WOYWW # 238

I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas but couldn't upload yesterday! 

Sorry I'm a day late.

The picture of the tree is after it's been stripped of hidden goodies.

If you want to join in the fun, pop over to Julia's blog the Stamping Ground for all the details

WOYWW 237 Christmas Cards!

Last snoop at work desks around the world before Christmas!

If you want to join in the fun, pop over to Julia's blog the Stamping Ground for all the details

Here's my desk from yesterday late afternoon, early evening.

I've been very busy trying to get my Christmas cards made in time and this year despite having to make them one handed, I've managed to get all the ones that need posting, completed and in the post. Here's a selection of them, I had already sealed some of the envelopes before I remembered to take photos!

I've used a variety of stamps, distress ink pads and makers, Archival ink, Versamark, seafoam embossing powder, and stardust embossing powder.

I'm also entering this for the Country View Crafts blog challenge

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all 

a Merry Christmas 

and a 

Happy New Year!

Karin x

First batch of Christmas cards

First batch of quick and simple cards, trying to keep the weight of these down as they are going off airmail.

The stamp is heat embossed with either, seafoam, stardust ep or a combination of the two because I refilled the wrong bottle on one occasion! Shakes her head in despair-lol

The background is created by blending distress inks mainly, Peacock Feathers and Seedless Preserves, although I have used lots of others including; salty ocean; broken china; faded jeans; chipped sapphire; milled lavender and dusty concord.

Thanks you for taking the time to pass by.

Karin x   

whats-on-your-workdesk-wednesday-235

This is currently on my workdesk. I've actually managed to get a start on my Christmas cards. Firstly I'm just stamping elements so nothing is completed yet.

If you want to take part and have a snoop around other peoples workdesks then hop over to The stamping ground to find out all the details.

The above is a few things that were on my wish list that I managed to buy with the birthday money and it's now just arrived. I'm itching to play with it but I'm going to get the Christmas cards made first.

Happy Wednesday everyone, thanks for dropping by.

Karin x

Happy Birthday Mum!

It's my mum's birthday today, so I thought I'd share the card (here it is in situ) that I made for her, using the according album die, label dies, a newly acquired stamp, pearls, glimmer mist, paper flowers and leaves. 

We only had a brief visit today as I had car problems but we managed to enjoy the cakes that Chloé baked this morning, mum was really happy with them.

This photo shows truer colours, it looks really plain and unfussy here but sitting on mums lace table cloth it looks just fine.

WOYWW 230

This is just a teasing post, as I've nothing finished to show you yet!

If you want to have a snoop around other peoples work desks or join in you'll find all the details here at the Stamping Ground

But this is how my workspace looks at 8.45am GMT in readiness for me to get a couple of Hallowe'en projects started and finished later today/tomorrow. 

But firstly I'm off to see my crafting friend Francesca this morning.

Happy Wednesday everyone.

Creative Chemistry 102 day 1

I'm trying to make a little bit of time to catch up on CC102 so here's my first four from day one.

Mabling, coloured crackle, stamping resist & my favourite of the day eroded metallic.

Sorry I'm not sharing any of the technique details here. You can find the class here.

Thanks for passing by,

Karin 

One single swipe

Over on PaperArtsy blog, Joanne is inspiring us with her lovely clean and simple style. 

I've stamped the sentiment and moth in Cobalt Archival ink and the swipe I've used Tinned Peas.

Thanks for looking.

Karin x

Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2013 - September/Layers

Here's my tag for the Tim Holtz September. For all the technique details hop over to Tim's blog.
I was glad I delayed making this tag until my stencils arrived, I was lucky enough to receive one at the UK event and yesterday three more dropped through my letterbox and I've used all four stencils on the piece plus a couple of others too! The only other thing different is I'd picked up a pearl dabber instead of picket fence.

Of course I couldn't stop at one tag this is a smaller tag, Ranger size 8 the other one was Ranger size 10.

As I've got two tags here I'm also entering them for the Country View Crafts blog as their theme is layers for this month, and I got the rest of my stencils from their shop.

PaperArtsy #3UP PATWITS challenge - A box full of mementos

When I signed up to take part in the PAtwits challenge, I never thought I'd receive such a generous package to play with. Initially I was stumped but after getting ink on those stamps they started talking to me and ideas formed. Now you might be asking where does the green I've used come from but if you look closely at my colour swatch you'll see a fine stripe of green on it!

So from receiving the above goodies I turned them into 

A box full of mementos. 

If you want the full details and a look at the other #3UP pieces then hop over to PaperArtsy's blog

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Leandra and Mark for letting me take part in their challenge, it's been brilliant, 

Thank you both.

Karin x

Fun with ATCs #95

The challenge this week on Fun with ATCs is Black/White/Red. 

I've stamped the PaperArtsy Lynne Perrella stamp onto Glossy card stock and edge the ATC with Black Stazon. The red was created using Decoart glass stains.

Thanks for passing by.

Karin x

“Journeys of the Past” workshop with Tim Holtz

I had the most amazing time at Tim Holtz uk event workshop yesterday.

I went to the Coventry based event with my crafting buddy Francesca and we met up with my cyber crafting friend of many years Kaz Brown and her lovely family.

Pictured above is the front cover of my tag book, and if you look closely enough, you'll see that "I'm embracing my wonkiness" that's nearly a TH quote ;-) 

So I'm not going to spend any time straightening things up.

 I'm moving onto the next tag!

I'm not going to give away any of the class secrets, but if you get a chance,  you really need to attend. I can't wait until the next event!

Now I don't normally add a who's who gallery so here's a first, and I'm sure they don't need any introductions, but here am I with;

the amazing Dyan Reaveley 

the beautiful and talented Kaz Hall

Mario Mr BTS (Behind The Scenes) Supremo Rossi

and of course the great man himself, Tim Holtz

I had a blast, many thanks to you all!

Karin x

Creative Mixed Media and Paint Canvas

On Sunday just gone, Francesca and I went to the Craft Barn, we took part in a 

creative mixed media and paint workshop ran by Andy Skinner. Which is where I created the above canvas. We didn't get the chance to complete it at the workshop and I needed a very fine paintbrush to get some of the detail on the lady. I very nearly totally obliterated her with one of the final coats of paint so her face has altered yet again, her left eye looks most odd because it's right over texture and looks ok close-up so not sure how to correct that so I've decided to leave it as it is.

So.........can you guess who she's meant to be, no giving it away if you were at the class ;-)

Thanks for passing by, any comments good or bad are appreciated.

Yes, you're all right it is Audrey Hepburn

Pencil Case

Inspired by Carol Quance over on PaperArtsy blog to alter a pencil case. 

For full instructions you need to pop over to PaperArtsy's blog. 

I've used Tando stencils, black paint and crackle glaze. For dry brushing I used the following treasure gold limited edition 2 and Indigo, Snowflake and eggplant. 

When hunting for a suitable embellishments. I came across the two insects which came in my Monday Madness box and thought they were apt for an evolution theme.

Thanks for looking

Karin x

Heart Tag

Over on PaperArtsy blog France challenged us to create hearts using Grunge Paste. I free hand cut the heart out of board then gave it several layers of Grunge Paste, the chain I used to make impressions was a very shiny silver coloured one, so that needed a bit of paint on it to age it. I used a blue, brown and green acrylic paints on the chain and also in the chain embossed areas. The heart was painted with a mix of red paints, mostly Blood Orange and Claret. 

The tag had a base coat of London nights which I then covered again with Inky Blue to make it a bit darker.  Then I used the crackle glaze and finally a mix of Mushroom and Snowflake.

The sentiment is a Tim Holtz stamp and was stamped using Archival Black.

Here's a close up of the detail.

Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2013 - August

As promised earlier here are my completed tags for Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2013 - August. 

If you want to find out all the details on how to create something similar you'll need to pop over to Tim's blog. I know mine are looking a bit different but I had a really urge to use some red! Gotta love those festive berries.

Thanks for passing by and commenting.

Until the next time,

Karin x

WOYWW 219

This is on my work desk (dinning room table) at this moment in 

time and it needs to be cleared away for dinner!

I made the backgrounds a couple of days ago, and later today will hopefully be able to blog the completed tags for Tim Holtz tags of 2013 - August challenge.

Yes, there is going to be more than one tag but not sure yet how many.

If you want to know what WOYWW is all about and see other work desks around the world hop over to Julia's blog where all will be explained.

Thanks for passing by, all related comments are appreciated.

If you're hopping over from Julia's please leave your number so that I can return the compliment.

Thank you

Karin

WOYWW 217, 12 tags of 2013 - July

Here's my finished July tag for 12 tags of 2013,

 inspired by Tim Holtz

Onto a manilla tag I flicked distress ink stains (Broken China, Salty Ocean, Festive berries and Pewter) onto the tag using a brayer.

Stamped randomly onto the tag using a variety of stamps, I highlighted parts of the Statue of Liberty using an white pen. The edged of the tag were distressed and edged with Chipped Sapphire.

The ribbon was stamped with a script stamp then heat set before I used festive berries and salty ocean stains plus a misting of  water.

The embellishments are all pre-cut grunge board, the wings and heart firstly had a good coating of rock candy crackle then the wings were soaked in Broken China stains followed by Pewter; the heart was soaked in Barn Door, Festive Berries and edged with Tarnished Brass: The stars were colours with Broken China stains and then finished off with a little rock candy stickles.

So this is on my work desk today if you're interested in seeing more work desks around the world hop over to the Stamping ground to find out all of the details.

Paint combinations Fresco style

This collection is made up from six Fresco paints.

Over on Paperartsy blog, Darcy Wilkinson is this weeks guest designer and she has been most prolific in creating amazing pieces for a garden party, but firstly she created blended tags of Fresco paint to see the effects different colours had. Darcy also created the most fabulous giraffe!  Go check it out.

Loving how the translucent colours blend.

This is my favourite combination so far. I expect that will change as my collection grows.

Thanks for looking.

Karin x

Paperartsy Challenge

Over on Paperartsy blog, Carol Quance is this weeks guest designer and she has created some fabulous pieces, go and have a look. Thanks Carol for the great tutorial.

The first one was a great bracelet using Shrink Plastic.

Here's my take on it.

I mixed some Eggplant and snowflake fresco paints together then applied it to the Shrink plastic and let it dry naturally. I used Paperartsy dies to cut the shrink plastic and then stamped using black archival ink and Lynne Perrella stamps and moth stamp. I outlined the edges with a silver pen before triple embossing and adding to chain.

I'll be adding more to this bracelet at a later date but I'm having issues with the jump rings at present, oh to have some grip in two hands instead of just one!

Thanks for looking and don't forget to have a look at Paperartsy's blog.

The colour here is a little more true, it should look like a soft purple.

Quick cards

I first saw the background technique that I used on these cards on Carol's blog where she's made a wonderful job of using up some of her left over bits and pieces. 

Firstly I swiped various distress ink pads across an acrylic block then I spritzed with a mini mister and waited a few seconds to let the ink blend a little then stamped it directly onto my card.

This is my favourite, to give it a little added interest I sprinkled some rice onto the wet ink.

This one I sprinkled some table salt onto the wet ink.

Thanks for passing by.

Karin x

Happy Birthday Chloé

My daughter is 17 years old  today! Since she started college earlier in the current academic year she has been very interested in Magic a gathering so I've pieced together this card for her. It took me a few hours getting the metal foil marked and stretched and to a colour that looked OK with the image, it started off gold. I would have like to have done more with this card especially as it's for such a special person but my right hand still isn't right, so it's another left-hand made card.

Thanks for looking. 

Karin x

Homemade crafting tapes

Over on the PaperArtsy blog, Darcy has created lots of wonderful tapes using any tape that you might have around the house or making your own washi tape with tissue paper.
I've used two different types of tape one is a sports injury tape and the other is low tack masking tape. I gave them a base coat of Fresco paint. I used snowflake and inky pool, once dry I over stamped with snowflake on the inky pool and vice versa.
Go and have a look at the wonderful things that Darcy has made this week.

12 Tags of 2013 - June in pink

It's alright I know I've done my June tag already but I couldn't resist doing another for the                    Tim Holtz 12 tags of 2013 - June

I so love this stamp and the techniques that has been incorporated to create it.

I never thought I would love a pinkish tag but the pickled raspberry distress ink is soooooo yummy lol.

Thanks for passing by.

Karin x

WOYWW 211

Hello bloggers

 Today I'm sharing a project that I've just started, I'm not sure where it's going yet but I'm having one of those fun sessions with the fabulous Fresco paints, I love their chalky smooth finish which is ideal for stamping on so maybe I'll get the stamps out a little later on.

Now it's time for me to go and have a snoop on other peoples workdesks and if you want to join in the fun, nip over to the Stamping Ground where you'll find all of the details.

Happy Wednesday 

Karin x

12 Tags of 2013 - June

I've been waiting for a bit of sunshine to photo this tag to try and capture the colours on it. Today we have the sun but it's really windy, my poor tag fluttered about a bit but the colours are truer.

I love this watering colouring  technique, perfect for using my left hand that isn't entirely exact!

To see further details, hop over to Tim's blog.

Thanks for looking,

Karin x

WOYWW 206 - Paint!

Here's my desk for this week. 

I'm playing with my Fresco paints trying out different background techniques. 

One day I'll get the hang of the bump technique that I've seen around on blogland but first person I saw demoing it was Lin Brown.

Sorry nothing else to show at present. 

If you want to know the low down on What's on my workdesk Wednesday then pop over to the Stamping Ground.

12 Tags of 2013 - May

For full details please go and have a look at Tim's blog.

My project for today was to complete my May tag as the time travellers stamp set that I've been waiting for has just arrived, so this project was perfect for getting some ink on a couple of those stamps.

 I've had to improvise a little as I don't have all the components, which in it's was a learning curve. I had to give up on trying to put the rub ons onto a metal disk which I thought if I embossed it with EP would make a substitute for not having the enamelled  disks, unfortunately this didn't work as I didn't get a good tooth onto the disk. So I've used a word charm instead with paint and distress stains and also added some parts from a pocket watch that I previously dismantled. 

The colour in the photo isn't right as the tag has a lot of picked raspberry distress stains on it especially at the top quarter and around the edges of the tag.

Sorry fior being such a terrible blogger. My right wrist and hand still isn't right, but some days are better than others.

12 Tags of 2013 - April

Just in time!

For full details please go and have a look at Tim's blog.

I started this tag when I had a crafting session at Francesca's

I really didn't want to miss the deadline for April's tag too (I've only just blogged the March Tag)

but I'm still having issues with my right hand and wrist.  

It's taking so much longer to get anything finished.

On the plus side, it's not such a long  wait to see May's tag. ;-)

Spring tag - 2013 (3)

The April challenge on Country View Crafts is Butterflies.
My butterfly is made using the shattered ink stains technique, it's fluttering on a tag that's has plenty of distress inks, pens, stains and paint. Embellished with a stamp from "Spring Sprung", hand cut grass, painted metal flowers and philosphy tag. 
It seems like a long time ago when I started this tag, it should have been my 12 tags of 2013 March tag but it didn't get started until April!

Book of Ruinations

Well here it is, my finished "Book of Ruinations" I was sorely tempted to go to town embellishing this book, and I might at a later date but for now it's finished on the outside.

I've used an old hard-covered  book that I bought from our local library for ten pence. The book cover has a fabulous linen effect texture which made a great first layer. I'm not going to give away any of Andy Skinner's secrets on how to create this, if you want to know more you'll need to sign up for the online class

Close up of the texture.

I had hoped to finish this a few weeks ago but everything takes so much longer when your good hand is pretty much out of action. So sorry for the delayed update on the finished book.