Life is Nothing...

Less is More...colour challenge

After being away from stamping for so long I couldn't resist taking part in this weeks Less is More 'WINTER BLUES' as it's always a challenge  that inspires me due to the nature of its simplicity. I have to think hard to keep it simple and 'Less'.

The theme this week is being sponsored by Creatin' and Stampin's Lizy who is kindly offering a £15 Stampin Up gift certificate. (please see challenge link for more details).

I tried to capture both meanings of blues...blue colours and blue feelings. I used Tim Holtz's butterfly and a phrase from Art Journey.

Apologies once more re the quality of the photograph(its so dark here this morning) and lack of cropping. I'm a bit lost without my old set up which contains all my photo cropping tools and watermark etc. Hopefully it can be repaired soon. Hopefully you can get the gist of it.

Have a good weekend. x

Mojo Monthly

If your Mo is a bit Jo-less please take a look at Sarah Engel-Greer's blog, La-De-Dah, home of MOJO Monthly. Guess who is over there....go on... have a guess....

heehee


And there's also a prize to be won and lots of time to take part!!! Check it out!!

HERE'S THE LINK

Number 13...Unlucky for some...

This year I began holding workshop mornings locally here in Sussex and on doing so have met such a wonderful group of stampers.
One of the ladies that attends, Charry Wijers-Buschkens, (very talented...and originally from The Netherlands where I'm sure they are all born holding a rubber stamp!) said to me a little while ago would I mind if one of the pieces she made at the workshop appeared in ART SPECIALLY magazine (well its more like a book really compared to your average magazine, feels beautiful to hold and read...well...I say read,lol, its in Dutch, but who needs words when there is such gorgeous artwork!!!!).

Would I mind??!! Of course not, I'd be elated! I only ran the workshop - Charry made the beautiful box.

And so yesterday (cut a long story short, can you tell I'm excited), this arrived...

Issue 13 of 'ART SPECIALLY ' magazine.



There it is!! On the cover!!! Charry's beautiful box she made at the Textures class using Art Journey and Stampotique stamps. Stamps used are Art Journey Girl and Tree and Seed Heads
. The Stampotique images are from my range there (Jo Capper-Sandon)and are Daisy Daisy, Small Butterfly (used on metal as 3D butterflies aswell as on the wooden surface), the lower part of the quote World All Her Own and French Text,
Charry doesn't have a blog (so I wanted to shout out for her on here), but I'm sure you'd agree with me in thinking I wish she would!!



Here she is busily working at one of the classes I took. Keep an eye out for her too at any shows you may be attending this month. Yesterday Charry was demoing in Belfast, and later this month is(I think) in Newcastle, Glasgow and Birmingham!!

There are lots of names I recognise from visiting blogs published in this issue. Great seeing all the work in there. The magazine is available from Art Journey as well as many other stores.

Be Spontaneous!

......and Celebrate!

Over on the Art Journey Blog this month is the new challenge theme(#9) of Happy Birthday hosted for us by Willy Anderson..

This 'Celebrate...Be Spontaneous' card isn't, I agree, the most obvious of Birthday cards, but it reminded me of many-a-Christmas and Birthday celebration when you by a toddler a big pressie and they sit in the box it came in spending hours of fun just sitting in that and ignoring the gift lol!
This card shows one of the new release images which is from the Boys plate (but also in a larger size and facing the other way on an individual stamp) of a little denim clad lad having a fun time in not a box, but an old tin bath.

Here's a close up, but please ignore the tiny fleck of ink pad felt to the right of the little boys head that stuck and made a tiny dot on the inky background I made! (grrr...thats all I look at when I see this lol)





Other stamps used are Celebrate (from the Celebrate plate- although I wanted to use the Celebrate word from the Umbrella Girl Plate but couldn't find it in my stamp box!) and 'Be Spontaneous' (from the Umbrella Girl plate). The smaller butterflies are also from the Boys plate along with the main image as previously mentioned.



The stitching under the 'spontaneous' wording is just drawn with a fineliner pen as you can no doubt tell. The black 'bubble' border and postage/frank mark are rub ons .

All stamps by Art Journey.

If you take part in the challenge you will be in with a chance of winning a gift certificate from Art Journey when at the end of the month one lucky participant is drawn out of 'the hat'...well its a number generator but a hat sounds more exciting.

More Than Words

Over on Wednesday Stamper this week is a challenge entitled 'More Than Words' which says...

Art can say more than words, and so can a facial expression, a colour, a setting are all things that can make an impression and speak louder than words… You can still use words in your piece, and you’re welcome to interpret the theme however you want. Just remember to use at least one rubberstamp.

I used some of the gorgeous new stamps released recently by Art Journey and a couple of the die cut images by K&Co available from Happy Daze (which, unfortunately, have just gone out of stock, but are THE most beautiful selection I've seen for a long time and will be back in stock very soon I hope.).

Life Happens...

Its my turn over on the Art Journey blog today to say a little about myself...along with photos from the 80's (talk about big hair !) up until now lol

http://artjourneydesign-team.blogspot.com/2011/04/jo-c-s-intro-life-happens.html
I hope you enjoy it if you pop on over there for a look.

Here are a couple of Art Journey pieces using their new images. The first (above), a totally unintentional connection but quite in keeping with 'Life Happens', using the Lady Clock plate.

The card below has a main image from the Boys plate.



Thank you to everyone on Facebook (I don't visit FB often as I don't find it easy to work...see I AM getting REALLY old!) and in real life for the birthday wishes this week.

Wishing you all a very happy Easter weekend.

New Art Journey Releases (No.1 of a few!)

Art Journey have recently added more wonderful images to their collection.

I have to say, this little thoughtful face from the BOYS plate is one I absolutely adore. Here I played with a foam roller that I spotted in Asda in the kiddy painting section and made a criss-cross pattern, painted some swirls and circles. The word is from the LiveLifeLove wording from the same plate.

Art Journey stamps are available directly from Art Journey in The Netherlands.

Acetate Rain

The theme this week on Less is More is ACETATE.

I'm totally addicted to my LIM fix on a Saturday morning now...the kitchen still needs sorting and the washing needs going in, but I needed to get this card made lol

Girl and heart circles by Art Journey from the Umbrella Girl plate..
I would have liked the phrase to be slightly higher but I had to cover a tiny crease in the acetate...it was damaged in transit in the post and all my acetate has the same indentation ...grrrrrr, but hopefully this still looks ok.

Have a good weekend all. x

Art Journey 8

Today brings the latest Art Journey Challenge, challenge number 8 which has the theme of Tags set by Liesbeth.

I used all Art Journey stamps to create this idea (for those aged mid 30's /40's I had the opening titles of The Tales of the Unexpected in mind with the wiggly dancer from the 70's...-ish)

For further details please check out the Art Journey Challenge post linked above.

You need to use mainly Art Journey stamps in your design.
Here I used stamps from Art Journey's Silhouette plate and the Tree plate.

There is a ten euro voucher to be won too.
Please take a look at the team's contribution and see what you can come up with if you have any Art Journey stamps in your collection.

Flying by to show you....

...another Art Journey piece using the new release stamps.

A canvas within a wooden frame.



The outer part of the frame has a transparent ribbon fixed to it (shown in the top photo) to give a flowery pattern. An alternative to stamping as I did previously here.

At the 'Creating Texture' workshop I gave on Thursday, I took this along for the ladies to see the piece close up, along with a collection of other work with different texture effects. We had a fabulous time playing with wooden boxes, inks, corrogated card/metal/dies/embossing etc and lots and lots of stamps, including these new releases. Thank you to those that attended- it was a lot of fun meeting you all.
The next class is on March 17th with a theme of Masking Techniques (not as tame as it sounds as we'll be spritzing and spraying dabbing and chopping...for more details see here).

Dream State

After the release of Art Journey's latest stamp images at this weeks Art Journey weekend in Sleen, Holland, the design team can now reveal ideas they've put together using them (if they are not online yet they will be any time now).

I've made a few items but will show them over a few posts, beginning today with the first piece I made- 'Dream State'. I tried to portray a dream like quality, all intertwined, ....a bit echoey. Do you get what I mean?



I hope you like it.
The edge of the frame is stamped with the tree branches.



For other items made by the team please check out their blogs which are listed on the Art Journey Designers blog.

Art Journey new releases

I really enjoyed working with the latest stamp designs by Sija for Art Journey. As you will see next week once the stamps are revealed, they work together extremely well. Here I've shown a few sneak preview images to give you a feel of whats on the horizon.
Please check out the other team members for more clues...you never know, we may have all covered different elements and so you'll see the full collection!

And don't forget, if you would like to be in with a chance of winning a 10 Euro gift certificate to spend at Art Journey, take a look at this months challenge. Details for that are also on the Art Journey Design Team blog.

All Heart....

Art Journey's challenge (AJ#6) this month is hosted by Tineke Koedam and as its soon Valentines Day this is what Tineke says ...

"Its February 2011 and time to start the sixth Art Journey Challenge with the theme 'heart shaped card'.
You've got 4 weeks to get in the mood and show us what your idea with this theme is. The deadline is on the 26th of February.
Then one participant will be randomly selected for a 10 euro’s gift certificate to shop at Art Journey! To win this gift certificate you are required to use MAINLY ART JOURNEY STAMPS. Put your new creation on your blog or Flickr (with a link to the challenge post on this blog) and leave a direct link to your blogpost in the 'Add your Link' section."

When making my card I decided to add the clear tear shaped gem, but then it wouldn't stand up of course lol, (doh!) so then I added a little 'foot', shown below, so it wouldn't topple.



I used all Art Journey stamps.

I hope you get an opportunity to join in.

Please check out the teams work on the Art Journey blog for more ideas ( Paula Whittaker and Deborah March are making their debut as team members but I'm sure you've seen their fabulous work before as they were regular challenge participants).

Orange and Turquoise

The new challenge at Stampotique is hosted by Willy Anderson, who came up with the theme of Orange and Turquoise for SDC#23.

Not an easy one for me as they are not colours I automatically reach for, or even buy (love turquoise, but tend to be predictable by coupling it with lime, not orange), but thats what a challenge is , isn't it- makes you think.



Why not join us this time with the challenge? Its STAMPOTIQUE STAMPS ONLY this week as its the first one of the month. And only one entry allowed per person as Carol is offering another $30 Gift Certificate to spend on rubber to one lucky artist drawn at random in two weeks time.

Take a hop on over to the challenge site and to the designers blog for ideas and inspiration on the theme.

I used a selection of Stampotique stamps...
HAPPY,
LEAF #1,
5 PETALED FLOWER,
TWO STICKS

The holes were created with a lever punch which I'm getting on rather well with (everything has cheese holes in it now lol) and the dots are the left overs from the holes.

Looking forward to seeing you over there :0)

If you are in the UK and looking to buy a few Stampotiques, Moira at Happy Daze stocks an enorrrrrrrmous range. Art Journey also stock Stampotique images in The Netherlands.

What a fun-guy!

Its 'PUT ON YOUR BEST MASK' time over at Stampotique Originals Challenge Blog.




Here I sat Schu on top of a forest of Giant Shrooms! The mushrooms have all been masked to create the overlapping effect. All coloured in with my sons coloured pencils :0)




As its the first challenge of the month, any stamps can be used, but if you have a few Stampotiques it would be especially good to see them. If you are lacking in Stampotiques, and would like the opportunity to win $30 worth, then now is the time to take part in the challenge as Carol is offering yet another huuuuuuuge gift certificate for one lucky stamper drawn in two weeks time.

There are so many shops now stocking Stampotique stamps worldwide, to name a few they can be purchased direct from Stampotique Originals in the USA, Happy Daze here in the UK (where the silver metal charm also came from) and Art Journey in The Netherlands.




There are some fabulous designs over on the challenge site put together by the DT. It doesnt just have to be 'classic stamp masking', but could be using commercially produced masks, using tape to mask, sequin waste, masking fluid etc etc.

Also, this month we have the wonderful Jenn Shurkus as guest artist. If you are unsure how to mask using stamped images PLEASE check out the fantastic tuturial Jenns created which can be found on the Stampotique Designers Blog.
Theres also another fabulously detailed tutorial by Monique Verbeek, one of our talented DT members who showed us back in September how she created her gorgeous pumpkin creation.

Hope to see you take part in the challenge. But please, only ONE ENTRY ALLOWED per person because of the fantastic prize up for grabs.

Oh, and talking of hoping to see you there, I've now been able to secure a one off SATURDAY Workshop date as well as the Thursday small groups. The Saturday group will be making a WOODEN TRIPTYCH covered in Stampotique Originals fabulousness!! Its not a large group so limited places remain - if you are interested check out further info on my workshop blog.

Art Journey #3 Romance

Apologies....on a bit of a catch up.

Over the next few days I'll post some of what should have already been posted, but for all sorts of reasons over the past fortnight (past two weeks for those not used to that expression) my pc and life online has had to wait its turn as real life stood its ground.

This card is my contribution for the third Art Journey Challenge theme which this month is Romance. Simply put together by using a stencil and sponge to create the sultry background alongside some basic black stamping and a touch of coloured pencil. The 123 numbers are available from Crafty Individuals. I added a gem to the rose for a bit of glam!




Stamps used are:
Art Journey Roses
Art Journey Dance
both available from HERE

There's also a gift certificate to be won, all you have to do is to upload your Romance artwork (using mainly Art Journey stamps...see details on the blog )onto the Art Journey Challenge post and keep those fingers crossed!

Art Journey Challenge #2 - Tape

How time flies,




... October already (white rabbits white rabbits, pinch punch first of the month no returns etc) and its the second challenge for Art Journey over on the Art Journey Design Team blog. This month it's hosted by Godelieve who has chosen the theme of TAPE for to use in the challenge along with mainly Art Journey Stamps.



There are various ways in which you can incorporate the use of tape into your artwork and so after much deliberation I decided to use 3M Magic tape as a mask to deorate this tag pocket/holder on the front of this card and then simply peeled it off once I'd blended inks etc over the areas I needed.

Stamps used are all Art Journey by Sija, the sea horse being from one of the recent releases, Art Journey SEA ,available direct from the Art Journey store in Sleen, Holland and the Art Journey website.

New Art Journey Stamps!

Here a a few images of things I've put together using the stunning new Art Journey images.

Looking at the vast array of shell images infront of me on my table, I couldn't resist it- having chosen the little boy from an older Art Journey plate to star alongside the new images in a sea scene, it suddenly struck me.......a hat to beat all hats. I actually chuckled out loud to myself when I stuck this shell on his head heeheehee

*snort*



What a whopper of a crown!!! But had to be done lol

This also fits in with Wednesday Stampers 'Shells' theme for this weeks challenge too.

Below are images of an underwater scene created by layering stamping over gesso.





Below you can just about see the image of a fish fading into the 'distance' by the blue corner of the 'sea' tag..



Please take a look at the new stamp plates available...and also at the other members of the Art Journey Design Team (including Sija, the stamp designer ) which can be found listed here (click) (I can't wait to see what the girls have come up with, alays very exciting, a reveal.. Ideas just flow with these images...my crafting hours are not enough in the day though to be making lots more at the moment, but I'm sure you will come up with a few stunners!

Art Journey Challenge #1 FRIENDS

The first Art Journey Designers Challenge is starting today with the theme of FRIENDS..

Here's what Willy, who has the tricky job of being first host, has to say...

You have four weeks to create and to post your artwork because the deadline is the 28th of September. Then one participant will be randomly selected for a 10 euro’s gift certificate to shop at Art Journey! To win this gift certificate you are required to use mainly Art Journey stamps.

So if you have any Art Journey stamps pop over to the ART JOURNEY CHALLENGE SITE (click to take you straight there)

All the stamps that I used here are by Art Journey. SMILE, MODERN 2 and WORDS. All available from Art Journey.



This week (1-7 September) Art Journey is giving a 10 % discount on all Art Journey stamps to celebrate the start of the Art Journey Challenge.





There are some really beautiful examples from members of the team to hopefully inspire you a little and to get those creative cells ticking over. Please check them out.

Its all happening tomorrow! (ok the day after)

TOMORROW'S THE DAY!!! LOTS HAPPENING!!! (My post went live by mistake...I MEAN WEDNESDAY!!!!I'm so excited I don't know what day of the week it is! *doh!*)

HURRAAAAAAAAAY!

All very exciting and keeping me really busy.


It won't be long before the autumn/winter range of stamps designs that I submitted to Stampotique Originals, having been pressed and cut in the melting Arizona heat and beautifully mounted onto their wooden blocks by Carol and Jim, are being placed on the store shelves and uploaded onto sites. (How crazy is that, something I only dreamt of a few years ago).In fact its less than 48 hours to their official release!

AAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! (runs up and down the room in a crazed frenzy of excitement!!)

lol...sorry... lol ahem..

This time around I've put together a selection of stand alone images, backgrounds, abstract shapes and words which you will hopefully be able to combine with other stamps in your stash and the new releases by other Stampotique designers also out tomorrow.

The stamps are available direct from STAMPOTIQUE ORIGINALS in the USA, Happy Daze here in the UK and many more I'm pleased to say.
Moira at HAPPY DAZE is offering a pre-order/reserve now and pay once the stamps arrive, so if you have your eye on any of the designs pop along there and get your name down as its 'first come, first in a package and off to the post office' once they land (any time now).

I can't wait for my parcel to get here and make a few samples (the above photo is taken from my original drawing). As soon as I grab them out of my postmans hands and scribble something resembling a signature for him (takes ages printing and signing my long name rofl) I'll get making and blog some ideas :0)







ALSO............Wednesday is the first day/theme of the ART JOURNEY CHALLENGE! Very excited at the prospect. There's also gift certificate up for grabs for a lucky stamper so please spread the word via emails and forums. There will be a new theme on the 1st of every month, so nice and easy to remember!!
I'll be joining in with the challenges along with the rest of the DT and with YOU hopefully and also taking a turn to host in the future.The challenge can be found here on the Designers Blog.
Please pop back here on the 1st to hear lots more about it.