Feathers & Flutters...

Cor blimey and thrice!   I can't believe how quickly this year is whizzing past, June already!!   Which means it is time for me to show you my offering for this month's Creative Carte Blance blog theme of "Winged Things".   Now, it is no secret that I usually managed to bung a butterfly somewhere on my creations and I positively squealed with delight when I saw what Susan had picked for the theme this month!  Hurrah!  Any old excuse eh?   To see all the details on how to join CLICK HERE and you will be transported immediately on the back of a giant bumblebee to the Creative Carte Blanche blog.

I decided to try and bung as many winged things as possible onto my canvas... starting with birds.  I used the most delightful Birds of Paradise papers from ScrapBerry's as a base and being as I'd cut up a lot of them, I used the offcuts, layered them up and created a blocky collage.  Each piece of paper was edged with Ground Espresso Distress Ink to create a bit of a border on them so the layers stand out a bit.  The second bit of the winged theme is beeswax.  Well, it comes from bees... and they have wings :O)   A liberal slap of wax melted in my Melt Pot, all over the papers, adding extra depth in places for a more rustic effect and just set it aside to dry... no re-melting with a heat tool as this will make the wax soak through the paper and spoil the effect.

I made some paper roses using Tim's Tattered Florals die (wish I had a quid for every rose I've made... it must be in the thousands now, I am addicted lol)  These were then dipped into the melted wax in the Melt Pot and set aside to cool off.  The wax soaks into the papers a bit so it gives a slightly darker effect to the roses.  I did the same with Tim's Tattered Leaves, crinkling them up before dipping so they keep a bit of shape.  Tim's new Doily die?  You seen it? You got it? I LOVE it!!!  I have them both *greedy* and used just half of one of the cuts to dip through the wax... a waxy doily, how cool!

Of course, I needed a sentiment, so I stamped one of Tim's new wordy stamps, quickly painted beeswax over the top and then popped 3d foam onto the back of it.... the reason for the 3d foam is simples... you need to use hot glue to fasten anything to beeswax surfaces... hot glue would re-melt the wax on the stamped words making them look a bit ugly... the foam prevents re-meltage when the hot glue is applied and also lifts the little word block up and away from the surface of the canvas, making it stand out more.   I stamped a Darkroom Door butterfly, dipped that through the wax too and then popped him onto the canvas too.  A few more embellies to finish and there you go... lots of wings and things!

I shall away now... I am busy with the Ink Buds this weekend... and I also have news of more TV shows so watch this space for times and dates etc.   Thanks for looking, have a grand weekend!  TTFN

Hels x

Sunday Stamper - Week 369 - Merry Christmas Everybody

Goooodly Morning Stampers and a very happy sunny Sunday to you all!  Thanks for your entries into the last challenge... twas great to see your lovely creations!  This week the theme is a little different - a double theme of CHRISTMAS and NO STAMPING NEEDED (although you can use stamping if you want to, you don't have to this time!)   To join in with the challenge is simples: make a little something; a card, canvas, ATC, a piece of altered art... the choice.. it be yours! Add in some stamping if you want to and then hop back here, leave me a comment with a link to the place you are showing your entry and I can come see you.   If you haven't got a blog, you can join in via Facebook (just tag me name) or by emailing a small res.pic to me or by leaving me a link to your Pinterest or any other photo hosting site.  The challenge will remain open until 21:00 Saturday 2nd January 2016.

So! The reason for the double theme this week is because yours truly here is a numpty (you knew that right?) and I completely forgot to add any stamping into my entry!  But, I really love this make so decided to go with it anyway and free up the restrictions a wee bit too. Have you tried the new Distress Mosiac Kit yet?  Oh my wordy indeedily!  I am totes in lurve with this new kit.... and am thoroughly addicted to using it.  It is simple to use and gives great results every time... this little Christmas tree hanging was made using a Studio 490 Art Part as a base - it is the inny bit from one of the Art Part frames which are really sturdy - that is the only thing you really need to remember with this kit - use a sturdy base otherwise the grout makes it go wibby-wobbly.  The papers are from Tim's new Yuletide collection (how cute is that Santa?) and I used the Teensy Tattered Florals die to cut some little flowers for decoration and added a couple of Festive Chit Chat stickers to finish it off.

I have been on my death bed this past week! Oh yesh, I have been beating the Grim Reaper off with a snot filled hanky and a chesty cough... I am happy to report I made it through and am feeling muchly improved now.  I hate having a cold... that awful cannot-breath-or-smell-or-taste feeling... yuk!  It is completely my own fault tho.  Grim had a cold last week and I was all "oh it is yonks since I got a cold, I rarely get them...."  Haha, famous last words!   We went to see Simply Red last Sunday (they were amazing) and I fear that the nice bloke behind me who was hacking and sneezing onto the back of my head may well have shared his germ with me.  How kind! NOT!

Are you all set and ready for Christmas?  I am happy to report that for the first time ever, I am!  No rushing around like a complete loon trying to post cards and wrap pressies.. oh ho! I am all prepared, all I need to do is buy veggies on Christmas Eve and ta-dah... done!   As this Sunday Stamper spans the Christmas and New Year period, I will just take this opportunity to say a mahoosive thank you to all of you who have joined in with my little challenge during 2015 and I hope that Christmas is all you wish for and that you have a marvellous 2016.  That's all for now... thanks for looking... TTFN!

Hels x

Sunday Stamper - Week 368 - Pipes of Peace

Goooodly Morning Stampers and a very happy blustery  Sunday to you all!  Thanks for your entries into the last challenge... twas great to see your lovely vintage makes!  This week the theme is ... PEACE.   To join in with the challenge is simples: make a little something; a card, canvas, ATC, a piece of altered art... the choice.. it be yours! Add in some stamping and then hop back here, leave me a comment with a link to the place you are showing your entry and I can come see you.   If you haven't got a blog, you can join in via Facebook (just tag me name) or by emailing a small res.pic to me or by leaving me a link to your Pinterest or any other photo hosting site.  The challenge will remain open until 21:00 Saturday 19th December 2015.
 

I have made a tag for my entry this week - it is a size 8 manila and covered with Tim's gorgeous new Christmas papers - these colours are right up my street for Christmas and the patterns are so vintage and nostalgic looking.  Once the tag was covered, I knocked back the print on the paper a little bit rubbing a bit of Antique Linen Distress Paint over and smudging with my fingers... then blending Fired Brick and Ground Espresso DI's around the edge.

I used the new Distress Splatter Brush to add speckles of Peeled Paint Distress Paint to the background (my new fave tool!) and then die cut some flowers - Tattered Florals as usual to make the rose which was edged with Fired Brick DI and splattered with Antique Linen DP to add speckles... and some leaves using the Winter Greens Thinlets die and the same papers.  I made a bow using Crinkle Ribbon coloured with Fired Brick DI and popped a few little resin roses and some pearly swirls on to add a bit of extra dimension.  The sentiment was stamped onto one of the little labels in the paper pack and 3d'd onto the tag.

As usual I am rushing around so a short and sweet post from me today... please do check back soon tho as I have been playing with the new Distress Mosaic kit and having a right old ball!   Thanks for looking, have a grand Sunday!  TTFN

Hels x

Sunday Stamper - Week 367 - Just An Old Fashioned Girl

Goooodly Afternoon Stampers and a very happy  Sunday to you all!  Thanks for your entries into the last challenge... I loved seeing all your gorgeous entries!  This week the theme is ... VINTAGE.   To join in with the challenge is simples: make a little something; a card, canvas, ATC, a piece of altered art... the choice.. it be yours! Add in some stamping and then hop back here, leave me a comment with a link to the place you are showing your entry and I can come see you.   If you haven't got a blog, you can join in via Facebook (just tag me name) or by emailing a small res.pic to me or by leaving me a link to your Pinterest or any other photo hosting site.  The challenge will remain open until 21:00 Saturday 5th December 2015.

 My entry is a whoppping mahooooosive canvas (12" x 16") I decorated... it was my class sample from my Melt Pot class yesterday for Ali-Craft in South Hykeham... we had a glorious day getting all hot with the Melting Pots... you all know how much I love anything with a smidge of beeswax slapped on it and this canvas sure is covered in it!

The papers are from Prima's Archivers collection - they are beautiful... the colours are right in my comfort zone... and I just edged them with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink to give them a bit of oomph.  The flowers are made from Tim's Tattered Florals die... they are my fave flowers to make - you'd never have guessed that right?  I just edged these with Aged Mahogany to give them a bit of a pinky tone and then dipped them right into beeswax to coat them... I did the same with the leaves which are Tim's Tattered Leaves... and then I added a butterfly - stamped onto the same card and also dipped into the wax and pearls added for his body.  The birdy is my Carabelle Studio FAVE bird stamp EVER *and I have a lot of birdy stamps!* ... he was stamped onto the same papers and cut out, inked and then glued down before I waxed so he looks part of the design.  The little embellies are moulds of UTEE poured from the Melt Pot and then generously coloured with Treasure Gold - I am loving the flower... the different metallic colours look so pretty IRL.

Thanks for looking and have a great rest-of-the-day... I am about to bung a leg of lamb into the oven (yes, the Domestic Goddess in me is alive and kicking today) and I shall be serving it with cauliflower cheese (nomnomnom), swede and carrot mash, roastie spuds and sweetheart cabbage.  A few Yorkshire Puds will also put in appearance along with my special mint gravy too... ohalalaaaa... and wait til I tell you what is for pud!!!  Mmmm, I am positively drooling and having to sit on my hands so I don't go and nibble at it already... my favest raspberry cheesecake and..... double cream!!!  I can hear my hips saying "please no" but today I shall be listening to my mouth which is saying "give me something tasty!"   Well, it is a well known fact that raspberry cheesecake and double cream is actually completely free of calories if eaten after lamb... they cancel each other out you see... *ahem*    Right, I shall love you and leave you and say.... TTFN!

Hels x

P.S.  Now... I have some verrrry exciting news to share but I will keep you in suspenders for a few more hours... check back tomorrow when I will be letting you know about a grand new adventure! 

Those Crazy Birds!!!

...uh-oh!  It has happened!  Yes, I have succumbed to the lure of the Crazy Birds!   Last week I spent a couple of days at the NEC on the Craft Obsessions stand having a ball playing with all things Distress, Gelato's and Tim stamps and stencils.  Thank you to all who popped by to see me, it was lovely to put names to faces and to see your enthusiasm for all things inky and messy too.  Also a big thank you to Brenda and David for putting up with me too!   So.  These birds.  They have accessories!  So you can dress them up! All of a sudden I "got" them... I mean, come on, who wouldn't want to put bunny ears on a bird right?  Anyways, here are two of the samples I made during the show... First up is Mr Painter Bird and his mate who is looking rather jealous of Painter's rather splendid brush in his chops. This was dead easy to make... Spritz Distress Spray onto card, blow like billio *yes, I nearly hyperventilated* dry, spritz another colour, repeat with the blow like billio *stop for much needed oxygen hit* and then stamp, die cut and colour all the components.  The brush is just soooo cute isn't it?  Well, Brenda saw this sample and said... you could use the bristles to make a moustache!  Hey! What a grand idea!!! 

However, with this second card I got thoroughly carried away and instead of a moustache... he has... a flat top!!!  This little fella is all about the Gelato's.  The background is Gelato blending through a few stencils and he is painted in with them... check out his jazzy bow tie too... that's using the metallic Gelato's.

Right, that's me for today... I am about to set off to Preston for my class tomorrow at Inspirations... I am not looking forward to the M6..... hope it isn't toooooo busy!  Ha, who am I kidding!!!   Thanks for looking and have a great day!  TTFN

Hels x

Sunday Stamper - Week 366 - Imagine

Goooodly Morning Stampers and a very happy  Sunday to you all!  Thanks for your entries into the last challenge... it was nice to see some new peeps entering too, so thank you!  This week is a nice easy theme... just use the word IMAGINE.   To join in with the challenge is simples: make a little something; a card, canvas, ATC, a piece of altered art... the choice.. it be yours! Add in some stamping and then hop back here, leave me a comment with a link to the place you are showing your entry and I can come see you.   If you haven't got a blog, you can join in via Facebook (just tag me name) or by emailing a small res.pic to me or by leaving me a link to your Pinterest or any other photo hosting site.  The challenge will remain open until 21:00 Saturday 21st November 2015.

My entry this week is a class sample from a few weeks ago.  As you all know, I loves Distress and especially Distress Paints... I love the freedom they give me to smoosh the colours around a project.  I used Mowed Lawn, Mermaid Lagoon, Broken China and Cracked Pistachio Distress Paints on this project... there's Ranger's Texture Paste on there too under the paints, smooshed on thru Tim's Flourish Layering Stencil... I used my magic little Stabilo All pencil to add shading around the stencilling to make it pop from the background a bit.

The decoration is made using Tim's Perspective butterfly, stamped three times, cut out so it is smaller with each layer and coloured with Cracked Pistachio, Twisted Citron and Spiced Marmalade.   I added buttons, pearls and little star gems which I coloured with Treasure Gold so they were metallic rather than just being any old colour.  I also used the Ornate Frame die, Tim's new Sprig punch (this is FAB) and Tim's Mixed Media diecuts on the canvas and the words is formed of letter from his Alphabet Thinlets dies.   Around the edge of the canvas I did my usual two tone look - I know, I do this all the time but I like the look of it!

That's all for today... I hope you have a cracking day whatever you have planned... thanks for looking and... TTFN

Hels x

Just Crazy 'Bout The Birds...

...I love this particular time of the year as it means it is the NEC Hobbycraft show and once again, I have the pleasure of demo-ing for the lovely Brenda and David from Craft Obsessions on their stand.  I have been shopping with Craft Obsessions since I first discovered, with huge thanks to my then new friend and now BFF Andrea, that there were such things as craft shops on yonder t'internet!!!  Fancy that!!!   This was in 2006 I hasten to add - I might be a bit of a div with all things teckernerolgicals but I certainly know how to add stuff to a basket ;O))    If you haven't visited Craft Obsessions before (where have you been!!!) HERE is the linky to the shop... just a little word of warning tho... there is a tonne of gorgeousness there and you will be tempted *don't say I didn't warn thee!*

Anyways, yesterday and tomorrow (7th November) I am demoing again for David and Brenda (stand E20) and have been playing with lots of lovely stuff... including all things Distress and... Gelato's.  Now I haven't used these before so I gave myself a good long sesh playing with them and coming up with different ways to use them and effects to achieve with them.  I admit when I first started playing I did think they were a bit, well, ummm odd... they look like a lipstick, feel like wax and yet will dilute with water!  Once I had got my bonce around that I was well away... and I loves them now!  I have even been mixing them with Distress, combining two completely different products together is fun!

Gelato's background and colouring for butterfly with Distress Ink edges

As well as the inky side of things, I have also been let loose with the Bird Crazy stamps, accessories and dies... oh ho ho!  I had said to Brenda that I wasn't going to use them... nope, not going to... didn't even really like them! Ummmm... I am the first to admit when I am wrong and yes, I was wrong!  THEY ARE SO CUTE!!!!  As are the little accessory stamps that have been designed to go with the birdys so you can... DRESS THEM UP!!!!   As soon as I saw the bunny ears and the specs I knew I was lost!  This card has been made with a mix of Distress and Gelato's and the left hand bird has been togged up to look a little bit like a 1970's tv detective *obviously I have seen said detective progs on UK Gold, faaar too young to remember them.... ahem*  And his compadre on the right is a bit of a divvy with his bunny ears and hanging around upside down... but he loves his little detective matie... we all have that one friend, right?  *mm, usually me*

So, if you are going to be at the NEC tomorrow (Saturday) please do pop by to the Craft Obsessions stand... it would be grand to see you there.   I shall away now... I have the Sunday Stamper post to schedule now... I am away off to South Shields really early on Sunday so I need to get organised (for once).    Have a goodly weekend peeps... thanks for looking... TTFN!

Hels x

Sunday Stamper - Week 365 - Freedom

Goooodly Morning Stampers and a very happy  Sunday to you all!  Thanks for your entries into the last challenge... sorry I have been hit and miss with the posting of the challenge... I have decided that the Sunday Stamper will now be a fortnightly challenge, that gives me more time in between to visit you all and make the next theme!!!  To start the new regime, I have decided a lovely easy theme... and it is FREE.   To join in with the challenge is simples: make a little something; a card, canvas, ATC, a piece of altered art... the choice.. it be yours! Add in some stamping and then hop back here, leave me a comment with a link to the place you are showing your entry and I can come see you.   If you haven't got a blog, you can join in via Facebook (just tag me name) or by emailing a small res.pic to me or by leaving me a link to your Pinterest or any other photo hosting site.  The challenge will remain open until 21:00 Saturday 7th November 2015.

I have been playing with some new stamps... from Carabelle Studio... isn't this birdy just the most delish fella!!!  All the detailing on his feathers and the look on his face, it just appealed to me!  I made an inky background on the tag by blending Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge and Ground Espresso Distress Inks onto the tag and then lightly spritzing a patch of it with water.  I popped a stencil over the top of the tag and misted it with water, removing the stencil carefully, leaving the water to do its magic with the ink and leaving little bleached shapes behind... I love this technique.

I added some more stencilling using Tim's Blossom stencil and Ground Espresso ink across the top of the tag and then set about decorating it... Mr Birdy is stamped onto cream card, cut out and then coloured with Antique Linen and Ground Espresso ink and popped onto 3d foam to raise him up a bit.  The little flowers are Tim's Tiny Tattered Florals... how cute are these!!! Fiddly but soooo cute!!!  I added the word which is another of Tim's diecuts... and then edged around the tag with more Ground Espresso so I had a nice framed finish to it.

That's all for today... I am scheduling this post as I am away to sunny Sheffield first thing for a class... I will hopefully get time during the week to pop pics of the class on here.   Hope you having a great day and thanks for looking!  TTFN

Hels x

Sunday Stamper - Week 364 - Forever Autumn

Goooodly Morning Stampers and a very happy Autumnal Sunday to you all!  Thanks for your entries into the last challenge... and apologies for missing a week... time got away with me last weekend and before I knew it it was yesterday!!!  This week the theme is... AUTUMN.   To join in with the challenge is simples: make a little something; a card, canvas, ATC, a piece of altered art... the choice.. it be yours! Add in the theme AND some stamping. Then hop back here, leave me a comment with a link to the place you are showing your entry and I can come see you.   If you haven't got a blog, you can join in via Facebook (just tag me name) or by emailing a small res.pic to me or by leaving me a link to your Pinterest or any other photo hosting site.  The challenge will remain open until 21:00 Saturday 10th October 2015.

My entry this week is a tag I made yesterday during my demo day at Daisy's Jewels in Coventry.  I had a lovely time - thank you to all the ladies who came along to see me getting my paws inky too.
 

The base of the tag has Fossilized Amber, Rusty Hinge and a smidge of Ground Espresso DI blended onto it.... I then did a bit of stencilling using Tim's Argyle stencil and Fossilized Amber and then popped Tim's Blossom stencil over the top and used Ground Espresso to add some more detail.  The decoration is teensy flowers made using the Teensy Tattered Florals dies... how cute are these!!!  I thought they would be a right faff to put together but Tim has cleverly added a quilling tool into the die pack so it was a doddle... and aren't they just so sweet!!!  But where is the stamping???  Aha!  See the top right and bottom left?  There is a grungy little detail there using a Carabelle stamp - I have just discovered this range of stamps (I know, I live under a rock...) and I have to say I am in lurves!! They are delish and on white rubber too....  I think I can see a new addiction appearing!

I shall away now... I am just heading off for a class back at Daisy's... all things Melt Pottery today!  I will be back either tomorrow or Tuesday with a little bit of news... a new arrival in the Sheridan family and I can't wait to share him with you!   On that bombshell I shall say... have a grand day... thanks for looking and... TTFN!

Hels x

Sunday Stamper - Week 363 - Whole Lotta Rosie

Goooodly Morning Stampers and a very happy Sunday to you all!  Thanks for your entries into last weeks nature themed challenge.  This week the theme is... ROSES.   To join in with the challenge is simples: make a little something; a card, canvas, ATC, a piece of altered art and add on some roses - be they handmade, paper, stamped, real... the choice.. it be yours! Add in the theme AND some stamping. Then hop back here, leave me a comment with a link to the place you are showing your entry and I can come see you.   If you haven't got a blog, you can join in via Facebook (just tag me name) or by emailing a small res.pic to me or by leaving me a link to your Pinterest or any other photo hosting site.  The challenge will remain open until 21:00 Saturday 26th September 2015.

My entry this week is a glass jar *yes, I have been scoffing more pickled onions!* that I altered using the Rock Candy Crackle technique - I love the crackle effect on the glass!  The roses were made using Tim's Tattered Florals die and the Mini Tattered Florals Movers & Shapers die- cutting cream card, inking with Cracked Pistachio and Dusty Concord Distress Ink and overstamping with the Dusty Concord and a Studio 490 background stamp to add a bit of prettiness to them.  There is a tutorial I did ages ago with a step by step on how to make these roses - doesn't matter whether they are the big or little ones... the tut will work for both... tis over there in the sidey bar *points left*

Once the roses were made, I fired up my Melt Pot and melted Clear UTEE into it... then dipped the roses into the clear UTEE to create a faux porcelain effect.  The leaves are the Mini Tattered Leaves Movers & Shapers - also cut from cream card, inked with Peeled Paint DI and overstamped with Forest Moss DI... and also dipped into the clear UTEE.  The sentiment is a Studio 490 stamp, popped onto another of Tim's dies - the Movers & Shapers Labels die.

What a gorgeous day it is here today... bright blue sky and sunshine... which means that I might nip into the garden for a few hours tidying and getting ready for autumn... the old cad Mojo is still not here all the time so while he is away, I shall get greenfingered instead of inkyfingered!  I hope you have a grand day!  Thanks for looking... TTFN

Hels x

Blink....

....and you miss it!!!   Miss what???  Time!!! That's what!!!  I cannot believe that I haven't blogged for over a month!!!  How very remiss!!!  Right, that is enough with the exclamation marks and time for me to offer sincere apologies for neglecting my poor old blog and you lovely dear readers.  I have a few reasons... firstly, as I mentioned a few weeks (ok, months) ago, my Alf hasn't been very well and whilst the medication he was taking was helping, the *whispers* v e t advised that surgery would be the best for him.  So, he went ahead and his left thyroid gland removed three weeks ago.  I am pleased to report that he seems to be back to normal - actually, the moment I opened his box after bringing home from his surgery, he was like "back to normal"... he is a little soldier bless him.  He is due blood tests next week to check thyroid levels and all being well, they will come back normal.

My other excuse... well, apart from still not being completely 100% in myself (I am kind of used to it now and am learning to cope and get on with things normally) my chuffing Mojo went and chuffed off... I know he has gone walkabout in the past... but never for this long!!!  I was looking back through my photo's on the laptop earlier and noted that it actually beetled off around April time!!!  Anyways, I have been staring whistfully into the Room of Stash every morning in the vain hope that the old git Mojo would have come home... but nope, no sign of him.  Until this morning!!!  Oh yesh, I awoke early and as I was passing by the Room of Stash I glanced in and spotted a nearly finished project that I taught at Crafty Corner at the beginning of July.  And just behind said project was the top of Mojo's ears poking out!  So, I grabbed him, chained him to my desk, whacked a couple of nails through his ears for goodly measure and set about finishing off a few projects!

I actually made a whole project too.. and guess what?  I just scheduled it as the Sunday Stamper for next week!  I did have a bit of fun.. ok, a lot of fun... making it!  In the meantime I am showing you my now finished project from my Around the Block class.  And funnily enough, I am back at Crafty Corner again tomorrow!  This piece is a 3 x 4 x 2 block of wood, painted, inked, stamped and generally altered.... I do love playing with blocks of wood you know... I want to do a whole set of wooden blocks in different shapes and sizes to make my own little street... see, Mojo is most deffo back in the Room of Stash!  HURRAH!  I was really worried, I will admit, that he had gone forever and I was going to be left just staring at ink and paper and stamps and wondering what happened!

Anyways, I shall away... tis nearly bedtime as I am up at stoopid o'clock for my trip up North... thanks for looking... hope you are all keeping well and having lots of inky fun!  TTFN

Hels x

Curiously Altered...

Gooooodly Morning to all you lovely Compendium-ers!  Today sees the start of another brand new Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge.  To see all the details on how to join in with the challenge, CLICK HERE.  Also, if you pop across to Linda's blog, you will see all gorgeous creations that my talented teamies on the Curiosity Crew have made... they never cease to amaze me with their inspirational ideas and art!   The challenge is sponsored by the Inspiration Emporium this time... so you will have a chance of winning a very generous Gift Certificate to spend there.  Tim & Mario have, as ever, very kindly donated goodies for an extra prize... which will be awarded to the "Curiosity Crew's Choice"... so you have two chances of winning fabby prizes!  If you haven't got your Compendium book just yet, you can order a signed copy directly from the man himself... HERE.  And... Linda has also done a FAQ page for you.. HERE it is... all the info you will need is listed there.   This week we are turning to Page 45 of the book and trying out the Altered Surfaces technique.  As ever with the Compendium Challenge, neither I, nor the Curiosity Crew, will be posting the technique instructions and participants must not do so either. We all want to encourage people to buy Tim's awesome book; giving away the instructions wouldn’t be fair to him. Linda will have no choice but to un-link any entries that don’t follow this rule.  

I had much fun playing with this technique.  I made *another* tag for my collection.  This one started off with a piece of Tim's Correspondance papers laid over the tag and stuck down with Glue & Seal.  I wanted the paper to be more in the background so I knocked it back with a wash of Antique Linen Distress Paint, watered down and applied with Cut & Dry foam... this lets the pattern still show but not as brightly.  I edged the tag with Walnut Stain DI just to age it up a bit.  Of course, there has to be some stamping so I used my little harlequin stamp and Jet Black Archival ink.

I used Tim's Flourish Stencil and Wendy's Black Embossing Paste... then sprinkling Ranger's Queen's Gold embossing powder over the embossing paste.  Once the paste had dried, I heated up the embossing powders so they melted onto the textured surface.  I love this technique!  The heart is sticky back canvas stuck to Grungeboard, die cut using a Movers & Shapers heart, sprayed with Fired Brick Distress Spray Stain and then wrapped with a bit of rusty wire.  I added on my "altered surfaces" and a bit of flower trim and voila, finished!

Don't forget, you have two whole weeks to enter the challenge... and a bat at the chance of grabbing the Crew's Choice prize which is a mahooosive haul of stash donated personally by Tim & Mario... so if you are joining in, remember to comment on all the Crew's blogs and you will be in with a chance of winning that too *believe me, this is one gigantic pile of goodies*!  Thanks for looking, have an inky and inspirational day!  TTFN

Hels x

It's Been A Long Time!

...indeedily it has!   What with one thing and another, my poor old blog has been neglected but hopefully things are starting to gain some equilibrium now and I can start to get back to normal service.  Thank you for thinking of me and Grim and for you safe wishes for us.  We are safely back from holibobs - what an amazing adventure we had - and thankfully weren't caught up in the horror in Sousse.  It would be remiss of me not to mention that my heart goes out to all those who were involved in that mindless atrocity.

I have had a few things going on of late - personal stuff, health stuff... not only my health but also my AlfieCat who has become ill recently, that has been most worrying as you can imagine.  He is now on medication and, fingers crossed very tightly, seems to be responding to the treatment.  He needs to have more tests with the *whispers* V E T next week and all being well they will bring goodly news for us all.

With all that going on I haven't really had chance to catch up or to get into the Room of Stash.  The canvas I am showing you here is one I made in class at the end of May (yes, I am that far behind!) and also... is inspired by my canvas I did for Craft Stamper which hit the shelves last Friday.  It is so nice to be back in the magazine!  HERE's a linky to the Craft Stamper blog where you can find details of the new challenge and other fun stuff too.

I shall away now... my Room looks like Miss Haversham's dining room... knee deep in dust and cobwebs and looking ever so slightly neglected... I need to get tidied up and clean up and then I can get inky!  Thanks for looking.. have a grand evening.  TTFN

Hels x

Sunday Stamper - Week 359 - Trains and Boats and Planes... **TWO WEEK CHALLENGE**

Goooodly Morning Stampers and a very happy sunny summer Sunday to you all!  Big thanks to you all for joining in with the challenge last week.  Next week the Sunday Stamper will be on his holibobs so this challenge is a two-weeker.  The song title and theme this time is all about... TRAVEL.  You can make absolutely anything you fancy, be it a journal page, a card, a canvas or even, like I have done, a folio to start collecting bits and bobs from my travels.    To join in with the challenge is simples: make a little something, it can be anything you fancy.  Add in the theme AND some stamping. Then hop back here, leave me a comment with a link to the place you are showing your entry and I can come see you.   If you haven't got a blog, you can join in via Facebook (just tag me name) or by emailing a small res.pic to me or by leaving me a link to your Pinterest or any other photo hosting site.  The challenge will remain open until 21:00 Saturday 20th June 2015.

My entry is a Tim Holtz Folio that I have decorated using various stashly goodies.  I started with some Correspondence papers... cutting them to size and corner punching them (they always look so much neater IMO) and edging the lot with Vintage Photo DI.

I layered up some of Tim's Ephemera... tickets and tokens and what-nots and added one of my new fave Framelits - the butterfly!  Yes, here he is... much smaller than his original counterpart but so easy to use.  Stamp the butterfly, pop the die over the top, die cut... colour... simples!  I did the same with the little row of stars too and also added them on their own... just stamped in black Archival ink... I love stars and I think this might be a new fave stamp you know!

I also die cut some Mixed Media thinlets... love this framework, especially in black, it just adds that little something to a project.... and I also painted up an Alphapart thingy with Antique Linen DP... half dried it then wiped off the still wet paint to reveal a faux enamelled look... cool huh!   Now all I need to do is take a shedload of photo's.... good ones too *actually, I might let Grim take all the photo's and then steal them off him!* and then I can get cracking at altering the inside of my Folio... I plan for it to be a travel-log of our adventures in 2015.

That's all from me for the time being... as I hinted, it is holibobs time... I will still be around *wifi permitting* but we are taking a well earned break *plus, there is the small matter of my birthday next Saturday which, of course, needs celebrating in style! And remember, all cake on June 13 is free from all calorifics... so fill your...erm... cakeholes!*  Before we jet off to sunnier climes, there be another round of the BTCC to watch... so I shall cheer and shout... GO PLATO!  Thanks for looking, have a great two weeks!  TTFN

Hels x

Curiously Faux Cracked...

Gooooodly Morning to all you lovely Compendium-ers!  Today sees the start of another brand new Compendium of Curiosities 3 Challenge.  To see all the details on how to join in with the challenge, CLICK HERE.  Also, if you pop across to Linda's blog, you will see all gorgeous creations that my talented teamies on the Curiosity Crew have made... they never cease to amaze me with their inspirational ideas and art!   The challenge is sponsored by the Funkie Junkie Boutique this time... so you will have a chance of winning a very generous Gift Certificate to spend there.  Tim & Mario have, as ever, very kindly donated goodies for an extra prize... which will be awarded to the "Curiosity Crew's Choice"... so you have two chances of winning fabby prizes!  If you haven't got your Compendium book just yet, you can order a signed copy directly from the man himself... HERE.  And... Linda has also done a FAQ page for you.. HERE it is... all the info you will need is listed there.   This week we are turning to Page 54 of the book and trying out the Faux Cracked Glass technique.  As ever with the Compendium Challenge, neither I, nor the Curiosity Crew, will be posting the technique instructions and participants must not do so either. We all want to encourage people to buy Tim's awesome book; giving away the instructions wouldn’t be fair to him. Linda will have no choice but to un-link any entries that don’t follow this rule.  

You have heard the saying "they suffered for their art" right?  Well, I sure did suffer for my art for this project... I ate me bodyweight in pickled onions so I had the jar I wanted to transform!  I have done this technique on several size bottles before but I wanted a big old fella to jazz up as I am going to be using it as a pen/brush pot.  *ok, so I may have had help eating said pickled onions from Grim... and I may have had this jar kicking around for a few weeks, waiting patiently for its transformation... but it sounded good... didn't it?*

Instead of using the inks suggested by Tim in the book, I decided to try out Distress Spray Stains... I have to say I am rather chuffed with the results.  I used Frayed Burlap, Forest Moss and Vintage Photo sprays... letting them soak right into the crackles and then heating the jar to set them.  Of course, they are waterbased so won't be as permanent as the inks suggested... but this won't be getting wet so... it works for me! 

The roses were made using Tim's Tattered Florals and Mini Tattered Florals Movers & Shapers dies and Correspondance papers... a few leaves from the Mini Tattered Leaves die and a few twiggy bits gave me the embellies I wanted.  I cut a plaque using manila card, inked it with Stormy Sky and Faded Jeans DI's and then stamped one of my fave Studio 490 sentiments and of course, added my little harlequin stamp too. To finish I wound some string around the jar to make it a bit more rustic... and voila, one altered jar! 

Don't forget, you have two whole weeks to enter the challenge... and a bat at the chance of grabbing the Crew's Choice prize which is a mahooosive haul of stash donated personally by Tim & Mario... so if you are joining in, remember to comment on all the Crew's blogs and you will be in with a chance of winning that too *believe me, this is one gigantic pile of goodies*!  Thanks for looking, have an inky and inspirational day!  TTFN

Hels x

Fly Free....

...I know, don't all pass out... I am blogging for the third time this week! Yikes!  Does this mean I am finally catching up on stuff I have been letting slip???  Hopefully!!!  Anyways... here is today's offering:  last month I did a demo weekend over at Daisy's Jewels in Coventry and was concentrating on all things Tim and Ranger.  I used a big Size 12 Ranger Manila tag for the base of my creation....

Using Distress Paints: Scattered Straw, Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap, mixed and marbled for the background coverage, I then used Tim's Blossom Layering Stencil and added Vintage Photo Distress Ink over the stencil and around the edges of the tag to add a bit of vintageness.

The rose is made from Tim's Jumbo Tattered Florals die... this is a big beauty.. around 5" in size... wow!  I added in a few leaves and some Winter Greens and then die cut the letters from Tim's new Alphabet Thinlets dies... A few bits of the new Mixed Media Thinlets in black card to add a bit of definition for the design and a few little butterflies from Tim's Watercolor stamp set, these were stamped onto card I coloured with Distress Paints and I added little twists of rusty wire for the bodies.  Voila, one finished jumbo tag!

I shall away now... I have a tonne of things to do before my weekend trip to... Scotland!  Oh yesh, my very first visit to teach in Bonnie Scotland at The Papeterie... I am really excited and so looking forward to visiting... I am rather keeping my fingers x'd that there will be a square sausage for breakfast one morning ;o))  *yes, always about the food!*     Thanks for looking.. have a great evening!  TTFN

Hels x