Snowy Creek

Hi crafter's

This is the picture we are creating for my Christmas workshop at J and C Creations on Tue 3rd and Fri 6th November. I have used Stampscape stamps and a Chocolate Baroque sentiment. The stamps used are Snowy Creek, Birch Trees, Snow Texture and Buck. I really like icy colours for Christmas so this scene is perfect for them. First I stamped the snowy creek then put in the trees. Create more ground interest with the snow texture. Stamp the buck then the sentiment. Colour in the snow with a selection of blue's and a light green dye based inks. I also used some of the light green at the bottom of the trees and a neutral colour for the bark. Blend colour around the edges and add glitter. Run a gold pen around the edges and mount on to a dark blue base card.

That's it for this one, thanks for looking

Sally

Spooky Tree

Hi crafter's

This picture is for a workshop I will be taking in the near future at J and C Creations. I wanted to create an atmospheric feel to the picture as Halloween is coming up. I inked the Spooky Branch large with Archival Watering Can and stamped near the bottom of my card (this is a piece of high gloss card with a masked frame). Soften the bottom of the tree with kitchen towel before stamping. Ink up the Sedge Bank Left, dab with kitchen towel around the edge to soften. Stamp under the tree. Ink up the Cloud Cumulus soften the edges as before then stamp at the top. Repeat until happy with the result, change the angle of the stamp each time. Lastly ink up the Gulls and stamp just above the tree. Cut a mask for the moon and place slightly over the clouds.

I have used a variety of yellow, orange and purple to colour in. First go all over with Dessert Sand Memento and with Milled Lavender Distress on the grass. From there start to build up the colour using progressively darker inks. Leave some light in the clouds and around the tree to make it more dramatic. The detail on the top left hand corner was done using a Tim Holtz stencil Shatter inked through with Adirondack Eggplant. To finish add white highlights on the tree and dots of white on the grass. Take off masking tape and draw a black line around the edge adding a few zigzag lines. I have mounted on to purple card and a white base card.

That's all for this one hope you like it.

Sally

Hidden Waterfall

Hi crafter's

It's been a long time since my last post. I haven't done any challenges but I have been playing with my Stampscape stamps. I have just bought some of the tropical stamps and the picture above is my second design. This may be a workshop for the future or something similar. I have used Rock Falls for the main feature and a selection of the tropical trees and fronds, as well as Rocks and Leaves at the bottom. Hot Sun was used in the sky. I coloured in with Memento and Distress inks. The water was created with Copic Opaque White. A short post this time. Hope you like it.

Thanks for looking

Sally

Allium

Hi crafter's

This my entry to the Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge. It has turned out totally different from where it started. To begin hold down a piece of torn copier paper then used Ink Dusters to swipe ink across the middle of the piece of square card. I used Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint and Rusty Hinge. Blend the colours together. Keeping the copier in place ink up the allium stamp with Bundled Sage and stamp over the blended background, repeat once more. Add some soft colour to the flowers. Stamp the flower on a scrape piece of card and colour in with the Bundled Sage. Peeled Paint and Spiced Marmalade. Cut out. Stamp the word Spring in Spiced Marmalade in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation working from one side to the other. Attach the allium with dimensional glue. Run the Bundled Sage ink pad around the edge of the card. Ink up a corner flourish with Spiced Marmalade and Rusty Hinge and stamp around the edge of a white base card. Glue card on to the base card. Add glossy accents to the flower.

That's all for this one, thanks for looking.

Sally

The Meadow

Hi crafter's

I have used one of my favourite tree stamps from the Stampscape range. I have silver birch trees at the bottom of my garden and I think they are really beautiful.
This time I have used a glossy card stock. Mask around the edges of the card to create a frame. Start by stamping and masking the Birch Trees in Archival Watering Can. Next ink up Tree Cluster Sm and stamp behind the birch trees. Stamp Rocks and Grass in the bottom right hand corner. Use Sedge Filler to build up the grass. Repeat stamp  to ground the trees and the rocks. For the fir trees in the background I used the tops from the Pines and Rocks Sm. Lay a piece of torn copier paper over the grass then stamp the tree tops. The sky was created with Cloud Space Sm. I used parts of the stamp that I wanted then used a second generation impression. Stamp the Spotted Horse and Migrating Birds.
To colour the grass I used my favourite greens Memento Pistachio, Bamboo Leaves and Northern Pine then went over with Desert Sand. The sky was coloured with Memento Summer Sky then Distress Stormy Sky and Faded Jeans with just a little Dusty Concord.
When the colouring is done take off the masking tape and draw round the edge free hand with a black pen.
This is in my ever growing pile of pictures I haven't decided what to do with yet, so no matting and layering done with this one. To add a little more detail I did use some Brilliance ink in yellow to hint at flowers in the grass and white dots with a gel pen, this does add some light to the finished picture.

Hope you like it, thanks for stopping by.

Sally

Lakeside Cabin

Hi crafter's

Back with another Stampscape picture. Although Stampscapes stamps are an American brand I think my pictures look like the British countryside. With the log cabin it feels more American. 

To start take a piece of Clarity silk card and mask around the edges with tape to make a frame.

Ink up the Tree Trunk Trio with Archival Watering Can and stamp on to the silk card. I used the stamp in two parts. Mask the trees. Ink up the Lakeside Cabin and stamp on the left hand side. Ink up the Tall Peaks and dab most of the ink off the bottom third of the stamp with kitchen towel. Stamp behind the cabin. The bottom of the mountains will be faint and not show up over the trees. Add some small trees in the background at the base of the mountains, draw a fine line with a grey marker pen so they are not floating. Ground the trees by repeat stamping with Grass Texture. Stamp the top of Prickly Branches to add interest. Ink up Flock in Water and stamp at the bottom. Lastly stamp Leafy Branch in the top right hand corner. I have used various shades of blue, green and browns to colour in working with small pieces of Cut'n'Dry foam and nibs. As it is Clarity silk card buff with a tissue to give a lovely finish.

When happy with the colouring take off the masking tape and run a black fine finer pen free hand around the edges then mat and layer. That's all for now.

Thanks for stopping by, any comments welcome.

Sally

Sandy Cove

Hi crafter's

I have a bit of an addiction to Stampscape stamps and each month I buy a few more to add to my collection. This month one of my new stamps was Sand Pattern. I started with a piece of high gloss card (A5) and stamped the Seaside Cove Sm. I actually stamped this in three parts to extend it. I always use Archival Watering Can ink for my stamping. Next I inked up the Sand Pattern then dabbed ink off from around the edges with kitchen towel. Repeat stamp second generation along the bottom. Ink up the moon, take off the ink leaving the moon in the centre. Stamp off the card. Stamp the other elements, Spooky Branch, Fishing Boat, Gulls, Fence, Reeds and Dog Walk. Colour in with dye based inks starting with the lightest colour through to the darkest. The white water was created with Copic Opaque White used with a paint brush and a white pen. This picture took a while to do but well worth the effort. I can just imagine being there. 

Hope you like it

Sally

Ocean

Hi crafter's

This is my entry to Chocolate Baroque's colour challenge. I have used one of the stamps from the Seaside Dreams set. First I stamped the image at the bottom with black Archival ink. Cover the plants and shells with drawing gum. Using the wedge end of a Promarker colour the card. I used Orchid and Denim Blue. Add darker colours at the top and bottom, Royal Blue and Purple, but not too much. Now fill a pipette with Isapropyl alcohol and drop over the colouring in. Let the alcohol push the ink in to bubbles, add more until happy with the result. Rub off the drawing gum and colour in with light shades of blue, green, pink and purple then go over with Spectrum Noir pencils to add shading. Blend Memento Paris Dusk through Clarity's seaweed stencil just to help blend the dark colour with the light. Use Distress Dusty Concord with out the stencil at the bottom. Run a grey Promarker along some of the edges of the stencilled lines to make them stand out. Add some white highlights with a pen on the plants and shells. Stamp the words on a scrape of white card, colour the words with a blue pencil. Run China Blue Promarker around the edge. Happy accident! mine was running out but I really like the washed out look it made. Cut some string, mine was from a clothes tag ( I'm sure everyone else collects them too) attach with silicone glue. Stick the words over the top. Tuck the string over the top and adhere to a white base card. All done!
That's all for this one, thanks for stopping by

Sally

I do like to be beside the seaside

Hi crafter's

Its's been quite a while since my last post but I did want to get my entry to the Crafty Individuals challenge done. Hope I'm in time. My reference to music is 'I do like to be beside the seaside' so I started by stamping the girl. Mask with a post-it note. Stamp the beach huts twice. Mask the top and bottom leaving the middle free to colour. Use a blending brush and distress inks to colour the sky and the beach. I used Sunshine yellow and Sailboat blue. Colour the huts with these inks and Citrus. Add shading with pencils. I did add a bit more texture in the sand with a music stencil and Sunshine yellow but doesn't show up in the picture to well. Remove the masking tape and draw a line with a grey marker pen. Colour the parasol, hat and water with pencils. To frame I used the seaweed stencil from Clarity and run through a die cutting machine. Blend blue ink lightly around the edge then repeat with Pebeo gilding wax. Stamp the words on to a scrape piece of card, cut out then frame with a grey line. Stick on the left hand side. Attach to a white base card.
That's it for now hope you like it.

Thanks for looking

Sally

Under the sea

Hi crafter's

This my entry to the Chocolate Baroque colour challenge. The stamp set I used was Seaside Dreams. I love stamps to do with the sea and these shells are great, loved colouring them in. I started by stamping the shells in black ink. Hold the Art Is stencil by The Crafters Workshop in place and ink though with Wild Honey, don't go over the shells. Now use the Wavy Dots stencil from Clarity using Eggplant down the sides, blending a little Wild Honey at the bottom. Colour the shells in with Spectrum Noir colouring pencils. Add highlights with Copic Opaque White. Ink up Let Your Dreams in grey ink and stamp randomly. Colour the background with brushes and Cranberry and Wild Honey ink. To frame I used Flitter Glue and Gold gilding flakes. Stamp the words By The Sea on a scrap piece of card in black, colour with Cranberry. Cut into pieces. Draw dashes with a white pen around the edges. Glue into place as shown. Mat on to a White base card to finish. That's all for this one, hope you like it.

Thanks for looking

Sally

Bookworm

Hi crafter's

It's been a while since my last post. This is my entry to the Clarity challenge, it's all about the wee folk. I have set 2 which I bought recently and I think the little boy reading is one of my favourites. I began by stamping the little boy in black ink then cut a circle and masked him. Next I used a stencil by Sam Poole and coloured through with ink dusters and Juniper, Cloudy Blue and Peach Melba inks (the Cloudy Blue hasn't scanned as well as I would have liked) randomly. Keeping the stencil in place draw around the squares with a grey fine liner pen. Remove the stencil and doodle some lines and dots in some of the squares. Stamp the words book worm in the white spaces and the word imagine in the bottom right hand corner. Add shade under the boy with a soft pencil. Mat on to white card then grey card. I have some pieces of book pages lying around from a book I am altering so I glued these to a white base card. Paint with white gesso. It all looked a bit straight and neat so I rubbed with my finger around the edge, any parts that where not stuck down came off, much better. Blend some Juniper and Cloudy Blue over the gesso. Glue the topper in place. That's all for this one, hope you like it.

Thanks for looking

Sally

B for Butterfly

Hi crafter's

Back for another Chocolate Baroque challenge. Mask a circle on a white piece of card and stamp the allium stamp from the Breath of Spring set through the hole. Move the mask to another spot covering the allium with a circle mask and stamp again. The colours I have used are Eggplant, Paris Dusk and Stream. To build up the background stamp some of the Mini Scripts randomly in Pastachio. Stamp the Butterfly three times in Watering Can. Colour in with Spectrum Noir pencils. Ink up the alphabet stamp from the Mini Scripts set in Watering Can. Colour the B in with a purple pencil. Stamp this again twice more on to a scrap piece of card. Blend Paris Dusk around the edges leaving the middle much lighter. Cut out the letters spelling ..for butterfly...and colour in with the purple pencil. Stick in place as shown. Using a blue Promarker add some dots in opposite corners. Dot some glitter glue on the alliums and the butterflies bodies. Mat on to purple and blue card then on to a white base card.

That's all for this one, hope you like it.

Thanks for looking

Sally

Seed Book

Hi crafter's

I have finally finished my entry to the Claritystamp challenge. This month it's anything but a card. It has taken ages to decide what to do. I decide to have a play with this papier mache book which I've had for ages. The first thing I did was to paint the whole book inside and out with acrylic paint, I used a neutral cream colour. Die cut some letters, I cut 3 of each then glued them together. Next I measured a piece of card to fit the front but leaving a border. Using the flourish stencil run through an embossing machine. Colour the card with a sage acrylic paint using a piece of sponge, when dry go over with the cream paint again with a sponge. I used very little for this. Colour the letters with sage paint then glue in to place. Stick the card on to the front of the book. Cut another piece of card to fit the back and colour the same and glue in to place. Add some sage paint down the spine just catching here and there. Paint around the side where the pages would be in the same green colour. Using the letterbox set stamp the word vol and I on to a scrap of cream card in Adirondack Hazelnut  age a bit with Bundled sage. Glue in to place on the spine. Run a metallic gold Promarker around the sides to make the pages, let a little bit of the paint show through. Using one of the NDC floral stamps ink up with Hazelnut ink and stamp on to some scrap card, cut out and glue on the front of the book. Rub some gold gilding wax all around the book and the letters. 

 I painted the inside a slightly darker colour of acrylic called Antique Cream. Cut a piece of cream card to fit the left hand side of the book, run through an embossing machine with the flourish stencil. Using the debossed side colour with the sage acrylic and sponge. Ink up the the stamp from the Birdhouse kit in Hazelnut ink and stamp twice at the bottom. Glue in to place. Although you can't see in the picture I have decorated the other side of the book the same. Lastly I made some envelopes with cream paper to hold seeds. I stamped the flourish this time with Juniper ink and the flowers in Hazelnut. That about does it for this one.

Thanks for taking the time to look.

Sally

Jade Moth

Hi crafter's

I made this card using some new stamps I have just bought Moon wings by Designs by Ryn.  I have used glossy card stock for this card. First stamp the moth using black Memento ink then cover with a mask The background stamp is by Crafty Individuals, ink up in Archival Watering Can and stamp in the centre. Remove the mask and colour in with Promarkers, I used Tea Green, Soft Green, Vanilla and Apricot. Let each layer of colour dry before going over the top to add shade. Using Ink Dusters tap Distress inks to colour the background, I used Dried Marigold and Bundled Sage. Add plenty of ink. Scrunch up some cling film to fit the size of your card then spritz around the edges leaving the middle dry. Lay the wet side down on to the card and pat down leaving plenty of creases. Leave to dry then take the cling film off. To finish run the Tea Green Promarker around the edge.
I am going to enter this in to the Designs by Ryn Customer Creations challenge.

That's all this time, thanks for looking

Sally

Butterflies

 

Hi crafter's

Time for the Crafty Individuals challenge, this is my entry. I started by stamping the background in Watering Can with second generation ink. This is one of the new stamps. I just love the script and splatters, can see this being used a lot. I then inked up a humming bird and stamped the same as before. Stamp various butterflies on a scrap piece of card. Colour in with Promarker's in vanilla, apricot, tea green and soft green. Cut out. To finish the background I used lattice and cogs stencils. Blend dried marigold and bundled sage ink with brushes. Stamp the words and run grey ink around the edges. Stick in place. Attach butterflies with silicone glue for dimension. Finish with a little glitter glue and draw lines around the edge with a grey fine liner pen. Mount on to dark green card then on to a white base card.

That's all for now, thanks for looking.

Sally

Babbling Brook

Hi crafter's

Back again with another Stampscapes picture. This is the project for my next workshop on the 26th and 29th of May at J and C Creations in Maidstone. Come along if you're able to! 

I used an A5 piece of Clarity silk card and masked a border with low tack tape. Stamp the babbling brook in Archival Watering Can ink. The stamp doesn't quite fill the space so ink up again, dab the edge of the stamp with scrunched up kitchen towel to remove some ink and repeat stamp. Using the top of the Babbling Brook stamp in the bottom left hand corner and also on the right hand side as shown. Stamp the Tree Trio at the top by masking the rocks with torn copier paper. For the pine trees I used the rocks and trees stamp and second generation stamping. Add foliage stamps and spooky branch, I also used the duck. I coloured in using blues, purples and a little pink. A white marker pen and white pigment ink created the water. Remove the masking tape and draw a line around the edge with a black pen.

That's all for this one, best get started on my entries for the challenges I want to enter I think.

Thanks for looking

Sally

Walk in the Park revisited

Hi crafter's

The other day I had a chat with a lovely lady in Nottingham who loved this card but couldn't make it all the way to Maidstone for my workshop. I said I would put more information on my blog to help her get started. 

First stamp the Crooked Path using Archival Watering Can ( this is the colour I use most of the time ) then the Tree Trunk Trio. Mask the trees with masking tissue. Next stamp the large Oak Tree. Ink up the Twisted Oak and stamp on the other side of the path. Stamp the small Oak Tree right at the back. Add small and large Foliage and Fern at the front of the card. To add life I used Dog Walk and Flock. I used an A6 piece of Clarity silk card for this picture. Colouring in is done with dye based inks in shades of green, brown and blue plus a little pink in the sky. All this is done with small pieces of cut'n'dry foam and nibs are good for small areas and detail. I also used some Brilliance pigment inks to add more colour to the foliage. A white Marker pen creates the highlights. 

I hope this helps.

That's it until next time, which will be soon I have another Stampscapes picture to share!

Thanks for looking

Sally

Fancy Flowers

Hi crafter's

I have done a second card to enter in to the Chocolate Baroque challenge, normally I only get around to doing one. Picture is wonky on this one too! This time I got out my Gelli plate and did something totally different. The background was created using acrylic paints and stencils. I have used Vogue by Andy Skinner and the Wavy Dots by Clarity also a floral one I had in my stash. When the background is finished stamp one of the flowers from the Fancy Flower set in black Archival ink. Colour in with Spectrum Noir pencils. Shade around the lady and add a little colour in the dots. Masking the lady fill her in with the flourish from Breath of Spring. To add texture use some crackle glaze on the petals and some of the dots, leave to dry. Mount on to dark blue card.

That's all thanks for looking

Sally

Flowers

Hi crafter's

Time for another Chocolate Baroque colour challenge, sorry the picture isn't the best ... slightly wonky! I kept this one very simple but sometimes that's all you need. I started with a  square piece of white card, then ink up some cut'n'dry foam with spiced marmalade. Create a circle then swipe across the card. Repeat until the colour is how you want it. Do this again with wild honey but start in a different place. Lastly use faded jeans to create a rough circle and swipe. Ink up the flourish from the Breath of Spring stamp set with faded jeans. Using second generation stamp twice as shown. I didn't have a script stamp so I used a grey fine liner pen and drew wriggly lines to mimic writing. Ink up the word stamp in faded jeans stamping twice. Stamp a flower from the Fancy Flowers in black ink on a scrape piece of card. Colour in with blue and lilac colouring pencils then cut out. Attach with silicone  glue. Draw around the edge free hand with a black fine liner pen then mount on to dark blue card.

That's it for this one, hope you like it.

Sally

Poppies

Hi crafter's

This is my entry to the Claritystamp Challenge, the theme is Floral. I have done something new this time as I have never used just a stencil, normally stamps are used as well. I have just bought the poppy stencil and thought it fitted the theme perfectly. The first thing I did was to spread grunge paste through the stencil, Leave to dry. To colour in I used Promarker pens in various shades of red and pink building up the shading, working in one direction. To add more depth I went over with Spectrum Noir pencils in dark red and grey this really adds something to it. Repeat this with green for the leaves and stems. Put a touch of dark grey in the centre of the poppies and smudge with your finger. Add grey down one side of each of the poppies, blend outwards then smudge with your finger again. Repeat with a darker shade of grey but not going out so far. Keep doing this until you are happy with the effect. To colour the background use brushes and Adirondack inks, watermelon and peach melba, starting with the lightest colour first. Keep adding the ink until satisfied. Using a stencil brush tap some more watermelon to the edges. Stamp the words from the New Design Club in black ink then cut up. Colour the words in grey pencil then run a black ink pad around the edges. Glue in to place as shown. Mat on to a piece of black card.

That's it this time, hope you like it

Sally

Spring Butterfly

Hi crafter's

Time for another Chocolate Baroque colour challenge. I was very fortunate to be one of the top 5 last month which was very exciting.
I started this card by stamping the butterflies from the Breath of Spring stamp set three times with brown ink. Colour in the butterflies with Spectrum Noir pencils in shades of green, orange and yellow. Blend the colours around the edge with ink dusters leaving the area near the butterflies quite light. To create some texture around the edge I used clear texture paste through a flowery stencil leaving the centre untouched. Leave to dry. To bring out the texture paste more blend orange, green and a little brown ink with some cut'n'dry foam. Ink up the words from the stamp set in brown ink. Add a little colour with the ink dusters then cut the words up. Run the brown ink pad around the edges then glue in place as shown. Mat on to brown card then on to a white base card.
That's about it for this one.

Thanks for looking

Sally

A Walk in the Park

Hi crafter's

Just a quick post today, I wanted to show a picture I made using Stampscape stamps. I am doing a workshop at my local craft shop J and C Creations in Maidstone on the 14th and 17th April, so anyone interested please make enquires.

Stampscape are one of my favourite brand of stamps. I love how realistic the stamping is. Once the colour is added all that's needed is a frame and to be put on the wall. It looks complicated but it is very achievable and relaxing to do.
                                            
That's all this time, hope you like it.

Sally

In Flight

Hi crafter's

This my entry to the Clarity challenge which is about things with wings. I do like this hummingbird
it's so nice to colour in. Stamp the bird first in black ink and mask. Now mask the top and bottom with copier paper to leave a strip. Colour in with brushes randomly with Antique Linen, Scattered Straw, Bamboo Leaves and Rich Cocoa, just a light covering. Hold down the lovely flourish stencil then using the same colours as before dab the inks around the stencil. Colour the bird in with Spectrum Noir pencils, or similar, and blend with Sansador. Draw a wiggly line with a fine liner pen along the coloured strip. Next I used the berry trailer stamp inked up with the same colours as before. Dab off the trailer bit leaving the berries in the middle. Stamp randomly in second generation going from the top corner through to the bottom. Mat on to brown card then on to a white base card.
That's about it for this time, thanks for looking.

Sally

Peace and Tranquility

Hi crafter's

Time for another Crafty Individuals challenge, it's all about Scenic Stamping. I have just bought the new tree stamps so had to use them.  I began by stamping the trees over to the right hand side in black Archival ink then stamp again joining the tree stamp up. Colour the sky with Stonewashed ink and a duster brush by Inkylicious. Add some Victorian Velvet ink along the tree line working up towards the sky, and Bundled Sage ink at the bottom.  Next I stamped CI-302 in Bamboo Leaves along the bottom. Colour the flowers with a little Victorian Velvet. Ink up CI-017 in Stonewashed and dab off some ink around the edge then stamp second generation stamping in the sky, leaving the centre clear. To add interest ink up a flourish stamp in blue ink and stamp along the top and side edges. The stamp I used for the sun was one of the free stamps that come with an order, I inked up with Victorian Velvet and Wild Honey and used second generation ink. I wanted to keep this very soft. Stamp the words from CI-286 in black just underneath the trees. To finish I added white highlights to the trees and the land under the trees. I also run a green pencil under the tree line. Mat on to navy card then on to a white base card.
That's it for this time.

Thanks for stopping by

Sally

chocolate baroque challenge 6

Hi crafter's

This is going to be my entry to the Chocolate Baroque challenge, the colours this time are yellow, green, blue and pink. I have just bought the Breath of Spring stamp set in the sale, love this flower! just had to use it. I started by embossing the flower with black powder then blended yellow, green and pink colour all over with Inkylicious brushes. Colour the flowers with distress markers in pink and blue. then the leaves in green. Add dots of white in the centre of the flowers and highlight the leaves, I used a white gel pen for this. Ink up the words from the stamp set with the distress markers and stamp randomly in the background, if you huff on them you can get a few impressions without re-inking. To break up the background stencil some white gesso through sequin waste. Run a black ink pad around the edges. Blend the colours on to the opposite corners of a white base card then stick the topper in place.
That's it for this one, made a nice change from Christmas cards.

Thanks for looking, Happy New Year

Sally