Tagtastic Circle Group - Round Two

Our circle group met today for a cuppa and a catch up in Perth. This month our theme was "Embossed Resist". So here is what our talented bunch came up with:

First up was Erin. She used the resist for the white clock face.The blues work so well to show off the clock face. Her tag went to Lin.
Next is Isobel's tag that was destined for Linda.

 
Isobel used the resist technique for the background. The colours work well and I love her flower!!
Next up is Lin's tag. She made this one for Liz.

I love Lin's subtle and soft colour scheme and the button flower is a lovely finishing touch.
Linda's tag was for Lynne. Unfortunately Lynne couldn't make it today but I know she will love this.

Lynne loves elephants!! Linda has used the resist technique for her jungle trees. It is so effective.
Liz is next up. She was making her tag for Maggie. 

 
The stunning centre piece was embossed with gold powder to really stand out. I love the blues with the gold.
Maggie was to make a tag for me this time.

Like me Maggie uses a lot of nature inspired images in her stamping. The bird is an old Penny Black stamp and is in my personal favourites. The tag is so pretty and I love it.
Pat has made a beautiful oriental themed tag which went to Sue.

The little tags use the resist technique and look great next to the oriental lady. 
My tag this time was made for Erin. I know she likes Alice in Wonderland. 

I really enjoyed making this one as it was a bit of fun.
Sue is another member of our group who loves nature and this is reflected in her lovely tag.

 

I love the resist image around the edges ..it is so effective. Sue's tag went to Isobel.

As Pat was to get a tag from Lynne who wasn't there, I had made an extra tag as a sample of next month's technique (dry embossing). So this went to Pat.

I love all the different takes on the theme. This post is really for our great little group so they can see each others work. 

Well it turned out to be a lovely day. I even ventured into the garden this afternoon to start tidying up ready for spring!!

Have a good weekend whatever you are doing.

Siobhan x

Woodware - Sketch Challenge 22

We have another sketch challenge this week at Woodware. This is the sketch :

 

I was at Samuel Taylor's craft shop in Embsay near Skipton a couple of weeks ago and managed to get this beautiful new Stampendous cling stamp called CRR164 "Poem Tree".

 

I love tree stamps and am always on the look out for new ones. As soon as I saw this in the new catalogue I just had to have it. I have made it fit the sketch as best I can. 

 

I stamped the tree several times in browns and ochre colours to punch out the circles. The brown strip was stamped with gold ink and embossed with a detail gold powder to pick up the very fine script.

I also used the RH edge of the tree to make the foliage border on the background panel. A very simple card but one I thought would be good for masculine occasions. This one will do just fine for my father in law as his birthday is coming up later in the month!!

I think this will be a stamp I will use plenty!! 

Isn't it lovely to have longer evenings again. Although I got caught out on Sunday morning as I totally forgot the clocks were going forward!! 

Remember you can join in our April challenge for a chance to win a voucher. Check out the Woodware blog for details. Have a good week!

Siobhan x

 

Woodware - Around the World

This week at Woodware we are going around the world. After seeing what the other girls have done this week, my effort seems a bit basic. I decided to use a new set of Stampendous travel stamps along with a lovely quote that I recently got. I have made a quick simple card which you could give to someone setting off travelling.

 

I have simply blended brown inks on a white square panel and distressed with some splatters of water. Then some background stamping with stamps from the Stampendous set SSC1166 Air Travel :

This set would be very useful for your travel scrapbook pages. I have also used this new Stampendous cling quote stamp. Anyone who knows me will know that I love including quotes in my projects. My son is still in Vancouver and I haven't seen him since last July. I am getting the chance to go to Vancouver in June to attend a conference for work. So I am hoping to see my wee boy!! All 6ft 2inches of him!! 

I embellished the card with some little stamped tags and some string. I really like the vintage feel of these images. If you look on the Woodware blog this week, Pam our DT buddy from across the pond has also used this set in a fabulous wallet for keeping all your travelling paraphernalia in one place. A great idea.
Let's hope it's a warmer weekend than last week!! Hope you have a good one.
Siobhan x

Woodware - Lavander and Lace

I am last to post this week for Woodware. Our theme this week is Lavender and Lace. I will be in Yorkshire this weekend with my friend Linda for our craft retreat. We have been several times now and it is always lovely to see the regulars. The retreat is run by Janet and Michelle of Lovin Ink. This time we are having a go at altered books. It's something I have never tried before. I love making little books but have yet to alter one!! If the results turn out OK I will post it on my blog when we get back. 
But back to this week's offering. I used two Stampendous stamps that I recently got ....the chandelier and a medallion stamp.

 

I stamped the medallion stamp with Versamark repeatedly to cover the white card stock then embossed with a pearl white embossing powder. This was my resist. I then blended blue and lilac pigment inks over the top. I love the little Colorbox Cat's Eye ink pads for this as you can really blend them well. A quick wipe over the top with kitchen towel makes the white pop. So this was my "Lacy" background.

 My main image is the gorgeous Stampendous Chandelier stamp which I embossed with a pearly purple powder.
To finish off a few pearls and some ribbon. And my flower was made from parchment vellum. I stamped it first with the medallion stamp and White Staz-on then punched out some flowers before building it up. All in all I thought it was quite "Downton Abbeyesque".

I have just seen the weather forecast and just hope that we managed to get to Skipton!!
Whatever you are doing this weekend I hope it's a good one.

Siobhan x

Woodware - Spring Blooms

Firstly apologies for being late for this post. I had maybe a glass of wine too many last night and forgot to write my post for Woodware. Well it was Mother's Day ....!!
Anyway here it is. We were asked to use Spring Blooms as our theme. I know the Onion Bloom stamp from Magenta is not really a spring flower. But I used fresh greens and yellows to give it a touch of spring.

For the main image I used yellow and green brush markers directly on the stamp and spritzed lightly with water before stamping onto white card.

 

I love the effects you get using this brush less watercolour technique.

For the background  I used a resist known as Ghosting. I first came across it in the lovely book Magenta published a few years ago called "Paper Magic". You stamp your image using white pigment ink all over the card and allow to dry or heat set. Then blend 3 or 4 colours of pigment inks over the top. I used a couple of yellow and green Colorbox Cat's eyes. They are great for this technique. But alternatively you can use a bit of sponge. Rub firmly over the top with some kitchen towel and your images will appear. I used another Magenta stamp for this called "Shadow Branch" but any solid image would work quite well.

 

  I then over stamped tone on tone with a little sprig stamp just to add a little more depth. What I like about this technique is that it allows you to make lovely subtle delicate backgrounds that can be tailor made for your main image. How many times do you waste time looking for exactly the right patterned paper to compliment your main image? I know I have. This way you make your own!!
A bit of ribbon and a few pearls just add the finishing touches.
Have a good week everyone.
Siobhan x

Woodware - Sketch Challenge 21

Well folks, this week is our 21st sketch challenge for Woodware. This is the one you are invited to enter as there is a voucher up for grabs. 
Here is the sketch :

A nice simple layout. I have turned the sketch 90 degrees for my project. I chose to use the lovelyCRP146 Rose Corset made by Stampendous. I always find this goes down a treat for girly cards. 
 

I coloured the image with pink and coral coloured pencils. To add a bit of bling, I embossed the edges of the scallop oval with Frantage Shabby Pink embossing powder.

I stamped a border down the RHS using the border from Stampendous Damask Chair clear set. The American Lady Corsets script came from another Stampendous clear set. I also used one of the Crafty Edge punches to add a lacy edge on the strip of patterned paper to continue the feminine feel.
For my rose embellishment I used my "Emboss Gloss" wand on the edges of the petals before assembling the flower, to emboss with the Shabby pink powder. I love the texture of these powders....they really do add another dimension!!
Here is my rose in more detail:

 
Remember if you want to join us in this month's challenge, you will find the details on the Woodware blog. Stampendous have also just released their new catalogue and there are some stunning stamps and new Frantage powders.
Have a good week.
Siobhan x

Tagtastic Circle Group

Last year I was part of a circle journal group. We decided this year to have a different theme and we decided on Technique Tags. For anyone that follows Tim Holtz, you will know that he uses tags for so much of his art work. They are a nice size and shape and easy to display or store.
The idea is that each month we chose a technique in advance. We make one tag using the basic technique as a reference. Then we make two tags using that technique then finishing with stamping and embellishments. One tag we keep for ourselves and the second goes to a member of our group. Its a great way to keep in touch as we meet for coffee and blether for an hour or so and today we swapped our first tags. So I told the girls that I would post the tags on my blog. I apologise in advance for the quality of the photos. The lighting was not great for taking pictures but hopefully you get the idea.
Our first technique was "BLENDED DISTRESS/SPRITZ AND FLICK". We thought we would start with something simple to ease everyone in.

First up was Erin's tag which went to Isobel. This was Erin's first attempted at this technique. I love the combination of colours.

Next was Isobel's tag. This went to Lin. I like the soft vintage colours and all the little haberdashery details.

Lin's tag went to Linda. I love the colours Lin used and the metallic pocket watch which started life as mirri card!

 
Next up Linda's Tag was for Liz. Unfortunately Liz couldn't make it today so I have her tag for safe keeping. So Liz if you see this you will know what you are getting!! The wings and flowers are all sparkly and I love the citrus colours Linda has used!! 

This was Linda's second tag, but she didn't know if Liz would like the Octopede factory image so went for a safer option to give away, but I love this one two - fun and quirky just like our Linda!!

Next up is Maggie's tag which went to Pat. Maggie was inspired by the Chinese New Year for her tag. I think she has captured the oriental theme beautifully! Can you spot a serpent's head?

Pat's tag came to me. Apologies Pat, my hand must of shook a bit when I took this photo. Pat is a new member to our group but I think she did a great job. I love the colours and the little scene is actually tissue paper. Very clever!

My tag went to Sue. I chose a nature scene for my tag. I got given the poppy die from my sister last time I was home in Ireland and thought it would work well in my country scene.

Sue ended up having to make a tag for her daughter Erin. So to surprise her she made two, one Erin had seen and the other she hadn't. This is the one Erin knew she was getting. I love the colours and the use of Frantage powders around the edge.

 
Now here is the tag that Erin didn't know about. Erin loves Winnie the Pooh so a perfect choice from her Mum!!

Last up is an extra tag I made. Lynne was unable to make the meeting so that meant Maggie would have had nothing to take home. So she got my extra tag of the elephants.

Everyone seemed to enjoy the challenge. It was lovely to see so many great interpretations of the technique. I think you will agree, we have a talented bunch of ladies. Next time we are tackling Embossed Resist Backgrounds.

Woodware - Animals Wild and Not So Wild

An unusual theme this week from Woodware. I am late again sorry!! I am still playing catch-up from not being well for a couple of weeks. Although I am back at work I have to admit I am struggling a bit. Anyway here is my card for this week's theme. As my sister and her family are into horses in a big way i am always on the look out for stamps to use for their birthday cards. This little DaVinci horse is by Stampendous.

 To give it more impact I stamped it 3 times in a row then added some colour with watercolour pens as a wash.

To finish off I added some brown and cream gingham ribbon and a button. 

I also found the little cowboy boots in my charm box to finish off. 
That's all folks as i am dashing off to catch my bus to work.
Siobhan 

Woodware - Shining Silver

Hi everyone. This is a very quick post this week as I have been ill. The theme this week at Woodware is "Shining Silver" I pasted a Dreamweaver thistle stencil with metallic silver paste. Once dry I cut it out and layered up with a bit of tartan.
Not my finest hour!! But better than nothing I guess. I am starting to feel better so hopefully next week will see something a bit better!!

It is a lovely stencil and one I find quite useful for men's cards. Usually though I stencil emboss it and add colour with a stencil brush and pigment inks.

But that's the beauty of stencils .... they are very versatile. Promise to be more on the ball next week. Got to go back to work tomorrow which I am dreading. But at least there are only two days to get through until the weekend.
Siobhan x

Woodware - Wedding Stationary

This week at Woodware we have been asked to make Wedding Stationary. First of all apologies for the late posting of this project. But on Wednesday night I was struck down with a nasty bug. I hardly left my bed yesterday. But today I am feeling a bit better and am sitting up in bed writing this post. 
I am not really a hearts type of person so I wanted to design a very simple set of wedding stationary that would perhaps suit a more mature couple tying the knot. I wanted it to be simple and elegant. Also I think too with the high cost of postage many people are looking to have less dimensional cards that will post at the normal cost.
So here is my selection :

The image I have chosen is the beautifully detailed  Stampendous Magnolia stamp. I felt that it really needed very little done with it.
For the main invitation I have embossed it with a detail gold powder. This really makes a difference if your stamp has lots of fine detail as this one has.

To soften the edges and make it have a vintage feel I blended a brown ink over the edges of the card.
Next the evening invitation :

Just stamped in a dark brown in and layered with a green/gold metallic card.
I think nowadays it is quite common to include a RSVP card so another simple card to easily include into your stationary set.

And to finish off my little collection I made a little folder which could be used as a wedding favour. This template came from Splitcoast Stampers and is a tea bag folder. But I often use it as a little gift with a couple of flat chocolates. But you could also put a lottery ticket or scratch card in one side.

The inside is very simple to make.

So I hope you like my selection of stationary. I have always steered away from making wedding stationary. But I have promised to make my daughters stationary when the time comes. At least then it will be a labour of love, but I doubt it will be anywhere as simple as this!!
Siobhan x
 

Woodware - Sketch Challenge

Time for our next Sketch challenge over at Woodware this week. I am last up this time and there have been some lovely samples this week, with a few glimpses of some of the new stamps just launched. So be sure to take a peek!!
So this is the sketch : 




For my offering I have turned the sketch 90 degrees. I have chosen the lovely Stampendous stamp "Springtime in Paris". I have stamped it simply in a dark brown ink and added gold to the flowers from one of my USArtQuest Mica Palettes. 

The frame behind the images was made with Frantage powders Shabby White and Aged Gold. 
The stamped border at the top is from a clear Stampendous set called Damask chair. It is such a lovely intricate border that always adds a touch of elegance. 

 

The background was made using the Stampendous music score stamp and my favourite technique of spritzing water onto a stamp and lifting off to remove ink. 

My flower was several layers of parchment daisies. I stamped and embossed with a detail gold powder before punching out with a large daisy punch. 
To keep with the French theme, my text paper was torn out of my old French Dictionary. I was always useless at French at school but at least I have found great uses for my French Dictionary!! 
Remember, if you enter our sketch challenge you are in with a chance of winning a Woodware voucher to spend at your nearest stockist.
Have a good weekend. I believe we may get more snow on Sunday!! So winter is not over just yet.
Siobhan x