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Sunday 15 April 2012

A Touch of Vermeer



I've been a neglectful blogger this week. We are still decorating our front room so I haven't had much time for crafting, and I'm a bit behind in visiting all your lovely blogs too, so I apologise for that and will be blog hopping tonight hopefully.

I've been after this stamp for a while it is by Chapel Road Art stamps and I've finally managed to get one. But I'm not totally happy with how it is stamping. I've tried brayering on the ink and have gone back to just stamping direct from the pad. I've lightly sanded it and it is a bit better than before. The background paper is from K & Co and has been stamped on and painted, as I just can't seem to help myself from stamping/painting on paper even if it is patterned LOL! 
The banner is made on the computer then machine stitched and some ribbons and pearls added.



The box is one of my usual, painted with gesso then painted with fresco finish paint (in vintage lace) but I find the cheaper matt emulsion in cream just as good and I prefer the colour and its cheaper. It went a bit of an odd colour so I buffed on some distress ink but it made it look a bit dirty, so not very happy with the finished box. So may sand it down and do it again (if I can be bovvered LOL!!) 

Not had a very productive or satisfying crafting week really. Hopefully next week will be better. My sister is over from the States for a couple of weeks so it will be lovely to see her and also she is bringing me some lovely Stampsmith stamps too.

I'm entering this for the following challenges

Hope you have all had a great weekend & Happy Crafting xx

32 comments:

Sam & Poppy said...

They're lovely Paula. I bet you would rather be crafting than decorating! Wishing you and your sister a wonderful time. xoxox

Astrid Maclean said...

Well, I think it is gorgeous and to me the stamping looks pretty much perfect. Gorgeous stamp too! The whole project is lovely!!

By the way, did you see the film "the girl with the pearl earring"? One of my favourites.

Good luck with the decorating!

Sue said...

Hi Paula
I love the stamp. Perhaps the image is not meant to be really crisp but intended to look like an old master. That maybe why you are dissatisfied with the way it is stamping. I think it looks lovely on both projects but I know how you feel. You know it's not quite right and the end of the day, you have to be satisfied.
I hope you have a more satisfying week ahead.

Kim said...

I think it looks lovely! We are always so hard on ourselves. Enjoy your sister's visit. Thanks for joining us at Sweet Stampin this week.

Netty said...

Loving both your beautiful projects and adore your choice of colour palette for the first one. Thank you for the info on the stamp, most useful.
Enjoy your week ahead, am sure you will have a great time with your sister. Annette x

Deborah said...

Looks good from here, Paula! I think I read somewhere that the more 'photographic' the stamp is, the harder it is to stamp with. Have a lovely time with your sister.

anna christensen crafts said...

Well from where I'm sitting, both of these projects look stunning! I hope you have a lovely time with your sister xx

Cath Wilson said...

Looks as if she's stamped fine, Paula - I used to sell those and they were always difficult to stamp. Sure I've got one somewhere... lovely work x

Daniele said...

the box looks great to me but when I complete something I tend to toss it to one side and feel that something is still missing perhaps we are all too critical of our own work and it does sound as you have had a busy week with decorating
take care
hugs

annemarks said...

Love the card. Have you tried putting the inked stamp face up on the desk and putting the paper/card on that and smoothing over with your hand or an acetate block whilst holding it still with the other hand. I do this sometimes when I'm having problems. :)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous projects Paula, I love your choice of stamps this one is absolutely stunning ! Sue C x

Lucy Edmondson said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Please don't sand it down!

Lucy x

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful pieces - that stamp is lovely, a bit different from the usual too. I like that you've done things with the patterned paper, making it unique. Hope the disruption to your crafting time is over soon. Elizabeth x

Inky Angel said...

Paula,
I love the stamp image and the richness of the blue color you chose. The focal image looks beautiful from here. I am like you, I always find "flaws" in my project that no one seems to notice.
Have a lovely week,
Katie

Mau xx said...

These are beautiful, I love the paper/stamping and the image and colours are gorgeous.
Thanks for playing along with MAWTT
Hugs Mau xx

Canonbury creations said...

Stunning projects Paula, that Vermeer painting is my favourite(along with the film) and I was looking at that range at Ally Pally this afternoon!
Val x

Yvonne Garner said...

Looks fine to me Paula though I have a handful of stamps that don't cooperate either. Can be frustrating. Have a fab time with your sister and enjoy those new stamps!

Zuzu's Blog said...

i love the box... i dont think it looks like it needs a re-do but I know how important it is that we feel ok about what we make..

I have had a few stamps of this sort.. art images done in a sort of photo stamp style and i too have a lot of trouble getting them to stamp well. so much so that I dont buy that sort of image stamp now.

love how you have coloured it.. looks like a real painting. x

Monique said...

It's beautyful! I love your card!
Greetings, Monique

Anonymous said...

Hi Paula. Beautiful projects. The box is gorgeous as it is.
Regards Florence xx

Redanne said...

It looks like the 'girl with the pearl earring', a lovely old master and that may be why it is not a 'perfect' stamp. What you have done with it though is stunning, the colours are gorgeous.

Brenda Brown said...

You have made this stamp into stunning creations Paula, the card is just sensational.
Have a wonderful time with your Sis and looking forward to seeing what you make with your new stamps. Hope the decorating is finished.
Have a great week.
hugs {brenda} xox

Kim. said...

Very pretty card and box, lovely vintage feel to it and beautifully embellished. Thanks for joining us this week at Moving Along With The Times.
Kim xXx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

A fantastic card and a great altered box, perfect for little treasures.

Annie said...

Hi Paula. I just love your design. Great detail, pieced together so well. The colours are perfect. Thanks for sharing......happy crafting......Annie x

Maria said...

I think these are lovely as they are Paula, and the image is beautiful, you've coloured it perfectly. Did you stamp this directly onto the painted box? I hope you have a great time seeing your sister - enjoy those Stampsmith stamps!!!

Maria x

Paula Whittaker said...

both, simply stunning.

Anonymous said...

I bought this stamp from That's Crafy possibly 3 years ago. This is one of my Mum's favourite paintings (and books) which was the reason for buying the stamp, to make a card for her. I cannot remember what ink I used but I have a feeling I used a brayer with Archival onto glossy.
Gorgeous card and box with sumptuous colours.
New stamps - cannot wait to see what Stampsmith stamps you "ordered"! Enjoy this time with your sister.
Wishes
Lynne

Mrs.B said...

Fabulous card and box Paula, the image is stunning.
Have a lovely time with your sister, look forward to seing the 'new creations' when your 'order' arrives!
Avril xx

Wishcraft said...

Love your card and box, the stamp looks fab and the colours are gorgeous! Thanks for joining in at Sweet Stampin' :o) Lisa x

Mina said...

wow Paula this is stunning and I love love love that stamp...thanks for joining in with the Colour Create challenge
Mina xxx
p.s. I have candy on my blog if you would like to join in...the link is at the top of my sidebar

Debi said...

these are gorgeous!