Inching along

I haven't really got into the whole inchie thing. They're cute and challenging at the same time but I haven't quite figured out what to do with them! I've made a few and used them as an embellishment or focal point on a card but this is a first for me - I joined a swap over on Bubbly Funk!

We had to make 12 inchies and Karen's coordinating so we each get a full set back. We had a colour theme so our sets should coordinate.

As the theme was BLUE, I couldn't resist using this stamp as I think he does look a bit dejected. The "feeling blue" wording seemed like a natural pairing and highlights the theme. The wording strips are computer generated as I needed something really tiny. I used the DYMO font and then just snipped out the little strips and glued them on to my stamped image.

I wouldn't normally use Versafine ink and Copic markers together but my forward planning failed on this occasion. I was careful with the Copics and got away with it!

I forgot I'd signed up for this so these were a bit last minute and hence all made production-line stylee to the same design. There are tiny blue gems at the top right corner, not sure the photo really picked those up!

Stamps:
Inchie Style (the Rummage Bin line at CHF)

Ink:
Versafine by Tsukineko (Majestic Blue)

Paper:
Simply Smooth (Prism)

Other:
Copic markers
Computer generated wording (font: Dymo)
Nail art gems
Krylon leafing pen (silver)
Fineline marker (to sign them)
Chipboard inchies

Looking forward to getting the swaps now and then I'll figure out what to do with them!

Thanks for stopping by!

Freesia ghosts

I was really tempted to called this "The ghosts of freesias yet to come" :o)

Over on CBC, Jackie has posted a tutorial for ghost stamping (you'll need to be logged in as a member if you want to see the full tutorial as it's in the Instructions section). It's something I've been meaning to try for a while so Jackie's post was just the nudge I needed.

I thought this freesia stamp would be perfect for a dreamy and romantic feel so I stamped randomly all over my cardstock with white pigment ink to "ghost" the image then sponged over with Milled Lavender Distress ink. The white image repels the ink just slightly - it's very subtle and difficult to pick up with a camera but very pretty in real life!

This detail photograph probably shows the ghosted flowers more clearly.


Once I had my ghosted flower background, I stamped the freesia again with a darker ink (Dusty Concord). If you rub gently over an image stamped with Distress ink with a sponge or facial tissue it will soften without smudging all over the place. I stamped three layers of freesia here, softening each to different degrees.

The card is finished with the sentiment that comes as part of the Stamp of the Month set which I think is lovely! This could even be used as a non-traditional Valentine, I think.

Stamps:
Freesia Happiness (Stamp of the Month combo, January 2009)

Paper:
Simply Smooth (Prism)

Ink:
Colorbox Pigment ink by Clearsnap (Frost White)
Tim Holtz Distress by Ranger (Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord)
Versafine by Tsukineko (Imperial Purple)

Other:
Flower by Prima Marketing
Pearl by Kaisercraft
Sewing machine and thread
Vintage lace trim

Thanks for stopping by, hope you had fun!

Bear Hugs

Kim Hughes has a very distinctive style - just look at the eye on this bear, could the artwork be done by anybody other than Kim?!

The bear in the set faces left but I thought it would be fun to bring together a bear pair to go with the hug sentiment! I used a mirror stamp to make the bear who faces right.

Sherrie had a cool tutorial on her blog the other day for making the illusion of textured fur by using blender solution and some wadding (batting for my north American friends). I don't have any blender solution so I adapted the technique by colouring the bears with a Chamois marker and then dotting over the top with the colourless blender and a lighter colour (Brick Beige). As Copics are alcohol-based, the lighter inks push the darker base coat out of the way and you get a "furry" bear. You can see Sherrie's tutorial here if you'd like to have a go with the original technique.

I'm going to pop this card into hubby's bag when he heads off for his next trip :o)

Stamps (Cornish Heritage Farms):
Bear Hugs (Kim Hughes Collection)
Mirror It medium (to reverse the bear image)

Paper:
Epic Laid Black, Simply Smooth (Prism Papers)

Ink:
Adirondack dye ink by Ranger (Espresso)

Other:
Copic markers
Linen Thread
Nail art gems
Inkssentials white pen by Ranger

Thanks for visiting today, hope you enjoyed the card!

Imagined Blooms

As it's such a grey and dreary day, I thought imagining some bright spring colours might cheer us all up a bit! This stamp is part of the Shady Tree Studio line releasing at Cornish Heritage Farms on 15th January.

Not only is it a new line, it's a new artist (some of you may know her as Phantom on Splitcoaststampers) and I think she's done a fabulous job. There are several sketchy flowers in this first release and this is my first play with one of them.

I thought some loose water colouring would suit the sketchy style of these beautiful blooms!

I remembered to let colours dry before moving on to the next one this time (some of you may remember the elk dribble incident!). I used Distress ink (lid squished down on to the pad and a brush to pick up from the pool of colour) as they stay true so you know what colour you're going to get on the paper.

Stamps (from Cornish Heritage Farms):
Artsy Blooms (Shady Tree Studio line) - releasing 15th January
Motivational Centers (Mona Lisa Moments line)

Paper:
140lb hot press watercolour
Suede Brown dark (Prism)

Ink:
Stazon by Tsukineko (Timber Brown)
Tim Holtz Distress by Ranger (used as watercolours - Spiced Marmalade, Fired Brick, Peeled Paint, Broken China)

Other:
Sewing machine and thread

Want to win? There are sneak peeks of more stamps from this line and a chance to win some of them over on the Be Creative blog - why not hop over and leave a comment, you might get lucky!

Thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoyed the card!

Sketch book ballerina

Happy New Year! Something a little different from me to start a new year of blogging! Like many Copic users, I take a look at Marianne's blog from time to time - lots of tips and tricks there! I was inspired by her post on cross hatching to have a go at making this little ballerina look like something from an artist's sketch book.

I don't have a Multiliner (yet!) so I decided to use a mechanical pencil for a slightly softer look whilst still having a consistent and fine point. I used the shading on the stamp to guide where the hatching went and added just a little extra to the open spaces like her arm to give a bit of dimension. I shaded a little under the image as well to give her a grounding.

Here's a close up of some of the detail so you can see how that cross hatching works over the shading provided by the stamp (as ever, you can click through for a closer view if you want it).

Stamps:
Ballerina Girl (Sandra Kuck line)
Aged Sheet Music Scrapblock
Birthday Centers (Mona Lisa Moments line)

Paper:
Ivory and Simply Smooth (Prism)

Ink:
Nick Bantock by Ranger (Charcoal Grey)
Tim Holtz Distress by Ranger (Antique Linen, Vintage Photo)

Other:
Silk ribbon
Corsage pin and beads
Krylon Leafing pen (copper- to colour one bead)
Classic oval Nestabilities by Spellbinder
Foam tape
Sponge
Thanks for the inspiration Marianne and thanks everyone for your visit today, hope you enjoyed it!

Want to win some stamps?

There's a chance to win all four of the new Kim Hughes sets being released tomorrow by Cornish Heritage Farms. Hop on over to the Be Creative blog to see all the sets and find out how to be in with a chance to win! Toasted marshmallow, anyone? :o)

Crafty Calendar!

Fancy a calendar with a new crafty project each month? A group of crafters from the Bubbly Funk Forum have put one together for you! Visit the blog for 12 projects you can print out to make a calendar or simply come back each month for a new project. There are full step by step instructions for each one that you can view on the blog or download to print out and keep.

If you like the calendar, it would be great if you could make a small donation to help us raise money for Action for ME - there's a Just Giving widget on the blog to make it easy for you and if you're a UK tax payer, don't forget to Gift Aid it so it's worth even more!

Click on the picture to visit the Crafty Calendar blog - January's project is mine and I'd love to know what you think so please do leave a comment if you get a moment or have any queries about it!