STAMP MAN ATC SWAP

Just a quick post to plug the new STAMP MAN ATC SWAP which is being run by Janet, of Clarky J's Play Space. Here are my ATCs for the first swap. The theme is 'wings'. Come on and join in. (There is also a new challenge blog at the Stamp Man - see the blinkie on the side bar. So many challenges, so little time.....)

A few pretty pictures .....

As promised, here are the two other mixed media pieces that were sent as BRAKS.



While I was in my MM frenzy, I discovered a half finished altered CD - I had stopped because the main image somehow had lost some of its detail but I decided to go over her with a black pen and add a few more splodges - am keeping thisone becaue it is kinda quirky and also has the only bit of metal hand embossing I've ever been able to do . Whilst doing it I remember all the stamped image came off (another reason it got put to one side) but I restamped the clock image onto tissue and stuck it over the top. Kinda worked!! The little puzzle charm was also a trade from Dee, and I think I originally stole the bird tag from my mate Tish (or at least the idea of stamping it into embossing powder), both very good reasons why I shall be keeping this piece.



Whilst rummaging through my pile of discarded bits I found a nice piece of stamping using some Tim Holtz stamps I recently purchased plus two almost completed tags which I was able to use to make up an entry for this month's UK Art Raffle. The theme is tags so I used the stamping to front a little wallet and made a third tag to go in it. So that was nice, didn't have to think too hard about that this month!!

DADADADA!!!! JULY GIVEAWAY IS HERE!!!!

As I mentioned in my last post, this month's giveaway is a mixed media piece with a vintage theme. I have used papers, paints, inks, stamps, tissue paper ....... in fact one of the bits I like best is the terracotta leaf shape to the right - this was made ages ago when I was experimenting with stamping and embossing onto tissue paper - only a modicum of success with that I felt at the time - but I turned it over and stick it down with the embossing powder on the underside and quite like the subtle textured effect that gives.

Not sure where the main image is from so apolgies for being unable to give credit there. I also used some very pretty basic grey rub-ons I've had forever and made it a bit special by suspending it from this cute little hanger that's been knocking around the craft room waiting for a project. Anyhow, enough of that, as usual if you want to play all you need to do is leave a comment on this post before 8.00 pm on Sunday 3rd August - it's a bit later this month because I will be away at the end of July. Have more to post over the next few days so hope to see you around.

Things are looking rosy...

For a while there I really thought my mojo had packed its bags and left for the summer. Then Viv posted a challenge on the 'Art and Soul' group over on Flickr. Mixed media with a vintage image. mmm. Not up my street at all lol. Feeling slightly challenged, I decided I wanted to make a slightly larger piece and started with four 5 x 5 cards and then went mad with layers, paints, transfers, embossing, glazes and embellies..... had a whale of a time. (Ruined my acrylic nails tho, good job they needed to be re-done). This is the one which I am entering for this challenge so thanks Viv for helping me find my mojo. The main image is from Itkupilli. Perhaps lacking a bit in texture, and I have only used fibres not fabric in this one but think I have covered the brief.

Of the other three, two have gone in the post as BRAKS, (is it a tease to write that? I hope no one with a birthday coming up gets disappointed!! Sigh,...Now that just sounds conceited...) and I will blog them next week after they have arrived at their destinations. The fourth one will be the July give away (here's another little tease) but I haven't quite put the finishing touches to it yet, ..... will upload the finished project at the weekend....

And the June Winner is.......

Carol who is local to me although we haven't met up for an absolute age. Sometime soon perhaps Carol? Love your new blog layout by the way. Anyhow, look for the next giveaway around 10th July, and thanks for playing every one!!

THE SUN REALLY HAS HIS HAT ON...

and so do I, I'm out gardening (well, laying around in the garden anyway) and not spending much time on art or the pc. Gotta make the most of it while it's here I say, the weather is so bloomin' unreliable in the UK.

Still it's early morning and I thought I would post a couple of things that just happen to fit some current challenges. First a little birthday gift I made for Viv and which also sorta fits in with the altered Monthly challenge, Birds of a feather. It's an altered CD and uses some of the new Tim Holtz die cuts which are rather cute.



I have a friend (yes a real one) who comes once a week for a card making session. I must be a really bad teacher cos geez, it's hard work. She hates sticky stuff and hates cutting and I can't get her to use mats and layers. Still it's nice to chat. This week she wanted to make a shoe and handbag card for her daughter but she gave up in the end and bought one. (in her defence she wasn't feeling very well)



I was trying to show that cardmaking doesn't have to be too complicated and these were what I made with some old stickers and stash I found but she just wasn't buying it. However they just happen to sort of fit in with this week's TT challenge. Actually some of the other stuff over there is really good this week - real altered shoes for a start! so do pop over and join in.



I think we are doing something with cows next time, heaven help me..... Oh well off to get my towel on the sunbed oops I mean trowel in the flower beds....

At last!!! Technology returns...

Took delivery of my shiny newprinter today. Quality seems fine, but the joy for me is that now I can upload piccies easily. Yay!! So here's a couple of things...




This little book was made for Wendy - well it was her birthday and she liked the last giveaway and I still had all those time stamps out.. I used a Pinflair locket for the base and paper and stamps for the rest. Quite pleased with the way this turned out.

This is a set of geisha ATCs I did for an international swap. I would have liked to do a bit more to them but felt I was cutting it a bit fine for the deadline. Have learnt the hard way not to put things in an envie before they are properly dry!! Still I think these were OK, and I did a couple more for myself, not sure what I will do with them yet.



More to come, but that's enough for now!!