Try It On Tuesday - It's All About The Eyes...

This fortnight we are asking you to create a project where the main focus is an eye or eyes. I seem to be in the mood to work small this week so I've done an ATC using Distress Inks and various eye stamps I have (who knows why I have so many .. answers on a postcard please...). I have had this sentiment stamp for ages  - I think I bought it at my first ever trip to Ally Pally - and it always makes me laugh, and reminds me not to take myself so seriously. (Because, of course, there are no art police and no rules in art !!)


We have a new sponsor for February Really Reasonable Ribbons who are generously offering a $15 gift voucher to our winner this month.



Anyhoo, hope you can find time to play and join in with us at Try It On Tuesday. BUT (and it's only a little 'but' really) please, please, please abide by the rules of the challenge, (in particular only linking to 5 challenges in total) because it is such a shame when great projects can't be included in Top 5 or Prize draw because this has been ignored. Have fun!!

Cindy
 

Something Old, Something New...

 
No, it's not a wedding card, it's the challenge over at the J & C Creations Challenge Blog. for which I decided to maker this 'Time' themed ATC.

My something old were various 'Time' stamps and my something new was the key which was cut with a Marianne Creatables die LR0193 available at the store. Cut out on thickish card and grunged up with inks and distress embossing powders it looks quite the thing!

Thanks for looking!!

Squeaking in...

with a quick ATC for the current Artful Times Challenge which was a recipe.

Blue
A female (head or body will do)
Silver
Ribbon
I had some new embellishments (see desk below!!) and thought the black lady silhouette would just fit on an ATC. Blue backing paper and stamping, Bit of embossing and distressing. Silver Krylon edging and Silver ribbon. I wrote the sentiment by hand because I just could not bothered to waste a sheet of paper in the printer for one sentence. I'm not sure it actualy makes any sense but it was how I felt today - it was just so dismal for the whole day, a real disappointment after the lovely day we had yesterday but I was somehow in a good mood.

Anyhow there it is, ta da, first challenge entry of  2013.

Just got in from seeing the Hobbit so I'm buzzing. Enjoyed every single minute, and I'm hard to please when it comes to Tolkein, must have read the Hobbit at least 15 times (and that's a conservative estimate). Can't wait for Part 2!

Right must get on and do my photos to upload Art Draw tomorrow!!!

Try it On Tuesday - HALLOWEEN and DT Call

Image from Flickr Group

Well I guess it has to be done. Maybe one day I'll give in and buy a lot of halloween stuff but not this year!!

Here is my DT piece for the current Try it on Tuesday challenge, a stamped and collaged ATC.

I was going to make a spooky altered bottle as I have been much inspired by the ghoulish goings on at Laura Carson's blog, Artfully Musing but I couldn't even find a decent bottle!! If you have a few minutes to spare go over and have a look if halloween is your thing - there is some gorgeous eye candy. I can never believe people find so much 'stuff' to put on their altered art - I certainly wouldn't know where to look for it.

So I'm sure you've all got a little halloween project you can share with us at TioT. It can be any type of project that fits the theme, but you must remember not to link to more than 5 challenges if you want to be considered for Top 5.

We also have a design team call out until 20th November so whether you are a newbie or an experienced crafter why not have a go? Just add DT after your TioT entry so we know you are interested.

I'm happy to gift or trade this ATC if anyone would like it - first one to say so in the comment box. and, err, .....
 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!
 

Quick Post - 'Bee the best you can Bee'

Well I promised you's see some new Octopode images now I have some new digis compliments of Lily Chilvers at The Octopode Factory for my winning TOFF entry..

I couldn't resist using this little guy on a quick ATC. Now, what to make with the other two?

There'll  be a new fortnightly challenge along tomorrow so why not join in?

Now, off to tidy my  desk and have a peep at those new stamps that arrived today.....

So many stamps.... so little time.....

Try it on Tuesday - 'So Very British'

A quick ATC from me as a TioT Design Team sample - Our theme this fortnight is "So Very British". With London 2012 just around the corner we would like to see a little bit of Britishness on your projects.

The weeks are flying as I try to get settled in to my new work pattern and get prepared for all my kids' activities this summer at work. Ambitiously each week through the summer hols we are running two story/rhyme time sessions, a craft activity and a drop in kids reading group/fun session on Saturday mornings. Oh, and a competition. Plus of course The Summer Reading Challenge. It will either be a great success or a complete flop LOL.

So as our main themes at work are basically London and Sport (spot the link?) I had already been playing with various London images and was itching to use this one on a project. You may have noticed I am in love with Octopode digis at the moment and this is my latest one. The background is also a digi stamp from a docrafts digital designer kit, although I am pretty sure it is available as a stamp too. The little bunting was gifted by a friend. Promarkers, Copics amd Distress Inks added the colour!

I know everyone in the country has had their umbrella out these last few weeks but if you've also been playing with your union jack, big ben or teapot stamps then why not dash off a project and join us at TioT? Can't wait to see what you make - it can be any style of project as long as it  meets the  'so very British'  theme. You have a whole fortnight to take part.

What's on Your Wordesk, Wednesday #156 - The third anniversary!!

I have been missing for a couple of weeks as I have been on holiday and I wasn't going to join in again this week as I haven't done thing since I've been back except enjoy the sunshine. Then I remembered it is a very special WOYWW, complete with ATC swaps so, as I have one ready made, I thought I would post something.

My break was to the Isle of Sheppey with my mum and sister. We always take our crafty supplies when we go away in case the weather is inclement. Amazingly this year we needed something to do to stay inside out of the heat!! So here's all my crafty supplies just dumped on the desk when I returned.

The keen eyed among you will spot the Christmas theme - we usually do a session on Christmas cards and this year was no exception. I think I made about 20 in the end which together with ones I did at the beginning of the year puts me ahead of the game I hope.

Here are a fewof the cards I made. I need to find envelopes and bag them up. I particularly liked my patchwork card which is a great way of using up all the little leftover bits. Unfortunately,  didn't make much of a dent in my stash!!

Anyhow, if you want to see what other folks are up to on their desks this week pop on over to Julia Dunnits 'Stamping Ground' and join in the fun!! It's sure to be a mega bloghop this week with the anniversary and I will do my best to get round as many as I can ... though I have never even got near the whole way round yet!!



And here's us being silly at the seaside......

I am joining in with the WOYWWATC swap. I have a special ATC for the participant below me on the list and five more to give away via my blog.  So leave me a message - I'll have to send to the first five who request as the comments may go on for too long to make a draw sensible. And if there is no obvious way to contact you via a profile/blog/website I will move on to the next person. But I will always respond to a request to trade!!! Hope to catch up with you all during the course of the day but for now I am off to work. Happy Anniversary everyone!!

 

Time please! I have a question for you....

Do you ever have a moment of clarity? I have suddenly realised that despite almost constant crafting of one type or another the reason I don't enter many challenges is that I rarely make things without a person or a reason in mind - either it is to be a giveaway or a BRAK/RAK of some kind. I see a challenge that suits or inspires me but then I can't post it within the challenge time frame because I don't want to spoil the surprise if it is to go to someone in the future. Doh, it's only taken me about four years to realise why I keep missing the boat.

Don't know what the answer is to this dilemma but after yesterday's post decided maybe this ATC was finished after all! Made it for a 1:1 swap but for once was also conscious of the theme at Artful Times this week which is 'Time'. I also recalled that the Sunday challenge at Hels Sheridan's blog   'Ink on My Fingers' was 'Red' (sigh, if I had a tenth of Hels' talent I would be a happy bunny). So this week we have a 'twofer' as I am linking to both challenges.

So there!!

and just to be tidy, here are the other three with some minor finishing touches.

Bit Dark......

Just some ATCs. Went a bit off the beaten track with my colours and used a few of my new stamps and masks that have never been touched. Not sure about any of them but was nice to have a play and get inky. The creativity one is a bit tongue in cheek.

Off out to lunch today so better get im that shower. (I can be a right slob at weekends LOL).



Don't forget to join in with the April Art Draw if you haven't already.

Link is top right or just click here.

What's on Your Workdesk, Wednesday #138

Another week has whizzed by. Hardly needs saying does it? Had a great day today (it's Tuesday as I am writing this, well technically Wednesday as it is well after midnight, but I digress..) did HW, shopping, mum visiting, made two cards for men (just the hardest!!) ordered some prints using machine in store (a first) and bought and set up a digital photoframe. Feeling very productive, especially as I have had a really fun splodgy messy session at my desk as well.

I offered to send a RAK to a 'newbie' ATC trader but it's hardly worth just making one is it so there are four WIP here in various stages of completion. This is what I call messy, arty farty, faffing about crafting, using layers, stamps, gels and paints. It's real fun. I'm really loving the way the fairy one in the middle is coming along. Need to let them all dry off properly before I do any more to them though.

While I've been waiting for these to dry (and vice versa) I have been busy getting NEXT month's giveaway prepared. I am determined to get ahead of myself. Here's a sneaky preview. The little hearts are covered in crackle glaze that is drying. They were also covered in stamped words but they seem, ahem, to have come a bit adrift. It's probably a lesson in using the right inks or setting it but as I can't remember which ink pad I used and I thought I did blast them with the heat gun, it's obviously not a lesson I am going to get top marks in. Hopefully it will all come out in the wash, one of those 'happy accidents'.

OK you must know by now why I'm rambling on about what's on my desk this Wednesday. No? Well, it's all down to Julia of Stamping Ground who hosts this weekly blog hop known as WOYWW. Hop over first to Julia's to read what's what and find out how to join in. It's easy, so go forth, nose about, leave a comment, make a friend. But I should get yourself a beverage and use the facilities. It may take you a while.

More 'stuff' - quick show n tell

Here's my completed canvas. Did the drawing about 6 months ago and finally incorporated it into a canvas. Made this one for myself. It's upside down. Why I don't know. I've never had a picture upload the wrong way round before. Ooops! Well, just lean to  the left. Sigh. Life's too short to worry about these things. (Addendum: discovered that  if I save it on my pc skeewif it uploads the right way round - the things you have to do)

Despite the demise of my melt pot, did manage to do a bit of beeswax work. A few ATCs and a tag. Which I also can't get the right way up lol. But you get the idea.

Also found time to make this little hanging. Just a few ods and ends I had stamped/coloured made - seemed to go together. Couldn't find my nice 'believe' stamp though. Another thing that's gone down a black hole. (Keep losing my 'word' stamps. Think I forget to put them away because they are small.)

See ya soon.

Cindyx

BABY WIPE BACKGROUNDS

The challenge at MAMMA this week was to create ATCs using baby wipes as a background a la Bernie Berlin's technique in her book, Artist Trading Workshop. As a regular thing I keep the babywipes I use to mop up and clean stamps (unless I have just been using black ink - that is not very exciting!!) and I also toss them in the little box I use for 'spritzing' card with glimmer mist. So I already had some baby wipes done, although the colours were perhaps not so vivid as some of those who had used other inks and paints (pop over and have a look here - they are all stunning).




These are the two I am entering for the swap. Because they were only so so colour wise, I added a bit additional colour and some stamping before the main images and embellishments. I am very pleased with he waythey turned out, the baby wipes add a certain fabric like texture to the ATC which is very tactile. I am a little worried about the bits I stuck on though - one doesn't want to use tons of sticky stuff as it spoils the texture of the wipe but I am a little concerned that the papers don't have good adhesion Still they are holding up so far. Here are two more.




The final one I stamped and embossed using a heat gun. I was a little nervous about this as I did wonder what the flammable temperature of the baby wipe might be - to be safe I did it next to the sink, but it was fine. I liked the effect of this one so much I decided not to add much in the way of embellishment - the tile hides a splodge of ink I didn't much like! Catch you soon,

Image transfer

Meant to put these up a couple of days ago, this is what I was doing at the beginning of the week!! I was playing with image transfer and after the inevitable mishaps (and the odd bit of reversed text lol) I ended up with these. They look wonderfully soft and even a little indistinct - the dark haired lady in particular looks like she has been painted. I also like the way it tightens up the collage because the layered images don't have so much bulk (albeit they're only paper thin anyway!!) I had most success using the gesso technique and it really is so quick and simple I can't believe I have been scared of trying this for so long.

More ofthe same.....

I am a naughty girl, should have been working on a design project today but finished the rest of the gesso pictures today instead(not sure what else to call them!!). I have uploaded them to the flickr gallery but the one on the left is my favourite of the series, although I did have a slight problem with the base image wrinkling slightly, still c'est la vie. Might have to try out some of the recommended acrylic mediums to see if I can get a better finish - I'm still on good old pva. The one on the right I did from a photocopy of a picture of three of my friends - I think they look pretty cool, they certainly all look a lot younger than in the original photo even if ever so slightly scarier!! Still, don't think I'll show them it just in case they never speak to me again .......(I conveniently painted myself out!!)

Bernie Berlin

Finally got hold of a copy of bernie berlin's ATC Workshop to have a look at through work. Probably a good idea they didn't actually buy it to meet my request as they'd never see it again!! Having had a look I think I will get my own copy, it's got lots of ideas and simple instructions on how to do things. I was particularly inspired by the section on gesso and magazine images as it looked so easy - and sure enough it was and I'm very pleased with the results of my first two attempts!! I have a load more ready to be finished and will post them to my gallery as and when they are done. Mind you after only an initial read through there are at least five more projects I want to have a go at!! Just not enough hours in the day unfortunately. If you are in to ATCs the book is well worth a look.

Battling with FP

Only objective to todays crafting was to finish the slide mailer I need to post on Friday, Make some ATCs for a chain swap and get to the PO. Well I've nearly done the mailer, just drying off, but didn't get to the PO. I did make a few ATCs today but got involved playing with FP and embossing powders. I still haven't mastered the FP, cant decide if I'm heating it too much or trying to work it when too hot/cold. Somehow I ended up with this threesome which is good in parts but some of it nearly descended in to black blobbiness at one point. Of the other ATCs there may be a couple that are worth trading but I'm not sure about sending them for the chain swap. So I didn't quite meet my objectives, but no change there.

Not feeling very focussed at the moment on the crafting front or indeed anything else - too much going on in real life and although I can lose myself for hours I don't really have the time at the moment. It's quite demoralising to see how much other people seem to get done, I guess I must just be a slow crafter. And it's half term!! Love them dearly but they make so much noise, mess and washing up!! On top of everything else the joints of my right hand are hurting - is this the onset of arthritis? Doesn't bode well for any of my jobs or hobbies!!

And now for something completely different....

Just finished some Zetti postcards for a swap. I really like this style, although some of it is a bit too ugly, I prefer quirky. I found this quite hard to actually sit down and do although I have been looking at images for a few months now, fighting with my son over the good bits from magazines (he's doing a surrealism project for school - OH thinks we are all slightly potty as daughter's current art project involves eating lots of kit kats and chewing gum and sticking the cut up wrappers in to her art folder . I think it's best not to ask.) . I don't have any of the bits and stamps you can buy (I'm not actually sure how I feel about them anyway, I was quite upset to realise people hadn't actually made some of the cool images you see themselves as they were stamps, but that's just my gut feeling. Let's just say I wasn't quite as impressed with some of the artwork I'd seen when I realised that. Doh, probably obvious to everyone but me) so mine is all bits out of magazines and what I can draw/doodle myself. Which is where the problem starts because I'm not a natural artist and I'm not a very 'abstract' one either for want of a better word. I have been trying to 'free' up my work with some different collage lately but the Zetti stuff is that and then some. So I have a way to go to find the style within this style that suits me but it is fun. I've got an old board book I've been preparing to alter which I might try to 'Zettify' and journal if I feel confident enough. Anyhow, this is what I've done so far!!