under the desk. Did I give in ... absolutely! A cup of coffee and several Hob Nobs later (which is really bad 'cos it's a new month so start of the diet etc etc) and I was back. I couldn't face another ATC but I still wanted to make something small like Suzz, so I decided to go with a microscope slide. The chalky Fresco's dried really nicely, and I used Zesty Zing, Limelight, and a dash of Beach Hut 'cos I thought the translucents might show through better. 
This turned out OK so I carried on while the going was good. The second one is Autumn Fire and Pumpkin Soup, and the third is Beach Hut and Ice Blue. They've all been edged with silver Treasure Gold. Wow I love the Treasure Gold, I just used a bit on the end of a stubby paintbrush and it went on and on.
I used Mini's 4 & 5 and the girl from At Home plate 4.
Thanks very much for the inspiration Suzz, and thanks for looking x