Hearts and Roses

Whilst having a rummage in my stash I rediscovered a large MDF heart and seeing it will soon be my wedding anniversary and Valentines Day, I came over all romantic! I painted the heart with a few  coats of matt emulsion and got rather carried away with stencilling and stamping. I used inktense pencils and distress inks to colour the heart and viva ferro paint for the stencilling. Then some balsam wax to seal the heart.

These MDF shapes are great for stamping on as they are lovely and smooth. I've had an MDF box waiting patiently to be altered for over a year now so I think it's high time that had a makeover too.

 But it may have to wait a little longer as I'm in the middle of making a backpack and I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew as it has loads of pieces and it has already taken me ages to quilt the fabric and then just cut out the pieces without even starting sewing. I know I'll rush it too as I'm very impatient, my head always seems to full of the next craft project to start. Anyhoo enough of the waffle!

I am entering this for the following challenges

Artistic Stamper ~ Hearts and Flowers

Happy Daze ~ Love is all around

Vintage Stamping Challenges ~ Vintage

Sugar Creek Hollow ~ Romantic Love

Have a great Sunday and Happy Crafting and a big thank you for all your kind comments and taking the time to visit my blog, it is really appreciated. 

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