Tuesday 30 October 2012

I was trying out a technique i saw on the Sizzix blog, http://sizzixblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/die-cutting-techniques-textured.html and thought the results were perfect for taking part in the Autumn Leaves challenge at http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/simon-saysautumn-leaves.html.

I had used a cuttlebug leaves embossing folder to try out this technique and decided to cut out around the leaves. I wanted to make the most of the dimensional aspect caused by the leaves curling up naturally as the glue dried.


I was aiming for an autumn feel hence the colour choices. I also wanted to recreate the feel of what i saw at a butterfly farm we visited on holiday. I used the perfect splatter distress technique for the background. The butterflies are cut out of Graphic 45 paper and covered in glossy accents. As i don't have the right type of ribbon everyone appears to be using to spray and thread through tags. I cut up some old gauze i found when organizing our first aid box. Sprays beautifully, is very cheap and the fraying gives a vintage feel.


Included this pic to try to show the dimensional aspect. Pretty pleased with the results but would use more greens next time. Also miffed at myself because i forgot to ink the edges of the butterflies before gluing.

Stash used: Distress inks-Rusty Hinge, Peeled Paint, Vintage Photo, Wild Honey and Old Paper.
                   Archival ink- Coffee.
                   Cuttlebug embossing folder.
                   Graphic 45 butterfly paper.
                   Perfect pearls- various, sorry forgot to note them down before putting them away.
                   Gauze- from first aid box.
                   Glossy accents.

Monday 29 October 2012

Found a simple challenge on http://artfultimes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/challenge-16-its-orange-brown-and-white.html so decided to have a go. When i scrap, i generally start with the photos and use them as the starting point for the colours and theme. So it felt a bit weird starting with a set of colours, no photographs came to mind so i thought i would make some ATC's.

 I've been meaning to make a few ATC's with some quotes i like and displaying one or two on my desk. With a view to making a set that i can change out as and when. Finding the Words of Wisdom 3d sticker in my box of "odds and ends to be used up " was the final push i needed.



I changed the colour of the "love of learning" metal brad with terracota alcohol ink. Just as a reminder because i'm sure everyone already realises this, but don't touch a metal embellishment that you have just heat gunned to check if the alcohol ink is dry until you have given it time to cool, its hurts!!

The top ATC was cut from Tim Holtz idealogy kraft resist paper, covered with picket fence distress stain to tone it down a little. The edges were inked using various distress inks.

The bottom ATC is cut from embossed white cardstock and again inked around the edges with distress inks. I then sprayed some Claudine Helmeth canvas with sunshine dylusions spray ink (beautifully vibrant colours). Stamped the message on with Archival coffee ink and stck it to the ATC. The butterfly/flower embellishment glued on using glossy accents. Then a little hand stitching added for extra interest and texture. I then glued both ATC's to some thin chipboard ATC shapes for strength.

Some stash used: Picket fence distress stains.
                            Rusty Hinge, Vintage photo, Frayed Burlap and Spiced Marmalade Distress inks.
                            Sunshine dylusions ink spray.
                            Coffee archival ink.
                            Terracotta alcohol ink.
                            Claudine Helmuth canvas.
                            Tim Holtz Odds and Ends stamps.
                            Tim Holtz ideology Kraft Resist papers.
                            Glossy Accents.

Friday 26 October 2012

I've had a busy week so no crafting bar the Disney tag already shown. So i thought i would follow on with the Disney theme and show a few older layouts. I mainly do pretty simple layouts, its not planned, i start with the photos, move them around until i like the position. Then look for papers and embellishments that will give the feel i'm after.



A rare layout of my husband and myself in Boma's in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The journalling is hidden behind the photograph. Think we were out in the sun too long that day. 
Stash used: 
PP-Lost and Found-My minds eye.
Diecut-BoBunny-noteworthy.
A for Always and Adore- 7Gypsies.
Butterfly- Gunhild Storeide.
Bookmark- DHD Agnes Biro.
Watch- BoBunny Tick Tock paper.           



Love Stitch. The map and the Mickey hat is by Jolees. The rest are random diecuts and odd leftovers i have had for years.


This is a pretty old layout but i remember being highly pleased with the flowers. Some cut with punches. The stamped flowers and leaves are stamps by Technique Tuesday. Got quite a few of theirs and love them. Stamped on glossy paper that has been coloured with alcohol inks.

Wednesday 24 October 2012

Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2012 October.

Having set up this blog in part to participate in some challenges. I decided it was time to have a play. Whilst Tim's tag has a Halloween theme, i don't really do holidays. However Tim and gang have recently been to Disney and i and my family love Disney so i went with that as a theme.

I didn't have any printed tissue paper, so stamped on the back of plain tissue paper using archival ink and one of Tims reflections stamp. Its a text stamp defining the words "curiosity" and "imagination" which seemed appropriate for the Disney theme.

I also didn't have any of Tims new glitter but remembered i had some clear microbeads. So i used a combination of two alcohol inks to colour them reddish. I only have a few of the original inks. ( i have however ordered a few brights and pastels today as i keep wanting to use the alcohol inks for various things).


The castle charm isn't Disney but reminds me of their castle. The key charm reminds me of the "Keys to the Kingdom tour" i booked as a surprise treat for my oldest daughter. Highly recommended, we both loved it.

Main items used: Black archival ink-Ranger
                            Distress ink-Black Soot-Ranger
                            Distress marker-Black Soot- Ranger
                            Alcohol inks-cranberry, Red pepper-Ranger
                            Distress Stain- Barn Door-Ranger
                            Red wagon paint-MM
                            Speciality stamping paper-Ranger
                            Reflections Stamp-Ranger
                            Naturally Serif-Sizzit decorative strip
                            Icon Magic-Queen & co trendy tape
                            Ticket stamp-unknown
                            Prescription stamp-unknown
                            Mickey fussy cut from patt paper

The tag is sure to come in handy as we are going back next year!

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Last week i wanted to print out some pretty tickets that had been offered as a freebie on a blog. But when i took them into photoshop they were tiny at 300dpi. So i decided to design a few simple tickets myself instead.

As my drawing abilities are pretty non existent, i took a look through some pretty images i had downloaded over the last few months from sites that either allow commercial usage or allow you to use them if you will be sharing freely. I selected some from The Graphics Fairy and The Old Design Shop that offer good quality images at a good size.

If you are new to this like me, remember to check whether there is a limit on how many images you may use in one project. I forgot and had to go back and remove two tickets from this sheet and design two more tickets with images i had from a Dover book. However i'm delighted with how the tickets turned out.

So here they are, if they can be of use to anyone else. Please note they are for personal use only.

Please click HERE to download

Tuesday 16 October 2012

With the hundreds of thousands of crafting blogs out there, it feels a little superfluous to start one. But its a first step in trying something new and will enable me to take part in various challenges. Should anyone choose to read this blog please bear with me as i'm very much a beginner writer. I'm hoping there is some truth in the old saying, "practice makes perfect." I'm also hoping my crafting time will gradually increase so i can share lots of projects with you. In the meantime here's a simple one a made last week.

Tim Holtz inspired tag.

  • Items used: Stampers Anonymous Classics 7
  • Distress inks
  • Alcohol inks for metal word
  • Dylusions spray-Pure sunshine
  • Butterflies cut from Graphic 45 paper.
  • Art definition stamp-unknown
  • metal word-MM
  • button and ribbon-unknown