Sam's blog

Another beaded bracelet

2012-01-17T11:30:00.000Z

I finally managed to get round to making myself a bracelet too, but of course, it had to be green.

Blog Candy Winnings

2012-01-16T10:30:00.000Z

I won this wonderful lot of blog candy from Cath (Inky fingers). Tim Holtz stamps, wood mounted and bingo stamp plate. Life's Journey stickers, a huge bag of brads and a gorgeous fabric package entitled Lime Lollipops.

Along with this totally stunning card. It's extremely hard to see all the layers and textures going on here and this photo really doesn't do it justice, but in the flesh it really is something.

Thanks Cath for a wonderful surprise.

Thank You

2012-01-15T14:56:00.000Z

Lottie for this stunning charm bracelet which you made for me and sent a week or two ago. I've only just been able to get a photo of it.

It is a brilliant fit and hangs perfectly. It's gorgeous and I love it, thank you sooooo much.

Beaded Bracelets

2012-01-13T10:10:00.000Z

As most of you know, I've not been able to do much in the way of anything, let alone crafting. I have managed to get Martin to put a few beads on a tray and get me some tools out but it wasn't really a success as I dropped the bead strands on lots of occasions and kept dropping beads everywhere!!

So I've just finished these few bracelets off over the last week or so.

Mum is coming over again today, so I'm going to get her to choose one for herself.

I've made a couple for my colleagues at work.

May change this one as I'm not sure about the middle bead. Can't decide if it's too big or not.

And finally, yes Kate, a pink one!!!

Won't be doing much more for another few weeks!!

Out of Action

2011-12-22T21:19:00.001Z

Hi, just a quick post to let you all know that I will be out of action for a while having spent the last 3 days in hospital. I slipped on the ice on Monday morning and now have a shattered right ankle which is held in place with a couple of screws and a plaster cast. I am non weight bearing for 6 weeks, so laid up on the sofa. I then have to go back for the learn to walk process, physio etc.

We were supposed to be skiing in 8 weeks time, but that has had to be cancelled as I am unable to fly!!!

I wish you all a merry christmas and all the very best for the new year.

Have fun - Sam xxx

An iron and some wax

2011-12-18T18:47:00.002Z

I decided to have a play today with some wax and my travel iron been as I've just bought a book called Encaustic Art: How to paint with wax by Michael Bossom. This technique is called geometric abstract lines, drawing lines using the baseplate of the iron.

This one is monochrome where I was just practising the four basic techniques, but I like how it came out.

Then I got brave and decided to have a go at a bit of a landscape.

Then I decided to introduce a few more colours.

And then I did another one.

Bead and Fabric Bracelets

2011-12-10T13:06:00.000Z

I've been having a play with making bracelets from fabric and using wire and beads to decorate them. Here are my first attempts, a bit messy, but then I love the randomness of it.

Day 9, Tag #9

2011-12-10T10:12:00.000Z

Hmmmm....tag 9, not overly impressed with this one either, but .... I loved Ted's attempt, so decided to go along those lines instead. And OMG, how much bling. For those that don't know, I don't do bling, but this tag was just crying out for it.

12 Days of T!m Tags

2011-12-09T19:26:00.000Z

Well I have to admit that this year I'm a tad disappointed with the 12 days tags. I only got inspired on day 7, but don't have any of that stamp set. Then day 8 came along and 'wow', that got my creative juices following. So here is my effort and as you can see, I decided not to go along with the Christmas theme. I really enjoyed making it though.

Birthday Card

2011-12-09T09:30:00.000Z

It's my OH's birthday today so I made him this card. He has an orange sports car, so I thought my new T!m stamp was very fitting!!!!

Just Glue Some Gears On It

2011-12-08T19:29:00.001Z

I just had to share this with you which Clare found earlier

Beaded Jewellery

2011-12-04T09:30:00.000Z

Still on the jewellery theme I decided to have a play with some of my beads. Lottie has been making jewellery too, and she has been lucky enough to take some lessons. She has created some wonderful pieces.

I basically just strung my lovely green beads in with different shades of wooden beads and I was quite pleased with how it came out. I didn't do anything fancy with it, simply because I don't know how to!!

Steampunk Jewellery

2011-12-03T23:16:00.000Z

I have just taken delivery of this lush magazine which landed on my doormat this morning. It's fab and full of techniques and inspirational jewellery ideas. It's from the massive and fantastic Stampington & Co range, so you have to order it in from the USA.

Anyway, back to the steampunk pieces. These were inspired by my mate, Nicky, who sells the ones she makes as they are absolutely stunning. She incorporates lots of different materials in her pendants. If you are interested, visit her blog and click on the email me logo down the right to ask her what she has as each pendant is unique.

I also came across someone else who had played around with the same idea, as she had entered her make into a Simon Says challenge. See it here.

So here is what I was playing around with using the TH ornate plates as the base for the pieces.

This one uses all TH pieces

This one is TH, except the cog which is 7Gypsys.

This one is a mix of all sorts.

TH and 7Gypsys pieces.

A mix of all sorts.

This one doesn't use the ornate plate for the base. The clock pieces are TH and the cog 7Gypsys. The face is made from clay and coloured with silver acrylic paint.

Felt & Fabrics

2011-11-28T15:56:00.001Z

I made this using some of the things I bought from Harrogate this year and some that I bought last year. I used all sorts of fibres and materials including silk rods, scrim, hessian, felt, mulberry bark, throwsters waste and silk cocoons, as well as buttons, sequins, hat pins, beads and mount board.

I arranged my layout onto the hessian and machine sewed the pieces in place. The sequins and buttons were hand sewn afterwards and the beads added to the pins.

I wanted to use some bright colours for a change, I think I managed it!!!!

A Few Twinches

2011-11-26T10:00:00.000Z

The background for these were created with lots of mediums, eco-line inks, gesso and acrylic paint. Top one is crackled with rock candy, middle left has dimensional pearls around the hair, bottom left has black enamel accents over the body of the bee and the butterfly has glossy accents over the wings. They are all 2" squares aka a twinchie.

Knit & Stitch Show

2011-11-25T20:48:00.000Z

I treat myself to a day off and a trip to Harrogate today. I went to the knit and stitch show where I picked up these goodies above. There were more paper craft stands there this year. I have been after that TH car stamp in wood for absolutely ages so I was well impressed.

This is one of the creations on the Stef Francis stand using the silk rods.

So is this one.

These two were stunning in real life and again on the Stef Francis stand where I got most of my fabric stuff from.

A Few Tags

2011-11-25T10:30:00.000Z

I made these tags in the same way I made the Atcs in the previous post.

But I decided not to punch a hole in the top and add any fibres.

A Few Atc's

2011-11-24T15:38:00.000Z

I was playing around with my distress inks and stippling them onto the background using shaving foam brushes!!! Stamped some images, added embellishments and words and on the top left and bottom middle used some dimensional pearls over the hat and around the sun. Was just having a random play really!!!!

Wooden Shrine

2011-11-20T11:28:00.001Z

I think I picked up this wooden shrine at the Yours Sincerely show at Lincoln. I've had it primed for a while but couldn't decide what to do with it. So yesterday I decided to give it a coat of green patina eco-friendly paint. I smeared various greens and browns over the front when dry. I sanded off 4 x 1" pieces of stampbord, edged them in green, stamped them in brown and added them to the outside wings.

Decorated the background using various stamps, splatters, and bottle tops in different paints and inks. Stamped a few of the images onto tissue paper and used watered down pva to glue them on. The middle image is stamped onto a piece of card and coloured with distress inks. The word is cut from a Sizzix die.

This is it stood up in the garden in the sun!!!

Wooden Tags

2011-11-19T10:41:00.001Z

My mate Maz kindly gave me a couple of wooden tags to play with. I don't usually use blue but I decided to use my denim and sail boat blue acrylic dabber couple with blueberry eco friendly paint. I touched up with a bit of white for some contrast. I wanted to try something different so I stamped the flowers with iced spruce distress ink and covered with bronze perfect pearls. The butterfly is stamped in russet and pewter lumiere paint and the grass in olive green, they came out pretty well.

I initially painted the background black and then decided to add some metallics, gold, silver, pewter and brass. I painted the clock face and hands with copper. Added a charm, copper shavings and wire coils.

Steampunk Treasure Box

2011-11-14T08:59:00.001Z

I made this fab treasure box from scratch thanks to Jean. It was actually quite easy to do in the end but I did have the advantage of a great set of instructions and a video demo. Once constructed I used graphic 45 steampunk paper to cover. I added loads of steampunkery embellishments, spinners, chain, watch parts, a lock and a safety pin charm. The trim is one of the new TH lace dies coloured with vintage photo distress stain.

The top has a piece of TH glassine paper which has been run through the clockworks cuttlebug embossing folder. The edges were sealed with TH sticky tissue tape. I coloured the silver metal corner piece with old brass lumiere paint. The bottom left piece is from a clay mould and was coloured with metallic perfect pearls, the middle piece is a bronze coloured clock charm and the bottom cog is from a 7 gypsies set. And lastly, the handle is a mini light bulb!!!!

I'm really pleased with the way it came out, and most astonished that the lid fitted the box. That must be down to Jean and the precise measurements - thanks Jean

Clay Doll

2011-11-13T10:00:00.000Z

The body, legs, head and hat are all made from silver clay. I stamped into the body and the legs and gave them a hint of black acrylic to hi-light the raised areas. The face is a piece of stampbord coloured with iced spruce distress ink. The wings are TH chipboard pieces run through the script embossing folder and painted with pewter lumiere metallic with black hi-lights. I used safety pins for the arms and a mini watch embellishment for a heart!! I doubled up a piece of wire to secure the head to the body, so I unintentionally gave her a neck - lol.

Steampunk Dragonfly

2011-11-12T20:53:00.001Z

Decided to have a play with clay and made this dragonfly from black and brown clay and a load of watch parts and a few beads. Was quite pleased with how the body turned out as it's the first time I've tried this technique.

I think you can see the body a bit better on this one. It's like a rippled effect.

And some more!!!

2011-11-11T15:30:00.000Z

I used another inkadinkado snowman stamp for these two cards. I glossy accented his hat and scarf and the bird. The holly branch is from the TH die with the lamp-post and the white trim is from the TH lace die.

I think I'm going to give this one to Martin as it's my favourite. The blue section on the left has been run through a snowflake cuttlebug embossing folder and sanded back. I used a punch along the top piece of card and stamped it with one of the stamps I got from The Dome. I also found some clear mica flakes so decided to add them under the base of the snowman. I used iced spruce to add subtle colour to the card.

Yikes, some Christmas cards!!!

2011-11-10T17:00:00.000Z

I think this one will be for mum and dad seen as it's in the traditional red and green colours. Background is layered papers. I coloured the TH lace die with walnut stain stain. The image background was created with my Lily inks, the inkadinkado snowman stamped in gathered twig distress ink and outlined with glossy accents.

I used a dark green card for this one and stamped random snowflakes in picket fence distress stain. Used a MS punch for the sprigs / branches and coloured them with bundled sage distress stain. The 25 and December are outlined in glossy accents and the saying is stamped in faded jeans distress stain and over written in white gel pen.

Comfort Doll

2011-11-07T16:22:00.000Z

This is a Barb doll, otherwise known as a comfort doll. Mine is a lot smaller than Barb's as it's only my first one and I had to do the needle felting by hand and Barb has a fancy embellisher to do it for her. I think the face may be a little bit too big, but I didn't have any smaller face molds for the clay. I used black, but coated it with a layer of micaceous iron oxide before baking in order to take the perfect pearls. I used silk rods, merino wool tops, silk waste and bamboo wool to needle felt into the piece of felt. I then cut out a random shape. Using my sewing machine I attached another piece of felt to the back leaving an opening to put stuffing in. Once stuffed, I sewed the hole up. I glued the bamboo hair to the clay head and then glued the head to the body.

Christmas Tags

2011-11-06T17:08:00.000Z

I do love this new iced spruce colour. I was slightly concerned that it would be too much like the weathered wood, but the snowflakes in the background are stamped in that. I went to Maz's yesterday to drop her set off and she'd taken delivery of some of the new T!m dies, so she kindly cut me some. Here I have used the lamp post, holly and berries and the vintage lace.

This is the new holly branch die, coupled with the on the edge twigs die. The seasons greeting is an older one from a T!m stamp set. It was stamped in the gathered twigs autumn distress ink and covered with gold perfect pearls.

I added rocky candy stickles to the holly leaves.

Again I used the lamp post and holly, the twig from the holly branch die and a different one of the vintage laces. The stamp is one I picked up in my collection from the Dome.

Look what I've got!!!!

2011-11-05T13:12:00.000Z

Look what arrived in the post this morning thanks to my friend Lily. Yes, the new WINTER collection of distress ink pads. They really are lush and the iced spruce is really nice, it's like a cracked ice effect.

Going to make these into christmas tags, but just wanted to share before I covered up the colours!!!

A Few More Needed Cards

2011-11-03T20:41:00.002Z

An anniversary card for my sister using my Lily inks and the new purple coloured DI.

Birthday card for my dad using bundled sage distress stains.

And finally a birthday card for my niece using alcohol inks and bundled sage distress stain.

Quick Wedding Card

2011-10-31T10:00:00.000Z

We need a card for next Sunday as Martins niece is getting married. So I quickly made this primarily from a napkin and a doily. I die cut the shape, coloured the background with old paper distress stain and the new brown distress ink (can't think of the name), stamped the letters and added the flowers, brads and key charm. I lightly coloured the card with tattered rose distress ink and stamped some flourishes in the same colour.

Halloween Tags

2011-10-30T13:34:00.000Z

I used my Lily sprays on all the backgrounds and used the stencil for the trees. I also used all 3 of my new TH distress inks which I vowed I was not going to get, but eventually gave in. Thanks to Fiona for sourcing them and sharing. The deep black is ranger black enamel so it's raised. The images above are stamped, coloured, cut out and stuck on.

These were done exactly as above. I ran all 4 tags through my distrezz it tool and inked the edges with distress stains. I added fibres, a pumpkin charm and a stamped trick or treat tag. They are attached with a light bulb pin.

All Hallows Eve

2011-10-30T13:01:00.000Z

I thought I'd best get into the 'spirit' of things and do something for Halloween. This piece came about via a happy accident, well the background did anyway. I was determined to use some of my new stuff, so I got out my Lily inks and used dark spice over the tree stencil I picked up last weekend at The Dome. I sprayed onto a tag (which is coming up next). So as not to waste the ink I grabbed a piece of tissue paper and voila the background was created!! I then painted a piece of corrugated in a black and white mix to make a sort of grey. Stuck on a couple of strips of frayed fabric, some sort of muslin I think and painted them too. The bats, ghosts, headstone and Boooo word are all die cuts.

I am entering this piece into the Stamp Man Challenge as their theme this week is night time.

8 x 8 Books

2011-10-29T12:50:00.000+01:00

I made these books for my friend for her to put in some photos of the kids. I used a cover it all cover from zutter. I painted it cranberry, raspberry blue and black. I gave it 3 coats of glossy mod podge. The letters are grunge boards from the alphabet set.

Some of the inside pages with the paper stacks I got last weekend from the Range.

And this one is for her daughter who likes purple, green and pink. Again painted and 3 coats of mod podge. I used a piece of ribbon across this one to hide the colour join.

More of the inside pages.

Thanks to Bren for this fantastic idea of using file folders and 8 x 8 paper stacks.

Doncaster Dome Goodies

2011-10-23T18:28:00.001+01:00

Went to the craft show at the Dome today, but unfortunately there didn't appear to be much there, so 4 wooden stamps, a stencil and a pack of Vintaj tags later, we left. Called in at the Range on the way back and picked up a few more bits there. But all in all, a cheap day out!!! It nearly wasn't though, as they had the new vintaj big kick machine there and I was very tempted but will make do with my trusted big shot for now!!!!

The paper stacks are to make a couple of books for a friend to put photos of her kids in.

Cherished Angel

2011-10-21T19:22:00.000+01:00

Clare persuaded me to join in the plastic bottle challenge set by Mitzi. The only instruction I got was to take a before and after photo. So I've no idea if I'm on the right lines or not, but I enjoyed doing it and that's all that counts. So, here is my kiddie bottle of cherryade.

Here it is stripped of its contents and label.

I then gave it a coat of texture paste and waited patiently to see if it would stick or all fall off!!! I left it over night to completely dry.

Happy to say it did stay on, so I painted it with pewter, old brass and rust lumiere paints. I then gave it a coat of black translucent stewart gill paint and sponged on a bit of bronze eco friendly acrylic. I cut out a strip of tape measure from a TH paper. The wings are die cut and embossed, coloured with bronze paint and touches of green patina sponged on. They have been stamped in black stazon with an alphabet stamp and edged in black paint. I cut into the bottle and slid the wings in. The face is stamped onto the die cut spellbinders crowned circles nestie and attached with silicone glue. Then I decided to take the top off and add a halo!!! I attached it by wrapping T!m's tissue tape around the neck of the bottle.

Birthday Cards

2011-10-17T22:52:00.001+01:00

I had to make a couple of males cards for birthdays on Thursday. My nephew and brother in law.

The backgrounds were created using lots of ink sprays, denim and stream from the TH range and cyan and aubergine from the dylusions range. I used the black eco-friendly acrylic paint to create the lines and circles. I used my new distrezz it tool around all the edges and coloured them with faded jeans distress stain. I ran a piece of DCWV white core card through the circles embossing folder and sanded it back. I stamped the birthday wishes and glued them on.

Steampunk Canvas

2011-10-16T12:11:00.000+01:00

I picked up a couple of these canvas's from The Works earlier in the week because I wanted to have a go at a larger one, this is 12" x 10". I used dylusion spray inks in lime, vanilla custard and burnt orange to colour the background. I then put some masks down, flourish (TH), brick wall (Creative Expressions) and barbed wire (TH).

I then coloured four smaller canvas's and edged them with bottle acrylic dabbers.

And this is what I created with the pieces. I stamped images onto tissue paper and used digital images bought from an Etsy site. I gave them a coat of Stewart Gills paint from the colourise range as they are translucent matte paints. Added charms, chain, clock parts and prestuds. I used three of the smaller canvas's. Used some TH tissue tape, an idea-o-logy ticket, washer and a corner. From Lincoln I bought a new sizzix 'dream' word die, along with a pad of chocolate box co-ordinations card stack, so I chose the green backed one, die cut the dream and cogs images and sanded back the brown to reveal some of the green. You'll probably have to zoom in to see it properly. Finally I edged the canvas with bottle green acrylic dabber.

This weeks Stamp Man Challenge is circle it, so I'm entering this canvas into the challenge.

Clock Canvas

2011-10-15T22:51:00.002+01:00

This was an 8" x 8" canvas that I picked up last week at the Lincoln show. I coloured the background with various shades of green distressed stains. I used my SG paints too. I stamped in timber brown using my new Hampton Art alphabet letter background stamp and I stamped tim's circles in mulch brown eco-friendly paint. I also used cactus green stazon on the scratches stamp. I used rust lumiere paint to colour the wings, the clock face and the charm. Behind the clock I put a piece of vellum, previously scrunched and used a brad to attach the hands. The wings were run through an embossing folder and coloured with lumiere metallics rust and olive green.

Simon Say's are asking for wings this week.

****Edited*****

Photo taken in the sun

Goodies Haul

2011-10-09T19:24:00.000+01:00

Went to the Sincerely Yours craft show at Lincoln today. Managed to pick up a few things, although there didn't seem to be much new stuff. But perhaps that's because it's not that long since we were at Harrogate!!!

Picked up a couple of sizzix word dies, some postage stamp stamps, a few canvas boards and mini canvas's. A TH salvage sticker book, tissue tape and some tickets. A brick style stencil, a pad of co-ordinates card, a pack of cream linen card and a small wooden shrine. Oh and a couple of packs of pre-folded cards with envelopes and that was it!!!

Mini Shadow Box

2011-10-01T10:00:00.000+01:00

After watching a stream from a group member who melted and dribbled wax crayons around a square mirror, I decided to use the same technique but in a shadow box. I painted the chipboard backing with gesso and when dry, applied a couple of coats of pearl acrylic dabbers for that great pearly sheen. I cut the ends off the crayons, peeled the paper back and stuck them down with a glue gun. I took the heat gun to the nibs of the crayons and waited for the wax to melt. I stamped the word 'memories', re-heated the wax and pushed it in. I painted the shadow box with black acrylic dabbers and when dry added metallic rust and russet to the outer frame. I've photo'd it without the glass to reduce the glare.

Anniversary Card

2011-09-30T16:09:00.000+01:00

It's my mum and dads anniversary early next week and they go away tomorrow, so I made them a quick card from a piece of printed vellum, part of a napkin, a skeleton leaf and some sandpaper!!!

International Atc Swap

2011-09-29T17:06:00.000+01:00

I've made these 8 atc's for a swap. There was no theme and no limit to the number you can send in to be swapped. I created the backgrounds using my even newer stewart gill paints (had to get some more after the first batch!!). Cut them into atc size and created the above. They are now winging their way to Oz to be swapped.

Bees Wax Canvas

2011-09-25T18:59:00.001+01:00

I've been joining in with a few streams lately and yesterday Jamie finished a fabulous 12 x 12 canvas and Dar was playing with bees wax, so I decided to combine the two. I have to say that they are all a great inspiration and all the ladies are very talented. Mine is only a small canvas 6 x 8, but I got to use my new paints and some more of my new TH stamps. They are not new out new, but new to me.

A Kerri File!!!!

2011-09-24T14:49:00.000+01:00

After having watched a stream by Kerri, I just had to have a go at making one of these. It's not the same as hers as she has used a US tab file and I have used a cardboard wallet file. The sizes and material are slightly different, but the idea is the same.

This is the outside and is decorated with my new stewart gill paints and stamps from my new TH sets, along with a few other bits and pieces.

This is the inside with the tags in with the tabs turned up.

This is the inside with the tags in and the flap turned down.

This is the outside with the flap turned out.

Then it all concertina'd together.

Altered Clay

2011-09-18T15:00:00.000+01:00

I recently got some new glimmer paints which have a lovely sheen to them. I also ordered just one of the starburst stains from the Stamp Man, I shall now be going back for more, they are fab. Oyster Stamps had a the TH enamel accent on offer at a very respectable price too, so I grabbed some of that and used it to frame the above piece. The clay pieces as you know are ones I made a week or so ago.

Atc Background Swap

2011-09-18T14:10:00.000+01:00

I've recently joined a new international group and one of the things they have going on at the moment is a background atc swap. As I liked the idea of this, I've decided to join in. Basically what you have to do is prepare a background only so they can be swapped and finished off by the recipient. I've used dylusion spray inks on most of them and added paint and stamping. They will take a couple of weeks to get to their destination as it's in the USA.

Just For Fun

2011-09-18T13:14:00.002+01:00

Hi all, just thought I'd let you know that I have decided to leave the Just for Fun design team and challenge blog. Hence the reason I have taken the logo off my side bar. For me it was getting to the stage where it was no longer 'just for fun'. It started to get too political with rules and disqualifications etc. Fun and interpretation of the theme to some people is different to others and in my opinion we should all be able to express ourselves freely without being judged.

See you around

Sam

Triptych & Clay

2011-09-17T09:30:00.000+01:00

The walls are made from chipboard and run through the bricks TH texture fade. Coloured with old brass, pewter and metallic rust lumiere paints. Various colours of rub n buff used to contrast.

The clay pieces made previously were added along with the original key.

They were pieced together with tabs from my new TH alteration die. The brads were picked up at the Harrogate show. A bag of just brass coloured ones, not seen them before, usually have to buy a mixed bag.

Texture Paste 4 x 4

2011-09-16T16:30:00.000+01:00

Base is corrugated card cut into a 4 x 4 and covered it in texture paste. Cut out the keys and lock from my new TH and Sizzix dies. Covered them in texture paste too and stuck them onto the base. I then wrote 'lock n keys' in the paste whilst it was still quite wet. Then the boring part, had to leave it over night to completely dry. Painted it with metallic olive green lumiere paint and added a touch of russet. Once dry, I covered the whole area with black acrylic paint and wiped most of it off just leaving it in the nooks and crevasses. Once dry I gave it a coat of glossy mod podge.

Steampunk Chipboard Jigsaw

2011-09-15T21:45:00.000+01:00

The base of the chipboard is painted with black acrylic paint and smooched over with metallic russet lumiere paint and edged in old brass. The cogs, key and lock are dabbed with old brass, metallic rust and pewter. Chains and the clock charm were added along with the labels from a TH alteration die. The brads are from a papermania kit and the images I purchased from an esty digi site.

GNPE - Harrogate

2011-09-12T17:52:00.001+01:00

Made a trip over to the GNPE at Harrogate yesterday and managed to find a few things to buy.

I also met Neet there too, she was demo-ing for Oyster Stamps.

These next few pieces are samples which the Stamp Man had made up. They were brilliant.

Then there was a 'make a card in 3 minutes' challenge, to which Barbara Gray (clarity), Amy (off QVC), Julie (sorry I have no idea) and Jean (once upon a stamp) all took part in.

And Sheena was there demo-ing too.

Clay Pieces

2011-09-09T15:41:00.000+01:00

A couple of evenings ago, I finally got round to making some pieces with clay. I did some face moulds and some stamping. For the key, I placed an actual key in the clay to get the impression and cut round it. For the locks I stamped a background into the clay and again pressed the keyhole into it to create the impression, but then tore the edges of the clay and smoothed it over with my fingers. I used a couple of colours of perfect pearls to colour some of the pieces with. The faces were coated with micaceous ironoxide before baking, so if I want to add perfect pearls at a later date, I can. All pieces were created from black soft fimo clay.

Let's Travel

2011-09-03T16:39:00.001+01:00

I sprayed the white card with vanilla and lime dylusions spray ink. I collaged the background with steampunk style stamps in walnut stain. Stamped the main images onto card sprayed with butterscotch adirondack colour spray. The tickets were stamped and cut out of card coloured with vintage photo stains. The travel is coloured with crushed olive distress ink. Brads, prestuds and a metal swirl added. The whole piece was then mounted onto black card.

Vintage Tag

2011-09-03T14:58:00.000+01:00

I used stream and butterscotch adirondack colour spray to create the background. Stamped the mesh image onto the tag. On a separate piece of card, stamped the main image in brown. Once dry I coloured the white card with old paper distress ink. Added the vintage definition and string to finish. I am entering this into this weeks Just For Fun challenge as the theme is words.

5 x 5 Stamp Man Challenge

2011-09-03T10:58:00.002+01:00

This was going to be a fat page (4 x 4), but it looked too cramped, so it became a 5 x 5! The background is coloured with a mix of distress stains with distress inks blended in. The pieces on the sides were left overs from the previous tag. The background was stamped in script and a flourish. The car was stamped in walnut stain stain onto cream card and cut out. The saying was stamped onto vintage photo stained card and the edges ripped and edged in walnut stain ink. Mesh was added to the top right and the 3 cogs were painted in black acrylic and rubbed over with rub n buff. Again the edges were distressed and coloured with walnut stain ink.

The Stamp Man's challenge this week is travel.

Huge Tag

2011-09-03T09:47:00.000+01:00

I coloured the white tag in antique linen distress stain, I blended in walnut stain and brushed corduroy distress inks. I stamped the map background in black archival ink. I ran a piece of black card through the cuttlebug clockworks embossing folder, painted it with black acrylic and used rub n buff in various colours over the top to bring out the embossing. I stamped the tickets onto a vintage photo distress stained background, cut them out and attached them with a mini clipboard clip. (I think this may have to be toned down a bit!!) I stamped the main image in pitch black adirondack ink onto cream card. I used brushed corduroy distress ink to slightly tinge the background, I used a paper distresser and edged in black soot. I attached it using 2 brads. The other end is intertwined with a piece of fabric held on with a couple of mini safety pins. Finally I used a paper distresser on the edges of the tag and inked with black soot. The stamps are IndigoBlu.

Leaving Card

2011-09-02T17:41:00.001+01:00

My Line Manager is leaving us soon, although she is taking a career break, so should be back sometime within the next 5 years!! So it's not really a leavers leaving card, it's just for a while. I used Dylusions fuschia and cyan spray inks to create the background. I stamped with black archival ink using the Nature and Grand Tour I stamps from IndigoBlu.

Large Jigsaw Shape

2011-09-01T17:23:00.000+01:00

This is a large chipboard jigsaw piece which measures approx 7" x 5". I stuck various findings to the raw chipboard, then covered in silver sticky tape. I burnished around each shape using my metal tools and a paper stump to define each shape. Using meadow, stream, eggplant, sail boat and citrus alcohol inks I coloured the background, this took a few coats to achieve the desired colour. I then used black acrylic paint to swipe over and wipe off the access. Once dry I applied rub n buff in red copper, jade and pewter. Finally I cut up a quote, edged each word in black soot distress ink and applied to the jigsaw piece.

If you fancy a go yourself, I've got these corner pieces and the 2 nobble and 1 hole style of the chipboard pieces for sale at £2 with free postage. I also have some of the embellishments available for £1 a bag too. Use the email button on the side bar to contact me if you are interested in anything.

Mini Wooden House

2011-09-01T17:11:00.001+01:00

I painted the wood with a coat of white gesso, then proceeded to add various colours of acrylic dabbers, mushroom, hazelnut, black, silver, copper. Once I was happy with the way it looked I cut some papers from TH retro stack and stuck them into the little compartments. I added all the little game pieces, mini bulb, mini bottles, bulb safety pins, washers, buttons, charms, chain and gems. I used walnut stain distress ink to colour the saying, bent the opposite corners back to make it look more distressed.

If you fancy a go yourself, I've got the houses for sale at £2, but I'm having to charge £1 postage as they are £1.72 to post. I also have some of the embellishments available for £1 a bag too. Use the email button on the side bar to contact me if you are interested in anything.

Blog Candy

2011-08-30T20:56:00.001+01:00

Well I can't believe that I missed my 4th blog birthday, well actually I can, I've been sooooo busy wrapped up in other things lately.

So here we are a week late, but not to worry.

There are the 2 goodie bags up for grabs, they consist of:
10 sheets A4 card / A huge chipboard jigsaw piece / Original music sheets / A couple of sets of fibres / Game pieces / Mini safety pins / Mini bulbs / Mini bottles / Ivory satin bows / Clipboard clips / Sticky foam pads / large gem stones / 20 x A6 white envelopes / Antique white chain x 1m

All you need to do is make anything but a card using your favourite Ranger or Tim Holtz product and state in your post why its your favourite. Then link it back to this post using the linky below and I'll come and visit. You've got just short of a couple of weeks, it will close at midnight on Saturday 10th September. I will choose the two that stand out to me the most, so it isn't a random thingy, I am actually going to choose.

Good luck - Sam

JFF - Week 30 - Black, White, Silver & One Other

2011-08-25T00:06:00.016+01:00

It's the last week of the colour theme over on JFF this week. I chose to add red as my colour of choice.

The background is corrugated covered in white, black and silver acrylic paint. The wings are die cut from vellum and run through the big shot. The frame is the scrap piece from the slide mounts of a couple of weeks ago, with an image and stamped words mounted in them. I added a piece of red ric-rac to the bottom, three red gems and the red fibre to hang.

JFF - Week 29 - Black, White & Silver

2011-08-18T00:04:00.006+01:00

Week three on JFF this week is to add another colour to last weeks black and white. So this week we have the theme of black, white and silver.

I made a circle slider, well that's what I am calling it anyway!!

To check out how to make it, watch this youtube snap

This is it opened out.

The bottom circle is made from the alterations clock face with a backing of a thich vellum run through the steampunk embossing folder. I used the crowned circles spellbinder dies and cut all the sizes in black and white. I stamped the PA gentlemen plate 3 image and used the circle punch to cut it out. The middle and smaller circles are based on the crowned circles. The middle out of the clock was run through the embossing folder and painted in silver and swooshed over with black acrylic. I punched a circle in white card and stamped it with a PA image from travel plate 1 and also a circle in vellum which I ran through the embossing folder. And finally for the top circle I added a stamped word image, an embossed cog which was swooshed in black acrylic and a small cog painted with silver acrylic and the smallest crowned circle in black with a spinner and brad. Brads were added to the circles to make the movement.

Twinchies

2011-08-13T22:23:00.000+01:00

The twinchies theme on this months UKStampers is 'firestorm'. I chose to use the colours yellow, orange and red. I used ecoline inks to create the bright striking backgrounds and stamped the images in black stazon for contrast.

Atc Swaps

2011-08-13T22:19:00.000+01:00

This months UKStampers ATC theme swap is 'charm and chain'. These are mine above.

JFF - Week 28 - Black & White

2011-08-11T00:05:00.003+01:00

So here we go with week two of the colour theme on JFF. Just add black to white and there we have it, this weeks theme is black & white.

I decided to re-visit the slide mount box. To find out how I consturcted it, check out the step by step on the Techniques Zone.

This is a sample of the edges. I left them plain on this one.

I then made another one.

I edged this one with sequins.

JFF - Week 27 - White on White

2011-08-04T00:08:00.004+01:00

It's my turn again to set this months JFF theme and I've chosen 'add a colour'. So week one is a single colour, which is white. So I guess you could say this weeks theme is white on white.

I painted a piece of corrugated in white gesso. When dry added a touch of pearl to give it a hint of metallic. Die cut some of t!m's flowers in card and vellum. I then put them through the swiss dots embossing folder. Curled the petals on the vellum one, layered them up and added a button.

I die cut the banner from white card, added a white rub off that says paradise, which doesn't show up very well and added some dots in liquid pearls.

I added a piece of lace down the right hand side and finished off by adding three pearls.

Aluminium Chain For Sale

2011-07-28T08:43:00.001+01:00

I got some aluminium twist chain for sale if anyone is interested. The colour is antique white, but it does look silver. It can easily take alcohol inks due to its light colour. The size of the links are 1mm x 6mm x 3.6mm.

I'm selling 10 metres for £7.50 including postage.

If you are interested in buying any, leave me a message and I'll send you my email addy for you to send me your address.

Payment preferred by bank transfer or paypal if you are willing to send as a gift. If you want to risk cash through the post, then that's up to you!!!!

Thanks for looking xxxx

JFF - Week 26 - Fabric and or Fibre

2011-07-28T00:08:00.002+01:00

Fabric and or fibre is this weeks JFF theme. I decided to use both. The background is a piece of muslin which has been stamped with acrylic paint. I heat transferred an image onto another piece of muslin which I frayed around all four edges. I used a large zig-zag stitch to attach the thick piece of wool down the right hand side. I unravelled a dyed silk carrier rod and using free motion sewing, attached it and added a piece of ribbon across the middle. I left the threads so I could attach the button. I stamped the word dream and added gems. Down the left hand side I added a piece of deep green silk organza, once it was attached I blasted it with the heat gun. Finally I added a piece of lime green ribbon to hang.

Anniversary Cards

2011-07-26T11:27:00.001+01:00

I needed a couple of anniversary cards, so I used up a few bits and bobs and produced these two. One is for Martin's sister and the other a friends mum and dad.

Butterfly Twinchies

2011-07-25T18:17:00.001+01:00

This months twinchies theme on UKStampers is butterflies. As most of you know, I only have the one butterfly stamp, so I've had to use it a few times here!!! The first image is stamped onto a really thick vellum, I cut it out and just stuck it down the middle so the wings are free. The 3 multi-coloured ones are adirondack inks spritzed with water to give a watercolour effect. The middle bottom is from a paperartsy stamp set and the bottom right is stamped in timber brown stazon.

Text Background Atc's

2011-07-24T21:17:00.001+01:00

The theme on this months UKStampers Atc swap is text backgrounds. I used distressed inks on mine and ironed the creases out. I stamped various other images onto white card, cut them out and 3d'd them onto the backgrounds.

JFF - Week 25 - Metal

2011-07-21T00:09:00.002+01:00

This weeks theme over on JFF is metal. I've taken a different approach with this one and used wire for my metal. I made this spider with a couple of wooden beads and bent pieces of wire to shape the legs and also gave him a body. I used a white paint pen for the eyes.

JFF - Week 24 - Corrugated

2011-07-14T00:05:00.002+01:00

JFF this week is asking for corrugated. This base piece is around 10" x 10". I painted it with white, pistachio, black and brown eco friendly acrylic paint. Then I covered most of it up!!! I stamped various clock images onto card with distress stains and used distress inks to colour them. I ran the glassine paper through the big shot using the TH pocket watches texture fade and coloured it with distress stains. Stamped the saying and ripped it out of the card, coloured it and mounted it with silicone glue. The clock centres are brads and spinners. Added a piece of string to hang.

JFF - Week 23 - Plastic / Acrylic

2011-07-07T00:09:00.034+01:00

This weeks JFF is all about plastic and/or acrylic. I chose to fuse black and white strips of plastic carrier bags together to create the background as above.

I embossed the umbrella man onto a white piece of card, swooshed over it with black soot distress ink. Stamped the saying and die cut with a spellbinders label die. Cut a small cog with the movers and shapers die in silver card. Attached all to the plastics background with silicone glue and mounted the whole lot onto a piece of black card and added a piece of black hemp to hang.

JFF - Week 22 - Anything Goes

2011-06-30T00:08:00.009+01:00

Well not quite for the JFF DT this week. Instead we decided to pair up, send each other a few random bits and pieces and using at least five, the challenge was to make something with what you'd been sent. Above is a selection of what I got from Zoe.

And here is what I came up with. I used the beermat as the base and coloured it with copper acrylic dabbers. I unravelled the blue plastic coated paperclip and coloured that with the same colour. The two pieces of wood I covered in hazelnut dabber and stamped with black soot. The beermat was stamped with script from PBS again in black soot and also edged in the same colour. The piece of embossed chipboard at the bottom was also coloured with the copper and swiped over with the black soot. I cut the paperclip and made it into a couple of hangers for the top and bottom. I arranged the pieces of wood and placed the metal leaf on the top.

JFF - Week 21 - Steampunk

2011-06-23T00:06:00.002+01:00

Neet has chosen steampunk for this weeks JFF theme. This is my piece. I used t!m's movers and shapers dies and the steampunk on the edge die.

Numbers Tag

2011-06-19T11:20:00.001+01:00

This weeks Dragons Dream TIO theme of number games has been chosen by Helen.

I used salmon, willow and cool peri alcohol inks to create the background. The stamps are from Art Journey and the number across the bottom is part of a t!m texture fade using chipboard and swiped with crushed olive distress ink.

Fly By Tag

2011-06-17T21:50:00.001+01:00

Angela has set this weeks challenge over at the Stamp Man and she has chosen butterflies and or dragonflies. I only have one of each stamp so I was slightly limited, but I think I did ok with it.

Over on Grungy Monday #11 this week we had to use t!m's faux batik technique which meant heat embossing and then removing with a hot iron.

Try it on Tuesdays are asking for a tag and some butterflies, so this also fits the bill quite nicely.

I used weathered wood distress stain and pine needle, faded jeans, peeled paint and old paper distress inks to create the background. The 'fly' images were clear heat embossed. The flower images were stamped in denim adirondack ink and the words in olive stazon. The melted embossing powder was taken off with a very hot iron and brown paper.

A Grunge Gate

2011-06-17T15:02:00.000+01:00

I made a gate!!!! Have no idea why, I just did!!!!

JFF - Week 20 - Doodles

2011-06-16T00:08:00.002+01:00

It's Zoe's turn to choose this weeks theme over on JFF. I took a black sharpie pen and a white piece of friendly plastic.

I doodled my pattern onto the white FP.

Then I made a bead.

Inspired by Linda Peterson, FPTV.

Watch the Birdie

2011-06-15T10:43:00.000+01:00

The background was created using my new tando cogs mask. I coloured the background with antique distress stain and used walnut stain distress ink to ink through the mask. I coloured the bird with denim acrylic paint and touched it up with sail boat blue. The words are stamped from a paperartsy hot picks plate. I added gems to the crown and mounted onto a piece of black card with the navy ribbon sandwiched inbetween.

Steampunkery

2011-06-14T21:38:00.000+01:00

I coloured the cogs and the corrugated using a mixture of eco-friendly paints and acrylic dabbers. I mounted them onto a pre-cut spellbinders label die. Punched a couple of holes, added the eyelets and threaded the string. The middle of the cogs have prestuds in them.

I'm a bit late with this but I'm entering it into the Tanda Teaser steampunk challenge.

Post It

2011-06-14T18:58:00.000+01:00

These were leftover pages from one of my recent mini books. I ran one through a t!m embossing folder and coloured it with forest moss and peeled paint distress stain. I ripped a piece of corrugated, coloured it with cranberry and black acrylic dabbers and added an old postage stamp. I coloured a piece of card with fired brick distress stain and black and cranberry dabbers. Added a mini postcard and tied it all up with string. I sandwiched the ribbon between the two die cut pieces.

Simon Says Torn and Tattered

2011-06-13T19:24:00.021+01:00

This make is for Kate. Kate is colourblind and thinks I use pink when in fact it's red or a combination of reds. So Kate, this one is especially for you. Yes, it is PINK!!! I used pink sherbert, raspberry and tattered rose inks to stamp on the blue card and denim to stamp on the PINK card. I tore the pieces of card out and edged with faded blue and spun sugar distress stains. The background card started off white and that was coloured with weathered wood, spun sugar and antique linen distress stains. It was stamped with faded jeans stain. All images are from stampers anonymous plates. I scrunched the PINK card, swooshed the inks over it and then ironed it flat ready to stamp on.

This week Simon Says Stamp are asking for distressed / torn edges.

Umbrella Man Tag

2011-06-13T10:17:00.001+01:00

The Stamp Man and Tanda Teaser are asking for Boys & Men as their challenge theme. I made a tag using my umbrella man die. I covered him with bronze eco-friendly paint and rubbed over with black. I coloured the tag with antique distress stain and stamped some splodges with walnut stain ink. At the bottome there is a piece of corrugated inked in walnut. I stamped the words, cut them out and edged with walnut stain ink.

Framed in Pasta

2011-06-12T13:40:00.002+01:00

I cut a circle of card by drawing round a bowl. I cut the middle out and glued a layer of raw pasta pieces all the way around the ring. Once dry I added another layer over the top. When that was dry I painted it with green patina eco-friendly paint. I selected an image for the middle, a piece of ribbon to hang and attached everything to a cd for stability.

Texture Fades Mini Book

2011-06-12T09:15:00.000+01:00

I'm on a roll with mini books!! I used t!m's on the edge file tabs die for the inner pages. I used crackle paint on the cogs and went back in with a black dabber to get into the cracks.

I used a mixture of distress inks, acrylic dabbers and eco-friendly paints to colour the pages.

I am keeping this as a sample book as the pages looked too good to cover up!!!!

Travel With Me

2011-06-11T14:15:00.005+01:00

This months UKStampers atc theme is travel with me. I used distress stains to colour the backgrounds and distress inks to stamp the fab images. I stamped the words for the brown ones onto white card and cut it out as a contrast. I used glossy accents to raise the vacation letters.

Dream Tag

2011-06-11T08:54:00.029+01:00

Maz lent me her t!m tag alteration die and I put my movers and shapers word die in the tray and cut two tags from chipboard. I coloured it with mushroom, hazelnut and espresso acrylic dabbers. I also cut the heart and the crown from a t!m alteration die and once painted stamped the heart with silver acrylic paint and the middle of the silver heart with timber brown stazon. Added the small circle to the hole of the tag and threaded string through.

And the really cool thing about the glassine paper is that it's see through.

This week the Simon Says Stamp and show a TAG, so this fits in perfectly.

Things with Wings

2011-06-10T14:52:00.002+01:00

This week over on Dragons Dream Tag It On, the theme is wings, so I couldn't resist as wings is one of my favourites. I also got my new steampunk stamp this morning, so of course had to test it out. The two guys are cut from part of a paperartsy stamp.

Tag Book

2011-06-10T09:40:00.001+01:00

I used the super scallop crescent tag die by sizzix to cut the tags from chipboard. I used various dabbers, along with sequin waste to create the front cover. The words are computer generated using blueberry font.

The inside pages were coloured with various adirondack colour wash sprays. I stamped and embossed anything I could find with numbers on it. I coloured them using various mediums.

Once completed I bound the pages with my BIA machine and added a hitch fastener with a piece of hemp to the front cover so the book could be fastened closed.

JFF - Week 19 - All Things T!m

2011-06-09T00:04:00.005+01:00

I have set this weeks JFF theme and I chose 't!m'. Anything, something, all things t!m. I chose to use all things t!m.

Brick texture fade for the background.
Distress stains and ink to colour everything.
Image is from 'the boys' stampers anonymous plate.
The scroll is from the hanging signs alterations die.
The hinges are grungeboard from the mixed minis set held with brads. The arrow is from the elements set.
Tissue tape.
And finally glossy accents for the crown.

Mini Book & Grungy Monday #10

2011-06-07T13:45:00.000+01:00

I've got a week off so decided to make something for 'me' and to start on a larger (for me) project. So I made a start on a mini book. I cut the pages from the spellbinder labels die. I put some of them through the embossing folders and coloured them with distress inks.

This just happened to fit in with this weeks Grungy Monday theme, which this week is a t!m product - distress inks!!!!

I then went on to decorate each page with various techniques, materials and findings.

These are just a few pages from the mini book.

Findings Hanging

2011-06-07T13:42:00.001+01:00

I created the frame using strips of chipboard. I coloured them in bottle, juniper, lake mist and black acrylic dabbers. The background is made up of TH papers from the retro grunge stack. Some were stamped and findings were added to all the sections. Glossy accents were used to hi-light the 'D' and a piece of ribbon was added to hang.

The Craft Room Challenge - 1

2011-06-05T16:17:00.001+01:00

Zoe has teamed up with Julia from The Craft Room and set up a challenge blog. They've been gentle on us with it being the first week, they've kicked off with a free theme. The challenges run for two weeks, so still plenty of time to get your entry in. It's well worth entering as there is a £10 voucher to the winner of the random draw to spend in the on-line shop. Be sure to read the pesky rules though, as you need to display the logo and create a link back to your blog and the like in order to qualify.

Right to my piece then. I die cut the wings, cogs, clock hands and circles. Stamped, heat embossed, big shot embossed and painted the pieces. Once assembled I added eyelets and hung the stamped image with a couple of pieces of chain.

Grungy Monday #9

2011-06-05T15:30:00.000+01:00

Over on Grungy Monday, this weeks t!m technique is shabby chic.

Both the flourishes on the main background and the words across the front are done using the technique.

Flower Twinchies

2011-06-03T19:09:00.000+01:00

This months twinchies theme on UKStampers is flower heads. I stamped the flowers using adirondack dye inks and spritzed them with water to give them a watercolour effect. I covered them all twice in clear embossing powder.

JFF - Week 18 - Eye Spy

2011-06-02T00:05:00.000+01:00

A bit ago I had a play around with a glue gun and created some patterns. When cooled, I coloured the glue with rub n buff. I used the one on the left to make the hanging below.

I stamped an eye into friendly plastic pellets and once cooled, coloured it with spanish copper and jade rub n buff. I added a large green gem for the inner of the eye. I mounted it on the glue. I stamped 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' from the creative expressions spirit plate in peeled paint distress embossing powder onto the black card. I then layered it onto green card and added a piece of organza ribbon to hang.

Check out the JFF challenge blog as there is a different challenge set every Thursday.

Less is More - Square

2011-05-30T14:17:00.001+01:00

This weeks Less is More challenge is to place your image in a square. Your square can be in any of the four corners or the middle. Now I don't know if this card will count, as in the SP it says it has to be a single layer card and I've matted and layered the middle piece after using my new WOW powders to heat emboss the image and mount it onto a piece of white. It also says don't do anything else and leave the rest of your card white!! Well I've used a black card!!!

So, I did another one. This must be the easiest card I've ever made!!!!

Yours Sincerely Show - Lincoln

2011-05-29T17:52:00.001+01:00

Well, isn't it always the case. When your a bit strapped for cash you see everything that you NEED. As you can see, I was really good and restricted myself to just the above, but I could of quite happily spent five times as much!!!

I did need the red liner tape though, I go through it like there's no tomorrow and I finally managed to get my hands on some WOW embossing powders.

****edited **** the coloured sticks on the right are coloured glue stick for the glue gun.