12 Tags of 2012 - July

Well with just a few hours to go I have finally managed to make a tag (actually three)  for this challenge - and it was a challenge!  Didn't look too difficult but ended up being very difficult!  Thank goodness for Matt's party as the girls had brought straws round (for cocktails I presume) as I didn't have an air canister.




I basically followed Tim's instructions - found the metallic alcohol ink very tricky indeed - then added a few bits & pieces from my stash.  I kept a kind of 'Olympic' feel to it as we are in the midst of this major event. I really enjoyed this technique even if it was a little frustrating at times!   I think mine has turned our rather 'busy' but I quite like them. 

Lastly thank you so much to my new followers.  I really do appreciate you taking the time to have a look around my blog.  It really means a lot to me when you leave a message. Thank you. Sx

Sunday Stampers - Week 215 - More Than Words

Welcome to summer everyone! Let's hope it lasts & doesn't the sun make you feel so much better. This is my favourite time of the year with nearly six weeks holiday & catching up to do...
Hels Sheridan has chosen words, or at least more than one for her Sunday Stampers theme this week & as usual has made a beautiful piece. Always an inspiration & great to see her on C&C this week.

I have made this quite simple card with scattered straw, barn door & peeled paint DI blended together over some white card. I inked up some large bubble wrap with white  paint & green ink & gently squished over the inked area then stamped the butterfly & grasses (TH), bullrushes (Craftwork Cards) & sentiment (PaperArtsy). I then spritzed with heirloom gold Perfect Pearls to give a nice shimmer & added some Ranger Stickles in Platinum to the grasses. I wrapped some cream ribbon to the bottom & added an old brass brad. I bought a mega bundle of really lovely antique brads, quite large from QVC about six years ago & am still using them!  One of my better buys. Lastly I mounted the card onto some black card & adhered to my DL Craftwork Card.

Quick & brief blog this week as I am off for a couple of days with my husband for some 'us' time as no real holiday this year. I have madly agreed for my 18 year old son to have a party whilst we are away - a weak moment!! Take care everyone. Sx

Sunday Stampers - Week 214 - Bits & Pieces

Well nearly at the end of term & it's wonderful to have the six weeks summer holiday stretched out before me.  Sounds like a long time but you'd be surprised how quickly it seems to go & then as soon as we're back at school it seems like (dare I say it) Christmas is just around the corner!!  Sorry about that, where was I?  Oh yes ... summer! 

Hels chose 'embellishments' for her challenge this week so I decided to scrap around & find 'bits and pieces' (sorry about that!) that I hadn't finished or used yet.  I began by edging a piece of TH script paper with walnut stain then spritzed with some perfect pearls I had already mixed up. I'm going mad with my mixing at the moment - it's a bit like alchemy I've decided!  I mounted the script card onto black card.  I had started putting together this TH butterfly & had just left the poor thing so I decided to finish it off .  I had used alcohol inks on acetate  & placed behind the main part of the wings.  I had made the little flower some time ago so attached it to the body then added the pearl hat pins (Creative Expressions I think) for antenna's.  Wrapped some sheer ribbon around the card & added the brass brad.  I spritzed wooden flowers with perfect pearls (another mixture) then edged them with walnut stain, added some bling then arranged them in the right bottom corner of the card.  I found an old set of words from Anna Griffin & edged the word 'nature' with walnut stain then stamped 'take flight' from Paper Artsy and added a  Prima flower stamp to finish it off.  I knew these bits & bobs would come in handy! Have a good week. Bye for now.  Sx

Sunday Stampers - Week 213 - Dreamer

Well no crafting for a week whilst away at camp. It was a success as everyone came home safe and sound ... if a little tired. Weather not bad considering but very little sleep!  Hels Sheridan has chosen the theme of 'Dream' for her Sunday Stamper Challenge this week. I'm reminded of one of the little boys on camp who said that he couldn't get to sleep because he didn't have any 'dreams'. I thought this was so sad but don't worry - we gave him some of ours.

My entry this week is a bit 'dark & gothic'.  The lady looks quite ghostly - no idea why I chose this but just went with the flow! I began by inking up a white tag with peeled paint, iced spruce & antique linen then splashed with water for the watermark effect then edged with walnut stain. Next I stamped a Crafty Individuals music score stamp over the tag with Versa Magic turquoise gem - it just gives a hint of colour.  I then tore an aperture in some rough paper & stamped the angel (Crafty Individuals) through this then added the TH butterfly stamps. On the bottom of the tag I used Imagination Crafts black star sparkle medium through a Special Touch of Mica flower mask.  I'm not a huge 'bling' person but this sparkle medium is lovely to work with. It takes about half an hour to dry. Next I printed out the Shakespeare quote & adhered to a TH fragment - had these for ages but first time I've used one! I added some black ribbon & a silver brad then place the fragment on top.  Found some old chain & gem & key & added to the ribbon. Lastly I decided to remove some of the colour from the angel so dabbed a wet cloth over her - it makes her look paler  & more ghostly.

It's our 'Race for Life' tomorrow in Colchester so I shall be donning my raincoat & trainers and braving the elements & no I will not be running - a bit of a jog & a walk will be more than enough for me! Take care everyone. Sx

Sunday Stampers - Week 211 - You Gotta Pick A Pocket Or Two

Well I know I'm late posting this for Hels Sunday Stampers but I'm just going to do it anyway!! Apologies. I didn't want to miss a post but this ending up being another mad week with me working all week preparing for our Year 5 & 6 Camp next week.  I know, I know everyone's busy but you have to understand that I am the less organised type! Anyway yesterday was our Carnival Day which starts around 7a.m in this houshold as Mr Frenchy is involved in a busy 5-aside Football Event on the Green, Bar-b-q & general fun antics at the Football Club.  I came home half way through to make my card (nothing like being organised) & thought I would download the pics later. Well later was of course 11.30pm & missed the deadline!  Decided this morning to post it anyway but won't give the detail about making it other than it involved lots of Distress Inks, spritzing & stamping!! This is a bookmark card (in case you were wondering!) with a wee pocket to hold it in place.  Apologies for my disorganisation! Sx