Sunday Stamper - Week 254 - Paper Sun

Goooodly Morning Stampers and a very happy Sunday to you all.   As ever, many thanks for all your painty entries for last weeks challenge!  This week is another easy peasy challenge theme... having had this song bopping around my head for the past few days, it had to be a Sunday Stamper theme... so... it is... PAPER.  A few newer readers of my blog have asked "what is the relevance of the song title thing?"  Well, basically, if I wake up with a song in my head, it drives me nuts all day long... so the Sunday Stamper (after about Week 3) always has had a song title with a link to the theme...that way, you too can be irritated by a song bopping around your heads (see, am kind like that lol)  Plus, it is something a little different from other challenges out there and it keeps me on my tootsies.   So, on with the challenge... to join in is simples: make a little something, it can be anything you fancy.  Add in the theme and some stamping.  Pop back here with a link to the place you are showing your entry... if you don't have a blog/web-photo-hosty thingy, you can also join in via email or on Facebook.  The challenge will remain open until 21:00 Saturday 27th April 2013.

This week, my entry is a class sample from my lovely Dabble Day up at Busy Bee's  in Sheffield yesterday.  It is a canvas board with ... yep... paper blocking... ergo, I used papers!  And very old papers at that.  I bought these Cosmo Cricket papers about 276 years ago and because they were so loverly, I couldn't bring myself to cut into them.   Gone are those days, now I am a ruthless paper cutter... I don't hear their squeaks as I slice into them... oh no, in my mind now, papers are meant to be used... go on, admit it, you have a big old pile of "special" papers lurking somewhere and you know they will never be used.... tis time to put a stop to imprisoning your fancy patterns and set them free... and use them to decorate bits of art you can then keep forever and display... well, that's what I thinks anyways lol 

The other cool thing about this paper blocking lark is that is can use up all those ickle bits of paper that are too small to do much with and yet, still, we cannot throw them away.  I am still as bad now for that as I ever was... chuck a teensy off cut into the bin?  Not a prayer, it goes back into the paper pad and into the paper stack again... only to be found several eons later... so... paper blocking... another way of liberating those ickle bits of special paper.   See, I am ruthless indeedily!  Well, apart from my Crate Paper Avenue Collection that are, in no uncertain terms, out of bounds to anyone who dares to even glance at them!  They are my preciousssss *said that in my best Gollum voice*  I do use them... very occasionally... and have promised myself that the big old canvas that has been hiding under my desk will be covered with them... I just needs to bring myself to cut into them... ok, so I needs to really listen to my own advice... but you know what I means... don'tcha?   

Anyways... a big thank you to Jean and her lovely family for hosting yet another fab Dabble Day event... I love going to these Dabble Days, they are a lovely bunch of ladies and always make me feel right at home.  Yesterday I taught this class three times... it was a two hour class so the ladies work in a rotation so they get to do three different classes.  And, normally, I will faff and waffle and forget to finish anything I demo in class... oh but not yesterday... oh ho! I made.. THREE!  I know!  THREE!  So... tomorrow, please do check back... might just be a little giveaway here.... *teehee*   Right, I shall away... I have a day of complete laziness and leisure lined up.  Tis the BTCC from Donnington and as ever, we will be heartily cheering on our very favourite driver... so, as ever.. GO PLATO!  Thanks for looking, have a goodly day!  TTFN

Hels x

Playing With...

...ATC's today :O)) Over on the Play Date Cafe, the new challenge theme is to use a splash of colour, either Teal Blue/Teal Green...so I chose the blue option.



The base of the ATC is a piece of mountboard...I just love using mountboard for ATC's because it is sturdy and you can chuck loads of stuff on it and it doesn't go all warpy like cardstock. Now, to some peeps, the design of this ATC will look really familiar...and that is because I have lost my Mojo *sob*...and ... when I lose my Mojo, I always turn to either books or mags for inspiration...and having recently got myself a copy of the Compendium of Curiosities, there was this little ATC sitting there in the back just calling to me to copy it LOL




I haven't got my mits on any of the new Idea-ology stash yet ... humph... so I used a little hummingbird charm that was in my stash which was gold, so I coloured it with a Krylon to make it match in better. Whatcha fink of the ATC colour???? It is a combo of *big grins* Tumbled Glass and Stormy Sky...yep, the new Distress Inks have come to live with me! So, these colours are just about right for the Play Date challenge - I hope - so the ATC is my entry!




Still in copycat mode, I made another ATC which is in the book...this time using some Cosmo Cricket papers (not got my mits on those heaven new papers from Mr T'Holtz), stuck to mountboard, covered with Rock Candy Cracklepaint, the letters are Grungeboard with printed cardstock over the top...and that little fella...is it just me...or .. does he remind you of Freddie Mercury? I know, the stamp sheet he is on scares me witless... but I had to have him :O)) Oh, and...all of the inks and Idea-ologies used on these can be got from The Artistic Stamper.

Thanks for looking...have a good day ... and please pop by tomorrow for the brand new Sunday Stamper challenge :O))

Hels x

Sunday Stamper - Week 82 - Angels (At The Hop)

Morning Stampers,

Thank you, first of all, to all who joined in with the challenge last week...and this week the new theme is ANGELS. To join in with the challenge, all you need to do is make a piece of art, include the theme and some stamping...and then post a comment here for me with a link to the place you are showing your art...the challenge is open until 23:00 next Saturday, 12th December.




Now, what is the "at the hop" in the title? Well, today sees the launch of a brand new Blog Hop with the Gingersnap Creations team. So....welcome to the first-ever Gingersnap Creations Blog Hop and you have reached Hop Stop #5!




If you’ve already been hopping then hopefully you have just come from Erika at Taylord Concepts. If you are starting here, welcome! It's a loop so you can start anywhere along the way! At each stop, you need to collect a word! There are 10 stops in all starting and ending with The Gingersnap Creations blog where you can get all the specific information and get a peak at the Christmas 2009 plate from Hearts in Touch. When you get all your words, there are 9 in all, unscramble them to form an art quote. Once you have your guess at the quote, email it and your name to gingersnapstamp@gmail.com by December 13, 2009. We will be picking one lucky winner at random from the correct entries to win the Hearts in Touch Christmas 2009 plate! My word is WORLD. Your next stop on the hop is Jean at Bluebird Paperie.

Good luck!!!




Back to the Sunday Stamper...my entry features a beautiful Angel stamp from the Hearts In Touch Christmas Plate which is up for grabs as the Hop Prize. I used Distress Inks to colour her...made her a little shabby looking about the edges and then used some Cosmo Cricket Be Good papers for the background. The sentiment is also on the Hearts In Touch plate too...and I think that this is my fave Christmas sentiment ever :O))

I hope you will have chance to play at the Sunday Stamper and also join in with the Hop too...have a great week everyone...and for the Tim Tag "Splinter Group", I will blog todays tag tomorrow...IYKWIM :O))

Hels x

Sugar Bowl Sketch - Little Gretel Girl

Hey Peeps,

Cor, it is roasting hot here today....so instead of being sensible and taking it easy, I have been cooking...when will I ever learn eh? Anyways, onto to todays offering....art - not food LOL

This card was made using a sketch by Judy for The Sugar Bowl Challenge.




I still had those fab Gretel papers out...you know, the ones I used last week....am sooo untidy! So I decided to use them for this card too.




I used a Gorjuss Girl, coloured with ProMarkers, then added some faux stitching to the papers. The remit on this challenge was to also use some handmade flowers...so I used a few punches and put some matching paper flowers together.

Thanks for looking...hope you having a good day too :O))

Hels x

Sitting Here...Thinking of You....

Hey Peeps,

These cute cards are on a roll at the moment and here is another I have just made...this time using some Cosmo Cricket papers which I have been stroking for far too long...and now they are all cut up and used!




The sketch for the layout on the card is from a card I found on Minxy's cute blog...so can't take the credit for the design....I used Gretel Cosmo papers, faux stitching rub-on's, a Whiff of Joy image, coloured with Copics, flowers by Prima, scrolls by CriCut and sentiment by Magnolia. Oh and I used Old Paper Distress Ink to blend around the edges of the main pieces.




I love the colours on this card and think it is one of my favest evers I have made!

Thanks for looking...have a great day ...

Hels x

TIlda And A True Friend

Hey Peeps,

Well, it couldn't last for long could it? What am I wafflin' on about this time you wonder?

The cute cards are back! LOL

Here is a card I made a few weeks ago and found the pics lurking in a file so thought I would Blog it:

Aw, she is so cute tho! I used the very last remnants of my Cosmo Cricket Kaitlin papers and cut out some Nestie shapes using Bazzill cardstock for the message and for Tilda to stand on.




The little flowers are Prima's with a paper flower popped into the middle to jazz them up a bit. I added little dots of Liquid Pearls to the scallops of the mats and as ever, a little shabby turned corner, I cannot seem to resist doing that for some reason LOL **whoops, almost forgot....I coloured this Tilda in with Prisma pencils....**

Thanks for looking

Hels x

Tagging Santa

Afternoon Peeps,

Here is a tag I made for the HCA swap this month.

I used some Cracklepaint in Fired Brick to create a ... er... crackled (!) effect on the top part of the tag and then blended Fired Brick Distress Ink over the top of the rest of the tag.

I then used some Glimmer Mist in Antique Brass to make a lovely golden shimmer effect over the surface.



I stamped the Santa, which is a Tim Holtz collection stamp and then using a fine paint brush, I coloured in Santa's beard and the holly on his hat, using watered down acrylic paint for this.




The holly motif at the top of the tag is made from Grungeboard and I finished off the tag using Distress Stickles in Fired Brick for the holly berries. The Grunge and the Distress Stickles can be bought from The Artistic Stamper.




I covered the back of the tag with heavenly Cosmo Cricket papers and added another Grungeboard piece, which was painted with Cracklepaint and then fancied up with more Distress Stickles.

Thanks for looking.....

Hels x

Bobby Snow....Again!!

Afternoon All,

More cards for Christmas!! I have made these for my friend Linda to sell to raise some dosh for her charity...every little helps after all. *check out her Blog to see her wonderful creations..she has the most amazing tri-fold cards on there...so clever :O))




Bobby Snow has shown his face again; he was the first snowman I ever designed and I have to admit, he is my favourite :O))



Both cards have been made using the new Cosmo Cricket Christmas papers....oh, they are so lovely to use and as they are double sided...well, it is double the value :O))




The images were coloured using Derwent Aquatone pencils and the holly image is another Stitchels design. I used my 'Bug and Nestabilities for somewhere for Bobby to sit and the greetings are by Inkadinkado... I love these two greetings....you can probably guess that cos these seem to be the only ones I am using this year LOL I also used various colours of Stickles to accent the designs too.




Thanks for looking - and don't forget....a brand new Sunday Stamper theme tomorrow...with added Blog Candy too! Please call back in the morning to check out the challenge and how to win the Candy :O))

Hugs Hels x

Be Good With Blog Candy

Evening peeps,

Another Christmas card made using the fabulous Cosmo Cricket "Be Good" range of papers, I have to say, these are my absolute favourite Christmas papers of all time :O))

I began by stamping a lovely Holly Scroll stamp (Inkadinkado) onto a plain piece of the Be Good paper, embossing the image in gold. I added dots of Ruby Slippers Stickles to make little berries on the holly.



I matted this onto some golden cardstock and then used a small piece of beige card, running it thru my Cuttlebug to emboss a holly design onto it. I matted this onto gold card and just lightly rubbed a little Walnut Stain Distress Ink over the embossed leaves to highlight them. I added a couple of dots of the Ruby Slippers to the berries on the embossed detail.

Matted onto a large piece of the Be Good paper, I finally popped a lovely little sentiment onto the card and et voila, finished!!



Then, I sat there looking at it and thinked to myself....mmmm, it is missing something....so I had a rummage in the Prima stash I have and added a couple of flowers and a brad to the card....much better I think :O)

Now, for the important bit.....I have a little bit of Blog Candy to giveaway to a lucky reader, who will be chosen at random, on Friday 5th December.

The candy is a little sheet of unmounted Stitchels Mini-Mini stamps that I designed. Here is a little piccie of them coloured in, so you can see what you could win:



Along with the unmounted stamp sheet, you will also win a piece of Kling-On Repositionable Cushioning, so you can mount your Stitchels straight away. Now, the Stitchels are mini in size, so they are perfect for those tiny little details you want to add to your ATC's, Inchies, Moo's etc. I will however, be giving away an A5 size sheet of Kling-On, so you will have plenty left over to play with on other stamps :O))



All you need to do to enter this giveaway is add a post here & add a link from your Blog to mine.

There will be another couple of Candy giveaway's later in the month, so please come back and visit to see if you could be the winner :O))

The Stitchels stamps, Kling-On, Distress Inks, Stickles etc used in my project can be found at The Artistic Stamper.

Thanks for looking and I look forward to reading your comments.

Hugs

Hels xx

In My Pocket.......There is a Square

Hello Peeps,

Well, I am a little bit late in posting the new In My Pocket theme this week...I have a really good excuse though...I got up late and ended up rushing about before work...and as soon as I got home I made the Pocket and fair dashed to the laptop to post it! Am I forgiven? :O))

The theme this week is Squares. You can use any medium you like so long as it is square in shape. Here is the template for your Pocket:




For mine, I used the brand new TSV that has finally arrived at Chez Hels....it took long enough but I can say it was deffo worth the wait. For those of you who missed out, I am sad for you cos it truly is the most gorgeous collection of papers, chipboard, ribbons, scrapbooks and photo frames from Cosmo Cricket. Those of you who know me will know that I just looooove Cosmo Cricket and this selection is superb!



I covered my template with co-ordinating papers, stamped cut out a few Stitchels Mini & Mini Mini flowers, which are available from The Artistic Stamper and then popped them onto the Pocket. The squares are inside the flap, three of them which I layered together to make a little mat for my message, which is a stamp from Hero Arts (actually the stamp on the front is by them too!) The closure is actually a chipboard piece which I attached to the base of the Pocket using brads from my stash and then popped a couple more Stitchels on top of it. The buttons on the Stitchels are also from the TSV....they are so cute aren't they?



Anyways, as usual, once you have made your Pocket, please leave a message here and add a link to the place you are showing yours so I can come and nosey :O))

I am taking this opportunity to tell you all that I have some exciting news too!!! Yes! Calv has agreed to join the Creative Design Team for The Artistic Stamper!!! Yippeeeee, welcome Calv, it is great to have you on board...also, equally as exciting, Maddy has agreed to be a very special Guest Designer AND Linda has agreed to become my Principal Artist for the Stitchels range of stamps - so a huge welcome to you both too! I really am sooooo excited, as is Jennie.....and whilst I am prattling on about The Artistic Stamper, I really must point you in the direction of the website and the Blog as there are some exciting new things going on there.....all this excitement...I really must go and have a little lie down now!! Before I go I will just say, please click on the names of the new Design Team members, this will transport you to their own Blogs and I can guarantee that you will all simply love their creations....they are a clever bunch!

Enough from me for one evening, have fun with the Pocket challenge and thanks for looking!

Hugs Hels x