Recycled and Retro

The theme of the current Stampsmith Challenge is 'Re cycle Re use' and I have just managed to sneak in my entry before the end of the challenge. I up cycled a plastic glasses case from a well known optician. I got this idea from Zoe who beautifully altered one on her blog last year. I painted it first with gesso then glued on some Tim tissue paper, then a little fresco finish paint. Then I stamped a selection of stamps onto PaperArtsy crackly tissue paper and glued to the case using matt medium. I buffed on a little distress inks, salty ocean and victorian velvet. I used my gold krylon pen around the edges. The reverse is slightly different but uses the same combination of stamps. Finally sealing with spray varnish.

My crafting area is what I would call 'bijoux' It is in the corner of our kitchen and it is now overflowing with all my crafting bits and bobs, as well as one of my sewing machines. I am a seriously messy crafter, and can never find anything on my desk, especially my glasses (looks like a bin has been emptied on it most of the time, yes seriously!) so my ever patient Hubby, who is the complete opposite of me and very organised has decided to do a spot of DIY SOS and build an internal wall so I can have some more storage space. So in the mean time I may not be able to do as much crafting as I'd like, but I can still sneak upstairs and do a spot of sewing. A day is not complete without a spot of crafting is it?

Thank you for all my lovely comments & Happy Crafting

I would like to enter this for the following challenges

The Stampsmith ~ Re-cycle Re Use

HappyDaze ~ Recycle
Frilly & Funkie ~ Spruce it up

Show Some Love~ Fashionable Stamping Challenges

'Show some Love' is the latest FSC challenge, chosen by Brenda and Joanna. I decided to show some shabby chic love and decided to make a little hanging for my design piece. To see all the fantastic projects made by my fellow Stampettes please head over to our FSC HQ. As we are a stamping challenge we do need to see some form of stamping on your project and definitely no digis please. We would love you to join our challenge this fortnight and the lucky winner of the random draw will win a prize courtesy of Marina at Cottage Crafts.

I up cycled some thick grey card which I painted with fresco finish paints and used inktense pencils to give a light wash of colour. The main stamp is Crafters Companion cling set rose clock, the others used are script stamps by PaperArtsy and Magnolia. I've kept it simple as I thought the stamp was rather pretty without any adornment.

I diecut my stamped card and attached with some chain, and used a gold leafing pen around the edges.

Yippee the snow has gone, which is good news, but I know there is a risk of flooding so I hope none of you are affected!

I've entered this for a few challenges

Crafters Companion ~ Anything but a card

Charisma Cardz ~ Flowers and hearts

Lady Anne's Challenges ~ Anything goes

Take care and stay safe and of course Happy Crafting xxx

Stitching and Stamping

I recently bought this rather lovely french chocolate label stamp from Magnolia, and using various other typography stamps and some unbleached calico I decided to make a little zipper pouch with an attached dangly fabric heart. I used sepia archival ink and my heat tool to set the ink on the calico.

I bought this very cheap brocade fabric from ebay to make this bag, it has a nice sheen to it and looks rather vintage.

Hoping to do a spot of stamping today as I haven't manage to get inky so far this week. Hope you are all well and warm. Have decided I really dislike this snowy weather. It's so icy everywhere, then it turns to slush, yuk! Nothing for it but to stay in and stamp.

Thanks for visiting my blog and all your lovely comments, I really appreciate each and everyone.

Take care and happy crafting xx

A Couple of Crafty Cards

Browsing through some of my photos, I realised that I hadn't blogged either of these DT projects for Crafty Individuals. This one is uses CI -357

This one is using the cute and quirky new Alice Palace stamps CI-372 I had fun using beeswax on this one the papers are all crafty Individuals too.

Have a great weekend and keep warm and safe.

Happy Crafting xx

Planes, Trains and Automobiles ~ Fashionable Stamping Challenges

Firstly thank you so much for your lovely feedback on my tag, it has boosted me no end. As has being chosen for the top three at Simon Says Stamp and Show, a really lovely surprise.

The lovely Yvonne has chosen the current challenge at FSC, Planes, Trains and Automobiles.  My card is of a young adventure seeking couple, who having saved hard for their first ever car, dream of travelling and exploring the world together.

I hope you will join us at FSC for this fortnights challenge. As we are a stamping challenge we do need to see some form of stamping in your project and no digis please. A fabulous prize is donated by our sponsor Marina at Cottage Crafts to the winner of the random draw and we also feature the top three entries as voted by our Design Team.

I had fun making the background of my card, using paperartsy fresco finish paint and distress inks. The stamps used are hero arts cling, Tim Holtz and La Blanche. The other stamps used are B line Designs The travellers, Crafty Individuals and Stampendous, a real mixture LOL!

Have a great Sunday and Thanks for popping by!

Happy Crafting xxx

A Vintage Beauty

I dusted off my inks as they have been sorely neglected of late, partly due to my sewing obsession, but mainly my inkiness seemed to have deserted me. I struggle when I know I have to make specific pieces and I certainly craft better when I am more relaxed and can make something just because!

I rarely make tags and I really enjoyed creating this one. Lots of stamping and inks and a touch of stencilling using ferro. The main stamp is from B line designs and  another of my favourites, she is coloured using a combination of prismacolor pencils and distress inks. I dyed a small piece of muslin and added lace and a small flower. The embossed heart is recycled from an old project.

I would like to enter this for 

Simon Says Stamp & Show ~ Mad tea party/Anything goes

Happy Daze Challenge ~ recycled 

The Artistic Stamper - Your Favourite Stamp

Have a great Sunday & Happy Crafting xx

New Year New Bag!

Fashionably late again in wishing all you lovely bloggers a Happy and Healthy New Year. I had a blogging  break over Christmas and the New Year mainly due to feeling under the weather with a cold and also a lack of mojo. But I thought I'd share with you my new bag, which I made just before Christmas. I'm having a zip frenzy can you tell! The bag has an internal zipper, an attached coin purse, and just because I felt like it a make up bag too.

I hope you are all having a fantastic start to the new year and enjoying using your new crafting supplies. I was luck enough to win at Simon Says Stamp and Show just before Christmas so I am waiting now for my goodies to wing there way across the pond into my inky mits.

Have a great day & Happy Crafting 2013 xx