Creative Expressions - Stylish Christmas #4

For my final project with this set Stylish Christmas 1 I have made a tag. I wanted to use the tree on the set. I cut out a tag from mount board and blended 3 colours of Distress inks (Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky and Pine Needles).

I then used the flourish stamp with Versamark spritzed with water to stamp onto the background. It lifts off some of the colour to leave a negative resist. I use this technique a lot when making backgrounds. If you have not done this before there is a tutorial for you to follow.

• I over stamped the same swirl stamp using 2nd generation Pine Needles (I did not want it too dark)
• The tree was stamped with black pigment ink and embossed with a sparkly embossing powder.
• I sponged some versamark along the base of the tag and embossed with white powder.
• Then I finished off with some snowflakes, the swirl and Noel all from Spellbinder dies. 

All these products are available from Creative Expressions

Creative Expressions - Stylish Christmas 1

Here is my project for this week using the lovely "Stylish Christmas" set designed by Sam Poole for Creative Expressions. I have gone for an icy look this week and have used the bauble for my main image. 

For the bauble I used Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky and a little Pine Needles Distress ink. If you ink up the whole stamp with the lightest colour (Tumbled Glass) then add little bits of the other colours here and there. Spritz with water and stamp. You get a lovely blend of your 3 colours. Then a bit of simple layering  and you are done!! I love all the Spellbinder snowflake dies. They really finish off a wintry card!!

A Wee Update on Rory

We got Rory home today. Unfortunately the operation wasn't as successful as we had hoped because the cataract had become so thick and yellow. The vet (who is a Veterinary opthamologist) has been fantastic. He said it was the thickest cataract he has ever removed. Because he had to cut more into the eye he was unable to put in a new lens. So basically it means that Rory's vision up to four feet will be very blurred but beyond that distance he will be able to see quite well!! The right eye had the ulcer removed and that went well!!

I have just completed a chart with all the drops and other medication he needs over the next few days to keep me right!! I am now off work for a few days to look after him. At the moment he looks a bit odd as they shaved him around the eye area. But he's happy to be home!!!  And Alfie was really happy to get his old buddy home again!!

The Stampman Challenge - Anything by Tim

I normally try to make something for this challenge because I find their DT so inspiring. What a great theme - Anything by Tim. I decided to go very simple this month as I have limited time for crafting.

"The world of reality"

I used Distress Inks and a mask ( Gate - Tattered Angels) to create a soft distressed backgound on white card stock. Then I over stamped with various images - the tree branches and birds are Tim Holtz stamps as is the quote. I love this quote as I think it sums up what Tim does so well, that we are all in awe of his creative talent.

To add a bit of depth I stamped the final layer of plants in gold and embossed with Detail Gold powder.
There are some fabulous samples on The Stamp Man Blog. Be sure to check them out.