Scrapz Design Team blog - Blogging our ART out!

We have moved to a new blog!

2011-06-15T21:25:00.003+01:00

We have moved to a new blog. Fresh new blog with a promise to keep up regular posting this time. Days turn into weeks then weeks turn into years - shocking how time flies!

Please do join me on our new blog - http://scrapz-uk.blogspot.com/

Thank you

Xx Karen

Happy New Year

2010-01-14T12:56:00.002Z

Happy New Year to everyone. I hope everybody has recovered from the excesses of Christmas (we still have Christmas cake and piles of chocolate to finish up.......I am working hard at getting rid of it though LOL!)

2010 is going to be a good year I think- I am working on some stamp images and hope to release our own line of Scrapz stamps in a few weeks time. We will launch them with a little competition and blog candy prizes so watch this space :)

Until then - take care

xxx Karen

Temporary insanity?

2009-07-26T09:12:00.004+01:00

Apologies for not posting for months. I am well but struggling to find the time, inclination and mojo to do any crafting or blogging at the moment. I have therefore decided to temporarily put the blogging on hold as I feel it might be some time before I can get back to it.

Instead I will concentrate my efforts on the Scrapz online store which is very much alive and well and continuing to stock loads of lovely stamping and crafting goodies with lots of new stamps in the pipeline over the next few months.

Thanks to everyone who has followed the blog - your support and friendship has been so gratefully received.

xxx Karen

And the winner is......................

2009-05-07T10:43:00.003+01:00

Entry number 3 - Well done to Wendy Kirk for the beautiful Matchbox Shrine. Your prize will be on it's way to you as soon as I have your address.

And because the other entries were so gorgeous I will be sending a little prize out to Lottie and Jet too. Thank you all for entering.

xx Karen

Spring Competition Entries

2009-05-07T09:24:00.007+01:00

Everyone must be super busy this last week as we have only had four entries (two from the same person). They are all gorgeous - see below.

ENTRY ONE

Spring Notebook - Front Cover

by Lottie

Spring Notebook - Back Cover

ENTRY TWO

Magic Wallet Birthday Card - Front Cover

By Lottie

Magic Wallet - Inside

ENTRY THREE

Matchbox Shrine - by Wendy

It's made from the drawer bit of a small matchbox, and is ATC size.

The background is from a photograph of lichen on tree bark.

ENTRY FOUR

Illustrious Spring

By Jet

See - told you they were all gorgeous!

I will be back later this afternoon with the winner (as there are only a few entries I will do a random number generator for the winner as I think that will be fairer.)

xx Karen

Spring Competition

2009-04-25T17:29:00.003+01:00

Firstly I would like to apologise for going missing for such a long time and to thank you all for your kind comments and emails regarding my dad.

I have been hunting high and low for my mojo since my dad died and unfortunately I still haven't found it! All I have made in the last few months is this one card and a couple of candles so I am desperately in need of inspiration......and what better way to be inspired than to have a Spring Competition so that I can see all your lovely work.

So here's the competition - make anything Spring related (you can interpret Spring in any way you like - it could just be in the use of Springtime colours). Absolutely anything goes as long as it is handmade (Card, ATC, jewellery, canvas, scrapbook page......anything!)

This is the prize that is up for grabs:

Innovative Stamp Creations unmounted Rubber Stamps - Harlequin Flowers.

10 Metres of Spring coloured ribbons

18 Charms

(the winner will be chosen by several of my family and friends - I will not be judging as I always want everyone to win!)

All you need to do to enter is email a picture of your 'Spring' creation to Karen@scrapz.co.uk before Midnight on Monday 4th May 2009. The winner will be announced on the 7th May.

Here is my example.

xx Karen

My Wonderful Dad

2009-02-25T08:14:00.003Z

I wanted to let everyone know why I haven't been blogging for ages.

At the end of January my dad was taken into a hospice - to begin with it was just meant to be for a few days as they needed to access his medication (for prostrate cancer). However on 11th February he passed away.

My dad was a wonderful man and we will miss him so much.

4th April 1925 - 11th February 2009

This photo was taken a few weeks before he died (he was in quite a bit of pain at the time but he still had a smile for us). The photo below was taken when he was 17 years old - not long before he joined the Navy in the second world war.

We (myself, my 3 sisters and 1 brother) were all with him at his bedside for the last 48 hours before he died. I found this poem on the internet which was so fitting - it was read at his funeral on Monday.

The Best

God saw you getting tired,

And a cure was not to be,

So He put His arms around you

And whispered “Come to Me”.

With tearful eyes we watched you,

and saw you pass away.

Although we loved you dearly,

We could not make you stay.

A Golden Heart stopped beating,

Hard working hands to rest,

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.

Rest in peace sweetheart.

xxxx Karen

We have a winner......

2009-01-30T08:25:00.004Z

Congratulations to Pammyjo - winner of our valentine challenge with this beautiful card.

Thank you to everyone who entered.

xx Karen

VALENTINE CHALLENGE ENTRIES - PLEASE VOTE NOW

2009-01-25T13:23:00.012Z

Here are your gorgeous entries for our Valentine Challenge. The challenge was simply no red or pink :) . Thank you to everyone who entered.

Please place your vote now for your favourite.

Entry 1 - Be Mine

Entry 2 - Be my Valentine

Entry 3 - Love (orange and yellow)

Entry 4 - Love is in the air

Entry 5 - make my puzzled life complete

Entry 6 - tied together with heartstrings

Entry 7 - Love (purple and blue)

Entry 8 - Love (green and lilac)

Entry 9 - You make my heart sing

Entry 10 - Always

Entry 11 - Always and Forever

Entry 12 - Vintage Love

Entry 13 - Infinite Love

Entry 14 - I Love You Forever

Entry 15 - Love You

(two photos showing outside and inside)

Thanks to everyone who entered - difficult choice I know but please vote for your favourite - Voting poll is on the right hand side.)

Don't forget the Valentine Card Challenge.....

2009-01-18T14:25:00.002Z

I hope there are a few more of you able to enter the valentine card challenge (see details on post below.) We have some gorgeous entries so far but I would love to see some more - closing date is next Sunday 25th January.

I have had no time to craft this week :( - all I have had time to make is this one birthday card. Where does the time go?

xx Karen

Valentine Challenge

2009-01-10T16:21:00.005Z

I thought we would start the new year with a nice little challenge to get us going. So............. who would like to win these three sets of stamps?

The winner of the valentine challenge will get these three unmounted rubber stamp plates - Vintage Love, Reality is a Dream, and Everything you Want. All three plates are approx A6 in size.

To enter I would like to see pictures of your handmade Valentine's cards - the challenge being that they CAN'T have pink or red on them.

Anything else is OK just NO Pink or Red. You can enter as many times as you like and entry is open to everyone - email your pictures to karen@scrapz.co.uk. Closing date for entries is Midnight Sunday 25th January (so you have two weeks to get those pics to me). The winner will be judged by all of you via voting Poll so check back after Monday 26th to place your vote.

Here's my example.

Edited to answer Pammyjo's question - it can be any type of card (greeting card or ATC) - whatever takes your fancy.

Challenge coming this weekend.....

2009-01-09T10:16:00.004Z

I hope everyone had a wonderful christmas and a Happy New Year.

I know I have been a bad blogger - I've had no time to craft this christmas at all :(
But I am hoping to get back into the swing of it really soon!

In the meantime we will run a little challenge this weekend with some rubber stamps as a prize.
Check back on tomorrow for details ......

xx Karen

Merry Christmas

2008-12-21T18:28:00.009Z

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.

Not had a moment spare to do any crafting lately but here are a couple of cartoons :)

And a Few Riddles and Jokes

What do you have in December that you don't have in any other month?
The letter "D".

What do you call a polar bear wearing ear muffs?
Anything you want. He can't hear you!

What do you call a chicken at the North Pole?
Lost.

Just before Christmas, an honest politician, a generous lawyer and Santa Claus were riding in the elevator of a very posh hotel. Just before the doors opened they all noticed a £20 bill lying on the floor. Which one picked it up?
Santa of course, because the other two don't exist!

What happened when Santa's cat swallowed a ball of yarn?
She had mittens.

What's red and white and red and white and red and white?
Santa Claus rolling down a hill.

Where did the mistletoe go to become rich and famous?
Holly-wood.

Why did Frosty go to live in the middle of the ocean?
Because snow man is an island.

One Christmas, mum decreed that she was no longer going to remind her children of their thank-you duties. As a result, the grandmother never received acknowledgments of the generous cheques she had given. The next year things were different.....

"The children came over in person to thank me," the grandmother told a friend.

"How wonderful!" the friend exclaimed.

"What do you think caused the change in behaviour?"

"Oh, that's easy," the grandmother replied. "This year I didn't sign the cheques!."

Last couple of cards.....

2008-12-14T19:19:00.005Z

Just when you think you have finished making all the christmas cards you discover you need a couple more (or is that just me?). Rubbish photos I am afraid but they will have to do as I have already written the cards and sealed the envelopes LOL.

xxx Karen

Altered Jigsaw Piece

2008-12-12T13:10:00.005Z

Just managed to find time to have a go at the altered jigsaw challenge on The Papergirls blog. There is an excellent template for the jigsaw piece on their blog as well (which I used as I didn't have a large jigsaw piece to alter.) The only other stipulation for the challenge it to include some bling (so I included loads - on the snowflakes, on the lettering and on the corners :) - you can never have too much bling!)
The little girl images are from the Paperbag Studios Dreamer sheet. Tim Holtz used the WISH letters on one of his 12 Days of Christmas Tags so I grabbed that idea along with his alcohol inked background technique :)

xx Karen

Another little box

2008-12-11T17:23:00.003Z

I have had a play with some Fimo today - making some tiles to decorate a little wooden mirrored box. The fimo was rolled out to about 5mm thick, stamped with various rubber stamps and coloured with Mica powder before baking. The box was difficult to photograph properly (mainly because my camera skills are virtually non existent but also because it has a sort of two tone finish - crackle paints, rub n buff, a few scroll stamps embossed with shimmery embossing powder and a liberal coating of mica powder as well.)

xxx Karen

In the frame....

2008-12-10T09:10:00.005Z

My little one came home with his school photo yesterday and my eldest requested a copy for her desk to brighten up her working day. So I made this frame for it - to give her a giggle (and it worked!)

And while I had my inks and stamps out I couldn't resist making another ATC (oh dear - looks like I might be hooked again!)

And yet more ATC's.....

2008-12-08T17:19:00.007Z

Managed to get a few more in before work got in the way LOL.

NOW TRADED

xx Karen

More ATC's up for Trade

2008-12-06T16:07:00.005Z

Now I remember how enjoyable and addictive making ATC's is LOL. So I have a few more up for trade if anyone is interested.

Everyday holds the possibility of a miracle

Gossip - NOW TRADED

Attitude - NOW TRADED

Authentic Life - NOW TRADED

xx Karen

ATC's for trade

2008-12-04T15:10:00.004Z

I haven't made any ATC's for months so thought it was about time I did a couple. These are both available to trade if anyone is interested.

xx Karen

NOW TRADED

2008-12-04T14:50:00.004Z

Well I am a few days later than I had intended finishing my christmas cards but better late than never. Here are the last two. On the second one I have used a Maya Road acrylic bird (from a Maya Road Sheer keychain - 6 birds on a ball bead chain).

xx Karen

Object D'Art Challenge - Canvas

2008-11-29T19:20:00.000Z

I was thrilled to be asked by Jennie to be a guest designer on her fantastic new challenge blog -The Object D'Art.

The Object this week is a canvas. I found these Winnie the Pooh canvases in one of those bargain shops for £1 each.

I slapped loads of acrylic paint on to cover the Winnies then used stamps, embossing powder, watercolours, Antique Linen Crackle paint for the edges, Hinges and Beads for the clasp.

Front of Canvas Box

Back of Canvas Box

The inside was painted with pearlescent acrylic paint (base lined with cardboard first) then I decorated some plain A5 size paper and white envelopes to make a writing set. The paper is just lightly sprayed with a couple of colourwash sprays (masking the centre with a bit of cardboard) then stamped. The pen is just a cheap biro sponged with a couple of colours of the acrylic paint.

I fancied having a go at another canvas so I made a triangle one - I used balsa wood for the frame and then attached some canvas from a roll of primed artists canvas (another £1 find in those bargain shops). The frame and canvas were all stuck together using superglue as I avoid nails and hammers because my fingers always get in the way LOL).

The images are stamped onto tissue paper before being mod podged onto the canvas and the butterfly and other images are stamped onto acetate.

xx Karen

A couple of bits........

2008-11-27T18:39:00.004Z

I had a bit of a play today with my bind it all and some of the A6 chipboard covers to make a simple desk calendar.

Another card suitable for those difficult males??? (I hope so as it is going to my nephew whose birthday is on 1st December LOL).

The metal bird is Foil tape embossed using a cuttlebug embossing folder (and coloured with a bit of olive stazon). And the black card has had a liberal spraying of a couple of moonglow mists (the work tables ended up having a liberal spraying of the mists too!)

28 days to christmas - Yay :) (or should I say yikes - better get a move on with those cards and pressies!)

Karen x

Awards

2008-11-25T18:13:00.004Z

Thanks to Chrissy on the Papergirls for this award.

And thanks to Jaqi for this award.

They are both fabulous awards and very much appreciated.

I would like to nominate the following to receive these awards as all these ladies have such fabulous and inspiring blogs.

Andrea- That Inking Feeling

Patty - Magpie's Nest

Denise - Bless this Mess

Chriss - Artist Trading Card

Nic - The Altered Inker

xxx Karen

Metal Frame and Inchies

2008-11-18T17:04:00.002Z

I have been wanting to have a go at metal embossing for a while now (after seeing all that glorious metal stuff that Rosie created on the Rosie and Linda's Art Adventure blog).

The problem was I didn't have any of the 10 second studio metal or tools or moulds. What I did have though was some cuttlebug embossing frames and some empty beer cans - which my

husband enjoyed emptying for me :)

I cut the beer cans open, and then washed the metal (very carefully as it is very sharp on the edges). Then I cut it into pieces and embossed them using the cuttlebug embossing folders. The arch is hand drawn and cut out of chipboard and the squares in the middle are a little wooden open frame that I painted silver.

I have made some inchies for the little shelves of the frame as Inchies are the challenge for this week on Rosie and Linda's Art Aventure blog.

Thanks for the inspiration ladies - I thoroughly enjoyed myself :)

xx Karen

The Papergirls Blog

2008-11-18T09:28:00.005Z

The Papergirls had an altered CD challenge last week. There were so many beautiful entries - well worth a look - especially if you have never altered a CD (I hadn't until last week).

This was my entry (not the winner unfortunatley LOL) - I wanted to keep the shiny, two tone effect of the CD so I sanded off the wording and then just stamped and alcohol inked directly onto the surface. Then added a bit of abalone leafing, a few magazine words and some grungeboard and a tassel. Very hard to photograph though due to the shiny surface LOL.

The Papergirls have another interesting challenge next month too.

Handmade Felted Wool Beads

2008-11-13T10:39:00.005Z

Linda Vincent made a beautiful wool bead bracelet several months ago and I have been wanting to try a go at felting my own wool beads ever since. I bought two colours of Merino wool roving and gave it a go (just looked back on Linda's blog to discover I have made mine in very similar colours - ooops sorry Linda - didn't mean to copy - but as they say 'imitation is the sincerest form of flattery').

Merino Wool Roving

Fabulous Fiskars

2008-11-12T14:25:00.005Z

Last week I won a little card competition on the Fiskarettes website which I was so thrilled about as I never usually win anything. The prize was a Fiskars Drill (which I have been hankering after for months), a couple of squeeze hand punches, a scissor sharpener and a multi tool. Well today my prize arrived and I have to say that Fiskars have outdone themselves with these products. The drill is fabulous. Anyone who knows me will know that I am cack handed and accident prone so am lethal with an electric drill. I have tried drilling a domino before with an electric drill but the results left a lot to be desired. I broke a drill bit, the drill made an awful whinny noise and I nearly drilled through the kitchen worktop (sshhh.... don't tell my husband). The Fiskars drill however is fool proof - heck if I can use it anyone can! I drilled a nice neat hole in a triangle domino and a bottle cap with no effort at all (and more importantly the worktop escaped harm and so did my fingers!) The squeeze punches are great too - really easy to use and the medium circle is a perfect size for the centre of the flattened bottle cap.

Bottle Cap Christmas Ornament

Triangle Domino Key Chain

This was the card I entered. The stamps are Marvels of Nature II. The brad that is holding the ribbon onto the card was the wrong colour so I rubbed stazon all over it then dipped it immediately into some embossing powder.

And the winner is..........................

2008-11-10T22:54:00.003Z

.........................Chris Rowe with this beautiful card. It was a very close competition as all the cards were unique and stunning. The judges chose this one as they loved all the 3D shaping, the curled edges, that gorgeous lace and of course the bling.

A big thank you to everyone who entered :) - so many beautiful and inspiring cards :)

xx Karen

Christmas Card Competition Entries

2008-11-07T20:50:00.015Z

Well here are all the gorgeous entries for the Christmas card competition - I was after inspiration and that is exactly what I got - all beautiful cards and all very different and unique. Thank you to everyone who entered :)

Judging the winner is going to be difficult (thank goodness I don't have to do it!)

All the entries will be assessed over the next two days so check back on Monday evening to see

who the winner is :)

Val (blogger name Flippinpest)

Sarah Cornwell

close up of tree on Sarah's card

Close up of Dotty on Sarah's Card

Melanie

Mariaan Lawson

Another from Mariaan Lawson

Louise Crosbie

Jo Preston

Jaqi Wright

Dawne James

Chriss Rollins

Another card by Chriss Rollins

Another Card by Chriss Rollins

Inside of Chriss's Snowman card

Chris Rowe

another from Chris Rowe

Andrea Kennard

Carole Cochrane

Inside of Carol's card

Another Christmas Card

2008-11-04T12:09:00.000Z

Yet another card to add to the pile (which is growing nicely- getting ever closer to that box of choccies I promised myself when I had completed all my cards and christmas makes - perhaps I should diet for the next couple of weeks so that I don't feel guilty when I eat them LOL!)

xx Karen

Teachers Christmas Presents

2008-11-03T01:35:00.000Z

Well I finished the teachers and teachers assistants christmas gifts - am I on a roll or what? Daren't stop or I might lose my mojo again!

For the teacher I had a plain, unfinished wood, chest box (which I bought for £2.99 at Craft Central).

Then I stained it inside and out with some blue ink.

Then added the crackle medium (I used decoart weathered wood crackling medium) - once the crackle medium is dry (about 1 hour), I added a coat of white acrylic paint.

At this point I gave the box 1 light coat of varnish, then rubbed a bit of broken china and peeled paint distress ink over it to give it a further antiquey aged look.

I stamped lots of Alice in Wonderland images out onto plain printer paper, watercoloured them and cut them out - then stuck them to the box using pva type glue. Most of the images I used are on the Cherry Pie Art Alice sheet.

Finally a couple of coats of spray varnish and it was finished.

Inside I used another stamped image which Jake signed for the teacher.

For the Teachers assistants I have made mobile / handbag charms. The charms are wrapped in stamped tissue paper (stamp used is from the Tuscan Rose Flourish sheet) - then tied with organza ribbon. The boxes made using pink card (and a scoring board) and again stamped with the flourish stamp.

xxx Karen

Christmas card Competition

2008-10-31T12:00:00.000Z

I need to be inspired if I am going to get all my cards done in time so I thought I would set a Christmas card Challenge (you have all probably finished your cards already and put me to shame!)

Who would like to win this great sheet of domino stamps?

Stamps are the perfect size for domino art and ATC's

To enter please email a photo or scan of your Christmas card to karen@scrapz.co.uk by Friday 7th November and I will upload them all for everyone to view. Then I will get all my family to pick out the winner (I always want everyone to win so I refuse to vote LOL!) - I feel that this is a fairer way of picking than a poll.

Good luck everyone - xxx Karen

Christmas Triangle Box

2008-10-26T12:00:00.001Z

I found the template for this box on the Stampington website here.

Another christmas item out of the way - getting closer to that box of chocolates reward I promised myself LOL.

Check back on the blog on 31st October as we have a new challenge with a prize on offer :)

xxx Karen

Leonardo Box.....

2008-10-25T19:45:00.001+01:00

I fancy doing an altered wooden box for Jakes's teachers xmas pressie this year - I bought a nice sized chest shaped box which is big enough to fit some pens and pencils in so I thought that would be ideal but I wanted to practice on something first so I found an old, small wooden box that Jake had been using as a pirate treasure box (he hadn't played with it for ages so I didn't think he would miss it LOL!)

The result is the box below - a coat of crackle glaze followed by a coat of white acrylic paint to give an aged look then the images are stamped onto thin paper, coloured, cut out and pasted onto the box - finally the box is sealed with a couple of thin coats of varnish. The box I used was a bit small though - the teachers box is a lot bigger so hopefully it won't look quite so crowded. Not sure what the theme for that one will be - maybe Alice in Wonderland?

I had just finished when Jake came up to me and said "can I have my pirate box back now?"

(He didn't seem to mind that the box had been altered a bit!)

xxx Karen

After Midnight stamp Birthday Card

2008-10-24T14:32:00.005+01:00

Some stamps need very little decoration - I find this one from After Midnight perfect for making a quick and simple card when you need one in a hurry. Sorry the photo isn't very good - the white backing strip is actually glitter card to add a bit of bling and the plastic square on the bottom right of the main plaque says 'with love' - it was pink but I coloured it green on the back with some stazon.

xx Karen

Halloween.......Woooooo!

2008-10-22T15:41:00.007+01:00

My little Jake is going to a halloween party at his school tomorrow (the school are on half term the actual week of halloween so they are having it a week early). He is to take a pumpkin or lantern so I went to Sainsburys yesterday and had a rummage through the pumpkins to find one that was half decent (I have to say the pumpkins at Sainsburys were a pitiful bunch this year - almost looked like they had been in storage since last year - all dirty and dark and dry looking!)

Anyway here is my effort - I wanted to do something different other than they usual face so I hunted on the internet and found some great templates at Marthastewart.com

Very difficult to photograph (the light inside - torch light so that there is no fire hazard LOL) shines through the window and through the etched stone edging as well.

And with the insides I have made Thai pumpkin soup and homemade bread rolls. Pumpkin soup recipe below......

Thai Pumpkin Soup

2lb (900g) pumpkin flesh

1 dessertspoon Olive Oil

1oz (25g) butter

1 onion - finely chopped

2 inches ginger - grated

2 red chillies - deseeded and finely chopped

14oz tin chopped tomatoes

1pt (500ml) chicken stock

14oz tin coconut milk

1 dessertspoon chopped coriander

Heat the oil and butter in a large pan. When it is foaming add the onion, ginger, chillies and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Next add the pumpkin flesh and stir well. Place the lid on the pan and leave to simmer for 8-10 minutes. Give the mixture a stir from time to time to prevent sticking.

Add the tomatoes and cook for 4-5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and season with salt and pepper. Replace the lid and cook for a further 45 minutes.

Remove the soup from the heat and blitz in a liquidiser. Return the soup to the pan, add the coconut milk and cook for a further 6-7 minutes.

Garnish with herbs and more slices of chilli if desired.

Holly's Birthday

2008-10-15T21:02:00.009+01:00

It's my daughter Holly's 23rd birthday today (which makes me feel very old!)

When she was a little girl she wanted to be a ballerina - I had to put her off the idea though as she was about as graceful as an elephant -this is the card I made for her (using a Lost Coast Designs Stamp and a Rivercity Rubberworks wording stamp ).

It feels like only yesterday that she was a cute and curious toddler!

xx Karen

Non Sequitur Winter Holidays Stamps

2008-10-08T12:51:00.004+01:00

Yet another card from this sheet of lovely christmassy stamps :) - Non Sequitur Winter Holidays.

xx Karen

Another Christmas Card

2008-10-05T12:00:00.000+01:00

Another Christmas card made using the Non Sequitur Winter Holidays Rubber Stamp Sheet (there are so many lovely images on this plate).

I am determined NOT to leave all the card making til December this year! - I want to get all the cards made and all the presents bought before the 1st of December (then I can reward myself with a box of choccies to eat whilst I write the cards and wrap the presents LOL!)

Soon be Christmas!

2008-10-04T19:57:00.005+01:00

Time is flying soooo fast - it seems only a few days ago that I last blogged - I am shocked it is actually 4 weeks ago! - at this rate it will be Christmas VERY SOON!

Still haven't found my mojo however did manage to get another christmas card done today. Made using the Non Sequitur Winter Holidays sheet.

Javablu Award

2008-09-09T09:40:00.004+01:00

Still a bad, bad, blogger. Three questions keep circling in my head:
Where does the time go?
Why can't I find any time to craft?
and most importantly where has my mojo gone?

We are off on a little holiday next week so won't be blogging for even longer (hopefully I will find my mojo and a time machine in Cornwall?!?! LOL).

I've received this award from the very lovely Denise - thank you so much hun :-)

Here are the rules for the Javablu Award:
1. The winner can put the logo on their blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 5 other blogs.
4. Before listing the nominees give a brief reason why you chose them.
5. Put links of those blogs on yours.
6. Leave a message on the blogs you have nominated.

These are the super fabulous ladies I would like to nominate - all are so wonderfully inspiring, creative, talented that it is such a pleasure to visit their blogs - thank you for sharing your talents ladies :) xx

Bad Bad Blogger!

2008-08-31T20:10:00.008+01:00

Hi everyone. I have been a bad, bad blogger. I have been bogged down with work and trying to keep my 5 year old entertained, there has been so little time to craft. (I don't count all the sewing of name tags in uniform I have had to do - my little one starts full time school on Wednesday :-) ) I did manage to fit in a couple of cards which I made for a very dear friend of mine. The blue card has a hologram winking eye image (the eye opens and closes as you move the card about), its made using a winking eye stamp and special lens stuff called Artlenz (made by an American Company). We don't sell this at Scrapz but I thought it was such a novel idea I fancied having a go. The other card has an encaustic wax landscape (loads more practice needed - this is my first attempt at encaustic art LOL).

I have also been awarded the I Love your Blog award by Nicky - thank you so much Minxy :-)

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree

2008-08-17T10:46:00.005+01:00

I've decided to get started early on my Christmas cards this year (last year I left it so late that I ended up making everyone a simple, identical card as that is all I had time for!)
This one used the Stampington double cube set - Partridge in a pear tree - which was my favourite christmas song when I was little :-)
The images were stamped using stazon, then watercoloured (and highlights added with gold and white gel pens). Each little image has a very pale blue shimmer watercolour background which doesn't show very well on the photos.
xx Karen

Birdie Card

2008-08-14T11:00:00.000+01:00

A card for birdie lovers :-) - possibly even suitable for those males I struggle to make cards for (you know the ones I mean who aren't into DIY, Boats, Cars or Sports of any kind LOL!) Patchwork Girl made some excellent suggestions for male cards - Hiking, Rambling, Fishing, The Godfather, Guitar or music. My males still seem much more difficult than anyone elses LOL - but the Godfather and Music are excellent suggestions for me - thanks Sarah :-)

Made using the Collage Stuff Little Bird Friends Half plate (stamped onto a glossy background brayered with a Kaleidacolor inkpad) and layered onto wide navy velvet ribbon.

Shrink Plastic Card

2008-08-13T11:00:00.001+01:00

The three Lady tiles are Shrink plastic stamped with the three images from the Cherry Pie Art Da Vinci's Women Plate. All layered again onto a Kaleidacolor brayered background (can you tell that I love those rainbow inkpads? LOL).

Still struggling with those difficult Males!

2008-08-12T11:00:00.002+01:00

.....Well making cards for them anyway (otherwise I have them eating out of my hand of course LOL!)

Why is it that all the males I have to make cards for aren't interested in Sports, Vintage Cars, Boats, Shirts and Ties or DIY? And when I look for inspiration in the card shops what do I see - yep, all of the above and virtually nothing else.

So I am still struggling to produce different male cards (not quite there yet but I won't give up LOL).

This one is made with the Lost Coast Designs Phrenology Head Stamps - which certainly qualifies in the 'different' category LOL.

I have just received an award from Jaqi & Jessie - who are both very talented and inspiring crafters - thank you so much.

Now the rules in passing on this award are to nominate 7 of your favourite blogs however I have just discovered that Jaqi (and Denise who passed the award to Jaqi) have already nominated all my favourite blogs in the last 2 days :-)

xx Karen

Stamping on Glass

2008-08-11T16:41:00.005+01:00

My daughter is getting married in 2010 so we are always on the lookout for pretty table decorations. She has seen some simple glass tealight holders with hearts on that she liked but they are so expensive that I thought I'd have a bit of a play with some white Stazon, a cheap tealight glass candle holder, and some stickles glitter glue to see if I could make some.

The white stazon stamped really well onto glass (it is best to stick to a small size of stamp as you have to use a rock motion to stamp it onto the glass - a big stamp has more chance of getting distorted.) Mistakes can be easily removed before the stazon has had a chance to dry (or using Stazon cleaner once it has dried).

I picked two of the heart images from this Paperartsy plate and then alternately stamped them around the glass. Once happy with the result I added touches of glitter glue to the hearts and a ring of glitter glue around the base to add a bit of bling.

The beaded wire at the top is just some AB crystal beads twisted onto a length of wire. To add a bit of colour I rubbed the metal outside of the tealight onto a Royal Purple stazon ink pad to colour it purple.

A bit more practice and trying out different stamps and designs is called for but on the whole I am pleased with the result (and the price - this one cost less than 50p which includes the glass, the beads, and wire etc.)

x Karen :-)

Handbag Charm and Organza Gift Bag

2008-08-08T13:45:00.004+01:00

We still have loads of specials up on the website so don't forget to check out the bargains before they all disappear LOL.

I've been playing with a few of the items on special and have made a handbag Swivel Clip with some bargain silver coloured chain, a few charms and some bargain beads - plus I stamped a little organza bag to put it in.

(Just a note about stamping organaza - you need to be extra extra careful as it can frazzle and melt with the heat very easily - keep the heat tool as far away as possible and keep it moving.)

We have a winner!

2008-08-08T13:31:00.002+01:00

We have a winner........Congratulations to Sarah Gaunt (Patchworkgirl) for winning our Inkblot challenge with her 'Muscle Man' :-)

Thanks to everyone who entered - we'll have another challenge in a couple of weeks.

x Karen

Coaster

2008-08-07T18:38:00.004+01:00

I needed a coaster for my coffee cup (a constant addition to my desk LOL) so thought I would make my own. I used 2 pieces of chipboard in a flower shape, a piece of felt for the bottom and a round piece of thin balsa wood. The top of the flower was coated with a few layers of gesso to make it white, brayered with a kaleidascope ink pad then stamped with Tuscan Rose flourish stamps. (The slightly uneven surface of the gesso gave a distressed look to the stamping which I actually quite liked - I had planned on sanding a bit to distress anyway LOL.)The balsa piece is stamped with a Lost Coast Designs face stamp, coloured then clear embossed (about 3 coats) to protect it. The final addition was a touch of glitter glue around the edge of the face for just a tiny bit of bling ;-)

Innovative Stamp Creations Rubber Stamps

2008-08-06T13:00:00.000+01:00

Card made using rubber stamps from Innovative Stamp Creations. Face and wording from the thoughtfulness plate stamped onto glossy card along with some trees and eiffel tower stamp (the eiffel tower is from the Innovative Stamp Creations Artsy ATC Elements II plate) then its all coloured using distress inkpads and mounted onto an acetate card and a tassel and added.

Wylde Women....

2008-08-05T17:29:00.005+01:00

Voting still open for the Inkblot challenge - please scroll down to see the entries :-)

Wylde Women Award

Thank you so much to Chrissy from the Artist Trading Club for nominating me for the Wylde Women award.

To pass on The Wylde Women Award, the rules are:-
1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between - it’s up to you! Make sure you link to their site on your post.

2. Link back to Tammy's blog (the originator of the Award).

The purpose of the Award is to send love and acknowledgement to women who brighten your day, teach you new things, and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.

I would like to nominate Sharon Neill and Carol (Krafty Pieces).

Inkblot Challenge Entries - Voting Poll

2008-08-03T18:50:00.002+01:00

Here are the entries to the inkblot challenge. Thank you to everyone who entered. Please see the voting poll to the right hand side - the voting poll will be open for four days (if the poll results in a draw for 1st place then Chris, my husband will cast the final vote for the winner). Good luck everyone.

x Karen

Entry One

River Deep.

Entry Two

Prince and Princess Rorschach

Entry Three
Muscle Man

Entry Four
Feline Good!

Entry Five
Marie

Entry Six
Nice Outfit

Challenge Time Again!

2008-07-26T21:32:00.005+01:00

I think it's about time we set another challenge - and there is a prize up for grabs (Pack of Making Memories foam stamps and an organza bag filled with ribbons, beads, charms and diamante buckles) - the challenge entries will be voted on by a poll - in the event of a tie I will elect my husband as judge to make the final decision.

And now for the challenge......I've been intrigued lately by the Sandra Evertson Inkblot stamps that are made by Stampington - BUT I thought it would be much more fun to actually make my own inkblots LOL!

So the challenge is to make an inkblot collage - any size, any colour, any subject - let your creative side run wild.

Here are my examples I made earlier today. I used black distress reinker to make mine but you could use any liquid ink or paint to make your inkblot. I have then used a mixture of stamps, and printed collage pictures and text to transform the inkblot into what I thought it resembled (I wonder what Psychologists would make of me LOL!).

Deadline for all entries is next Saturday 2nd August 2008 (email a picture of your collage to karen@scrapz.co.uk.) I will then load them up and the poll will be in place by Sunday evening (the poll will run for 4 days.)

I hope you have as much fun as I did!

Friendship plate from Innovative Stamp Creations

2008-07-21T20:43:00.005+01:00

I had a birthday card and wrapping paper to sort out today for a friends birthday so I thought I would test out some of the new stamps we have recently taken delivery of.
These are made using the Friendship plate from Innovative Stamp Creations.

The face is stamped onto Stampbord and coloured with chalkes and marvy pens.

Face, butterfly and flower images from the plate are stamped randomly over a large piece of white paper (then coloured with chalks and marvy pens and touches of glitter glue added to flowers and butterfly.)

I've been tagged by Jaqi :-) - so here goes......

1.What was I doing 10 years ago?

Just bought my own house (after getting divorced) and working as an office administrator for a car light manufacturer.

2.Name 5 things on todays 'to do' list:

Get all todays orders packed and sent (done)
Buy Jake's new school uniform for September (done)
Make card and wrapping paper for friends birthday (done)
Sort and tidy shelves (done)

Update blog (done LOL)

3.Snacks I enjoy:

Breakfast bars, sultanas and chocolate..ahem!

4.Things I would do if I was a millionaire:

Buy a huge house and have several rooms kitted out as craft rooms - having loads of space to organise all my stash and stamps would be bliss....

5.Places I have lived:

Woodford Halse (a village in Northamptonshire), Daventry, Banbury and Oxford

Elizabeth

2008-07-16T17:28:00.006+01:00

Some of you will already know about Elizabeth (Cookie Sunshines Mum), because of a challenge Chrissy from the Artist Trading Club set several weeks ago (to create some art for Elizabeth using an old photograph of her - you can see my contributions below).

Elizabeth is a beautiful lady who has Alzeimers. The love and laughter that Cookie, her mum and her family are still able to share, despite the difficulties this illness causes, is truly inspirational.

UPDATE - Marvellous news - Elizabeth has her new room and will move in on Friday - thank you to everyone who sent an email on her behalf (details and further updates can be seen on Cookies blog.)

Teacher Thank You Pressies

2008-07-13T13:01:00.006+01:00

Firstly, sorry I haven't posted for ages - I have had some bad news to cope with over the last few weeks but I hope to start posting more regularly again very soon - there will be another challenge coming up too (with a little prize) so keep checking back.

Its that end of term time again where all of us with children frantically try and come up with something little to give the teachers. I've made these quick and simple Teacher Emergency Kits for all of Jakes Pre School teachers - he starts year 1 in September - my baby is growing up sooo fast!

I stamped and embossed some large Organza bags (most have the initial on too). Each bag contains a little card with a verse on the other side, a pack of tissues, some methol throat sweets, a pencil, a teabag, a tube of handcream, chocolate and some headache tablets (absolutely vital when dealing with a group of 30 under fives LOL!)

And a small thank you card for each of them too. The gorgeous Tapestry design that I have used on most of the cards is a fab stamp from Innovative Stamp Creations - we will hopefully be stocking this stamp very soon.

I am thrilled and delighted to receive this award from the fabulous 'Artist Trading Club' run by the charming and talented Chrissy. Thank you so much Chrissy xx.

And now to pass on this award in no particular order:

Tina
Andrea
Louise
Lana
Chris
Cookie
Jo

(1) The awarded blogs can put the logo on hers or his blog.
(2) Link the person you received your award from.
(3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
(4) Put links of those blogs on yours.
(5) Leave a message on the blogs of the people you've nominated.

Hugs

xx Karen

2008-06-28T19:40:00.004+01:00

Some of you will already have seen these on Tina's blog but they are so beautiful I had to show them again.

These are all made with gorgeous Cherry Pie Art plates - for the backgrounds, Tina has used some fabulous rainbow Kaleidacolor ink pads (these are so easy to use - brayer onto card for an instant background. )

Love never ends - by Tina Hatchman

Someday my prince will come - by Tina Hatchman

Tag - by Tina Hatchman

Don't forget me - by Tina Hatchman

Torso ATC's

2008-06-15T15:25:00.005+01:00

Linda set a fab challenge on her blog (a couple of weeks ago before she went on holiday) to make some Torso ATC's. Linda's are all so gorgeous and so inspiring that I had to have a go. Thanks for the inspiration Linda :-)

Paperbag Studios Home Sheet

2008-06-11T19:29:00.000+01:00

These ATC's by Tina are just GORGEOUS - they are made using the Paperbag Studios Home sheet- the colours and designs are all just stunning and each one has so much detail.

Queen of the night - by Tina Hatchman

Hand in Hand - by Tina Hatchman

Escape - by Tina Hatchman

Paperbag Studios Imagined Sheet

2008-06-09T19:12:00.000+01:00

More truly scrumptious ATC's by Tina made using the Paperbag Studios Imagined Sheet. There are so many fab images on this sheet - perfect for ATC's, altered projects and birthday cards. As always Tina has put her heart and soul into all these pieces - each one is a perfect little work of art with lots of embossed detail, layering and gorgeous colouring.

People only see what they are prepared to see - by Tina Hatchman

The quieter you become - by Tina Hatchman

To be great - by Tina Hatchman

See life from both sides - by Tina Hatchman

Best place to by - by Tina Hatchman

Father's Day

2008-06-06T18:08:00.004+01:00

I thought I better start making the Father's day cards - so it isn't a rush job a week on Saturday LOL! I was blog hopping the other day when I saw this fab wallet card that Nicky had made - her blog link is on the right (the Altered Inker) - such a fab idea Nic!- I fell in love with it so I hope she doesn't mind but I just had to have a go at making a couple of my own (one for my dad and one for hubby - yes I know the kids should get the cards, and they will as well, but I thought he would like one of these too LOL). Nic handstitched hers and it gives a lovely chunky effect but 'throw my hands up in horror', I don't do handstitching! I got the sewing machine out instead LOL!

I also made boxes for them and inside the wallet there is an opening for money or vouchers, an acetate window for a photo and some pockets for 'credit cards' (I made some little credit card sized sentiment cards to fit in these).

Anyway here are the results. By the way the one with the bird and clock is for my dad (I hope I don't get them mixed up - not sure what he would make of the nude image - he's 83!)

2008-06-04T19:42:00.002+01:00

I received the most fantastic surprise parcel from my best mate Tina today - I received two Kaleidacolor rainbow ink pads, two sets of mini wood mounted alpha stamps, a pack of stampbord and two large pots of silver and gold embossing powder (Tina you are sooo naughty but such a darling - thank you so much hun xxxx). I rushed through my work today so that I could find time to have a play this afternoon. Well I am converted - I don't stock the Kaleidacolor pads (yet!) but I am gonna soon as I love them to bits. These purpley and green backgrounds of the first 5 ATC's were all made with these pads and a brayer. So quick, simple and I love the effect. And the same goes for the Stampbord (yet another thing which I HAVE to stock). The Diva ATC was made using the stampbord - images stamp beautifully on it then you can scratch out areas to highlight - I am hooked!

Imagine - by Karen Lawrence

Background Kaleidacolor rainbow Spectrum inkpad, stamps used Imagine, Authentic, Mannequin.

Waiting for Love Letters - by Karen Lawrence

Background Kaleidacolor Rainbow inkpad Fresh Greens, stamps used Paperbag Studios Generations, Mini Postcard, tiny writing from Paperbag studios Delight sheet.

Ticket to Heaven - by Karen Lawrence

Background Kaleidacolor Fresh Greens inkpad, angel stamp is by Cherry Pie Art.

Gotta Love the Everyday - by Karen Lawrence

Background Kaleidacolor rainbow Spectrum inkpad, stamps used Jolly Guy, Gotta love the Everyday, tiny writing from Paperbag studios Delight sheet, Party Hat.

Diva - by Karen Lawrence

Background Kaleidacolor rainbow Spectrum inkpad, stamps used Authentic (stamped onto Stampbord).

Dare to by Yourself - by Karen Lawrence

Distress inkpads background, Stamps used Maths Scholar by Queens Dresser Drawers. 'Only when I am found' from Generations sheet.

Here's two I made a few days ago.

Gossip? Who Me? - by Karen Lawrence

Background is Distress Inkpads , stamps used are Lost Coast Designs Loopy Calligraphy, and Queens Dresser Drawers Clara, Gossip? Who Me? and Mini Postcard.

Help! - by Karen Lawrence

Distress ink pads for background, stamps used are Loopy Calligraphy again, Help! and Jolly Guy.

Stripey Limbs

2008-06-03T14:44:00.003+01:00

About a week ago we had a delivery of weird and wonderful stamps from Zettiology - including the Stripey Limbs set. When I first saw these I thought "What on earth would I do with those?" - Well Tina (master of all things inky and stampy) has done wonders with them. Take a look at these fabulous and creative ATC's!

Live Within the Moment - by Tina Hatchman

I Don't Feel Like Working Today - by Tina Hatchman

Art - by Tina Hatchman

Think Outside the Box - by Tina Hatchman

Paperbag Studios Generations Sheet

2008-06-02T15:57:00.002+01:00

Another great sheet of Stamps from Paperbag Studios - Generations. These are photo image stamps that when stamped onto glossy cardstock with Stazon give an image which is like a grainy photograph. They are great for collage and ATC's. Photo image stamps do need to be stamped on glossy paper though - the image is not quite so good if matt card is used.

After Midnight

2008-06-01T17:02:00.004+01:00

We have recently started stocking After Midnight stamps as they have some gorgeous (and I have to say, quite sexy) stamps. My favourites have to be the Read Between the Lines hunk and Jon's Discovery (Yum - the title 'After Midnight' seem particularly appropriate to me when I look at them - is it normal to drool over a stamped image? Hmmmm Probably not! LOL!)

For your eyes only - by Tina Hatchman

Believe in your dreams - by Tina Hatchman

It Doesn't hurt to Dream - by Tina Hatchman

Creat a New Reality - by Karen Lawrence

We can't all be stars - by Karen Lawrence
The Mermaid is also by After Midnight.

I couldn't resist making a couple of cards too (my 3 sisters birthdays are coming up and I just know they would appreciate the hunk - shall I make them one each or let them fight over him? LOL!). All the cards I have made recently all have the same style with the flourishes from the Tuscan Rose sheet - I just love the impact of the elegant flourish, it is such a simple and quick card to make (Oops - hope my family aren't reading this - I want them to think I spend hours making their cards!)

Winners to our Challenge

2008-05-26T10:06:00.005+01:00

We have Joint winners - Number 4 and Number 17 - The prize will be split between the two of you but I will add lots of extra charms so each of you will get an organza bag filled with approx 50 charms. I hope this is OK with both of you? Your prizes will be in the post on Tuesday - congratulations to you both and thank you so much to everyone for entering our challenge. We hope to keep you all on your toes with another new challenge in a couple of weeks so keep a lookout for that.

The Best is yet to be - by Dawn Simpson

Dawn put her ATC card into a Laundry tablet bag then sponged ink through the holes to get this gorgeous patterned background. The ink used was Brilliance Dew Drops Pearlescent ink pad in Crimson. Dawn then inked around the edges of the card and stamped on the Catslife Press 'Laugh a Lot' image. The computer generated words were then cut out and the edges inked.

I love the effect of the ink through the laundry bag - yet another item that will no longer be safe from my inky fingers LOL!

Every step you take - By Rosie Radcliffe

Rosie used Distress inkpad in Vintage Photo to colour the white ATC card, then inked around the edges and stamped the image. The gorgeous image is by Paperbag Studios (This image is on their Sweet Pea sheet which we don't have in stock at the moment however should be available again in about 2 weeks).
I love how this ATC shows just how incredibly versatile these Distress Inkpads really are and the effects you can achieve with one single pad.

I am so pleased that everyone got so creative that I have decided to nominate a third ATC to receive a small prize - this prize goes to the person who we feel got the most creative with using things from around the home - the prize goes to.........

It's a crazy world of colour - by Lorraine Rigby

Take a close look at the background and you will see screw heads, coins, her sons trainer soles and Lego. Well done Lorraine - your prize will be in the post on Tuesday.

Cast Your Votes for the Challenge

2008-05-22T18:06:00.021+01:00

EDITED TO SAY OOOOOPPPS - ONE OF THE ENTRIES HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN
Entry number 1 did not adhere fully to the rules so the lovely honest lady who created it has asked that we withdraw her entry. I am unable to remove it from the poll however could anyone who voted for number one please change their vote for one of the other entrants.
So sorry this has happened - my only excuse is that this is the first challenge I have set and I should have made doubly sure that every entry adhered fully to the rules. I hope everyone will forgive me?

Drum roll please.......... here we have all the wonderful entries to our challenge. Thanks to everyone for entering - I am so pleased that not only did we have so many entries but that every single one is beautiful - which just goes to show you don't need loads of crafting supplies to get creative. I have really enjoyed finding out all the different (weird and wonderful and very inventive) things that you all used to stamp with from around the house too - spray tan, food colouring, lemon juice, bleach, garlic netting, coins, laundry bag net, wet wipes, bottle tops, skewers, cocktail sticks, corrugated cardboard, and bubble wrap for instance.

Take a look at all the entries then place one vote for your favourite (other than your own if you have entered.)

Entry Number 1 - WITHDRAWN - PLEASE DO NOT VOTE FOR THIS ENTRY.

Entry Number 2

Entry Number 3

Entry Number 4

Entry Number 5

Entry Number 6

Entry Number 7

Entry Number 8

Entry Number 9

Entry Number 10

Entry Number 11

Entry Number 12

Entry Number 13

Entry Number 14

Entry Number 15

Entry Number 16

Entry Number 17

Entry Number 18

Cherry Pie Art Stamps

2008-05-18T18:49:00.004+01:00

SCROLL DOWN TO THE NEXT POST FOR THE BLOG CHALLENGE.

We have just started stocking Cherry Pie Art stamps at Scrapz - we only received one parcel so far - the other appears to have gone astray, courtesey of Royal Mail however there are more of these gorgeous stamps on their way :-) Here are some ATC's Tina and I have created using these beautiful stamps.

Lady - By Tina Hatchman

By Tina Hatchman

Art Doesn't have to be Perfect - By Tina Hatchman
The wording stamp 'Art Doesn't have to be Perfect' is from Catslife Press.

Arty - By Tina Hatchman

Strange Reality - by Karen Lawrence

The swirl stamp is a from a plate by Tuscan Rose - Flourishes (it has been stamped using a glue pad and then black fun flocked to give a touch of texture).

Postiods collage - by Karen Lawrence

Life - by Tina Hatchman

Live Life - By Tina Hatchman

Eternally You - By Tina Hatchman

Who would like to win this?

2008-05-13T21:05:00.009+01:00

....An Organza bag full of 70 metal charms is up for grabs..... read on to find out how.

After chatting to a friend yesterday about all the different colouring mediums and ink pads etc. it made me wonder how many different products we really NEED to craft with. So I set myself a challenge to create ATC's using only one white ATC card, one rubber stamp and one ink pad (I also allowed myself to use other items commonly found around the home to stamp with such as bottle lids, bubble wrap and bleach, plus printed words from the computer).

The challenge, if you choose to accept, is to create an ATC using only:

1 white ATC card

printed words

1 ink pad

1 rubber stamp

Homemade stamps (non crafting items found around the home that you can use to stamp with such as bottle lids, bubble wrap and bleach etc.)

Then email the picture to me at Karen@scrapz.co.uk by 9pm on Thursday 22nd May.

I will set up an anonymous voting poll - everyone will have a chance to cast one vote (voting for their favourite other than their own LOL!). Voting will end on Sunday 25th May and the one with the most votes will win the bag of charms :-)

Here are three ATC's I made this morning to show how I interpreted the challenge. I can't wait to see your creations :-)

Paperbag Studios Delight Stamps

2008-05-11T20:43:00.009+01:00

I have loads of family birthdays coming up in June so thought I better get a head start on the card making - these three simple cards are just plain white A5 size card blanks and each has a clear acetate outer card. The scroll image is stamped in black and highlighted with gold pen, directly onto the white card blank and the girl images (all from Paperbag Studios Delight sheet) are stamped separately and mounted using foam pads. The butterflies are stuck onto the front of the acetate.

And because I love these images so much I couldn't resist making some ATC's too.

Tim Holtz's Tickets Stamp

2008-05-06T17:38:00.004+01:00

These are all ATC's that Tina and I made a few weeks ago using Tim Holtz's Tickets stamp as a background. This stamp is huge (we were both surprised to see how big it really was). It is really useful not only as a background stamp but also you can cut the stamped out tickets up and use separately - each tickets measures approx 4.5cm x 2.3cm - and their are 12 in total on this big stamp.

This first ATC is by Tina and is one of my absolute favourites - the colours are glorious and the detail superb. Take a look at the closeup and and I am sure you will agree with me.

Duelling Harlequins - by Tina

Ticket stamp used over a gorgeous background made using colour wash sprays, mica powder and sequin waste. The duelling harlequins are a Lost Coast stamp - beautifully coloured and triple embossed and with German Scrap wings added.

Take your wings and fly - by Tina

Here Tina has embossed in clear onto a lightly coloured background then darkened the background with distress inks.

Art - by Tina

The tickets have been gold embossed giving a perfect background for the collage image.

I Dream - by Karen

Two of the tickets have been cut out to use in this collaged ATC.

The little 'I Dream' girl and the buttons stamp on the background are from the PaperBag Studios Dream Notions plate. We sell the lace, the key and the daisy too.

Ab Fab Sweetie Darling - by Karen

Dream, Hope, Believe - by Karen
I have already shown this ATC previously however have put it here again as I used the tickets stamp as a background here - stamped in purple stazon over a purply blue colour wash background.

When the Sun Shrines!

2008-04-28T18:41:00.008+01:00

Well the sun has been shining today so we have been shrining!

For Tina's three ATC's she has used the Lost Coast ATC shrine stamps (3 different shrines on the one plate).

There are angels among us - By Tina

Make it Everlasting - by Tina

The man in the middle is from PaperArtsy Dolls Plate 1

A Gift of Secrets - by Tina

For my two ATC's I have used the Lost Coast Misc Set 4 which has one shrine, a pencils background and the scrolly gate.

Believe Shrine Triptych - by Karen

Inside the Triptych.

The girl is from Paperbag Studios Dreamer Sheet

Live Life - by Karen

Girl is from Paperbag Studios Laugh sheet.

Scrummy Lost Coast Design Stamps

2008-04-25T18:26:00.010+01:00

Thought you might like to see some ATC's made using Lost Coast Designs Rubber Stamps :-)

Wish upon a Star - by Tina

Tina used the Lost Coast Wish upon a Star Stamp, the PaperArtsy Swirls and Curls plate 4, a crown charm and some German Scrap borders. The background is gorgeous (I know as I am lucky enough to own this ATC in my collection) - Tina has brushed the background with a couple of colours of twinkling H2O's giving a gorgeous shimmery effect. The main image has been triple embossed and the wording has been highlighted with glossy accents.

Art - by Tina

The background of this one is gorgeous - Tina has used alcohol inks and overstamped with a script stamp. The Phrenology head is from the lost coast Phrenology set.

Be Mine - by Tina

Tina has used the Lost Coast Be Mine stamp (highlighting parts with decorating chalks) and finishing with German Scrap borders.

Tranquility is a State of Mind - by Karen

A really simple one with an Alcohol inked background (edged with gold pen) and the phrenology head stamp.

Thank Heavens for Little Girls - by Karen
Using the Praying Angel Lost coast stamp and the Leonardo Script Stamp plus I have given her German Scrap wings.

Purple - by Karen
The background is a Adirondack Colour washes and Mica powder over sequin waste.
Then German Scrap wings, Lost Coast designs face (on shrink plastic) and Doll Accessory set body layered onto a bit of Angelina Fibres.

Flying High - by Karen
Both the Phrenology Head stamp and the doll body have been used on Shrink plastic. The background is Crackle paint, coloured with a couple of colours of distress ink and with a squirt of colour wash on the right edge. Crown charm and German scrap wings.

PaperArtsy Wings Plate 3

2008-04-22T17:51:00.013+01:00

PaperArtsy Wings plate 3 - I love this plate as the images are all so vesatile the owl head and queen head look great used on their own and the little bird makes an appearance on loads of our ATC's.

Weird - by Tina

Leave no words unspoken - By Tina

Tina has highlighted the A in art and the owls eyes and beak with glossy accents and given him German Scrap wings.

Queen of the Garden - by Karen

Alcohol inks again used for the background and the flower in front is from the Artistic Stamper botanical plate.

Owl Mail - by Karen

Distress ink pads have been daubed onto white card for the background and white dabber paint used around the edges.

I wish I could fly - by Karen

More alcohol inks for the background and the wings are stamped onto vellum. Plus a little charm and a gem have been added.

And the last three all feature the little birdy from the plate which is such a versatile little stamp.

Can't see the wood for the trees - by Karen

Trees stamps by Lost Coast and standing bird stamp by Catslife Press.

In the Beginning - by Karen

White paint background and a collage of stamps and the hands are cut from a printout of The Creation of Adam by Michaelangelo which is in the Sistine Chapel.

Dream, Hope, Believe Diptych - by Karen

The backgrounds are coloured with Adirondack colourwash sprays lady is from the PaperArtsy One Penny Plate 2 and the swirls are from the PaperArtsy Swirls and Curls plate 5

PaperArtsy Love & Kisses Plate 1

2008-04-20T18:22:00.007+01:00

I love the PaperArtsy Love and Kisses plate 1 but the main stamp image is just a little bit too big for ATC's.... so I had fun this morning trying to think of ways I could still use it on my ATC's.

The brilliant thing about PaperArtsy & Lost Coast Design Stamps is that they allow you to scan and resize your image (not many stamp manufacturers allow this so check with their policies if you fancy doing this with other stamps).

On this ATC, Tina stamped out the image, scanned it in and printed it out smaller so that it would fit.

Here I stamped the image as normal then cut it up to make a shrine. The lady image in the centre is from the Crafty Individuals four faces plate.

An Englishman's home is his castle.

I stamped the image twice, cut the top part off and then cut the zig zag piece from the second image to make my castle. The little boy kings image behind the door is a stamp by Crafty Individuals.

For the Love of Mona

2008-04-19T16:34:00.020+01:00

Tina and I love the Mona Lisa Stamp by Lost Coast Designs (so much that she appears on loads of our designs and apart from background stamps she is probably our most used image).

We find Mona a very versatile stamp and hope you will agree.

Queen for a Day - by Tina Hatchman.

Mona Lisa - by Tina Hatchman

The heart border stamp on the left is PaperArtsy Curls and Swirls Plate 4 and the wings are German Scrap.

Jigsaw Mona - by Tina Hatchman

Tina designed and cut her own jigsaw piece. The background is gorgeously textured with an embossed script stamp.

Pieces of Yesterday - by Tina Hatchman
Another gorgeously textured and embossed background.

Hold Fast to Your Dreams - by Tina Hatchman

Tina has cut out a gorgeous arch shape for this ATC, the background is Distress Crackle Paint, the swirl stamp is from the PaperArtsy Swirls and Curls Plate 5 and the bottom border is German Scrap.

Queen for a Day - by Tina Hatchman

Tina has used a crackle stamp for the background, German scrap for the border and wings and has used Glossy Accents to highlight the wording and areas on the crown.

Have the Courage to Make a Difference - by Tina Hatchman
Tina has used German scrap for the border and the pick and axe embellishment.

Art - by Tina Hatchman.

Tina has stamped and made up her own Shrine for Mona. The key adds the finishing touch.

I know everything and I am always right - by Tina Hatchman

The wording is a great stamp by Catslife Press.

Mona-gram - by Karen

The M for the monagram is a chipboard die cut. The little flower is a small bead.

Find a reason to smile - by Karen

The hat is from the Doll Accessory Lost Coast sheet.

Mona-Acer - by Karen

Ordinary Lives - by Karen

Made using one of the alcohol ink backgrounds shown last Wednesday. Mona is stamped directly onto the background. Alcohol ink blending solution has been used to remove a small circle of the ink (making the background white again in that area). There is a fantastic video on YouTube showing Tim Holtz demonstrating this technique (I first saw this through a link Chriss has on her Artist Trading Cards Blog).

Before stamping all the background stamps I made a mask. (Mona was stamped out onto a post it note and cut out so that I could use it as a mask) The mask is placed over the Mona already stamped onto the background - all the other background stamps can then be used (it doesn't matter if you stamp all over the mask as the Mona underneath will remain untouched.) Tina uses the mask technique a lot on her gorgeously detailed, multi stamped backgrounds.

Mona Collage - by Karen

Again used blending solution to remove the ink from the left hand side (so that I could colour with a different colour alcohol ink) and from Mona's face area. Another feature of alcohol inks are that if you stamp on them using Stazon or another solvent ink - before the ink dries you can wipe it off which removes the alcohol inked background in those places. I used this technique here - see the white criss cross stamp bits on the right.

Art - by Karen

Again made using one of the alcohol inked backgrounds - with the face area removed using the blending solution. The mask was used again so that I could use several stamps for the background but leave Mona's face untouched.

Knitted Wire Cuff Bracelet

2008-04-17T21:01:00.012+01:00

I didn't get the opportunity to do any papercrafting today but did manage to make this which I thought you might like to see. Knitted on size 5 1/2 needles (8 stitches) using this wire, a few of these glass beads , seed beads, Cone beads on the ends and this clasp and ring.

Alcohol Ink Backgrounds

2008-04-16T19:49:00.010+01:00

More backgrounds but this time made with alcohol inks.

I discovered alcohol inks about a year ago and love the effects you can get with them. They need to be applied to a glossy surface (either photo glossy type card or metal.) For my backgrounds I used cheap photo glossy paper and (top right) foil tape.

The alcohol ink applicators are basically a wooden handle with the hook part of velcro stuck to the bottom (they would be easy to make yourself). On to this you put a small piece of felt, put several drops of alcohol ink onto the felt (in one colour or a few different colours) then pounce onto your piece of card until you get an effect you like (adding more ink if necessary).

Here's a few closeups of the effects you can get with the inks.

This one is a closeup of the foil tape (the tape is quite a thick foil and is self adhesive - I stuck it onto thick card first.)

I only got around to making one ATC today - I used the foil tape background - stamped a couple of background stamps on and then traced over the image with an embossing tool.

The stamped image (coloured then triple embossed) is from the PaperArtsy Wings Plate 3. The pointed hat is cut from an old dictionary.

PaperArtsy Wings Plate 2

2008-04-15T18:07:00.018+01:00

Tina and I have been playing with the PaperArtsy Wings plate 2. Firstly this one by Tina is absolutely stunning and so inspiring - its titled Minute by Minute.

The background is triple embossed using a fine gold embossing powder, then Tina stuck a piece of bark onto the melted powder while it was still hot. It was then left to cool fully and the bark pulled off (only a couple of tiny bits of the bark remained stuck which Tina brushed off). Tina then rubbed a Metallic Red Krylon pen onto the background.

The acetate was stamped in stazon and when dry, Tina turned it over and added Red pepper, Pesto and Butterscotch alcohol inks. She tipped them from side to side to spread the inks and to get them to mix. Then a piece of white card was stamped with a crackle stamp and mounted to the back to make the alcohol inks stand out and look vibrant.

This one is one of mine which I made today - the Balerica Bird stamp from the plate was

stamped onto a plain white ATC card. (I only know it is called a Balerica bird because Tina told me LOL ). I then coloured him and the background , stamped with the lovely postmark stamps Tina sent me and covered with a couple of coats of clear embossing powder.

This one I also made today - the background is made using spray Adirondack colour wash. I stamped her out again on to white card so that I could colour and cut out her face to layer onto the ATC. I then Versamarked a rectangle and double embossed.

Another stunner of Tina's - take a look at the closeup to see the texture and detail that has been added in clear embossing powder. Its these extras that make Tina's ATC's a delight to own.

This is another very simple one I made today (using another of those backgrounds shown in last Fridays post ) - I stamped another lady on plain white card so that I could cut out her face and wings to colour and emboss separetely.

Believe in Yourself is by Tina - again her attention to detail is stunning - take a look at the closeup to see the detail. The button, German scrap wings and flower charm have all been coloured using the red krylon pen.

Last one is the fourth I made today before I had to stop playing and get down to some real work LOL! This is another simple ATC stamped with the man from the Wings plate 2, the Lost Coast Phrenology Head and the stamps my lovely friend Tina sent to me. I stamped the man out again on white card - coloured and cut out the butterfly to layer on to him and then glossed the butterfly using glossy accents (as it was a bit on the small side to triple emboss).

PaperArtsy One Penny Plate 2 Rubber Stamps

2008-04-14T17:46:00.010+01:00

More ATC's from me and Tina - this time with the PaperArtsy One Penny Plate 2.

First two stunners by Tina - both use the Dream girl stamp from the plate (plus lots of Paris stamps from Tina's own stamp collection). Both have beautiful shimmery effects.

These two (using the same lady from the plate) I made yesterday using two more of the spray backgrounds I made a couple of days ago. Transform, Create, Discover is one of the waste tissue backgrounds and Think Happy Thoughts is one of the backgrounds made from the card the tissue was sandwiched between as it dried. I really like the distressed effect.

And finally another of mine (again one of those spray backgrounds ) with the ice coupon stamp from the plate (other stamps used are the diamond background from Paperbag studios Dreamer sheet - stamped using Opalite glacier blue inkpad, Impress man from the PaperArtsy Dolls Plate 1 and the Queen face and Bird are from PaperArtsy Wings Plate 3. Top Crown is Catslife Press and other crown is from Lost Coast Doll Accessories plate.)

PaperArtsy At Home Plate 5 Rubber Stamps

2008-04-14T16:55:00.011+01:00

We have a few ATC's to show you - made using the PaperArtsy At home Plate 5.

Not all who wander are lost - by Tina Hatchman.

I love this one - the effects are gorgeous - Tina has used a Mica powder spray over sequin waste (a similar effect can also be achieved by stamping over sequin waste using a clear embossing pad or versamark pad and then rubbed mica powder over) - see the closeup picture for the gorgeous shimmery effect.

Trust in my Love - by Tina Hatchman.

Tina has stamped the jigsaw image, coloured then cut out and triple embossed. Finishing with a Princess Crown charm and the some heart charms.

Je t'aime is one of my designs - I have used the same jigsaw stamp (again colouring and triple embossing but also adding a few sprinkles of gold embossing powder to it before the last coat cools.). The background is one of those I made a couple of days ago using the Adirondack sprays, the swirl stamps are from PaperArtsy Squiggly Ink swirls and curls plate 5 and the pieces is backed by a small piece of fused Angelina fibres .

Knitted wire Jewellery? - Yep you read it right!

2008-04-13T01:04:00.006+01:00

I haven't knitted anything in a long time until I tried knitting some wire (I read on a website somewhere that you can knit with wire so thought I would give it a go). I used large needles and 28 gauge wire (threaded some seed beads onto the wire first so that I could knit them into the design as I went) , cast on 5 stitches and just knitted. The seed beads (and a few crystal beads) were added randomly. I knitted about 4 inches then cast off (did this twice so that I could make the necklace shown). The necklace and earrings both have these diamond shaped accent beads, plus seed beads, a few crystal beads and cone beads. We also sell the earring findings, head pins and clasps.

Diptych and Triptych ATC's

2008-04-12T18:54:00.010+01:00

Today I thought I would have a go at doing a Diptych (the definition being a two part piece of art or painting). The backgrounds are again made using Adirondack spray washes, the stamps are catslife press boxy lady (and the corner distressed dots are from the PaperArtsy Nudes plate 4). Inside the stamps used are Lost Coast Designs Calligraphy doll on the left and Lost Coast Designs Crackle stamps and Stamps Away Eye on the right.)

And this is the Diptych inside.

I made this Triptych a couple of weeks ago (well it is a kind of triptych although doesn't look like the usual ones however as the definition is a three part piece of art I think it just about qualifies LOL!) The outside is like a bodice that laces up the front - when opened the head and legs are attached using eyelets and brads so that they swivel around. Stamps used are Lost Coast Designs Dolls accessories plate and Phrenology Heads.

ATC Background Papers made with Adirondack Spray Colour Washes.

2008-04-11T17:33:00.009+01:00

Last night I thought I would make a stack of background papers before I went to bed - ready for when the mood strikes to make ATC's.

I used Adirondack spray colour washes plus a spritz of mica powder in water to blend the colours and add a bit of glitz. I love those sprays but they are sooo messy so I put the card into a box lined with paper towels before spraying to contain the mess.

When I have finished the paper towels were soaked in ink but actually looked quite pretty so it was a shame to throw them away (so I didn't!) Instead I sandwiched them between sheets of white card - rubbed the card well so that they were nice and flat and left overnight to dry.

Here is the result. They have a really nice texture.

And as I hate to throw anything away.....here are the backgrounds cut up from the two sheets of card that the towels were pressed between. 3 for the price of 1 LOL!

Paperbag Studios Laugh Rubber Stamp Sheet

2008-04-10T16:22:00.016+01:00

I've been playing with the Laugh Paperbag Studios sheet today. First ATC is 'My Best Friend' - where I have used bubble wrap to create the distressed circle background stamp. I stuck a small rectangle of bubble wrap onto a block using a bit of cheap glue stick ( so that it can be washed off my block when I had finished). Then stamped onto white card using embossing ink and clear embossed. The background is then coloured using distress ink pads in a few colours. Apart from the postmark stamp all the other stamps used are also from the Laugh sheet. The second picture shows the texture the bubble wrap gives to the background (not bad for free LOL!).

I really like the extra texture that embossing gives to a background (something Tina inspired me to do as she add loads of gorgeous texture to all her backgrounds). This next ATC (titled Remember) uses a Hero Arts swirl stamp that I have had in my stamp collection for ages - This time I coloured the card lightly in purple distress ink first, stamped and clear embossed the swirl stamp then coloured the card deeper in the shaded of purple and green (so that the swirl pattern is a distressed pale lilacy colour and stands out).
The script stamp and the diamond stamp are my favourite all rounders from the Dreamer sheet. The wings are the standard gold german scrap that has had the gold removed with nail varnish remover and then coloured using purple and brown stazon. Finally a bit more texture and colour is added by random daubing on the edges with versamark (or clear embossing ink) and some gold embossing powder.

On this 'Success is not a Destination' ATC the man from the Laugh sheet has been stamped onto a satin gloss ATC card (and again on plain card so that I could colour him in, cut out and triple emboss.) The background is coloured with Marmalade spice, Mustard seed and Fired Brick distress pads and to give it depth I stamped the no. 15 stamp (from the laugh sheet) and bubble wrap over the top in blazing red stazon. The close up shows this better.
To finish everything was giving a couple of coats of clear embossing.

Yet more embossing with 'Laugh and Live More!' - the diamond stamp has been stamped with Opalite glacier blue ink pad and embossed in clear. I love the two tone shimmery effect the Opalite pads give - we will be stocking these at Scrapz very soon.

And finally this little chappy - coloured with decorating chalks and triple embossed (mainly because I seem to be in an emboss everything in sight mood at the moment which is all Tina's fault as I love all the embossing she does on her gorgeous ATC's.) Some of the other stamps used on this one are from the Dream Notions half sheet.

Tina's Top Tip for German Scrap

2008-04-09T17:49:00.003+01:00

Who loves the gorgeous multi coloured German Scrap that is so hard to find? - I certainly do however I don't like paying the high prices to buy from the US. Well Tina has discovered that you can remove the gold from the german scrap with nail varnish remover. After rubbing with the remover on a tissue the gold comes completely off and you are left with a lovely silver.

I have been having a play to show you the results. The first picture is of the standard gold german scrap.

Next is the same pieces after they have had the nail varnish remover treatment.

I then had a play to see what I could use to colour the scrap. I had some success embossing with coloured embossing powder but it didn't cover totally due to the embossing pad and powder not getting fully into all the little intricate bits - it did give a lovely distressed effect though.

Next I tried colouring with various different inks. I tried Distress pads, pigment pads and adirondack dye ink pads but they didn't work at all - then I used my beloved Stazon ink pads and they worked brilliantly.

This next picture shows all the German scrap I coloured using Stazon ink pads (I removed the gold with the nail varnish remover first so that I would get a true colour). The borders on the left hand side from top to bottom are coloured with Stazon Jet black, Forest Green, Pumpkin, Cotton white and Royal Purple. The wings on the right hand side from top to bottom are coloured with Stazon Blazing Red, Cherry Pink, Azure blue, Timber brown and Mustard.

I particularly love the Timber brown coloured one as it has come out a lovely bronze effect.

Just editing to add: Tina says they also colour in really well with peel off pens (or other permanent markers).

Paperbag Studios Dreamer Rubber Stamp Sheet

2008-04-09T15:16:00.001+01:00

Ok now I absolutely love the Paperbag Studios Stamps - and at £17.99 for a full (almost A4) sheet containing loads of images they are really really good value. All these ATC's below are made with images from the one sheet - Dreamer. All the sheets are selling out fast but I hope to be getting a new delivery in from the US in about 2 weeks.

This first ATC is by Tina - the image of this little girl has to be my absolute favourite. Tina has created a gorgeous soft collage effect witht the girl image and lots of birds, postmarks and script stamps. The bird and postmark stamps are Tina's own but I hope Scrapz will be stocking more bird stamps very soon (so keep your eye open if you love birds). I love the way Tina layers images and textures - the green spots are embossed on giving a lovely extra dimension. Tina uses sequin waste to do this.

This next ATC is also by Tina - this time the image has been stamped very lightly so that it fades into the background (and a gorgeous background it is too - I love the purple and pinky shades - plus there is some blue and gold in there too).

OK this one is by me. Another lovely little girl image from the Dreamer sheet - I coloured her in with decorating chalks and then triple embossed over the top. The background is made using Adirondack Spray colour washes (I love this stuff but it is rather messy - so you need to make sure everything in sight is covered or is OK to get inky. ) I then used script and the binder edge stamp (which are both on the Dreamer sheet) and a postmark which is on the Paperartsy Dolls Plate 1. And finally - because the ATC is entitled 'Dear Diary - when I grow up I want to be....' - I have finished her off with a princess crown charm (I bet I wasn't the only one who wanted to be a princess when I grew up was I?)

This one is also by me - using the ABC boy stamp from the dreamer sheet, the wording from another of the Paperbag studios sheets (dream notions half sheet), more postmarks (this time embossed in gold) and the check effect is made by making off areas using strips of masking tape then colouring with ink pads. The background is made using china blue and fire brick red distress ink pads (rubbed on using cut n dry foam) - then the whole thing sprayed with a light mist of water so that the ink blends (I often put a small amount of mica powder in my water sprays to give a shimmering effect.) Oh and half a german scrap wing (not that I am stingy or anything LOL!)

Create A Dream is another by me - not a very good picture but there is a light spotted effect on the top edge - this was done by stamping the spots onto the plain white card using versmark ink - the background was then sprayed using the colour washes so it resisted the versamark a bit. The little girl has been coloured and triple embossed. The gold edging is done by running a gold marker pen down the edge.

This effect is done by stamping the same image (again from the Dreamer sheet) onto both clear vellum and shrink plastic. Both are layered onto a white background that has been collage stamped with loads of different images then a really light coating of white gesso was brushed over the top to give a softer effect. I stuck both the vellum and the shrink plastic down using glossy accents. This does cause the vellum to bubble and ripple but I liked this effect as it added to the distressed look.

My fave image again - this time used as both a background shadow and coloured and embossed for the foreground. The background was an orange and white check pattern (which I made by using thin strips of masking tape and the pumpkin orange stazon pad.). I then clear embossed a swirl patter over the top before colouring with spray washes and distress inks (plus again a bit of mica and water spray).

This is a cute vintage look image from the dreamer sheet, coloured and embossed and layered on top of a background made using the spray washes again (I did say I loved those didn't I?). The wording stamps are a Making Memories magnetic set (unfortunately we don't sell these at Scrapz yet) - they are so useful for ATC's.

Lastly I have included this one also by me as it uses the diamond stamp from the dreamer set on the background. The diamond stamp looks great embossed over a colour washed background (here is it embossed in gold but would also look good in clear to give texture rather than colour). We don't sell the stamp at Scrapz but I saw her on ebay last week and couldn't resist - its a Viva Las Vegastamp. The picture is awful quality - sorry about that - I scanned it in quickly before swapping so can't take another picture. It isn't blurry in real life honest LOL!

Doodle Doll Unmounted Stamps ATC's by Tina Hatchman

2008-04-08T13:55:00.000+01:00

OK first post - so please be gentle with me LOL!

To wet your appetite I will start with some of Tina's designs made using the Lost Coast Design Doodle Dolls Set 1 unmounted rubber stamps.

Tina colours her images with Decorating Chalks. These chalks give gorgeous rich colours, and they allow you to build up and blend the colour. The image has been triple embossed using fine clear embossing powder. Tina's backgrounds have to be seen in real life to get the most from their glorious colours and textures but I hope you can see from the close up the embossing texture that has been applied to the outer edges. All Tina's backgrounds are a work of art in themselves. This one has been made using Adirondack ink pads and Adirondack spray colourwash. The squiggle stamps used on the background are from the PaperArtsy Swirls and Curls Plate 5.

We are all destined for greatness - well some more than others LOL! - this design uses one of the Lost Coast Design Shrine ATC stamps as the main background image (along with some script stamps and some Postmark stamps. We sell similar Crafty Individual postmark stamps.

Listen closely, truth is silent is again a mix of a beautifully chalked doodle dolls image on a background of several shades of blended green adirondack inks. Tina layers several stamped images onto her backgrounds which give it so much interest and depth. The edges are finished with Mini s callop German Scrap.

Heart & Soul has a wonderful two tone crackle background. (we don't sell the specific crackle glaze that Tina used but you can get similar effects with Tim Holtz Crackle Paint or Inkssentials Crackle Accents.) See the closeup picture to really appreciate the crackle effect.