More Poop!

Happy Halloween!!!

It's time for another challenge over at Stampotique and this time we want to see your Funny Halloween creations! Now I have to say I struggled with this challenge - a) cos I'm not very funny and b) twice I went to make something and saw that someone on the DT had used the stamp in a similar way! So I'm afraid to say that I've gone for baseline humour and produced Bat Poop!

I used my new Sizzix Box Die (656245) to make the box which was then covered with Distress Ink and Pearl Glimmer Mist before over stamping with Abstract Foliage. The sentiment has been computer generated, printed onto acetate and then highlighted with white gel pen. The image Batty was stamped onto scrap card, cut out and given a coat of Glossy Accents before being mounted onto the assembled box. To finish I added some choccie raisins. I've made a small stash of these to hand out to any Trick or Treaters that may come calling tonight.

I really hope that you'll be joining us for this challenge. Remember you can use any stamps and  we've made a change to the submission rules "You will now have until the first challenge of the following month to submit your entries-we will only have one Inlinkz per month (at top of blog); so today marks the start of the challenges for October and it will run through the close of our last challenge for October on November 6, 2012 at noon ET" which means that you now have even longer to take the opportunity to play along with us.

If you're celebrating tonight have a fantastic time. I'm taking my son out Trick or Treating we then have a few friends over for a bite to eat and few drinks! Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this project into the following challenges:

Make It Monday - Anything goes

Inspire me Fridays - Anything goes
Tando Creative - Purple, Orange, Green & Black

Another Glass Cube!!

Good morning. It's time for another giveaway over at Studio 12 and as always the entire DT have created a little something for your inspiration. My offering is another of these little glass cubes which I first showed you on Wednesday. Once again I'm going to have to apologise for the picture quality, but these are a devil to photograph! I actually tried to get a picture placed next to a 50p piece to give you an idea of scale, but failed miserably!

This time I've used Studio 12 Picknix Collection 2 - Gingerbread Twist and inkjet printable shrink plastic. Instead of being a standing decoration, I've made this one into a hanging one - I thought as the kids were older and I no longer have a kitty that this might look kinda cool on the Christmas Tree! :D Anyway, I don't think this is the last you've seen of these - I've a few ideas swimming around for them!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this project into the following challenges:
Inspire Me Friday - Anything Goes
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
Crafty Ribbons - Christmas
Crafty Ann's Challenge - Christmas in October
Fussy & Fancy Friday - Anything goes
Through The Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Crafty Bloggers Network - Anything goes

C&S Snowflake Card

This is another of my C&S makes that I did for the launch of the Studio 12 Picknix Collection 2 - Gingerbread Twist.

I wanted this card to have a really delicate look about it, so I printed the patterned paper from the CD onto some masking tape and laid it across the card. I then faffed around with trying to place a sentiment somewhere and decided that it needed to be where the tape was. At this point I considered running the tape back through the printer, but just knew that I struggle to get it placed correctly or worse still that the ink would smudge. So I decided that I'd try printing onto tissue paper and gluing that in place. Bingo! It worked!

The snowflake is cut from patterned paper using my trusty Marianne Creatables LR0125 die. I've then covered it in Diamond Dust, attached one of the little snowflakes from the paper and topped it off with a gemstone.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Copy Cat? Or Inspired By?

Morning. It's time for another challenge over at Stampotique and this time we want to see you CASE a member of the DT's work. Now this is a challenge that I'm not altogether comfortable with as whilst I think it's OK to take inspiration from another person I don't think it's OK to copy their work in it's entirety especially when no credit is given to original artist. In addition when someone has created something brilliant, that little voice of self doubt creeps in and tells me that I'll never make anything as good/beautiful and as a result kills my mojo. Anyhow, as the challenge had been set I thought I'd play along, so I had a good look round my fellow team mates blogs and selected my victim!!!

I decided that I CASE my uber talented teamy Samantha Read and make one her fantastic glass cubes. I knew that it was going to be a challenge to make one of these that looked half presentable, but man I didn't think I'd fall at the first hurdle!! Oh and you'll have to excuse the picture quality on this post as well, it was an absolute nightmare to photograph!

Firstly, my Memory Glass was only 1 1/2" but I decided I could live with that, but then I spotted that Sam had used Super Glue :O - help........!!!! I'm such a messy worker that the words Super Glue struck terror into my heart. I've only used the stuff once and it almost ended in a trip to A&E with the kitchen worktop in tow!!! So with that in mind I was all but ready to go and CASE someone else! However, you know me I won't be defeated, so I slept on it and thought I'd try a couple of other things in place of the Super Glue.

I started off by trying UTEE which was OK but didn't allow me enough time line up the glass fully. Then I moved onto Memory Tape - this was reasonably successful but just looked a little cumbersome and kind of swamped my cube. So my last resort was Pinflair Glue - omg I love this stuff! It worked a treat!

I then stamped Snowman, Oh...Tree and Picket Fence onto white shrink plastic, coloured with pencils and then once shrunk glued them into position. I added some "faux snow" that I got in the Pound Store and then sealed my cube.

Sam used molten embossing powder to create the "faux soldered" effect on her cube and mentioned that her's had fallen to pieces a couple of times whilst dipping - eeekkk - molten UTEE burns just do not do it for me!!! I contemplated leaving the glass joints as they were, but then noticed that I had a tiny gap in the top right corner. So, I thought I'd try my usual swipe with Versamark and embossing powder technique. So glad I did as it worked just fine and I felt like I had a little more control over where the embossing powder went. Also, where odd specks of the powder stuck to the glass it gave a frosty effect (this can be scraped off if you don't like that effect).

To finish I added a shrink plastic snowflake and some glass pearls. I then looked at it and thought that it needed something else, so I added some Pinflair Glue Icicles (idea for these nicked from here). I've tried to show you how gorgeous they look in the above picture, but seem to have failed miserably :(

So what do you think of my spin on Sam's cube, is it a copy cat one or simply inspired by her?

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this project into the following challenges:
Through The Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Make It Monday - Anything goes
Stamptacular Sunday - No rules
Inspire Me Friday - Anything goes
Anything but a card - Anything but a card

Halloween Hanger

Good morning :D

It's time for another challenge over at Polka Doodles and this week we want to see your Autumn creations, so think leaves and swirls with lots of brown, red and orange! This is my contribution this week, I hope you like it!

I printed out the images from the A Sundae of Seasons CD and coloured everything with Distress Inks. The background was created with more Distress Inks, flicked it with water and then spritzed with Glimmer Mist (which sadly doesn't show in my photo, so you'll have to try and imagine the subtle shimmer). The images were mounted onto the background using Pinflair Glue. To finish I added some Stardust Stickles to the pumpkin and curled some wire to create the hanger.

I do hope that you'll join us this week. Remember you don't need to use a Polka Doodles image to enter, just make sure that project fits the theme.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend. I shall be clearing my loft in preparation for the builders!

Thanks for stopping by.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Make It Monday - Anything goes

Look what I did!!!

See this is what I do to keep myself out of mischief at the weekends! Last weekend I was lucky enough to attend an Andy Skinner workshop with the seriously bonkers Siobhan Brignull (aka Essex Gal) and this is what we made.

I know it's not my usual thing, but I really do like it. The class was technique rich and I'm pleased to say that I'm no longer afraid of doing an image transfer onto wood and can finally create convincing rust!!! The only thing that didn't go to plan on this project was the cracking, which I suspect was more to do with me than the product ;D However, I have to say the lack of cracking has led to a "happy accident" - I added more of the cracking solution and did indeed get more ultra fine cracks, but if you look closely it also created a rather fantastic pitting effect!

Thanks for stopping by.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this project into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp & Show - Rustification (sorry guys you must be sick of seeing these by now!)

Vintage Christmas Tag

It's my turn to post over at the Studio 12 blog today. This was a really quick and easy tag using up all of my left over scraps and a photograph/scan of my mixed media wall hanging. What do you think?

The colours on the photograph have been manipulated in my photo editing software. I've then sized the image to my required size before running it through my printer and cutting with a Sizzix Tag Die. The masking tape was left over from a snowflake card which you no doubt spotted on the launch show, but I have yet to show you, and the seam binding and embroidery thread were in my stash. Before I go I just want to show you a different view of the tag in particular the baubles, as I've used a Sakura Glitter pen for sparkle and a Sakura Glaze Pen for shine and dimension (have to say it is one of my most favourite gizmos at the moment!).

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this tag into the following challenges:

Shhh - There's Fairies In My Garden!!!

Yep it's true and I have the photographic evidence!!! :D

This weeks challenge over at Stampotique is to use your stamps in conjunction with a photograph. Now as many of you know I quite enjoy scrapping but don't find it the most natural thing in the world to do. So when I saw this challenge it was kind of a "gulp moment" and then a "ohhhhh what am I gonna do one." Then when cleaning the loo inspiration stuck...... I spotted a favourite photo of my two little cherubs that had been stuck in a frame and hung on the wall in there (lol, just thought that this is maybe TMI??). I really hope you'll join us  this time, remember you don't need to use a Stampotique image to enter!

I also had this picture from Dunelm Mill that I picked up for the princely sum of £0.49p (well I picked up a couple actually but we won't go there!!) which I needed to prove wasn't a "white elephant". So I thought instead of a scrap LO I'd try a photo canvas of sorts!

Now this photo was taken years ago before everyone had a digital camera and I only had a cheapy point & shoot one, so it hadn't been enhanced and worse still I couldn't find the negatives. So I almost knocked the idea I had on the head. Hubby suggested scanning the photo - epic fail - it was really grainy and no matter what I did it wouldn't go right! Then my lovely daughter suggested taking a photo of it! Of course genius, why didn't I think of it! So that's what I did. Now it's not perfect, but it's certainly passable and tbh as this piece is for me and it's more about the memory than artistic perfection, I thought I'd run with it. So this is what I came up with.....

I started of by applying a generous coat of Gesso to the picture. Once dried I blended Distress Inks to create a background. Now the DI's didn't behave exactly as I'd expected, as they dried they faded and kind of ran together to create different hues, but I still liked the effect so I left it. Next I stamped, coloured and cut out Giant Shroom, Mushroom Group and Stones & Grass Cube and glued them into position. The mushrooms have had Glossy Accents added to the red areas and the wings on my daughter's costume have had been liberally covered with Stickles. To finish I stamped the "there are fairies in my garden" sentiment onto tissue paper and glued it into position.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this project into the following challenges:
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes
Craft Room Challenge - Alter It
Top Tip Tuesday - Things With Wings
Joanne Sheen - Down In The Garden
Craftymess Challenge - Anything Goes

Steampunk Bee!

Oh get me! My first attempt at steampunk! Actually it's my first attempt at a couple of things, but on the whole I'm pretty OK with how they've come out :D

Last year my old teamie Crom aka Helen from Croms Cubby Hole made a fantastic 3D embellishment using her melt pot. I was so impressed by it that I thought maybe one day I'd have a play. Now I have to say part of the reason I didn't attempt it before was that it looked a bit intimidating. However, I'm pleased to report that Helen was right and it was indeed relatively straight forward. So much so that it's definitely something that I will be repeating! Infact look out for take two of the bee ;D

I altered an old beer mat by covering with torn papers, paint, modelling paste and glimmer spray and adhering a computer generated sentiment onto it.

The bee is of course Big Bee by Jo Capper-Sandon which has been stamped numerous times, decoupaged and then given a bath in UTEE before being adorned with various cogs and springs. I made the little key in his back from two Woodware brads.

My only disappointment with this project was the chain! I tried just about every fast method to get one to rust, but NONE of the fast methods worked for me (I think I'm lil Miss Impatient). So I'm currently trying a slower method that looks like it's working. In view of this, I resorted to using a brass chain that should tarnish fairly quickly!

 So what do you reckon?

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this project into the following challenges:
Make It Monday - Anything goes
Inspire Me Fridays - Anything goes
Craftymess - Anything goes
The Stampman - Butterflies, Birds & Bees
Craftroom Challenge - Alter It
LEJ Designs - Steampunk
Through The Craftroom Door - Anything goes
That Craft Place - Make your own background

Love Birds!!

Morning. It's time for another challenge over at Polka Doodles and this week we want to see "things with wings". Don't forget you don't need to use a Polka Doodles product, but we'd love it if you did!

This is a commissioned card for a lad that I work with. He wanted a card for his girlfriend to mark the six months that they'd been together. The stipulation was to include a photograph of them, the date they met, a bird, no flowers and no pink!!! So this it what I came up with.....

The papers are from the Sugarplum Daisy CD and the images are from the Candy Doodles Collectors Edition. I made a pocket for the tag which carries a photograph of the couple and I used the computer to generate the date they met text which has been printed onto the ribbon. The die cut hearts are some that the lovely Angie from Bumbles Bees Craft Den sent me ages ago. The sentiment on the die cut heart is also computer generated.

Well that's it from me today. I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Thanks for stopping by.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Look what I've had published in Pen & Paper Circle 4 - My Vintage Christmas Card!

Have you got your copy of the Pen & Paper Circle 4 yet? If so then you'll see that I've had this card published in there - does a little happy dance! If you missed ordering this issue then keep an eye on our Facebook page and the store as occasionally one or two issues become available (and when I say one or two I literally mean one or two). Issue 5 is now available to order, but you'll need to be quick as orders are only being taken until 7th October.

Thanks for stopping by today

Claire x

PS. Thanks to everyone who commented on my Faux Metal Box and left comments suggesting I try either coke cans or metal tape. I did try coke tins, but it didn't give me quite the finish I wanted and then I found the panel wasn't quite big enough to cover the box :( The tape would've been fine but again it wasn't quite wide enough for the box. Hence me using foil! I will be doing a tutorial on the kitchen foil technique for those of you who either emailed or asked via Facebook. x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges: