One for Mum !

For my Katzelkraft DT piece this week I've altered a box which I'm going to give to my Mum for Mother's Day.


I started by covering the box with Gesso and then I used acrylic paint followed by some Tea Dye DI and a white dabber. The stamp sets I've used are 'French Quotes' and 'Physalis et Petits Oiseaux'. I've stamped the images onto white tissue paper and then stuck them on to the box using Matt Medium.



I made the flower using the Paper Artsy Scalloped flower die and Tim Holtz Lost & found paper. I then sprayed it with Perfect Pearls Heirloom Gold mist. The leaves are cut from Grunge Paper and I've used Olive DI on them.


The feet are by Tim Holtz and I used Ginger alocohol ink to colour them.


The stamps I've used are all available exclusively in the UK from The Craft Barn and from Katzelkraft in France.

R is for ..........

The next ABC Challenge starts today and this week we would like to see 'R' is for Roses. The challenge is being sponsored by Bunny Zoe's Crafts.


Well, being as Mother's Day is fast approaching I thought I ought to make a start. My Mum loves roses, especially the David Austen varieties, so this challenge is really well timed ! I also thought it would be good opportunity to have a go at the twisted easel style card. I have to say I quite like it ! The stamps I've used are by Elusive Images, I've had this set for quite some time, I love the main image it's so full of detail. I've blended Spiced Marmalade and Dried Marigold DI over some white card and then stamped the rose image with black Archival ink. I've then gone round the edge with a little Walnut Stain DI. The Nestability I've used is Labels 17. The background for the Rose is made using Antique Linen, Scattered Straw and Old Paper DI and I've then stamped using Stampin' Up's background stamp called En Francais with Old Paper DI. The piece on the base is made using Tea Dye and Walnut Stain DI and I've stamped using Stampin' Up's Bella Toile background stamp with Tea Dye DI.



I couldn't resist making another rose and I've used Paper Artsy's Grunge Flower die and I've cut it from the pages of an old book which I've blended Spiced Marmalade DI over and added a blob of Glossy Accents. The sentiment is from the same Elusive Images stamp set, cut out using Labels 16 Nestabilities and given the DI treatment. The letters are cut using the Tim Holtz Sizzlet Vintage Market alphabet die and I've blended DI over the letters and covered with Glossy Accents. If you've been to the ABC blog the eagle eyed among you will have noticed that these letters are missing on my card. The reason is that they weren't dry and I needed to load my card onto the DT page.

I hope you will be able to join us this week.

I'm also entering this card in to the Let's Ink it Up challenge which is die cuts/punches.

A mix of stamps !

So, did everyone in the UK remember to put your clocks forward an hour ? I did but I always spend the rest of the day thinking what the time is really......lol......


The card I'm sharing with you today is one I made a few weeks back and I never got round to putting it on my blog. I've used a mixture of stamps including Katzelkraft, Tim Holtz and Stampin' Up. I started by making the background using Milled Lavender and Dusty Concord DI. I stamped the main stamp twice so that it gave a fainter second image. The main image is a Katzelkraft stamp and she's been cut out with a circle Nestability and mounted onto a Labels 3 die cut. The ribbon is TIm Holtz and I've added a thin piece of black, which actually is from a tag from a piece of clothing I bought. The horizontal panel is embossed using the Victoria EF and then I've used Milled Lavender DI.


The flower is made using the Tim Holtz Tattered Flowers die and the button and charm are from my stash. The text is another Tim Holtz stamp from one of his new sets. ( I love this stamp ! )

As seems to be the norm now, my card was too big for a normal envelope ! So I made a box, using Milled Lavender and Dusty Concord DI, the corner stamps are by Katzelkraft. The flower is made using the Tattered Flowers die and some Paper Mania paper.

The tickets are made using the Tim Holtz Sizzlet die and the words are from another of his new stamp sets.

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

• Totally Stampalicious - Paper piercing
  
• My Time to Craft - Ladies Day
  

Well we've got a very grey cloudy day again today, which is a little disappointing as we were hoping to go out and take a pic-nic. Never mind, we'll have to have a carpet pic-nic instead !

Hope you all have a lovely Sunday.

The Stamp Man challenge

It's time for another challenge over at The Stamp Man and this time we would like to see 'Anything Tim' ! So it's time to dig out your embellishments, distress inks and stamps amd show us what you can do with your Tim Holtz products !


I was going down the card route again, but for some reason nothing was coming to mind. Then I remembered I had this box which I'd bought some time ago and that was the trigger I needed and then thought of doing a mini configuration box.
I sponged Stormy Sky DI all over the box. The metal border is made using a Tim Holtz embossing folder and then using black acrylic paint. The rosette is made using the Tim Holtz sizzlet rosette die and the paper is from the Lost & Found paper stack and the embellishment is a small metal bird which was left over from when I made my main configuration box.


I've lined the box with the same paper and then added the embellishments. The grunge paper letter is mounted on a grunge board block and then I've covered it with black acrylic paint, when it was dry I sanded it and then rubbed Walnut Stain DI over the top. It's a bit difficult to see in the photo, but it's there honest ! I stuck lots of scrap pieces of grunge paper together and mounted the clock onto it. The text is from one of the new sets of Tim Holtz stamps and I've blended Spiced Marigold and Chipped Sapphire DI over the card.

I hope you have fun with this challenge, I did !

The letter 'S'

This is my second DT piece for Katzelkraft and I decided to do something completely different !
I spotted these wonderful letters in a garden centre at the week end and the idea came to me in a flash !

I've used the gorgeous Katzelkraft 'Paris/Adore' set of stamps for this project. I started by sanding the letter slightly and then adding a coat of Gesso. When that was dry, I sponged on some Antique Linen, Sccattered Straw and Old Paper DI. I then stamped the images onto tissue paper using black Archival ink and stuck them to the letter using Claudine Helmuth's Matt Medium. When it was dry I used Walnut Stain DI around the edge and then some black acrylic paint to distress it.


The embellishments are all Tim Holtz and I've used Tissue Tape around the back edge to neaten things up.



I think the detail on these stamps is stunning and I especially like this one of Paris.


This is my second attempt at a metal rose, I think it's turned out better than my first as it isn't as squashed ! I still think it needs more work though ! I've stamped the metal with one of the flourishes from the set and then used black acrylic paint to distress it.

This stamp set is available exclusively at The Craft Barn in the UK and from Katzelkraft in France.

I'm entering this project into the Simon Says Stamp & Show challenge this week which is to show a word. My word is 'J'adore'.

Support for Japan

Following the awful disaster in Japan, Beatrice at Katzelkraft has decided to make a stamp to support the appeal.

Looking at all the awful images about the tsunami in Japan I wanted to make something and I thought together we will be stronger. So I have created a solidarity stamp and I will refund all the benefits to the Croix Rouge (Red Cross).

The picture may seem morbid but it's not, this is an old Japanese illustration "the great wave off Kanagawa" from 1830 and the kanji (ideogram) means love/affection. You can use it to make cards for associations for example.



The stamp can be purchased from Katzelkraft.

Katzelkraft DT card !

I have been very honoured to be invited to join the Katzelkraft DT ! I absolutely love Katzelkaft stamps, so this is a really exciting opportunity for me.


The card I'm sharing with you today is one I made for my sister's birthday. The stamps I've used are from the 'Mode' set and from the 'Nature/Voyage Quotes' set. I blended Spiced Marigold and Rusty Hinge DI over some white card and then stamped with Archival black ink to make the background. The main image has been cut out using Nestabilities Labels 14 and I've blended Spiced Marigold and Fired Brick DI over the card.


The two tickets are cut using the Tim Holtz Sizzlet die and attached with a Tim Holtz clip. This card came together really easily, these colours are among my favourites so maybe that helped !

All of the stamps I'ved used are available exclusively at The Craft Barn in the UK or available in France at Katzelkraft.

ABC challenge ..Q is for ...

It's time for another challenge over on the ABC challenge and this time it's Q is for Quotes. We would like to see a quote on your project. The sponsor for this challenge is Stamp and Create.


I decided to go really distressed on this card and started by stamping the main image from a Serendipity stamp set, on a piece of white card and then screwing the card up tight in my hand (a great stress reliever!) I then ironed it flat and rubbed Tea Dye DI over the top. I stamped the background with another stamp from the same set and distressed the edges.

The leaves are made from Grunge Paper that I've stuck some K&Co paper on to and then given them the DI treatment too. The quote is from another set of Serendipity stamps, I've distressed the edges and then run round it with my sewing machine.

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

• Truly Scrumptious - Tag it
  
• Crazy 4 Challenges - Use a tree on your project
  

I hope you get chance to join us this week.

Birthday Girl !

I have discovered that the more you embellish the less likely your card will fit into an enevelope ! So a few weeks ago I invested in a Scor-Pal...why did I wait so long, I ask myself !


This is a card I made for one of my sister's, whose birthday was on Friday. I started by blending Faded Denim DI over some white card stock, then I stamped the gorgeous ladies, by Katzelkraft, with Adirondack Stonewashed ink. The swirls are from a Viva set of stamps, and I've stamped with Adirondack Stonewashed ink and then with Stazon Midnight Blue ink. The 'Suchard' stamp is from a Tim Holtz set, stamped with Stazon Midnight Blue and cut out using Nestabilities Labels 17. I've blended Chipped Sapphire DI around the edge.


The flower was made using the Grunge Flower dies by Paper Artsy, I've also stamped the layers with Paper Artsy stamps. The bottom layer is card, then there are several layers of tissue paper and the last is card. The pin started life as a different colour which didn't match, so I took it apart and put it together again with some blue pearls from my stash as is the small heart charm.

So, it now appears that I'm going to have to make a box for my cards ! This is where my Scor-Pal comes in extremely handy !


I used Faded Denim and Chipped Sapphire DI and stamped the images, which are all by Katzelkraft, in Stazon Midnight Blue.



Added the ribbon with a little linen thread and voila !

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

• Fab 'n' Funky - Make it Girly
• Stamp with Fun - Monochrome Blue
• Daring Cardmakers - Make at least one embellishment - I made the pin.
  

Birthday Boy !

Well where did that week go ! It was a busy week for me as I had 2 family birthdays close together so was beavering away getting cards ready for everyone. The below card is one I made for my brother-in-law.


I started by making the background, I used different Distress Inks and stamped them onto a craft mat, sprayed them with water and then 'splodged' my card ontop. I used Chipped Sapphire DI around the edge and stamped the images with black Archival ink. The stamps are from a Paper Artsy set and also a Stampin' UP set. The sentiment is from a Tim Holtz set and I've cut it out using Nestabilities Labels 17 and given it the DI treatment. It's mounted onto an embossed piece of card, again given the DI treatment and embossed using a Tim Holtz EF.



The pocket watch is stamped onto Grunge paper which has had Spiced Marigold DI blended over it and then I've cut it out. The paper is from the Tim Holtz Lost and Found paper stack. The numbers are chipboard and I've rubbed DI over them and then covered them in Tim Holtz Crackle Glaze. One lesson learnt is that the finish on the numbers wasn't rough enough to stick sufficiently to the Crackle Glaze as part of it fell off when my BiL opened the card ! Note to self : sand the numbers next time !

I'm entering this card into the Let's Ink It Up challenge which is embossing.

Hope you're al having a lovely week end, and if you're in the UK, aren't the lighter nights wonderful ! Spring is definitely around the corner !

The Stamp Man Challenge

It's time for another challenge over at The Stamp Man, and this time we would like to see a floral card that could be given as a Mother's Day card.


For this card I've used a stamp from the Floral set by Aspects of Design. I've stamped the image with black Stazon and then used Distress Inks to paint the rose and leaves. The border is a Tim Holtz die and I've rubbed Bundled Sage and Aged Mahogany around the edge.

The background paper is from the Prima set called Botanical, a piece of gold ribbon from my stash and some self adhesive pearls and job done. I've had to keep this card quite simple as time has run out on me this week !

I hope you get chance to join us.

My first Configuration Box !

I thought I'd show you what I made at the Tim Holtz workshop that I attended just over a week ago (can't believe it's come and gone !). You will no doubt have seen the new configuration boxes that Tim (first name terms now you know !) has brought out. I have to admit I was a little sceptical but when I started to make it I absolutely loved it !



The individual boxes are all lined with paper from the Lost and Found set, they were then arranged in any way you wanted except for making sure there was one large area, this was due to the size of some of the embellisments. The box and the lid were also covered with Lost and Found paper. The magical bit that brought it all together was the Tissue Tape. If you haven't used this yet, you must ! It's self adhesive, the only thing is it doesn't stick to itself so you would need to add a little glue. We used Caludine Helmuth's Multi Medium in Matte. Fantastic stuff, it sticks any thing and dries clear ! All of the edges were bound with the tape, and as it comes in various designs it adds another dimension to your project.




We distressed the box with DI inks and pain dabbers, and then set about adding the embellishmens (which were all provided!) This was where you could go to town, as you could do any thing you wanted. My problem was I kept changing my mind !



The bottom right hand corner of the above photo is an image of a 1920's gentlemen and he's stuck to the front of a battery operated tea light ! It looks great as it flickers just like a candle ! The one thing I didn't get round to was giving the whole project a spritz with a Perfect Pearls mist, I may still do that, and the other thing is I haven't yet attached the gorgeous feet !

Tim also had on show a box he'd made themed Christmas, it was absolutely fabulous and has given me food for thought for later in the year. If you've been thinking about having a go at one these, then go for it you will absolutely love it !

P is for ........

It's time for another challenge over at the ABC challenge and this time we would like to see 'P' is for ....pink ! The sponsor for this week's challenge is Kraftin' Kimmie who have kindly donated 2 stamps of the winner's choice. Just remember not to combine your entry with more than 4 other challenges to be in with a chance to win.


If you have visited before you'll know that pink is not my favourite colour so to compensate I've grunged it up a little. For my card I've used my new set of Tim Holtz stamps that I picked up last week at his workshop. I saw these on his blog and knew they were a 'must' have ! I've blended Spun Sugar and Victorian Velvet DI over white card stock then stamped the images with Coffee Archival ink.

The flowers are made using the mesh ribbon that is also by Tim Holtz and I've cut it in half then rubbed Walnut Stain DI across the edge then rolled it up. I've stuck it to a punched flower with silicone and rubbed Walnut DI around the edge. The coathanger paper clip is one of the things that was left over from the project we made at Tim's workshop.

I did warn you there would be more Tim Holtz ! There will definitely more to come too, I absolutely love his new range of stamps and can't wait to get my hands on some of his new dies too !

The Stamp Man ATC swap ...& a bit of Tim !

First things first, which is my ATC for The Stamp Man monthly ATC swap. I was so pleased that I'd managed to make it and get it onto the DT page that I completely forgot to post it on my own blog !

I've used the Floral, Aspects of Design, stamp set and I've stamped the lovely rose onto a piece of white cardstock that I've blended Victorian Velvet and Walnut Stain DI over. I added a drop of Glossy Accents for the familiar rain drop. The ticket is made using the Sizzlit Tim Holtz Ticket Strip die, I've then stamped using the Odds and Ends stamp set. Really simple this month !

So, what a day I had last Thursday ! Up really early for breakfast then registration and then straight into 4 hours with the wonderful Mr Tim Holtz ! What can I say, it was just fantastic !

Tim was so obliging with all the requests for autographs and photographs, so I made sure I got one of each !