Paperartsy Challenge - die cuts

An interesting challenge this week, see here for info, as sure like most of you I've my favourite handful of dies that get used all the time and loads that seemed a good idea at the time.  One that falls into the second category is a PA die that goes with ELB01 stamps - only because I've always had a nightmare working out how to line it up - to the point that I sent it back to Leandra who kindly gave me some fall proof instructions.

So I set myself a little challenge in using it and here's the result - great to use some old stamps, crackle glaze and embossing powder. 

Thank you for looking xx

Patterns #2

Having not done a lot crafting recently I was on a roll today. I needed another card to send to a friend and wanted to use Patterns in a different way for the Paperartsy challenge  see here for details Out came a long neglected embossing folder - the black card was then hi-lighted with treasure gold.  The flowers are JOFY flowers stamped onto some small design patterned papers and fussy cut out.  So rry for the awful photo

Thank you for looking xx

Patterns #1

The current Paperartsy challenge is Patterns - where to start ........see here

As usual I didn't really have a plan in mind.  I started with some painty stripes in Coral and South Pacific then added patterns with the small Ellen Vargo stamps. A bit too bright at this stage so I applied a wash in Chalk.  

I haven't used my Infusions for ages so with a sprinkle of A bit jaded and a spray of water here's the finished background.

 At this point I was reminded of the seaside.  With the addition of three little JOFY beach huts here's my finished card

Thank you for looking X

Paper Piecing - topic # 13

This is my entry to the current Paperartsy challenge of Paper Piecing - the full details of inspiration from guest designers can be found here.  My first thoughts of paper piecing does involve hours spent on patchwork when I was younger. More recently I've found paper piecing using stamps and patterned papers very therapeutic - I think it's all that cutting out that's relaxing.

Here's a selection of cards I've just made - creating my own patchwork backgrounds as well the main images from oddments of paper.  I haven't 100% finished the owl ones as I've not decided who they're for yet.

Thanks for stopping by xx

Paperartsy Challenge #12- Fabric

I've finally had time to come up with an entry for the latest challenge, see here for full details

I've so many ideas but not enough time at the moment - hopefully might find time over the weekend.

I started by stamping some leaves onto scraps of fabric in archival ink - I think these were the first PA stamps I purchased. These were cut out and machined onto a piece of hessian fabric.  This was too fragile and kept fraying so I backed it onto a scrap of calico.  

I then cut a bird shape from felt and stitched this into place.  To finish I added some die cut fabric flowers and beads.  The bottom photon gives the most realistic view of the colours as it had clouded over again when I took these. 

Thank you for popping by to look xx

Resist Tag

As I can't get out into the garden today I thought I'd make my own little indoor one instead.  This is bit of a test piece using various resist techniques.  Over the last couple weeks the Paperartsy blog has show cased numerous techniques which can be seen here

The background includes metallic glaze through a stencil as the resist.

The flowers were stamped and enmbossed in white for the resist before colouring with distress ink.

I didn't have much success with glossy accents as the resist under fresco paint - found it hard to remove the paint just from the heart.  Something to try again.

 And lastly this was oil pastels scribbled onto card with distress inks on top - quite liked the effect this gave - should have taken a photo before die cutting though

Thank you for looking X

Resist Birthday Cards

The current Paperartsy topic 7 is resists, see here for some well known and not so well known techniques Resists.  This is one of those lovely techniques I always forget about. I've a few birthdays coming up so decided to make several similar cards this morning. In each I've stamped and embossed with white powder. My favourite purple/lilac distress inks made an appearance in the background and additional stamping.

And here's close up of each card

 

I'm entering this into the Paperartsy challenge and the Country View Crafts theme of Spring details here.

Thank you for popping by x