Make it Feminine at FSC

Hello, time to tell you about the new challenge at Fashionable Stamping and for this month it was my turn to pick the theme which is 'Make it Feminine'

A while back I printed off a couple of frames from the internet and this one was just right size for IndigoBlu's  ' Elsie' .  I made a background with lots of water and Oxide inks Fossilized Amber and Broken China.  I stamped the Stampendous  Blossom Spray with Fossilized Amber and then lightly coloured the leaves and blossom using a rolled up blending sponge with Peeled paint and Worn Lipstick.  The wildflower die cuts were coloured with DIs.

We have InkArt Designs as our sponsor for this challenge and they are offering one lucky random winner a stamp from their shop, and don't forget there's also a picked Top 3.  For all the details, please pop over to the main blog.

Again, a scheduled post,  and if I haven't visited lately, I'll be around later in the week.

Avril xx

Vintage Dream

Hello and thanks for popping by, today, it's the turn of IndigoBlu's Valerie to make her debut, if you missed Elsie, you can find her here.
For the card base, I've used Ranger Transparent Gloss Texture paste through a Flourish stencil on one side and on the other I used Bundled Sage, before colouring with Victorian Velvet, Bundle Sage and Tumbled Glass Distress inks. Valerie was shaded lightly with Spun Sugar and Victorian Velvet DIs. The sentiment is from Crafty Individuals.  The rose was made with the Tattered Florals die.
Hope you're having a good week and not shivering in this chilly weather, here in the N.E. it feels more like November than 'Flaming June', the only good thing about it is I've tidied the craft stash, which wouldn't have got done if the sun was shining.............so, if it's miserable weather tomorrow I've a nice tidy desk to work on.
Avril xx

Timeless

Hello, and thanks for your visit today.  As regular visitors will know, I've always been a sucker for vintage and vintage ladies and when I saw the new release of Valerie and Elsie from IndigoBlu, I was sorely tempted, but resisted, as I do have a few and some do need inking up, so neglected!  Anyhow a few weeks ago Shirley from FSC did a couple of pieces using them and, well .....
Elsie is having her first outing, stamped onto tissue, torn and layered onto a tag from a play day with DecoArt crackle paste.  I've used Antique linen and Vintage photo Distress sprays which settled beautifully into the cracks.  My little flowers are the tiny tattered florals.
I am entering this at:
  Creative Artiste - Anything Goes

We actually had some sunshine late yesterday, so let's hope there's a bit more today, fingers crossed.
Avril xx

Favourites at Fashionable Stamping

Hi, time to tell you about that latest challenge at Fashionable Stamping and for this time we would love you to use your favourite 'Go To' stamp, you can make whatever you want as long as the stamping is the focal point. We have Flonzcraft as our sponsor who are offering one lucky random winner a $20 spend in their online store
For me it had to be 'EllaBella' from IndigoBlu,  she can look soft and feminine, bright and vibrant, vintage or modern, and when I'm lacking inspiration - she doesn't need much to make her look good - wish I could say that!
Stamped and heat embossed with Black EP and then out came the Brushos.  My first few plays with these hadn't been very successful, too much water and too heavy handed with the 'sprinkles' equals 'mud' and so the Brushos were put in a drawer awaiting the' play day'. After a lovely messy and productive day last week, I'm quite pleased with the results.  On this card I used Sea Green, love the blue and yellow shades.
Of course, I didn't stop at one

This time I used Violet and Purple and softened the edges with Dusty Concord DI.  Simple cards, but perfect for posting!
I hope you will join us for this challenge and don't forget to pop over to the main blog for all the details and to see what my fellow teamies favourites are.
  I am entering this at:
  Crafty Catz - No Designer papers

Happy Crafting,
Avril xx

'Travel' at TioT

Time for a new challenge at Try it on Tuesday and this fortnight it's ' Travel'
I have used IndigoBlu for my main image, map tickets and 'I can see you' boy, who's goggles have been coated with Glossy Accents,Crafty Individuals and Papermania postcards, and my home-made' chit chat words are Tim Holtz.  The base layer was stamped with IB tickets and words .
My teamies have some wonderful creations to inspire you, so please pop over to the main blog and be inspired to join us for this challenge.
I am entering this at:
  Cards and Scrap - Use Stamps
  Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
  Make it Monday - Anything Goes
 
Before I go, I would just like to say 'hello' to my new followers - Thank You for making the 200!  I really must do something to celebrate this landmark.

Avril xx

Anything but INK!

Another Christmas make and this time its for the new challenge at Fashionable Stamping which this fortnight is 'Anything but INK' - so you can use paint, bleach,  ink sprays or like me you can use glue and gilding flakes, but for full details just pop over to the main blog, where you will be enthralled with the brilliant ideas from the rest of the Design Team.  Don't forget there is a $20 prize for one lucky random winner from our very generous sponsor Flonzcraft.

For my make, I have used IndigoBlu 'Baroque Christmas Tree' with Flitter glue and  some gilding flakes, it's rather a large stamp, so decided to go with an easel card.  The border on the base is the 'Tree ' stamped upside down. The sentiment is Hero Arts and again used the  flakes.

Just a quick one as I'm off to a  Craft Fair this morning, not that I need anything, but it's just nice to go!

I am entering this at
  Allsorts - Christmas Cheer
  Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - Bling it Up
  Crafty Calendar - All things Christmas

Avril xx

Something New!

Hi Folks, thought I would share with you one of the results of Saturday's 'play day'.  I've used the Tim Holtz Cabinet Card Die, and previously, I've used foam pads to attach the die cut front to a card - great from the front - but mine never looks too good from the side, so, I've had this idea in my mind for a few weeks, to fold the sides, much neater.  This is the first time I've tried this and I did 1/2" folds, but next time I will just do 1/4" as I felt it stood off too much on the finished card (a bit of d/s tape in the right space gave a nice shape though)

I have used tissue (from a pkt of hankies) for the front and placed the 2 printed sentiments at the top.  My images, a JustRite stamp (courtesy of my friend Diane), was coloured with Distress inks.  The other image and scissors are IndigoBlu.

The theme this week at Craft Room Challenge is Something New - well this was a new way of using the die, as well as the first time I have covered a whole card front with tissue and also first time to use the JustRite stamp, so lots of new things, so I think this fits.

I am also entering this at:
  Cuttlebug Mania - Anything Goes with a Die cut
  Make it Monday - Anything Goes
  Addicted to Stamps- Shabby/Vintage
  Rogue Redhead Challenge - ~Fashionista

Thanks for looking and have a great weekend whatever you're doing.

Avril xx

'L' for Lace at Alphabet

Hi Folks, its time for another letter over at Alphabet Challenge and this week its Team B - and we have 'L for Lace'  chosen by yours truly.
For my DT piece I have used IndigoBlu's Elizabeth Bennett for the main image, coloured with Distress Markers.  My lace is TH Tattered Doily and an extra strip of crochet lace. The flowers are made using the Floral strip die.
My very talented teamies have some wonderful inspiration for you, so please pop over here.  Don't forget, we now do a Top 3 for each challenge and offer a Winner's badge.

I am entering this at:
  Southern Girls - No Spoolin (no ribbon/twine or cotton)
  Rhedd and Rosies - Anything Goes
  Crafting for all Seasons - Bingo (top line - pink- flowers and blue)
  Crafty Cardmakers - Birthday
  Totally Papercrafts - Make your own Flowers

I am pleased to report that the Wedding Invitations are finished - whew!
Now - just Order of Service, Place Cards, Table Settings Menus and Thank You cards left to finish - why did I offer a design with more than one die cut -  I have been die cutting in the garden this week - it looks as if someone has sprinkled confetti!!

That's it for now, I think a little bit of 'me' crafting time is in due tonight, and I hope to do some catching up in Blogland later.

Avril xx

Sentimental at FSC

Hello and welcome to our new challenge over at Fashionable Stamping, and this time we are getting 'Sentimental'

For this fortnight we also a a fabulous Guest Designer joining us, so please pop over to the main blog and prepared to be inspired by Suzanne and the rest of the Team.  And don't forget we are again sponsored by Leo of Flonzcraft, who is offering one lucky random winner a $20  gift certificate to spend in the online craft store.

For my piece I chose to make a little book, and although at the moment there are only the 2 pages, I will add more.  I have used 'Elizabeth Bennett' from IndigoBlu, and as she has such a dreamy look about her, the sentiments, from  Inkylicious, just seemed to be the right ones.  I have used pencils, as I wanted a very soft look and all  distressing was done with Iced Spruce, Tumbled glass and Vintage Photo to tone with the cover.

My cover......I have been wanting to try this technique since seeing my DT sisters Terry and Dot make pieces following this video tutorial.  As Terry said, it does get a bit ugly in the process, but the end result is amazing. The photos don't really do it justice.  I just wish I had been brave enough to do a bigger piece, this is only 4" x 4"- so watch this space for a larger version.

I am entering this at:
  Craft Room Challenge - So Sentimental
  Allsorts - A Passion for Flowers
  Eclecticpaperie - Flowers
  Crafts4Eternity - April Showers bring May Flowers (lots of flowers)
  Just Add Ink - New technique (cover)
  Dutch Dare Card Challenge - Anything but a card
  Artistic Stamper - Texture
  Cards Galore - Vintage

Thats it from me, enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Avril xx

Ribbon at In the Pink

Hello and welcome to my very neglected blog, but at last I have been crafting and catching up on DT work, but you will have to wait a few more days to see what I've been doing this week.
This card was made a few weeks ago, for a blog friends Birthday,  I never got round to showing it, but as it fits in with the new challenge at In the Pink which is Ribbon/Ruffles, well better late than never.
The main image is Katzelcraft, matted onto Fleur de Lise square die cuts,  the background is IndigoBlu Vintage Flourish.  I wish I could take a straight photo, it isn't as lopsided as it looks!
Just a quick post as I need to finish an of Anniversary card before I go to bed! but I must say 'Hello' to my 3 new followers, lovely to see you and I'll catch up with you over the weekend.
I am also entering this at:
  Crafty Creations - No pattered paper (stamped background)
  Flourishes Timeless Tuesday - Frame it

Enjoy your weekend whatever you're doing.
Avril xx

Isn't She Lovely!

Hi Folks,

Isn't she gorgeous, I bought this IndigoBlu stamp (and a couple of others) at GNP on Saturday and have been itching to have some  time to play, managed a couple of hours this afternoon and she had to have priority! I used Victorian Velvet and repeatedly stamped the Stampendous Garden Background onto pink card, my 'Elizabeth Bennet' was stamped onto Vellum and her face was tinted with Promarkers. I layered her onto a piece of torn pink card before placing over some dyed Muslin, unfortunately you need to look closely to see this layer, it just didn't photograph too well!  The little tag, which I'd forgotten I had - its good to re-organise sometimes, was stamped with Vic. Velvet. A small bouquet of roses make this card perfect for the challenge at In the Pink which is Floral/Mothers Day.  I also stamped an extra butterfly onto vellum coloured this and added using Glossy Accents - this, together with the Pearls makes the card suitable for the Heck of a Challenge - Spring/Pearls & Butterfly.
I am also entering this in:
  Joanna Sheen - Mums the Word
  Emmas Cards UK - Vintage
  The Crafting Cafe - Favourite Colour
  Vintage Stamping Challenges - Spring is in the Air

Had a great time at Harrogate on Saturday, met up for a natter with some Blogging friends and also said 'hello' to a few new ones, Oh, and while I was there,  bought some new goodies, but I was good and even came home with money!

Thats it for now,
Avril xx

Swirls at FSC

Hello and welcome to another Sunday challenge over at Fashionable Stamping - and.........there's lots of news to tell!
Our first piece of news is that FSC has changed – we now have our very own DOTCOM addresss!  If you have us in your bookmarks or favourites can you please make sure that you update our link to  www.fashionablestampingchallenges.com.
We also have a new sponsor - Flonzcraft who will sponsor the winner $20 from his store.        And ......We also have a wonderful Guest Designer for this Challenge - Astrid.

         

For my DT piece Idecided to go with pastel Spring colours and  have used IndigoBlu stamps -  'Ella'Bella' - just love these swirls and for my background I used the Vintage Flourish which was first stamped on white cardstock with Versamark and heat embossed with Clear EP, I stamped again with Bundled Sage DI, coloured with DIs and then used a tissue to remove the ink from the embossing.  I used the same DIs on the Nesti Diecut (Romantic Rectangles) before stamping my image with Archival black, I added Glamour dust in her hair, but it hasn't shown. The sentiment is Inkylicious, stamped with bundled sage and again heat embossed with clear EP. The flowers, TH Tattered floral dies, were stamped with the Flourish before distressing with Spun Sugar.
I do hope you will join us this fortnight, and if your need some inspirations, my fabulous Teamies have as usual created some amazing pieces, so please pop over here to take a look.
I am entering this in:
  2 Sisters - Pastels
  4 Crafty chicks - D for Dies
  Crafty Bloggers - Spring or Pastels
  Pan Pastel - GirlyTheme

I wish all you Mothers out there a lovely relaxing day (hopefully with time to craft). I'm off to DD's for Lunch - this is a first! and I don't intend to offer to wash up afterwards!!!
Have a great Sunday

Avril xx

Mask It

Hi Folks,

Well I'm back after a lovely sunny holiday, it was really nice to wake up to sunshine every day for 2 weeks,
but its back to reality now, and a catch up on Christmas!
Back to reality also means another challenge at Fashionable Stamping Challenges and this time its 'Mask It'.
This can be using masks or stencils as well as masking techniques with rubber stamps.
I have used both on my card, I started with a Tando Music mask with Tattered Rose and Bundled Sage DI, and then over the top I used and Imagination Leaf Swirl mask with the same inks.  For the stamped panel I used IndigoBlu 'Music Hall'. The lady was stamped and masked then I stamped with the Music hall poster and then masked that before random stamping with the music score.  The sentiment is also from the same set.
I made the card before I went on holiday, but didn't take a photo and since returning home the days have been so dark I have really struggled to get a decent photo and this looks a bit 'green' no matter what I do!
The rest of the DT have some wonderful creations for your inspiration, so please pop over here to take a look, and don't forget, we are as usual sponsored by Cottage Crafts and the winner will receive a €7  to spend in their online store.

Now that the washing and ironing is done, Christmas Tree is up and the cards are all posted, I hope to start catching up and finding out what you have all been up to!
Thanks for looking.

Avril xx

Spring is in the Air at FSC

Hi All,

After a week of lovely weather - Spring is in the Air over at Fashionable Stamping Challenges!  For this fortnight we would love to see your Spring creations, and in case any of you are in need of inspiration, the rest of the Design Team have created some fabulous projects,so please pop over and take a look, but remember, we do need to see some stamping on your project.

For my DT card I have used another of my purchases from the GNP show last weekend.  This gorgeous image is 'Anenome Corner' from IndigoBlue. which I  coloured with Distress Inks, I  stamped and  cut out another 2  flowers, then decided to 'touch them all up'  with H2Os for a bit of shimmer!  The centres are sprinkled with black glitter.
The script in the background was stamped through torn paper masks.  The sentiment and butterfly are from Inkylicious.  The butterfly was also stamped onto acetate and coloured with Alcohol Inks.  The background was sponged with Milled Lavender and Dusty Concord DIs.

I am also entering this card in:
  Our Craft Lounge - Spring
  Stamping for the Weekend - Anything Goes
  Samuel Taylors - Butterflies

Thats it from me for now, apart from saying 'hello' to my new followers, I'll be round to visit later in the day. Hope you all enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Avril xx

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hello and a Happy New Year to All.   I hope you had a lovely Christmas and were lucky enough to get some 'new goodies to play with'.

I was very lucky this year and got some gorgeous stamps (unlike last year - not one!)  The only problem is I haven't had time to 'play'with everything - yet!

The challenge this fortnight at Fashionable Stamping is an easy one - to use your new goodies - that could be paper, ribbon, embellishments - anything new as long as there is some stamping on the project.   As usual there is a great stamp for the winner donated by our permanent sponsor -  Marina from Cottage Crafts.

For my card I have used my new set of 'Music Hall' stamps from IndigoBlu.  I masked the lady and then stamped the music and sentiment, then lightly coloured with chalks.   The poster was stamped and mounted on tiny 3D pads and the lady's dress coloured with Promarkers. On the base card  I randomly stamped the music and flourish with Bundled Sage, Tattered Rose and Pumice Distress Inks.   My flower was cut from pages of an old paperback, ribbon & lace and then  and spritzed with Red Cosmic Shimmer. A dusting of  fine black glitter and Glamour Dust was added, although it doesn't show too well so the in the  photo                                                                                             

The rest of the girls on the DT have been very lucky with their Christmas goodies and have created some  fabulous pieces of work, so please pop over to FSC and have a look, you wont be disappointed.

That's it for now, and I don't have a hangover, which is what this post looks like, but I have pressed something and it has got very messy! 

That's it for now, but before I go I would like to say 'hello' to Kym my new follower, its lovely to see you.

I would like to enter this card in Secret Crafters Challenge - Anything Goes                                                 

                   Glitter Geeks - Brand New                                            

                                              Moving Along with the Times - Step back in Time                                          

Thanks for looking.                                                                                                                                   

Avril x