Create Art...

Hi folks...I'm one of those folks who is more comfortable standing up when I'm crafting so the old body was in danger of seizing up completely after a couple of days sitting down stitching and they do say...a change is as good as a rest so I decided to take some time out and head back to the cubbyhole to have some fun...inspired by Shari Carroll's gorgeous Mixed Medium project for Simon Says Stamp...you can check out Shari's project and step by step videos HERE.
I had a whole load of fun putting my own spin on decorating one of Tim's fabulous Etcetera Tags with Tissue Paper, Cheesecloth, Ranger Opague Crackle Texture Paste and regular Texture Paste applied through the Speckles Layering Stencil to create layers of texture on the background...

love the crackle effect on the Tattered Poinsettia die-cuts

I added torn pieces of Prima Salvage District papers

Idea-ology Textile Surfaces Linen to a chipboard panel and decorated it with Design Tape and a Watch Cameo...

finishing off with Quote Chips and Prima Art Stones

I love the simplicity of this project and it will be hanging in my "watching TV/family room/chill out" space very soon. In the meantime...the Friday girls and I are off on a "procuring stitching bits and pieces" shopping expedition today...they don't know yet but I'm today's designated driver and lunch payment person so if they don't want to go hungry or be left at the nearest bus stop...I'm sure they'll be happy to comply with my "it's my way or the highway" powers of persuasion.

Have a great weekend whatever you are planning and I'll see you all on Monday with my DT project for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.

Toodle-oo for now

Hugs Kath xxx

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Take The Scenic Route...

Hi folks...I'm back to share another card made with the new Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous stamp sets and this time it's Brushstrokes used in conjunction with one of my favourite stamp sets of all time...Flower Garden...

and all the stamping and watercolouring was done with Distress Oxide Inks...Worn Lipstick/Cracked Pistachio/Fossilized Amber and Walnut Stain...

with a little bit of Halftone and Ring stamping to add some interest to the background and the addition of a Quote Chip for the sentiment...

I don't know about you but I'm struggling to get back in the swing after putting the clocks back an hour on Sunday and being woken from my cosy slumber at the most unearthly hour by the Furry Alarm Clock isn't helping either...I've had a quick look but so far have failed to find his reset button. I'm a morning person...usually up with the lark and as bright as a button at silly 6 o'clock but seriously 4.00am is taking the bl***y biscuit.

Suggestions on a postcard please...

Hugs Kath xxx

A Noble Gent Or Two...

Hi folks...because I'll be absent from the cubbyhole for a while enjoying a bit of stitching fun...I'm sharing some cards I made earlier starting off with a card using the Noble Gent and Etcetera Stamp Sets from Tim Holtz and Stampers Anonymous...

using...surprise surprise Distress Oxide inks...Broken China and Walnut Stain to create the background...

 and why have one Noble Gent when you can feast your eyes on four...

I have to confess I am absolutely besotted with Distress Oxide inks and love how you can layer the colours on to your background without it turning in to a muddy mess and they also stamp beautifully on to your background to create interest...

I'll be back tomorrow to share another card...until then the sewing machine requires threading...where did I put that magnifying glass...

Toodle-oo for now

Hugs Kath xxx

Ready Steady Stitch...

Hi Everyone...the sewing adventure has begun...

with the help of my trusty Fiskars tools...

I've been having fun with Tim's new Eclectic Elements fabrics...

but progress has been slow because the sun came to visit and decided to stay for a few days...

the temptation to play truant has been strong and life's been one long coffee break

but not to worry...true to form the good old British weather has reverted to it's usual unpredictable self...the sun has packed his bags and the rain has moved in so today it'll be back to the job in hand after my furry companion and his Mum get back from our rather wet doggy stroll and I'll be back tomorrow to share some cards I've made with the new stamps from Tim Holtz and Stampers Anonymous,

Hugs Kath xxx

Simon Says...Things With Wings

Hi Everyone...welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog...thank you for joining us for last week's challenge...we hope you can join us this week too because...

and the theme for this week is...

THINGS WITH WINGS

I decorated a canvas to celebrate the official arrival of Spring and for once the weather seems to be playing ball...after a beautiful sunshine weekend...I have my fingers crossed that the sun will decide to stay for a while.

I started off by creating the background with Distress Oxide inks...smooshed Cracked Pistachio on to my small non stick craft mat, spritzed with water, picked the mat up and pounced the ink on to my canvas....easier than picking the canvas up...don't you think.  I then repeated the process with Walnut Stain and continued layering, spritzing and drying until I was happy with the coverage...

I applied Ranger Crackle Texture Paste through the Ornate Layering Stencil and left it to dry...

replaced the stencil and applied more Crackle Texture coloured with the smallest drop of Fossilized Amber Distress Re-inker in small areas...

I fixed down torn strips of  Melange Tissue Wrap and Aristocrat Design Tape with Ranger Collage Medium Matte...

and added images from Idea-ology Botanical Layers...

and Thinlits Garden Greens cut from white and black cardstock

I coloured the Idea-ology Paper Dolls with Distress Markers...a coat of Collage Medium Matte before applying the colour will ensure it doesn't smear and rub off.

and die cut the Mini Detailed Butterflies from Distress Oxide backgrounds I had sitting on my workdesk from a previous playtime...

layered them up and added Glossy Accents to the body section. I added a Quote Chip...

and Alpha Transparent Tiles...I cut around the Ampersand Tile to make it less prominent and added Idea-ology Letterpress coloured with Cracked Pistachio and Fossilized Amber Distress Paint sanded slightly to create a distress look.

You can find all the products I used over at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp online store...just click on the links below...

Why don't you pop over to the Monday Challenge Blog and check out the amazing creations from my very talented Design Team mates and as always you all have the chance to win a $50 gift voucher to spend at Simon Says Stamp. You have until Monday 8am Ohio time...1pm UK time...2 pm CET to join in...

You can also follow Simon Says Stamp on Instagram

and if you use Instagram...

please add #sssmchallenge to your entry uploads so we can see them on there too

I look forward to seeing what you create this week...

Have Fun and Happy Crafting

Hugs Kath xxx

InLinkz.com