GC144 Gingersnap Colour Challenge

I made this straight away this morning when I saw that this was the final Rust, Copper, Ginger challenge over on Gingersnap Creations. Due to their amazing success and the hard work of Shar and the girls the site is now heading for Blogzine stardom and will no longer be in the form we are all used tobut will be moving to a new home at Unruly Paperarts. For details see here.




I can't believe its four years since the site was founded...FOUR YEARS!! Where did that go!!

I'd like to wish the Gingers all the best in the new venture...onwards and upwards!




To make this card I used a combination of...
Distress inks- Rusty Hinge and Wild Honey,
Versafine black,
Cosmic Shimmer Vintage Mist- Marigold,
tissue paper,
a crinkled poly bag,
white acrylic paint(cheapo kiddy sort),
kiddy pencils, (can you tell my sons art materials are still out following a homework task lol),
a stencil that has lots of different rectangles all over it(cant find the name sorry)
Stampers Anonymous Butterflies and Moths,
Memory Box 'Dream',
A letter 'B' sticker,
and ...finally...Stampotique's 'Swirl Stalk' and 'Splatter Long'.

Hope you like it and are all having a good week with all this sunshine!

Gingersnap meets Stampotique!

Aww two of my favourite places.

This month Stampotique are sponsoring Gingersnap Creations in the four challenges for January.

The first theme (the GC133 Chestnut Challenge) set by Gingersnap is using a set or range of stamps, so I thought I'd use Medium/small Bee, Swirl Stalks and Wish Word to make this card all taken from my range at Stampotique.



If you join in with the challenge at Gingersnap Creations you are in with a chance of winning 30 DOLLARS WORTH OF STAMPOTIQUE STAMPS OF YOUR CHOICE!!!

There are samples shown from the Stampotique DT to be seen for the challenge on the Stampotique blog and also over at the Gingersnap Creations site too.

Hope to see you over there :0)

YeeeeeeeeHaa...or words to that effect!

Gingersnap are having WILD WEST MONTH, starting with the Chestnut Challenge of GC101 COWBOYS AND COWGIRLS.

I still have the same four colours of inks on my table that I love and I'm finding it difficult to use any others and so using those I created a simple tag showing my Misunderstood Cowboy, complete with bullet holes. I don't know why he's misunderstood, he looks a bit fed up I guess, (probably has something to do with all those bullet holes ), but the wording fitted better with the image than any of the others I had handy which were 'Dashing through the snow' and 'I find a flower'. lol
Don't you just love it when the image and the wording clash really badly lol

CAS PAINT!

Do they go together?

Clean and simple

....and PAINT?!

A bit of a contradiction maybe, but I've tried to keep it as clean as possible.

Well as I'm up to my eyes in deadlines and completing things at the mo, I'm really into these quickmake CAS cards. And paint!

Gingersnap Creations are running a GCSP#07 Once in a Blue Moon challenge where you can choose from any of the past themes listed...so I chose the paint theme from last August GC#66.

Here I used all Paperbag Studios stamps...Empty, Way We See and 995

Next I used the Large Butterfly from Stampotique along with Paperbag Studios Formula.



And finally more Stampotique Originals stamps (Simplicity and Little Friends Tiny



Stamps are available from the individual stamp companies themselves(see all links to stamps above- Stampotique and Paperbag Studios) or from Happy Daze here in the UK.

Its been a hoot...but I've reached the end

"Eh?" said the wee owl....

"Whooooooooooo said that? Whhhhat you talking about, the END?"




Well, today is my last challenge for Gingersnap Creations as a member of their Design Team and I've loved it on there. If you've not been involved at all with the Gingersnappers and the amazing challenges they set, then I highly recommend it.

Today is the start of the annual COPPER, GINGER or RUST challenge where you can play along by making anything using any or all of those colours.

I decided to make a card using my new 'Wee Owl' and 'Small Moon' which were released last week by Stampotique Originals.



I tried to create a really woody/musty/dry leafy feel to this by adding a bit of crackle paint and inking over it.

I used all Stampotique stamps- aswell as the owl and moon I added Mushroom Group , Swirl Stalks and Abstract Foliage. If the United States isnt easy for you to place an order directly from Stampotique Originals, then Happy Daze here in the UK stock all the stamps I've used. The new designs are on their way and Moira is taking pre-orders on them and you pay when they arrive.At least that way you are guaranteed to receive your choices. All you have to do is email Moira at Happy Daze with what images you'd like put to one side.



Please take a look at the rest of the team's ideas, there are some beautiful ones.

Thank you girls, its been a pleasure. I shall be still joining in with challenges when I can though, you haven't seen the last of me lol :0).

The Gingersnap Office Temp

My penultimate post as a DT member of Gingersnap Creations. How time flies. The team are looking to recruit TWO new members this term and so if you are looking for more details check out the site.

This weeks challenge is all things Office Supplies.
I covered one of the handy notebooks from Art Journey with a background I made by spraying ontop of a few scattered paperclips. Once dry, I moved the paperclips out of the way and voilá! On top of that I added Stampotique Original's Karin and typewriter key letters and symbols from what was Inka, but has since been taken over by Scrolls Work. The images were coloured with pencils.



Please checkout the other DT ideas over on the Gingersnap Creations post. Its a fabulous challenge, why not have a go?

Crowns...

The latest challenge over on Gingersnap Creations is to make something using the theme of CROWNS.



The Crown stamp I used for this easel card is from my range at Stampotique Originals, available directly from them in the USA or a number of shops here in the UK including Happy Daze who stock a very wide range of Stampotique stamps.

If you take part please dont forget to link your individual challenge post (and not just your blog) to the Crown post over on Gingersnap. See you over therehopefully!

Fancy being on a fabulous design team?

The wonderful team at Gingersnap Creations are searching for a couple of new members.

For all the information you need please check out their post click here.

GOOD LUCK!! ITS A FANTASTIC GROUP TO BELONG TO.

Kings, Queens and...

...a Princess.

The latest challenge over on Gingersnap Creations is Kings and Queens.

I used what was hopefully acceptable, the Lost Coast image of the Princess of Everything (well she might be Queen one day) and Stampotique stamps Happy and Swirl Stalk. Inks by Jenni Bowlin.

All inks/stamps available from Happy Daze here in the UK.

Time for a cuppa

Its HOT BEVERAGE time over at Gingersnap Creations for GC#85

I made this card using stamps from Scrolls Work Stamps, although as I write this, the Miss Tart (main image) is unfortunately out of stock at the uk stockist of Scrolls Work that I know of, Happy Daze, but available with the other two tea related stamps from Scrolls Work in the USA.The background paper from Pink Paislee is available from Happy Daze though and I've used its clear embossed surface as a resist effect and blended inks over it (it was originally a very pale cream, almost white). Its lace effect reminded me of old fashioned English tea rooms. You can also purchase the tea spoon from Happy Daze too. Its part of a 7 Gypsies set, or you could opt for the smaller more decorative filigree spoon that Moira stocks for 65p or the mini spoon at 20p.Charms can be found here.




And the tea bag? Yes, thats a real tea bag :0)



What ideas can you come up with that are hot beverage related? Have a cuppa and have a think :0) And we'll hopefully see you over at Gingersnap Creations.

Soon gone...

Well thats Christmas been and gone.

Hoping you all had a good break.

Over the next couple of days, flying things, foliage and the word 'Hope' seem to have become common denominators in the items set to appear on my blog. But woahhhhh, they couldn't BE more different if I'd tried!! (Wait till you see Jan 1st's post)...and yet they were made on the same day!!

Sorry....will have to keep you in suspense re the next card on Saturday, but needless to say, its very different to this one.




This is for Gingersnap Creations SP#6. Every so often when theres an 'extra Wednesday' in the month, ie 'once in a blue moon' kind of, there's the Blue Moon Challenge where members of the DT make something of their choice and add the idea to the post. So instead of a single theme it could be 4 or 5 different themes,depending on how many contribute, so it's your pick on what theme you join in with!

I decided to keep it REALLY simple by setting the theme of A SINGLE LAYER CARD.(Always takes me a while to get myself going again after Christmas). This is a new image by Crafty Individuals (CI-288) which I stamped in black and roughly coloured using coloured pencils and touches of white pen. 'Hopes and Dreams' is also from CI.

I hope you are able to join in one of the Blue Moon themes over at Gingersnap Creations..there are some very tempting 'dares' up there.

All That Glitters...

This week on Stampotique Designers Challenge we are running with the theme Bling Bling hosted by twinkly DT member Kim Prince.

I'm not a sparkly person normally (although my wedding shoes were pure silver sparkle trainers), so this was a bit of a challenge for me. But thats what its about ay.



I used my favourite splashy background technique along with my Big Bee stamp.



As always, Carol and Jim over at Stampotique Originals are offering the chance for one lucky participant to win a gift certificate for $30!!!!!!!!!! This challenge being the second challenge of the month its Stampotique stamps only please, but it goes to show by this card, you only need one stamp.

Talking of which, this months GCCC#2(Gingersnap Creations Creative Connection) is to use Only One. Take a look, its amazing what you can create with a solitary stamp image. If you take part in the Gingersnap challenge though, make sure you read all the details BEFORE posting , unlike me lol.(see main post topic clause in the GC post - doh!)

GS#79 Stitching...a new smartness!

You know that feeling ....making something that you really enjoyed putting together...well this was one of those moments for me a little while ago when times were quieter.

The theme set by Gingersnap Creations GS#79 is Stitching. I wanted to use one of the threadbare characters (well not really threadbare but its Daniels style that sometimes gives them that appearance) from Stampotique alongside Stampotiques Kisses stamp which when coloured and shaded in a certain way appears like stitches!, and the little bird which I love, taken from one of the latest Stampotique Bird and Bug Cubes. :0)




I found an vintage clothing ad on a 12 x 12 paper that I had in my stash and used that as a starting point to create this old fashioned 'look'. Reminds me of the book illustrations from the stories I used to read as a child from the mid 60's, I think thats why I have a soft spot for this bookmark. My Mum also used to have a multicoloured suede waistcoat made from patchwork pieces in the 60's too, you know, the big floppy hat, fringed waistcoat type of look and the colours from that really influenced the colours of this quite heavily- so much so I can almost smell the suede :0)
And it was in this waistcoat I used to dress up...it fit me like a dress, tassles trailing almost to the floor, big Mum shoes, big hat.... hence the 'A NEW SMARTNESS TO OUR PLAYTIME FASHIONS' heading :0)

The tag is finished off with pompom ribbon and some wild hand stitching which I've knotted and cut open to look worn and distressed.

All stamps available from Stampotique Originals in the USA or here in the UK from Happy Daze. For the links please see my listings situated on the righthand side of my blog.

I hope you find time to join in with the challenge over at Gingersnap Creations. Real or Faux stiching allowed, (or 'forks' stiching as the Bibster always says lol)your choice.

Girly girl sits sewing under the arches with freebies...eh?

A busy blogging day for me... I have a double(make that triple) post to do today as I'm involved with two teams that have challenge themes that both go live at the same time.

Hence the merged title of my post lol



Stampotique Designers Challenge SDC#19

First off the starting blocks is Girly Girl, the challenge set for Stampotique Originals by team member Kim Prince.
I admit, I struggled with the theme....I'm not a natural Girly Girl by any stretch of the imagination so after much deliberation put together a very simple little notebook using 'Splatter Long', 'Mwah!and Kiss', and 'Marci'.All by Stampotique Originals.





Stampotique are continuing to be incredibly generous by offering one lucky participant a $30 Gift Certificate to spend on stamps in their online store. YES!! $30!!! The winner will be drawn at random and announced as usual in two weeks time. As its the first challenge of the month any stamps can be used for this theme but if you have any Stampotiques amongst your collection it would be fabulous to see them.

The guest artist for this month over at Stampotique is none other than the extremely talented artist and fellow Stampotique Stamp Designer Janet Klein. Please keep an eye out over there for Janets fabulous artwork. More details can be found here.

Stampotique Originals are also available here in the UK from Happy Daze.

Gingersnap Creations GS#78 Sewing Notions



Also today Gingersnap Creations announce their latest challenge theme of Sewing Notions. I didnt actually know what notions were, how embarrassing is that, I'd never heard that expression before, so once I'd been set on the right track and knew what it was all about I got to work putting together this card using pins, netting (from a vegetable bag), velvet and ribbon and stamps from Crafty Individuals.



The main stamp CI-285 recently released from Crafty individuals couldn't have been more perfect for the theme I felt, used alongside a tape measure stamp and that gorgeous printed image, also from the same company.Lots of distressing, crackle paint, scribbling and overlaying involved here. Weighs a fair bit as it kept evolving and moving into different directions lol. It would certainly need a 1st Class Large stamp for the mail.

GC#75 Gingersnap Creations Arches




And due to events beyond my control I missed out on blogging my GC#75 Random Redhead Challenge Arches contribution for Gingersnap Creations. You still have time to take part in this challenge theme as it doesnt finish until Sunday 14th November. Any arches...use the shape to create onto or incorporate stamps or images of arches within your artwork.



I decided to use the CI-264 arch, again from Crafty Individuals, remove the central image it comes with and replace that with one of the Crafty Individuals printed paper images from their People and Places books.



Fabulous news too in that Jean and Malcolm (Crafty Individuals) are giving away TWO FREE BACKGROUND PAPER BOOKS (Springtime and Travels in Italy) with every order over £25!! A fantastic offer. If you haven't tried their background papers now is the time to get on over there and try them for free - lets face it, £25 is easy to spend when faced with such a wonderful selection of images and alterables.

Well I think that ends the longest post ever lol...

I hope you will find time to play along with Stampotique and Gingersnap Creations.

GC#73 Going Gothic with Gingersnap.

Back on the Gingersnap Creations crew after taking a six month break and what is the first theme? Gothic Elements! Excellent! :0) So I decided to run with the lighter side of the doom and gloom element of the Goth subculture and make this Batty Goth card using a selection of Stampotique stamps.

Here I used Mink, Batty (well I cut of his wings and attached them to Mink-
OUCH!!!), Swirl Stalks (I love using this stamp as its and excellent space filler), French Text and 'Batty About You'.
The crackle effect is obtained by applying Silver Croco Crackle onto card with the side of my finger :0). Nothing too technical! lol.

Gingersnap Creations would love to see contributions from you using any Gothic infuences. There are some fabulous takes on the theme from members of the Gingersnap DT so please take a look. Lots of time to have a think before the challenge closes and perfect timing ahead of Hallowe'en.

All stamps can be purchased from Stampotique in the USA or Happy Daze here in the UK.

Read... From the Heart.

The latest Chestnut theme(GC57) over on Gingersnap Creations (aww I do miss the team) is READ. I thought this might fit nicely as its laying the alphabet out for the little one and also has a background of an old letter .
I the recently released Art Journey Writing plate.