The last frame of the year.....

The year is slowly coming to an end and how else could I end it other than with a frame. I started a distress crackle frame obsession not long after dicovering blogs, Hels' in particular, and I have since tried many techniques and made many more frames, most of which are hanging in my living room.

So I gathered 3 challenge themes and came up with this little rustic and old, music inspired frame. I textured the whole thing in terra paste and stamped a music stamp into it. Then I painted it in bronze paint and used a blue patina activator over the top. This stuff is from Modern Masters and I love it. Their rust paint is also fab!!!

I rolled up a few sheet music bits and distressed them and I just had to add a few Tim Holtz tickets as I just got the die and stamps for Christmas. And the quote is from the song Listening to you from The Who's Tommy rock opera, my all time favourite. So combining all these fab things created this lovely frame, it's gonna go on my wall with all the others.

I am enterting this into Hels' Sunday Stampers, of course, she's been a major inspiration and help this year. Also I am entering this into the Simon says Stamp Challenge and the Stamp and Show Challenge.

Merry Christmas .... and a little challenge entry....

First of all a Merry Christmas to everyone, I know I'm a little late but I'm sure you've all been very busy too. So, what fab crafty presents did everyone get? I got 3 lots of Tim Holtz stamps and alterations dies and other funky things. And, best of all I got an imagebox, so now I can make my own clear stamps. I've not tried it yet but it'll come out the box tomorrow!!!
Actually my bestest present I got early last week, a new job, it's just the best news I've had in a while. Can't wait. Although it'll mean very little time for crafting for the next 3 months, but I'm sure it'll be worth it!
Anyway, so I have a little challenge entry to share with you, over at Sir Stampalot this month's theme is travel the world and I made a London themed card.

Compendium of Curiosities Challenge #25

It's Compendium time again. YEAH!!!!

So this week we are splashing ink around again, one of my favourites. I never do it enough but then when I do I love it. It just makes such pretty backgrounds.

I will definitely be making a few more things with this technique, the colour combinations are endless and so much fun!

I guess this is it for this years Compendium of Curiosities Challenge, I'm not even sure how many there are left in the new year, but I am certainly gonna be part of it!!!

Christmas Star - "Celestial" for The Altered Element

Welcome to what is going to be my last project for The Altered Element Design Team.

I used the smaller of the 2 wooden stars, these come flatpacked and you can just slide them together. I glued the pieces into place with glossy accents.

Then I painted the whole star with a gold acrylic paint as a base and when that was dry I simply melted a layer of gold UTEE onto each section. I used PVA glue to adhere the UTEE, works very well for large sections like this. The UTEE came out smooth in some parts and more textured in others but that just adds to the character.

I had this thin gold wire lying around for ages and thought this be the prefect opportunity to use it. So I wrapped it round the star randomly. It's not glued (only the ends), it just holds itself in place around the shape of the star.

The charms are all from Vintaj brass. I used the gold wire again and some golden jumprings to attach these to the bottom. I just drilled some small holes in the star to attach them.

And there you got it, a shiny, shimmery, twinkly christmas star ready to hang.

Another great idea for using these wooden stars would be to make a star topper for your christmas tree.

Lord Tim of Holtz Mirror

If you have been following my blog from pretty much the start you may have seen a similar mirror before, one of my first mirror creations in fact. So I wanted to make another one using distress inks and the blending tool, one of my favourite Tim techniques.

It's a collage of stamped images, embossed pieces, ideaology etc. Some pieces are raised for more depth. The keyhole actually got a key in it, although it's difficult to tell from this angle. The piece combines many different favourite stamps of mine and many techniques too.

I am entering this into the Stamp and Show Challenge.

My Wendy Vecchi Stamps album.....

Over at Wee Memories this week we are "casing our favourite".... so I thought it'll either be something Tim Holtz or Wendy Vecchi as they are both favourites of mine.
So I went for a storage album for my Wendy Vecchi stamps. I know you can get the clear acrylic albums for her stamps but I find them a bit pricey for what they are so I just made my own album.
Simply cut some chunky cardboard to size and cover with plain cream card, then distress the edges with ink and I used grungeboard letters. I inked them all in different colours and stamped random background stamps over them in true Wendy style.








Add some 2" rings to make it into an album. I could do with bigger rings really as I have more stamps than fit in this album, but I may just have to make another one.

Snowflake facets card.....

This snowflakey facets card started off as a CPS sketch. I interpreted the sketch very loosely again this week. I'm always worried if I don't stick to the sketch I may be disqualified but at the end of the day a sketch is there to inspire people to make art and everyone approaches it differently so as long as I'm having fun making something it doesn't matter what other people think.

I really wanted to try the alcohol ink and archival ink technique as Tim did on a recent tag, it just looked so pretty. And it works really well. So I am entering this into the Stamp and Show Challenge where we are showcasing a Tim technique.

And I am also entering this into the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge where the theme is Winter Wishes. Looks like we are getting my winter wish - SNOW!!!! Supposedly plenty more to come for christmas!!! YAY!!!

Tim goodies giveaway!

There is one great Tim Holtz stash giveaway happening on Lin's blog so make sure you check it out here.

I'm in Craft Stamper...... yeah.....

I simply had to share this, it is after all the first time I had any of my stuff in print and my name in the magazine.

It's the chipboard shape swap from a while ago (original post here), it was the first time I ever entered the swap in the magazine and I'm delighted they printed a pic of it.

I also had a reader submission accepted from them but didn't wanna say anything in case I jinx it, but it's gonna be goin in the mag soon so look out for it!!!

This months swap is a mini wallhanging, so I came up with this.

I used the idea from Tim's recent tags and made another canvas flower. And I covered my own button with a stamped heart, my sis got me that stamp, I really like it.

Tim's 12 tags of Christmas......

More of Tim's tags, yippie.

Now when it comes to these two..... when i first saw day 9 I was in love. But I don't have the rosette die (yet!!!) or the letters either, so I had to substitute a lot and it just made it look a bit crap may I say. Loving the swishy ink background with the music stamp though, that turned out pretty well.

Day 10 was another substitute day for me as I didnt have the snowman or the snowflake embossing folder. So I used 3 reindeer and I named the reindeer SNOWY and put that in letters underneath. The background is inky with a subtle starry background. I embossed some thick acetate with a dots embossing folder and i really like this tag. The embossed acetate just makes it, thanks Tim for the idea. Pure genius!!!

And of course I am entering these into the Artistic Stamper Challenge.

I think I've got a tag addiction....

I have been following Tim's 12 tags of christmas very closely and love the stuff he makes..... and although Ive never been a fan of tags, I can see the point in making them at this time of year. I have already attached a load to my christmas presents. This year I'm wrapping everything in brown paper and string and adding pretty tags. And now I think Ive got myself a tag addiction.

I made another one for the Compendium Challenge this week, where we are playing with rock candy distress stickles.
Yet again Ive never had much use for stickles, but at this time of year they are so handy, for glittery and snowy details or just a bit of christmassy sparkle.

I covered the reindeer and letters in distress stickles if you cant tell from the picture. Another tag to go on someone's present.

Tim's 12 tags of Christmas......

Here are Tim's tags from day 7 and 8.

If you look at day 7 and think something is wrong here, then you are right. I glued the flower together totally wrong. Clever me. It looks pretty though. Just not the way it was intended. Never mind, I had fun making it.

With day 8 I had to substitute the santa sleigh and made my own mask from acetate instead, using a snowflake punch. I prefer it to the sleigh to be honest.

I also just ran out of embossing tape, so I had to handwrite the little message.

Once again I am entering these two into the Artistic Stamper Challenge.

Til the next tag, tada!!

Stardust Necklace - Celestial Theme for The Altered Element

Hello again,

this month the theme at The Altered Element is Celestial and I have been busy getting creative with some glitter. I have made a stardust necklace for you to see....

I started off with a 1.5x1.5" Memory Capsule, filled it with glitter and star beads and then using glossy accents I glued memory glass to it, it takes a while to dry and I ended up with a few bubbles inside but they just add to the effect. For the background I simply used an off cut of blue-silvery paper.

The other side is really easy too. I used some card and inked it with blue distress ink and some black round the edges, then stamped some starry background stamp onto it, but if you wanna give it a go, this could be any background stamp really, or you can use the same paper as on the other side. I then glued on the embossed tape and covered the whole thing in stickles.

When everything is dry put it inside the frame.

To make the frame into a necklace I used some ballchain and silver ribbon and added a Vintaj charm.

This doesn't have to be a necklace though, the frame could be attached to a swivel clasp and made into a keyring too.

I hope I've inspired you to create something starry yourself. Unfortunately the shop has sold out of most of my supplies but I'm sure you could come up with substitutes and make it your very own. Make the most of the closing down discount whilst you can.

Tim's 12 tags of Christmas......

Another day and another Tim tag.... I am a few days behind with showing my creations but never mind.....

This is day 6 of Tim's tags and I had to substitute a few things like stamps and stuff but I'm pretty please with this one.

As before I am entering my tag into the Artistic Stamper Challenge.

One card for many challenges.....

Another christmas card and some more challenges to be entered. First of all I used the Card Patterns Sketch for this, then I would like to enter this into the Artistic Stamper Challenge where the theme is Christmas (what else!). Also would I like to enter this into this weeks Simon Says Stamp and Show - Holiday Greetings draw and last but not least, over at Simon Says Stamp challenge we are making christmas cards with no green and red.

I used some swirly grungeboard as a base, painted it gold, sanded it and inked over with brown distress inks. It's all pretty much distress inks, Tim Holtz and glossy accents with some ribbon and a bell added.

Tim's 12 tags of Christmas......

I'd just quickly like to share another one of Tim's tags with you today... this is Day 5 and I love the way it turned out. I didn't have the metal numbers so I used grungeboard with a load of white glitter instead.

Yet again I am entering this into the Artistic Stamper Challenge.

CPS Challenge entry....

Life has been a bit busy recently with a little trip home and lots of christmas organizing going on, but I finally got back into the crafting, catching up on Tim's Tags and some challenges.

I used the CPS sketch to make this card. For the first time I didnt stick to thesketch too much but used it more as an inspiration. I always seem to try and make something using the exact sketch.... so with this one I tried to challenge myself a bit.

Tim's 12 tags of Christmas......

I've been very busy trying to catch up on Tim's tags and I can finally share one with you I made the other day. It's day 3 and I would say one of the easier ones.
Some days he's just got so many steps and techniques it takes a while to put it all together, but you learn lots along the way! Try out a few of his techniques and discover new ways of using his products. He's a genius!!!

I had to substitute a few things on this tag, but as it's all about inspiration there is no wrong or right.

I am entering this into the Artistic Stamper Challenge as so many other tag followers too. Hehe. It's great to see everyone's take on the tags. Can't wait for tomorrows one, yeah!!!!

BLOG CANDY DRAW

Hey folks....

As promised I would draw my candy early for someone to receive it before christmas......

....sooooooo, the lucky winner is.....

Number 14 - Kathleen F

Yeah, congrats Kat. Get in touch with me about your postal address and I'll get that on its way to you!!!

Vintage Christmas Canvas.....

Inspiration for this frame came from a recent issue of one of the stampington publications. I just wanted to create a little frame with a vintage christmas feel and something with a bit of depth. So I used the back of a canvas and covered it with terra paste all over, when dry I painted it cream and then rubbed over some inka gold with my finger to bring out the texture.

The inside was lined with stripey paper and for a touch of colour I used a blue fabric for curtains and made little ties with ribbon. I played around with the frame a lot and re-arranged it a lot to see what looks good and what doesnt.

The bells were originally pink and I simply painted them with modern masters rust paint. If you havent tried yet, get some, its lots of fun making things rusty and old.

The presents are covered in music paper and dictionary paper and distressed with ink. Around the edge of the frame I used some old gold lace, very heavy stuff. I remember my parents used to use the same stuff for nutcrackers they used to make, so for me its associated with christmas already, I just had to add some. If you have a closer look at the frame there are many things to discover and I had fun putting it together.

I am entering this into the Gingersnap Creations Color Challenge - Vintage Hues.

Surprise candy added and early draw.....

Hey everyone, apologies for not posting in days, life just got in the way.

I was in Germany to stock up on German chocolate and see my family and also check out 2 stamp shops I had not been to before. All in all a lovely weekend.

Also went to a flea market type shop and got a few amazing bargains, cant wait to use them in my crafting. So I decided to share the love and throw a few more things into my candy. I won't say what they are, it'll be a surprise. I will also be drawing my candy early, next week, since it's christmas it be nice for someone to receive a little parcel before christmas i think.

So, for all of you who already signed up for my candy watch this space, everyone else, click on the candy pic in my sidebar and join the fun!

I will be sharing more crafty things with you soon, definitely wanna try out some of the 12 tags of christmas from tim's blog, gotta wait til monday though when it's craft day!!!

Catch you later!