Seona's Stamping

Moving house

2008-10-11T22:19:00.003+01:00

I have moved over to a new blog. This new home is where I can broaden my horizons and it fits my new altered life much better. I hope old friends will find their way over and can live with the fact that it might not be all craft craft craft - don't get me wrong I still love it but I am making time for other things I love to do too!

you can find me at

Ever a Work in Progress

Have a great weekend!

Craftaway a Sunday

2008-09-07T17:23:00.006+01:00

Great new challenge site up and running over at Craftaway a Sunday. Very honoured to be a part of this as it embraces crafters of all styles and abilities and not just a certain style or medium. There is also a great prize this week and you should come on over and have a go or at least a look see!

The first theme this week is Halloween and here is my entry.

I was also delighted and humbled to be given this award by my great friend Kaz.

We are very fortunate to live close enough to get together now and again which has led us to be "real" friends as well as crafty and blog buddies. She's always there when you need her - cheers moo xx Right back at you with the award!

Now the rules of the award.......
1. Only five people allowed
2. 4 of them have to be dedicated followers of your blog and 1 has to be new and live in another part of the world.
3. You have to link back to who gave you the award.

My 5 will be obvious to most and I'm sure many of these people have this already, if so please don't feel pressured to pass it on - just know that you are an inspiration

Susie Anderson - from the other side of the craft fence lol otherwise known as the knitting world

I love all your blogs!

Enjoy what's left of your weekend folks!

Seona x

Timeless

2008-08-12T10:38:00.004+01:00

Please click on image for a better view :o)

The theme over at MMM this week was fashion. I've been eyeing up this large puzzle piece for a while so decided this was the time. Had a lot of fun with the distress and stamping on the background, loving the white pen, but for me the most fun was sewing the fabric flowers. They may be popping up on pieces for a while to come.

Grungy Trinchie

2008-08-07T23:14:00.009+01:00

Trinchie is such a great size to work on and Joan picked this at the theme on Mixed Media Monday - yes I know it's Thursday but timekeeping isn't a strongpoint. Saturday's workout theme this week was gringy so this is my piece for both.

The background is a mix of acrylics, gesso and inks with clear embossing and a little bit of gold leaf and then since the weather is so far from summer I went with an autumn theme.

I promise no more orange or birds for a while!

Bits and bobs

2008-08-03T14:01:00.006+01:00

Well I was supposed to be tidying up but you know how it is. I found some new paperartsy minis and instead of putting them away I reached for the ink and made this couple of quick tags for no reason at all. I'm loving working with fabric at the moment and try to incorporate it where I can.

I also thought I would share the birthday card I made for DH. I bought some lovely postcards while we were in Paris and have used part of one and coloured it to make this since he loved the city so much.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Who inspires?

2008-08-01T23:50:00.004+01:00

I was very excited and honoured to be given this award this week by a very talented and good friend Ann. She makes the most beautiful candles and is so generous when it comes to sharing her knowledge and skills with others, a rare commodity sadly. Make sure you check out her blog!

There are so many talented people out there but these are people who constantly inspire and although I know will have received this already, but will also appreciate the genuine sentiment behind it.

It's going to

Kaz - one of the most talented, and big hearted people I know. If only we didn't have the ability to lead each other so astray ;-)

Audrey B - she truly is a mixed media artist, so many different techniques to see on her blog with a style that is unique and true to herself. Such a genuine person too.

Audrey H - such an inspirational artist. Lots of fabulous things to see on Audrey's blog and I love her style!

Femmy - again a genuine person with lots of beautiful work on her blog - I love visiting her blog!

Thank you ladies!

Enjoy your weekend x

Rusty Fairy

2008-07-24T12:01:00.004+01:00

My friend Gillian has set the challenge of rust over at Mixed Media Monday. Getting something rusty in itself was a problem for me but after much searching.....

I was reading a fairy story for a little girl this week and with the sun shining and the garden so green I thought I would create my own little fairy garden. I've used a lot of elements including stamping and sewing (it was very distracting searching through my fabric stash!). I also love working with fresh flowers. The pictures don't really show it but there are some pretty blue glass beads at the top of the "maypoles".

She now has a little home at the bottom of the garden.

A blue day!

2008-07-21T19:45:00.003+01:00

The theme at Wednesday Stamper last week was two tones of colour. I have been playing with the acrylics again and loved the various shades of the blue on the canvas. It seemed to lend itself to the sea, so I added this paperartsy stamp, which I love, to complete the piece.

Birthday card

2008-07-15T20:45:00.003+01:00

This is the tag card I made for my friend Gillian's birthday. Hit a bit of a mental block so retreated to the comfort of my favourite colours and distress inks. Sometimes a bit of what you like does you the power of good ;-)

Dans ma maison...

2008-07-13T14:29:00.003+01:00

How fabulous to come back from an amazing week in Paris to find the theme of the Eiffel Tower over at Dans ma maison il y a....

Here is my entry.

One week till Paris!

2008-06-27T20:56:00.004+01:00

Well we are off to Paris on Thursday for a week so to get us in the spirit I chose Paris for my places piece for Mixed Media Monday. To make a change from my usual shapes I also made it in the shape of a skinny shadow box so have linked to Sarah's site too.

Something New

2008-06-16T18:02:00.005+01:00

Well it had to be Paris for my great friend Kaz's birthday!

This is my first attempt at working with Stampbord, and as such I'm linking it to Mixed Media Monday this week too. I had been putting off working with this for ages and now I find it actually quite addictive! Love these alcohol inks in the ginger, latte and gold tones together too.

I also altered this clipboard for her using lots of different stamps and collage.

The canvas has turned into a bit of a work in progress - she'll need to wait for that one!

Thanks for stopping by. x

A couple of cards

2008-05-10T18:54:00.004+01:00

It's been a while since work and real life seem to have taken over at the moment so sadly not been much time for crafting or blogging. Here are a couple of cards that have been made in a hurry in the meantime. Much of the inspiration for all of these was from combining my favourite "bits" from the most recent Stampers' Sampler so thanks to all of those artists (well worth a look if you haven't already seen it - you can order from http://www.stampington.com/ if you are struggling to get a copy)

First the card for my father-in-law in California. Unsurprisingly it will be late, Bill but we were thinking of you all the same ;o)

Next was the tag I made for my friend Ann. And again not exactly posted in a timely manner.

Lastly is the card for my lovely sister-in-law Sheila - now this might arrive on time and the shock might be too much for her - have a great birthday!

TMTA Zentangle

2008-04-17T09:13:00.003+01:00

Here is my entry for the challenge over at TMTA this week. I love doodling and really enjoyed this challenge. The stars have been picked out with Glossy Accents and the tree with a bit of glitter just to make them "pop" a bit.

Moo card - women

2008-04-15T11:35:00.005+01:00

Here is my entry for this week's theme over at Make a Moo or Two of women. I've been playing with backgrounds again and this time it's oil pastels - it was great to add and blend and add again to eventually get to this.

Also loving these little canvases at the moment and here's another I've made this week

Birthday Pressie and TGIF

2008-04-14T18:06:00.005+01:00

This is a hanging I made for the TGIF theme of Blue and Green this week. Having a bit of an paint phase. I love the way this turned out as was tempted to keep it but it has a home to go to.

Crafty Friday

2008-04-11T19:26:00.006+01:00

I had a lovely day today with Kaz. We had a little trip to a great local craft shop, Craftology in Hillington (website is underway but only a small fraction of their goods are online at the moment), definitely worth a visit if you are in the Glasgow area. Then a crafty afternoon for us.

Lots of playing with acrylic paints and layering for texture produced this little canvas, which I might add an image to it, I'm not sure if it is finished yet.

Then inspired by Carol's post I had a go at the transfer technique using acrylic paint. As you can see I got a bit carried away removing the pulp on the face so I turned the mistake into a happy accident.

Last for now was a late entry for this week's TMTA challenge of Middle Ages. Stamps used for this were from a great plate from Alpha Stamps.

Thanks for taking the time to look :-)

18 years

2008-04-01T22:30:00.003+01:00

Happy Anniversary (yesterday) to my fabulous husband for putting up with me during the last 18 years since we said "I do". Yes I know he deserves a medal lol. I can honestly say it's been fun and I hope we have 18 more! This was the card I made for him, using Basic Grey papers and a Kim Anderson image. I love using the Tim Holtz fragments too!

Backgrounds

2008-04-01T22:21:00.004+01:00

Been having a play with some background techniques.

The first is using different tones of the same colour - using distress inks and chalk inks

This is using one stamp, watercolour crayons and a water spray - was a messy job

and the last was playing with faux batik, distress inks and contrasting colours.

Please feel free to download and use any of them in your work if you wish.

A couple of cards

2008-03-21T20:47:00.003Z

Please click on the pictures for a much better view - sorry the pictures weren't taken in daylight!

Lots of birthdays this week! These were the cards that I made for forum friends Paula and Joanne. Tried to alter the styles - lots of alcohol inks and a cute little cherub stamp for the first and then as Joanne is also a knitter/sewer a sewing theme for her. Happy birthday girls!!!

Spring moos

2008-03-21T19:57:00.002Z

I was a a happy bunny this morning, when I discovered that Theme Thursday challenge this week was for moos or inchies. I enjoy Nellie's moo challenges over on Make a Moo or Two and the theme this week was Spring.

Here is my entry for both challenges. Thanks for stopping by - all your comments are appreciated :o)

Birthday card

2008-03-18T21:38:00.003Z

Been such a long time since I posted, I thought I better show something of the work I have done recently. This was a card I made for my friend Galina for her birthday. I love this stamp - it says it all really!

Friendship

2008-02-17T13:54:00.003Z

Really loving this size to work on just now! The challenge on Make a Moo or Two was friendship. If you haven't been you really should visit the site and have a go!

Inks - distress inks and versacolour

stamps - tanda, paperartsy, crafty individuals and paperbag studios

Make a Moo or Two

2008-02-14T17:04:00.004Z

Nellie has started a new challenge on Fridays with Moo cards, Make a Moo or Two (all very well explained over on the site). The theme last Friday was Romance so I have made these.

Will try to be more timely next week ;o)

Paris Book

2008-02-07T22:48:00.000Z

This is a book that I made for a swap with Kaz. The theme was Paris. I had real fun with this one - hope you like it Kaz!
As there is the odd swirl and flourish I am also submitting this as my entry for Mixed Media Monday.

Thanks for taking the time to have a look and leave a comment. It is much appreciated.

New Home

2008-02-05T21:16:00.000Z

OK last two new house cards for a while I think. I think the pink toned one is my favourite, the camera hasn't picked it up well but glossy accents pick out some of the swirls on the card while on the stamped panel I have shadow stamped in pink and white and applied moon glow powder to it before stamping the main image.

Thanks for stopping by :o)

and again

2008-02-04T20:22:00.000Z

Well it seems to be either feast or famine - 2 posts in one day! Lots of friends are moving home over the next few weeks so this is the first of a few new home cards.

Up and running again.

2008-02-04T13:21:00.000Z

Well January just came and went and between one thing and another no crafting got done.

To get a toe back in the water here is a birthday card I made for my mother in law. Had to keep it kind of "safe" but did have a play with some background techniques and watercolour stamping.

Happy New Year

2008-01-02T16:06:00.000Z

A very Happy New Year to you all! I hope tht 2008 brings you health and happiness!

Don't ask me how but among all the nonsense on Hogmanay I managed to get my Inchies for January made. Joanne has chosed the theme of love (click on the link to see more details of how to take part). Hope you like them - tfl

Edited to add this shot to show the fact that the red heart is a frame for the couple - this didn't show up before.

Merry Christmas to all!

2007-12-22T21:12:00.000Z

Just a wee post to say thank you for all your support and comments over the last 12 months and to wish each and every one of you a safe and peaceful Christmas and hope that 2008 brings you and your families health, love and happiness. Merry Christmas Everyone!

A Tricky one

2007-11-30T21:39:00.000Z

Been a hectic week so a very quick and late entry for Saturday Stamper last week.

Kaz said

For this week’s challenge, and I think it really is a challenge……I’d like you to make one piece that will cover all of the following challenges……..themes only, no size restrictions, you can still make whatever you want, card, atc, skinny page, whatever you like, but you must incorporate ALL themes below……..good luck!!
Gothic Arch Challenge….theme is………………”Friendship”
Mixed Media Monday……..theme is………… “Buttons”
Fluffy Fatbottom’s Twisted Tuesday..theme is Button Wisdom”
Wednesday Stamper……..theme is………………..”Diamonds”
Theme Thursday…………………..theme is……………….”Chalk”

That was a proper challenge - really tricky but a lot of fun!

A Birthday Card

2007-11-21T22:06:00.000Z

This is a card that I've made for Karin, who has her birthday today (sorry the card will be late x). Hope you have had a great day!

As it very nicely fits in with the diamond theme over at Wednesday Stampers and has a button - it will also be my first entry for Mixed Media Monday.

Hope you like it Karin!

Tone on Tone

2007-11-20T19:33:00.000Z

I love using green and was in no doubt which colour I would choose for this challenge on Saturday Stampers. As I have also been sooooo short of time these days I am combining this with Wednesday stampers challenge of chairs. I refuse to be beaten and have attempted the transfer technique to apply the girl and the chair so as to lose the colour. Still not there but I will persevere with this technique. If you get a chance check out Carrie's blog - she really is an inspiration with this technique!

The contrast in colour where the transfer was applied is not so pronounced in real life but 30 photos later I give in!

Friday Fiver

2007-11-17T21:57:00.000Z

This is a site Friday Fiver that I found via another blog - I'm sorry I can't remember where exactly. On a Friday they post 5 questions designed to make you think and just for a bit of fun. This week's questions together with my answers are

1. What's the last thing you threw away? A crisp packet.
2. Have you ever been to Paris? Yes - I know it very well and love it!
3. What do you stare at? The sea - I love the movement and the freedom and the moods that it has.
4. What do you hurry for? To get home to spend time with my family.
5. Friday fill-in:I could have been better organised - I'm sure that should be my motto!

Pay it a visit once in a while - it's interesting the way it can make you think!!

A late entry

2007-11-17T14:11:00.000Z

This is a very very late entry to LAST week's Saturday Stamper challenge of tags. This is also for a tag swap that Gillian is organising with the theme 'Tis the season to be jolly!" Now all the Christmas stuff is out I may as well spend and hour or two making some of my cards. Have a great Saturday!

C'mon Scotland!!

2007-11-16T21:48:00.000Z

Hallowe'en Tag

2007-10-30T21:19:00.000Z

Thank you to all those who visit and leave such positive comments - I really appreciate you taking the time.

Well this is my entry for Saturday Stampers. Strangely enough they were on the theme of Hallowe'en this week, mmm can't imagine why, lol.

I had such a lovely time layering ink after ink to create the background, stamps are Tandastamps and Paperbag Studios.

Happy Hallowe'en!

Winter....

2007-10-20T22:32:00.000+01:00

....isn't far away, although what a beautiful autumn week we have had. Had a stunning walk with my fabulous son this week and took lots of pictures of the trees. Thought I would share these with you, feel free to use them in your work (I would love to see anything you make with them).

Meanwhile over at Saturday Stampers the theme is winter and here is my piece - an arch that I have made for a swap elsewhere. I'm really enjoying working in layers of acetate at the moment!

Cheeky Chap

2007-10-18T09:36:00.000+01:00

Don't you just love the expression on this wee guy's face - he makes me smile every time I look at him. Wednesday Stamper's challenge this week was children and this is my entry. The rest of the tag is distress inks in various shades of green, paperbag studios swirl stamp and glitter glue, ribbons and a splash of gold mulberry paper.

Orange and Black

2007-10-16T20:26:00.000+01:00

Joanne's Inchie challenge this month was for orange and black. In the absence of Hallowe'en stamps (on order lol) I used a portion of a larger tree stamp and some birds in the distance on a distress ink background. Black stickles picks up some of the detail on the trees.

Pink Ribbon

2007-10-14T22:13:00.000+01:00

Saturday Stampers challenge this week in support of the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign is to use pink ribbon somewhere on your work. I have a friend who is expecting at the moment, she is thinking it is a girl (I don't think so though lol) so I made this card to put away just in case!

We can all do our bit to help by visiting the Breast Cancer Care site daily, click here for info.

Double tagged

2007-10-11T21:57:00.000+01:00

Well I've been tagged by Emma for the following

''Here are the rules which you must abide by if you are tagged.1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.''

1. I have a phobia about cupboard doors being left open - I get twitchy and can't even go to bed if I haven't checked they are all closed .
2. I love the sea and feel very happy that I see the water every day from work
3. I am incredibly proud to be Scottish - I love my country and culture.
4. I go to bingo once a month with my Mum (who is also not a bingo kind of person - whatever that is)
5. When I was 10 I auditioned for and got a fair sized part in an American movie Hitler's demise, playing one of the children that was in the bunker with Hitler at the end. My parents changed their mind about it when they saw the filming schedule.
6. I am a fully qualified Leiutenant in the Boys' Brigade - although I am not involved at the moment.
7. I used to ski competitively as a teenager.

Kaz has also tagged me for this one
Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had. When you are tagged you need to write your own blogpost containing your own middle name game facts. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged and to read your blog.

My middle name is Anne (given to me in case I didn't like the slightly different Seona) so here goes

A - All my family - hubby and son - they are the centre of my universe and my fabulous close family, my brilliant supportive parents, aunt, cousins and families and the close friends that are the "family we choose for ourselves. Can't imagine life without them!

N - new things - I love trying new things - sports, arts, jobs, challenges, life is too short to fit everything in.

N - New York. I went for the first time with Stuart (son) last year and cannot wait to go back and share it with my husband.

E - eating, love it love good food, love cooking, love the social side of sitting down with friends to enjoy it.

Now who to tag - thankfully only need to find 4 so

Angela
Ros
Penny
Galina

Tag - you're it!

Saturday Stampers DPOV

2007-10-07T23:38:00.000+01:00

Here is my entry for this week's challenge at Saturday Stampers. We are challenged to take one stamp and make two or more items with it. I chose this great stamp which came free with an issue of Craft Stamper (best free gift ever - I have found so many uses for this!). This tag is also for a swap where the theme is Pink Ladies. I have used the stamp on acetate as an overlay to frame the tag as well as the central gold embossed image.

Click image for more detail

On this card I used watercolour crayons and a spray to create the background here and finished off with a dash of gold alcohol ink. The image is by Crafty Individuals.

Click image for more detail

Autumn Colours

2007-10-07T14:40:00.000+01:00

Wednesday Stamper has challenged us all to use autumn colours this week. These are absolutely my favourite colours to work with! I made this tag using the PBS stamp as I think autumn and the seasons are all about change and this stamp is about the next step!

I've used paper from my stash, distress inks in fired brick, spiced marmalade and mustard seed. The wooden leaves I had lying around in the dest from many moons ago!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2007-10-04T20:33:00.000+01:00

I have decided to follow Joanne's excellent example and change to pink this month in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Feel free to join us - anything to raise awareness is a good thing!

Treasures

2007-10-03T23:08:00.000+01:00

This is a card for the treasures challenge over at Saturday Stampers. I know it seems a bit sad and lonely even, but, after the recent weeks I've had, it was only intended to be thought provoking and to remind me as much as anyone to take the time to appreciate and treasure the here and now.

Moo

2007-10-01T23:06:00.000+01:00

Well it's been a while since I had time to craft, but managed to scrape in a wee 15 minutes tonight to come up with this, my first wee Moo card for the Wednesday Stamper challenge. Thanks for looking and hope you like it.

Wednesday Stamper - Triptych

2007-09-16T10:21:00.000+01:00

Here is my entry for this week's Wednesday Stamper challenge. Great challenge by the way - loved it.

The backgound is Distress Inks in Marmalade, Fired Brick and Walnut Stain. The Raven is from the new PBS Flourish Plate. My tree is from a larger stamp by Art Impressions, I tried to leave the embossing powder patchy on the tree trunk to give it a bit of texture. Click on the images for a better view of the detail)

The keen eyed among you may notice that the birds are the wrong way round. My intention was to initially repeat as a mirror image on the right hand side, however I wanted to add these words from Christina Rossetti's Sonnet so that I could take part in the great new Saturday challenge on Saturday Stampers (click on the link for more info)

Flourish

2007-09-15T11:20:00.000+01:00

Well it seems to be a week of firsts. This is my first submission to the great 4x4 challenge. I had this lovely muted blue card (it's almost linen like with "bits" through it) and wanted to try to create something that wouldn't take away from it's effect. Using Belle from the new Paperbag Studio's plate and some clear impressions flourish stamps I created this. All the stamping is archival ink in coffee bean and embossed.

Gothic Arch - Family

2007-09-14T23:20:00.000+01:00

This is my first entry for the challenges over at Gothic Arches. I found the shape tricky to deal with and am frantically hoping that it gets easier with practice. I guess that makes it a real challenge for me!

Inchies

2007-09-14T23:12:00.000+01:00

This time the theme on Joanne's swap is circles. At the moment I am sorting out some bits of sewing for school so had lots of buttons lying around - these were my inspiration. All stamps are from the Oxford Impressions sewing plate - I just thought it would be more fun to sew the buttons on! ;o)

Please click on the images for a better idea of the detail.

Thanks for stopping by. x

Twofor

2007-09-09T10:11:00.000+01:00

This is a wee "two for one". Gillian set the challenge of wings for this month's tag. At the same time the challenge on Wednesday stamper this week is to use Mulberry paper. This is not something I find easy to do (although since discovering Gold mulberry paper - now affectionately known as Zuzu paper - have a new fondness for it). I managed to fit a bit in with the angel.

The background is one of my first attemps at working with Watercolour crayons on stamps. Pop over to Penny's blog and have a look - she is ace at this - her work with this inspired me.

TMTA - man

2007-09-09T10:04:00.000+01:00

Gosh last minute as usual - will need to get more organised.

The challenge at Think Monday - Think ATC last week was man.

Paper - K&Co

Stamps - PaperArtsy and Paperbag Studios

Inks - Distress Ink - walnut, Versacolour - mountain lake, Versafine - ocean

Notebook

2007-09-04T23:09:00.001+01:00

This is a wee project from this evening. I hadn't intended to finish it tonight but it just kept on going. I know a good home for it too ;o)

This stamp is from Crafty Individuals as was the image on the wedding card - see post from earlier this evening

Hope you like it.

The acetate over the image was reflecting - sorry this is the best picture I can get till daylight.

Black and White

2007-09-04T23:04:00.000+01:00

This is a birthday card that I made for a forum friend. I wanted to stick to black and white but the images got lost so added a splash of red to lift it a bit!

Wedding card

2007-09-04T22:55:00.000+01:00

I was given the job of making a wedding card for our boss and her new hubby. No pressure then lol. Her colours were cream and gold and she is a lovely glamorous lady -I tried to capture these things in the card.

ATC Folder

2007-09-02T20:05:00.000+01:00

Since we all seem to be on an ATC folder roll thought I would share this one with you. Still have to make the ATCs for the inside but hope you like the folder. Background is destress inks in Pine, peeled paint and shabby shutters, stamps are Clear impressions and Art Impressions.

Thanks for stopping by.

On a roll

2007-08-24T21:44:00.000+01:00

Was set a challenge which said that we can only use chalks to colour a piece of work, no inks at all - I made these two but may have cheated a little by using coloured card ;o)

TMTA - Music

2007-08-24T20:31:00.000+01:00

The theme over at Think Monday - Think ATC this week was music and try as I might I could not get the idea of birdsong out of my mine. Must be the return of the sunshine!

Wednesday Stamper - Stitches

2007-08-19T17:11:00.001+01:00

Welcome back themed Wednesday Stamper! I missed the set challenges over the summer and am delighted to see them back. I realise it's a lot of work for the folks over there and I really appreciate it, so thanks to them!

This weeks challenge said

The next 2 weeks’ challenge is all about STITCHES. It doesn’t matter if they are machine stitched, hand stitched or faux stitched or even rubberstamped stitched. Use your imagination to create beautiful artwork.

I made this tag for a swap where the theme was to be memories and had added the stamped lace, buttons and stitches before I remembered about the challenge so I was delighted that I could submit it for this too. There are a lot more swirls in perfect pearls irl. The problem with it being subtle is you don't really see well it on the image. Click on the image for more detail :o)

TMTA - numbers

2007-08-19T16:59:00.000+01:00

Well it's been a busy old week, what with going back to work and all, so nearly didn't make this at all!

By the skin of my teeth here is my entry for this week's challenge on Think Monday - Think ATC, where they said:

Every day we stumble across numbers, on licence plates, bills, letters. Most of the time we don’t pay attention to it. This week we will Integrate at least one number on your ATC. Whether large or small is all up to your phantasy.

Hope you like it :o)

Zuzu Sunday

2007-08-13T14:28:00.000+01:00

After a lovely day crafting at Zuzu's I manage to produce this my second slide mailer. Don't worry you didn't miss the first it was not good enough to blog lol.

For Emma

2007-08-09T22:39:00.000+01:00

This is a tag book that I made for my good friend Emma. As it's also open theme at Wednesday Stamper I'm submitting it for there too.

It started as 3 or 4 tags but seemed to grow.

It was great fun to do and I must get some more of these cardboard pieces soon.

All the images won't fit on one post so bear with me more pics to follow. As always click for more detail ;o)

2007-08-09T22:36:00.000+01:00

TMTA - tag

2007-08-09T09:57:00.000+01:00

This is my entry for this week's Think Monday Think ATC, where the call was for for a tag to be used. I'm pleased with this one - hope you like it ;o)

DCM -Time

2007-08-07T17:39:00.001+01:00

Over at DCM this week.

Hi there, It's me, Kathy, here to dare you this week;
OK, Absolutely anything goes this week as long as it's on the theme of TIME."It's About Time" So you can use clocks, calendars, quotes, sayings, pictures, nursery rhymes, or altered art-type stuff, whatever takes your fancy - just take some time out to play and have some fun; remember, time flies when you're having fun!

Hope you like this, the colours are quite soft and muted without being pastel and it's been hard to show that in the picture. Stamp is Paperbag Studios and is on acetate.

Click on the image for more detail.

New Inchies

2007-08-06T22:03:00.000+01:00

I love inchies as you can tell - sorry the blog seems full of them at the moment! But anyway this was a call for black, white and silver inchies on Zuzu's forum. I am puzzling over some others for an Asian swap just now and these just seemed to appear from the mess on the desk. Stamps are All Night Media.

Weekend

2007-08-05T22:21:00.000+01:00

Well it's been a busy craft weekend, BUT, most of the items are gifts for some forum friends so I won't be blogging these until they have been received.

There are a couple of pieces that I want to share just now. These ATCs are for a swap on Zuzu's forum, the theme is architecture. Now I know the top one is a bit cheeky but it is a manmade structure and I like the strong designs we see in wrought iron work.

The top two backgrounds are on a glossy background using alcohol inks and the bottom is on vellum which has been stamped over in a white paisley pattern, unfortunately the camera hasn't picked this up too well.

Please click on the image for more detail.

TMTA - Lovers

2007-07-31T23:48:00.000+01:00

This is my first entry for Think Monday-Think ATC. What better way to depict the theme of Love and Lovers than back to the movies. The image has been stamped on brown and beige paper, which was also used for the tag, and her hat and dress picked out in H2Os. Love the theme - thanks for the challenges!

Bathing Beauties

2007-07-31T22:56:00.000+01:00

These are a set of Bathing Beauties for a swap that Gillian is hosting. All the images are from art-e-zine and the backgrounds, where decorated, are a mixture of distress inks, alcohol inks and colourbox pigment inks.

2007-07-31T15:57:00.000+01:00

Joanne has set the inchie theme of trees for this month. I love trees and have loved the scenery around Scotland this year particularly up around the Trossachs where you can go for miles through the forest on bikes. Anyway I tried to create a dappled sunlight look with acohol inks and then stamped the trees a few times to build up the depth. Hope you like it. The stamps are portions taken from larger ones from Lavinia Stamps

DCM Pockets

2007-07-26T14:25:00.000+01:00

Over at Daring Cardmakers this week:

It's my turn - (Lynne) - to set the dare this week.OoooOOoooOOooooOOOoo!!!!!!!!My first Dare. I’m so nervous, I can’t believe that it’s my turn already.I’ve gone for something nice and easy - had to break myself in gently.POCKETS I’d like to see lots and lots of pockets. Pockets full of posies, Brass in Pocket (love the Pretenders).Pockets on clothes, Pockets from clothes, Library Pocket, Pockets of this and Pockets of that. Get the idea? Pockets and Pockets of Pockets.

This is my first entry for these challenges. I made this as a birthday card for forum friend. The tag is stamped using brushless watercolour which I love and works well with this stamp.

2007-07-24T21:10:00.001+01:00

These are some ATCs I've done for an Indigo swap on Zuzu's forum. Now please be gentle - indigo is very subjective and can be anything from blue to purple - at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

2007-07-23T21:54:00.000+01:00

Mel has nominated me for the Rockin' Girl Blogger award. Thanks for this. I've misplaced the details of who started this (will edit later). Now to find 5 new nominees is tricky as we all seem to have been tagged recently and as I've been away for a couple of weeks then please if you haven't been nominated yet then you are now lol

Buttons

2007-07-04T22:01:00.000+01:00

This is my entry for this fortnight's Wednesday Stamper challenge. The colours were dictated by the buttons and the sheer black ribbon. I thought the faux stitching was in keeping with the buttons. I love this stamp - it just screams summer days to me! and the little red shoes are for the child who dares to be different!

I'm off on Friday for a couple of weeks. Not sure how I'll manage with no craft stuff and no PC but we'll see lol. May not get round to posting again before I go so have a good couple of weeks everyone!

Hats

2007-07-03T18:03:00.000+01:00

The latest inchie challenge set by Joanne is Hats, and it also ties in with this week's Wednesday Stamper challenge too.

Now this theme I struggled with lol! The girl's face is from a larger Paperbag Studios stamp, the clown hat is from a larger See-Ds stamp that I thought I would never use!. The backround is Distress Inks in Tattered Rose stamped with a daisy in the same colour, a gold mesh from Paper Artsy and a diamond harlequin stamp that I made from a piece of foam in blue chalk ink.

ATCs Vintage couples

2007-07-03T17:53:00.001+01:00

These 2 ATCs are for a swap being hosted by Mel. The background of the first is Alcohol Inks on a glossy background and the second is from Versamagic chalk inks. Both images are from art-e-zine. Hope you like them.

Domino book

2007-07-02T09:32:00.000+01:00

This is my first domino book, made for a swap. The dominoes were tiny but fun to work with. Alcohol inks - cottage set - to alter, then image from sheet of slide mailer images from Stampdiva, glossy accents and seed beeds to finish off. The inside was made with a marbled paper from K&Co, stamped with images from Paperbag Studios and Papersrtsy, coloured with wathercolours and H2Os. Was fiddly but fun.

Apologies picture quality not great will add better ones when the light here improves.

Vintage Couple

2007-06-29T23:56:00.001+01:00

This tag is for a swap hosted by Gillian. The theme was vintage couples. I wanted to stick to neutral tones but chose to add a bit of blue to the background to tone in with the detail in her dress. Background is versamagic chalk inks, paper and flower embellishments from stash, quote from DCWV and image from art-ezine. Perfect pearls were used just to pick up some accents on the flowers and the beading on the dress.

Alcohol Inks

2007-06-29T23:41:00.000+01:00

I have a real problem with alcohol inks, mostly a mental block now. However having been ably counselled by my mate Angela I have taken the plunge and had another go. The CD and the frame were altered using inks, the image is from a Crafty Individuals book. Technique still needs a bit of refining but I'm quite chuffed :o)

Yellow Inchies

2007-06-28T17:57:00.000+01:00

What an "interesting" theme set by my friend Joanne. Yellow is a tricky colour I find and I was tempted to add more spiced marmalade to warm the background but resisted. It would have been orange before you know it lol. Just seemed to lend itself to the bamboo and geisha stamps, sorry can't remember the manufacturer. I find inchies quite therapeutic, all that concentration on a small area.

Wedding pages

2007-06-28T17:47:00.000+01:00

Been a while since I blogged so will add the bits and pieces I've saved over the next few days. This is a page that I made to go in a book being put together for a friend's wedding. We were given a size spec and were to add an ATC other than that free rein. The completed book has now been delivered and having seen the video I wish I was getting married again soon (no offense to my husband but it's stunning!). Just kidding darling!

2007-06-16T20:19:00.000+01:00

Just popped in to say hello and I haven't fallen off the planet. I spent last week on an outdoor activity holiday with a group of 27 children and had an absolutely brilliant time. Run up to the end of term is hectic as ever but will be back crafting and posting in a week or so. This is where we were

Door - Wednesday Stamper

2007-06-04T10:46:00.000+01:00

It seems that this is going to be a big catch up day for me. This is my entry of this week's Wednesday Stamper's door theme.

Apologies as the scanner has not given the greatest image. The door was an image from Google which I messed about with in Picasa photo package and then added sepia accents on the door itself. The flowers are cut from K&Co papers and lightly glazed in areas, background stamp is PaperArtsy, the leaf stamp is Lavinia Designs stamped in Olive Stazon, lady taken from a larger Hampton Arts stamp. I thought she looked so sad and used paints to pick up her eyes. Her melancholy was my inspiration for the theme.

2007-06-04T08:49:00.000+01:00

Good morning and welcome to a new week! Hope we are all fine and dandy!

This is a tag I have made for Isabelle Norris' challenge. I have been watching this for a while but this is the first time I have had a go as it were. The challenge was something for the letter C - hence the counting and the children - no brown ink and a tag only. The brown bit was easy as I seem to be in a "green" phase. My family say I have been for the last 39 years but hey it's a relaxing colour ;o).

Hope you like it x

Gift for a friend

2007-05-30T21:29:00.000+01:00

This is an altered CD and case I made for a circle friend this month. The papers are K&Co, images from Crafty individuals, background on the CD is a mix of Distress inks and Alcohol Inks.

Stamped images on the case are from paperbag studios and homemade. I was secretly quite chuffed with this as still new to this altered lark. Very addictive though ;o)

2007-05-24T22:01:00.000+01:00

These are some ATCs I made for a swap that Gillian is hosting. The theme was worship so I went for Faith and Joy, worshipping a father and the more expected angel theme. Hope you like them.

Wednesday Stamper

2007-05-21T22:53:00.000+01:00

Been a bit of a week, not least because I didn't have any Fleur de Lys stamps so Joanne - you'll be proud of me, I made this on with the foam! The paper was French Fleurish from Imaginisce and the Paris Collage stamp from my collection. Wings and watch picked up with H2Os. The blue frame is on 3d foam but this doesn't show well on the picture. Hope you like it! Happy stamping x

2007-05-14T18:16:00.000+01:00

Another tag - this time Gillian set the theme of Faces. This wasn't at all what I set out to produce - she just seemed to appear - but I do like it. The paper was from the rather large stash - gold embossing top and bottom, scroll stamp in peeled paint Distress Ink, girls face from a Paperbag Studios stamp and good old distress inks to colour, H2Os for the butterflies and added the charms, fibres and ribbons from the stash too! The centre face is on foam pads to give it more dimension.

Letters inchies

2007-05-14T17:48:00.000+01:00

This was the latest inchie challenge. I struggled with this one but settled on a sponged background with gold script stamp by Paperbag studios, embossed the edges and corners in gold, words from bits of other stamps. The little letters are from a segment of a larger paperartsy stamp with plain brown paper and tied. Quite happy with the result - hope you like them.

2007-05-12T23:17:00.000+01:00

The theme for the tag swap this week was Love. Feeling under the weather but still wanting to take part I put this together tonight. I wrote the word freehand and added the photo to the heart. The background is Distress ink fired brick and the flower is from paperbag studios.

2007-05-12T23:13:00.000+01:00

Still in a bit of a blue phase - love this stamp from paperbag studios

2007-05-10T22:10:00.000+01:00

This is my first submission for Wednesday Stamper, hope you like it. Background is a blend of Distress Ink Broken China and Colourbox Harbor with black soot edge. Stamps are from paperartsy.

I love all shades of blue so enjoyed this one - it may be a recurring theme! Have a good Friday.

Stars of the Big Screen

2007-05-08T22:39:00.000+01:00

These are the three ATCs I have made for Gillian's swap this month. I tried to vary the style, technique for each. Bette Davies and Maurice Chevalier stamps were new, used distress inks and brilliance coffee bean on Bette. On Chevalier I used chalks for the background and stazon to stamp. I then burned the edges to make it look like it had been saved from the ashes. A wee bit of collage for Laurel and Hardy using up papers I've had for years complet the trio.

2007-05-08T22:25:00.000+01:00

It's been a busy time so not much time to craft or post. Just a couple of quick updates. This was a card I made for my father-in-law's birthday. Having started on cards but now more used to ATCs and inchies, I now find it really hard to get the balance and layering right on my cards. I was happy with the muted colours but feel it was a bit bare. Main stamp was from Paperartsy on Distress inks and with perfect pearl accent, background paper stamped with script from Paperbag Dreamer sheet, Sepia Accents on text.

Tag - all about me

2007-04-28T21:30:00.000+01:00

This is a wee bit different this week - a tag based where the theme is you. Cheers Karen. Gave me a chance to use the new slides that came this week though. The frame was masked with peel offs, coloured and the peeloffs removed - this area was then also taken down a bit. I chose the 4 areas because I love music, am very Scottish but spent some formative years in Paris, am surrounded by children every day, always fill every minute of my too short day. Family is at the centre of everything. I'm not very happy with the end result all together but it is me.

Altered Swap

2007-04-23T22:10:00.000+01:00

Well we were sent a CD, a domino and a notebook to alter. After looking at them for several days I felt I had to get the drill and saw out - if you want something altered - I'll alter it! The image is from art e-zine and the papers are K&Company, stamp from paperbag and various paints. I put a couple of layers of bronze and brown paint on the domino and then covered with a yellowy cream paint which was sanded off in degrees. I liked this effect and will use it again.

Schooldays

2007-04-21T14:03:00.000+01:00

This week's tag challenge set by Karen was on the theme of school. This should have been easy for me and if I was doing one for a child I would have been ok. I seem to have retreated into my "safe" colours but used a mix of stamping, photograpy, ink and collage to achieve this. The photo at the bottom is the school I teach in.

New Inchies

2007-04-17T21:53:00.000+01:00

A new swap hosted by Joanne on the theme of "man". Was waiting for some new stamps to arrive but no patience so used a photo I had and played with colours in a photo package. Had fun with the background too using distress inks, perfect pearls and skeleton leaves. Hope you like him!

2007-04-12T19:35:00.000+01:00

My taste is really changing in the craft world as non interest in craft day has confirmed. My fave technique just now is using Distress inks and this inchie was made using shabby shutters and mustard seed on the back and then lightly edged with spiced marmalade. The stamp and wording were "bits" of larger stamps. With hindight would have been bolder with the inks and wouldn't have added the butterfly, but this is just the beginning of the journey.