TPDCC #93 - Fleur

'Fleur'

The Play Date Cafe Challenge #93 (see photo below) is the inspiration for this ATC.  I've used some ARTchix collage papers, gesso, sequin waste (as a stencil) and Brilliance ink pads to create the background.  Stamped images:  Stitched trim (Oxford Impressions), Postal stamps (Stampington) and 'Four-Leaf Clover' (Stampington).

It's been wonderful to start the weekend with a touch of creativity!  I hope you get some time for creative and inky fun this weekend too - if that's what your heart would so desire :)

She Sells Seashells - TMTA Transparent

'She Sells Seashells' ATC

The current challenge at Think Monday Think ATC is 'transparent'.  A scrap of bubble wrap inspired this ATC!  I used a section of bubble wrap to print ink onto the background paper.  For the foreground, I popped the bubbles to help flatten the texture, stapled it to the ATC and added a little gesso and ink to the lower section of the bubble wrap.

All stamped images are from Dark Room Door's 'Seashells' stamp set and the lovely collage image is by ARTchix studios.

Singer Sewing Machine

As I mentioned recently, I am participating in small postcard exchange group this year.  The theme for June was 'Victorian'.  I was having trouble finding inspiration for this theme and resorted to using 'Google' for some assistance!  I discovered that the Singer Sewing Machine scaled for home use was patented in the Victorian Era (1854) by Isaac Merritt Singer. When I came across this useful information I finally knew which direction to take! And lo and behold, I had the perfect images in a new Oxford Impressions plate I had received recently, Sewing Notions.

There's quite a bit of layering of papers and paint and ink and tissue tape (another new love). This piece is almost completely flat, except for one little black safety pin. All the other sewing notions are stamped... I'm surprised that I didn't use any other 3D notions or fabric or trims or ribbon, but well, I haven't!

Life's Journey - Grungy Monday 18

'Life's Journey'

Grungy Monday 18 challenges it's participants this week to incorporate techniques from Tim Holtz' 12 Tags of Christmas...(Day 8).  I focused on two of the techniques, 'baking vellum' and 'water flicking'... both something I haven't tried quite like this before.  I couldn't find plain vellum at home (although I'm sure I have plenty somewhere), so I used a patterned one instead and it didn't seem to affect the result.

All stamp images are by Tim Holtz.  I stamped a map of Paris onto the vellum and coloured it with 'tattered rose' and 'milled lavender' ink.  I then continued working around this colour palette for the rest of the piece.

I'm thinking I might just use this tag then next time I get the oportunity to jump on a plane and visit a new part of the world!

Circus Act

'Circus Act' Postcard

This year I'm participating in a postcard swap group.  Last month's theme was 'bicycles'. 

All these wonderful stamped images are by Tim Holtz. I really enjoyed putting this piece together, attempting to give it a 'Big Top' feel. What a hunky strong man!!!! My how he can balance!

Published - Beach Party

'Beach Party' as see in Cardmaking Stamping and Papercraft Vol 17 No 2.

These October Afternoon stamp images are adorable!  It was great fun preparing the tin and stamping on it.  I hadn't stamped on anything like that before!

TPDCC #92 - Sweetheart

'Sweetheart'

This ATC was inspired by The Play Date Cafe Challenge #92 working with the following colours:  coral, petal pink and antique gold.  What a gorgeous colour combination!

My starting point was this romantic collage image by Darkroom Door from their 'Love Letters' Collection.  All stamped images are also Darkroom Door - the 'Correspondence' set.  The heart is by Prima and once again I've used a stunning Kaisercraft 'sparklet'!

Garden Fairy - Grungy Monday 17

'The Garden Fairy'

Hmmm, I could do with a long, extended visit from the 'Garden Fairy' at present!  Gardening is not my passion and it's a little obvious!  I'm so happy be able to participate in Grungy Monday 17, which this time uses Tim Holtz' technique 'Get Ready to Rock!'  I'm especially happy because it caused me to rip the seal off  and open my jar of Distress Rock Candy Crackle Paint, which had yet to see the light of day.  In fact, I was pleasantly surprised to even find it in my stash!  And now I'm wondering how I ever lived without it?!

I used a lovely Kaisercraft paper for the base of the tag, did a bit of layering with TH Papillon stamps, scattered a few sequins into the mix (affixing them with Stickles Rock Candy), stuck on strips of tissue tape and then covered it all with Rock Candy.  I love the vintage looking German scrap fairy and highlighted sections of the image with Distress Stickles Rock Candy.   The final touch was a gorgous Kaisercraft 'Sparklet! 

Published - A Touch of Whimsy

'10 Quick Cards'

As seen in Cardmaking Stamping & Papercraft Vol 17 No 1.

These lovely whimsical images are available at Stampington & Co.  It was a great doodling challenge to create all the frames for these wonderful characters! 

Published - Fresh Eggs

'Fresh Eggs'

As seen in Cardmaking Stamping & Papercraft Vol 17 No 4.

Oxford Impressions have a wonderful plate of country themed stamps called 'Country Girl'.  I particularly love the old farm house image... what a wonderful home to live in!



Published - 'Tulips'

'Tulips'

As seen in Cardmaking Stamping & Papercraft Vol 17 No 5.

A gorgeous stamp image by Stampington & Co.

Tenderness - Jane Austen

'Tenderness'

All stamped images are from Oxford Impressions 'Jane Austen' rubber plate.

Home - Jane Austen

'Home'

'There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.'  Jane Austen

All stamped images from Oxford Impressions 'Jane Austen' plate.

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

'Pride and Prejudice'

I was so excited when Suzanne at Oxford Impression put together her 'Jane Austen' rubber stamp plate.  Pride and Prejudice is my favourite novel by Jane Austen and I guess it came as no surprise to me, when I envisioned Jane sitting at her writing desk, dreaming up the great romance of Miss Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy.

Published - Sweet Little Feet

'Sweet Little Feet' by Sue Smith



As seen in Cardmaking Stamping & Papercraft Vol 17 No 3.

Little Feet rubber stamp plate is available for purchase at Paperbag Studios.

French Pattern - Regency Fashion

'French Pattern'

These beautiful images from Oxford Impressions 'Regency Fashion' plate are so lovely to work with and as I was putting this work together, I couldn't help but dream of being in Paris.  I'd be treasure hunting at the flea markets and searching for gorgeous textiles and art supplies to take home with me... Oh I'd drop in to the odd museum too!. 

Elegance - Regency Fashion

'Elegance'

When I think of the Regency Fashion, I think of elegance... 

Haute Couture - Regency Fashion

'Haute Couture'

I've been interested in the history of fashion from a very young age and sometimes wish I had had the talent to be a fashion designer.  Working with amazing textiles and embellishments, creating dreamy wearable works of art... what bliss! 

Well the next best thing to designing haute couture is designing paper art works incorporating beautiful textiles and embellishments.  Oxford Impressions 'Regency Fashion' rubber stamp plate provides beautiful imagery from the Regency Era - a favourite fashion era of mine.

Designer - Sewing Notions

'Designer'

I totally love all the images used here and of course they are all from Oxford Impressions Sewing Notions plate.  The lace and button were an op-shop find from my last holiday... there was a great length of this lace tucked away with a whole lot of buttons - a delightful find! 

Reels - Sewing Notions

'Reels'

I was recently entrusted with an assortment of sewing notions that once belonged to my friend's mother.  I have dipped into some of those supplies to create each of the Oxford Impressions 'Sewing Notions' samples I've completed this week.  The zip was just the perfect size for a card and it was the starting point of this piece.  I love the colour of the zip and torn section of the press stud packet.  I know I'm repeating myself but these OI images are a lot of fun to work with :)