Bird Crazy

Hi

Just a quick post as I am about to go out for a lovely dinner this evening to my favourite restaurant to celebrate my mums birthday. As I have a few moments to spare (got ready well in time, most unlike me!) thought i would quickly post a tag I made this afternoon just having a quick play with my newly arrived Tim Holtz - Bird Crazy stamp set.

Corrugated cardboard tag coloured using distress paints.

Bits and bobs added along the way. One of the birds stamped onto distress painted Manila cardstock and cut out, and even a bit of machine stitching.
I am entering this into the current challenge at That's Crafty where the theme is "Animal Magic"

Well gotta dash, hope you all having a lovely Saturday evening whatever you are doing tonight.

thanks for stopping by

Love

Amanda x

Painted Background at Stampotique

Hi Everyone

This weeks challenge over at Stampotique Designers Challenge has been set by Corrie and Corrie has challenged us to use paint in our backgrounds. Paint is one of my favourite mediums to work with so decided to make my first canvas of the year and I made a right old mess making this project which I have yet to clean up (that's the dull part)

I warn you this is a photo heavy post as at the end of this I do a tutorial on how I made my painted background. It's at the end so you can skip it if you wish.

Stampotique stamps used are both designed by the talented France Papillon and I have used:-

Barcode Text for the Handle with Care

and

My Heart Large.

I painted a large MDF heart, I had previously painted this different colours and just painted over it with Paperartsy Fresco paint London bus. I then stamped, using One of the textures from Andy Skinners Industrial stamps, onto tissue paper and put torn pieces of it onti the heart with multi medium. I then edged in black with a combination of Pitt pen and black paint.
France's heart has been stamped with versamark and embossed with WOW black fine embossing powder.Then I glued it to my canvas.







Here you can
see some close ups
of the
piece

























and I have even painted and decorated the sides




















Canvas background

I first cut words from magazines and covered the canvas with them using multi medium. I then distresses them by sticking cellotape to the and ripping it off.

then I added a layer of gesso over the lot

I then added my chosen colours of acrylic paint using Dina Wakley paints

I then added petroleum jelly in places and covered the whole lot with black acrylic paint, once the paint had dried I removed the jelly with a damp cloth revealing a distressed paint effect of black on my canvas.





Hope I've not bored you all too much and if you've stuck with it this long, thanks for getting to the end.
Thanks for stopping by as always
Love
Amanda X

Funny or Punny at Stampotique

Hi Everyone

After a busy weekend working this is just a quick post to join in with the latest challenge over at the Stampotique Designers Challenge

This weeks challenge has been chosen by Kathi who has challenged us to make something funny or Punny, I have gone for the latter.

It reads "I stayed up all night to see where the sun went, then it dawned on me" (not the best light to capture the text clearly)

Using a Gelli print background, the planets are punched out of yupo coloured with alcohol inks.

I have used the fabulous Stampotique image "Fofe" because he's fab!!

Text has been created on my typewriter.

Thanks for stopping by

Love

Amanda X

Using Numbers at Fashionable Stamping Challenge

Hi

And its the start of a new challenge fortnight at fashionable stamping challenge. This fortnight I got to choose our theme and I chose

NUMBERS

I love adding numbers to my backgrounds or including them somewhere on my project to add a bit of interest. So this fortnight we would love to see how you include numbers on your project.

We are a stamping challenge so we do need to see stamping on your project.

To qualify for the winners prize we especially need to see stamping as the focal point on your project and that your stamping follows the format of the theme.

One lucky winner will win $20 to spend at the online store of Flonzcraft our wonderful sponsor.

for my DT piece I have started with a gelli print background. 

I stamped the girl, by Teesha Moore, onto note book designer paper and coloured her slightly with spectrum noir pencils.

The numbers, stamped behind her, are from Unity Stamps.

I then stamped a Paperartsy number background onto some more of the note book paper and then with a circle punch punched out the numbers that I wanted.

I stamped the happy birthaday sentiment in reverse with the caption go figure with cosmo cricket stickers and I can't resist adding a bit of washi tape to just finish it off.

The DT have come up with some inspiring takes on my theme so pop over HERE for some fabulous inspiration.

You have a couple of weeks to pop over and join in with us and we would all really love it if you did.

Thanks for stopping by

Love

Amanda X

Painting my own fabric

Hi

In yesterdays post I said I was going to get the paints out and I did. I have some canvas fabric so decided to design my own pattern on it to then use it to sew something together.

Using Dylusions sprays,acrylic paints and stencils I set to.

I then left it to dry overnight ready to use today.

These are the 2 pieces of canvas that I designed

and this is what some of it ended up as

A cover for my Kindle, it is lined and backed with the black and white material.

I also made a hanging Heart

this is the fabric on the back of the heart

I now have an order for 2 kindle cases as my nieces both want one, they said it was Cool!!

I fortunately have enough canvas left to make them so that's my next job!!

Here they are both together.

I don't claim to be a sewer but making these was so much fun and I keep learning, mostly what not to do lol.

Thanks for stopping by

Love

Amanda X

Sparkle & Shine at Speedcraft Challenge

Hi Everyone

It's time to find 15 minutes and come and join us at the 

Speedcraft Challenge.

You can get out your glitter and bling because this fortnights theme is

"SPARKLE & SHINE"

We accept any type of project but you must have made it within 15 minutes.

You must also include in your entry how long it took you to make.

So set your timer and why not come and play along. 

We have a fabulous new sponsor

GLITZCRAFT

and they are sponsoring this challenge. One lucky winner of this challenge will win £20 to spend in their Shop!!

I managed this well within the time, which is a first for me, it usually goes to the wire,

All done in 11 mins and 43 seconds!

I'm getting more organised.

My sparkle & Shine is the bling in her hair and around her neck and the rock candy distress glitter on her dress.

Image has been coloured with distress inks as its the quickest way to colour for me.

Stamps used are:-

Breakfast at Tiffanys - Octopode Factory

Film Edges - Kaisercraft

sentiment Vintage Fashion - Whimsey Stamps.

Pop over Here and see what fabulous makes my Teamies have come up with.

Then come and join us, remember you could win £20 to spend at Glitzcraft 

thanks for stopping by

Love

Amanda X

Less is More Take 2

Hi

I seem to be drawn to creating with white space a lot at the moment (but the paints are coming out this afternoon!) So I have entered another card into this weeks "Friendship" challenge over at 

Less is More

This time I have taken a male approach to the theme

I firstly stamped the main image and masked it off - Art Journey stamp

The buildings were then stamped to make the background - Hero Arts stamp

I then stenciled using distress ink - Dylusions and Tim Holts stencil

then stamped the numbers with the same distress inks - Paula Pascal stamps

finally the sentiment - unknown

Thanks for stopping by your visit means a lot to me.

Right off for some lunch now and then getting the paints out!!!

Love

Amanda X

less is More Challenge - Friendship

Hi everyone

This is my second post of the day, my first post today using one of my new unity stamps can be seen HERE.

The current weekly theme over at "Less is More" is

"Friendship"

and here is my entry into their challenge this week. 

Image, from Teesha Moore, was stamped with black archival ink and then masked with Pebeo masking gum (much better than masking fluid as it just washes out of your brush) 

Then added a light sprinkle of several Brusho colours onto my craft mat, misted with water and then just dipped my card in it. Once that was dry just rubbed the masking gum off.

Then I just coloured the image with Prismacolour pencils.

Quote is a "Kids Quote" from Inkadinkado.

Thanks for stopping by especially if this is your second visit of the day.

See you soon

Love

Amanda X

She designed a life she loved

Hi

I was recently persuaded to check out the Unity Stamp sale (you know who you are!) and armed with some money I had received for Christmas, had being the operative word, I set about checking all the bargains they had and there were LOADS!!!! so it would have been rude to not take advantage of the sale prices!!  I have now received my order and have been itching to play with them. 

The first I have used is "Eva" by Donna Downey which is a huge 7" x 3.5" stamp

She has been stamped with black Versafine and I have coloured her with, firstly, distress inks and then both prismacolor and spectrum noir pencils.

The sentiment is also from Unity Stamps and is from the "She" set also by Donna Downey.

Thanks for visiting

Love

Amanda X

colour Splash at Stampotique

Hi

For those of you that regularly follow my blog you will know just how much I just loveeeeeeeeee

Stampotique Stamps and try to enter their weekly challenge as often as I can. I missed the first weeks challenge of January but am starting my Stampotique Challenge year with this weeks challenge (wk 2).

The theme, chosen by Kaz, is

"Colour Splash"

"Pearl" - Daniel Torrente (coloured with Spectrum noir pencils)
"Tenticurl" - Jo Capper-Sandon (Stamped with Versamagic for a nice chalky effect)

 

Sentiment I just typed out on my typewriter, edged in black fine liner and cut out.
"A hug is a kiss with no lips"
Thanks for stopping by
Love
Amanda X

A Little bit of Everything

Hi

And an extra special hello to my latest followers, good to have you along.

I started playing with all sorts of bits and bobs and my final result ended up as this card.

 I have used odd scraps of gelli backgrounds and other sprayed and stenciled scraps
I have started to use the vast collection of project life cards that I have, thought I'd use a couple, as of yet I haven't gotten around to starting my album, "note to self" get that started!! 2 of those make up the background of my card. Machine stitching as I just love to add that to my projects.
and of course some stamping.

Stamps used are all from Dina Wakley.

Talking about Dina Wakley I don't think I've told you, I am booked on a Dina workshop in March over at "Art from the Heart" and as if that couldn't get any better I am also meeting up for the first time with my "bestie" blog friend Donna, so it is going to be an extra special day and I can't wait!!
Thanks for stopping by and keep Crafting
I would also like to enter this into this months challenge over at Craft Stamper Blog- the Theme is "Take a Stamp"
Also
Try it on a Tuesday - the theme is My Favourite thing which is making things out of bits that I have left over.
Love
Amanda X



"Something New" starts the Challenges at FSC

Hi Everyone

I hope that you aren't all being too battered about with the current gales that we are experiencing at the moment across a lot of the UK. There has never been a better time to just stay in and craft!!!

There is an even better a reason, it's the first challenge of the year over at

Fashionable Stamping Challenge

And our theme to start this year off is

"SOMETHING NEW"

Now that could be some new stash,a new technique you've been dying to try or a new years resolution, infact anything that's new to you.

We are a stamping challenge so stamping should be the main focus of your project and our lucky winner will win $20 to spend online at Flonzcraft our wonderful sponsor.

 

For my DT piece I have used some new stamps

 

 

The new stamps I have used are from Carabelle Studio and are:-

'Des reves plein les yeux' and 'Suives les fleches'

I have also used Tim Holtz circles from 'Bitty Grunge' set.

 

The colour added to the background has been added by smearing distress ink on a small acrylic block, misting with water and then just stamping it onto the card. To finish the card off I have added a little bling to the centre of the circles and some torn washi tape. My sentiment

"Release your inner Hippy wear a feather in your hair" has been typed out on my vintage typewriter.

Please visit Here to see what my fabulous teamies have made to inspire you and I hope you will join in with us this fortnight.
I would also like to enter this into this months Challenge at
 Country View Challenges the theme there is "Use something new to you"
and
Craft Stamper Take it,Make it challenge - Theme is stamping

thanks for stopping by

Love

Amanda x

 



Speed Craft challenge - Music Inspired

Hi everyone

It's time for our first Speed Craft Challenge of the year and I am kicking this new challenge year off with the theme

"Music Inspired"

This is an opportunity to show us what you can make in only 15 mins, it can be any form of crafty project but must be made within the time limit. A full list of the rules can be found on our blog Here

One of my New Years resolutions is to be more organised so I have altered a cheap note book to use to try and keep tabs on things.

First thing is to gather up all your supplies and set your timer

 

 

I have just used Dina Wakely paints and a Fube pen which is great for smudging. I typed out "Note to Self" before I started and had added a layer of gesso to the book.

 

 

Within the 15 mins and I did have to dry the paint with my heat gun to speed it up I managed to finish the front and the spine. Sorry forgot to take a picture of the timer but I had 2 seconds to spare to get to this point.

 

I did however add to this after the time completing the back and adding some washi tape to finish it off.

Here is it finished

 

and a before and after

 

Hope you can pop over and join in with our 15mins of fun challenge Here, the rest of the DT have created some wonderful pieces to inspire you.

thanks for stopping by

Love

Amanda X



A little C&S offering

Hi everyone

Thankyou for everyones comments on my previous post it's lovely to know that you follow my journey not just a particular genre that I create and as such my blog will contain a variety of painted, inked,sewn,stamped and anything else that takes my fancy type of creations.

My first love is however rubber stamping which started me on my creative journey several years ago and this piece is just a C&S piece to get me back into my creative zone this year.

 

 

The coloured circle came from the fact I was cleaning acrylic paint from my craft mat with an old credit card and I thought what if I then run the credit card, with all its paint scrapping on, across a piec of card, which is how I created that effect. I then cut a 3" circle from it and another circle in a blank piece of cardand inserted it in. the birds have also been die cut using the same paint dragged card.

The barbed wire I have had hanging around for a while it has been die cut from grey card and then rusted using rusting powder and vinegar.

 

 

Barbed wire circle - stampendous

Flower - Art Journey

Flying Swallows - Lost coast (I think)

Remnant rubs and Dymo letters finish it off.

thanks for visiting and hope you've had a lovely weekend

Love

Amanda x

 

 

 

Kicking off with My New Years Resolutions

Hi Everyone

Firstly a belated "Happy New Year" to you all and I hope that you all had a fabulous Christmas and got lots of crafty goodies from the big man!

I am not big on setting new year resolutions, mainly because I never keep them but I have made some crafty ones and those are:-

Carry on from what I started to learn at the end of last year getting more involved in textile art, helped by getting a Pfaff embellisher machine for Christmas - thanks Santa!

Start drawing and carving my own stamps (My lovely blog friend Donna says I have to)

Do more art Journaling especially as I have a collection of blank ones.

Use the supplies I have and STOP buying loads more stuff (the most likely to be broken!)

So I start this year with the end of last year and a piece I made for Donna (she who says I have to start drawing and making my own stamps) for a christmas present (we are both big tea drinkers)

 

using a 16" x 6" canvas as my size guide I cut a piece of linen big enough to mount onto the canvas.

The tea cups were all cut of of fabric backed with heat & bond using templates I had cut out with my Silhouette Cameo, they were then stiched using free motion to the linen. I then added the text again using free motion.

 

 

I love the randomness that free motion gives to the look.

Whilst I am really enjoying learning a new craft I appreciate that you are currently following my blog with an interest in paper crafts and mixed media, I would be interested to know if you think that I should set up an alternative blog and leave this one just for inky and painty stuff?

Thanks for stopping by

Love

Amanda X