Autumn Arty Style

Hi folks, I had an idea in my head to create an Autumn card with a contemporary arty look inspired by a Distress Oxide Re-inker technique from Shari Carroll for Simon Says Stamp. Sometimes it feels good to step out of your comfort zone, throw caution to the wind and let go of your inhibitions but I wasn't feeling so good about it after the first attempt. But with my "if at first you don't succeed" hat on, I stuck with it and finally ended up with something I was "reasonably" happy with.

For my first attempt at that arty background, I trimmed a piece of Distress Watercolor card to size and squeezed a drop of Spiced Marmalade Distress Oxide re-inker on to my craft mat, took a small acrylic block and pulled it through the ink. With the ink transferred to the block, I dragged the block down the card. I cleaned off my craft mat and the block and repeated the process with Peeled Paint and Fired Brick. I spritzed the inks lightly with water, dabbed with a paper towel and added splatters of Black Soot Distress Oxide ink.

I stamped Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous Craze background inked with Black Soot Archival, used Tim Holtz/Sizzix Fall Foliage Thinlits to die cut 3 leaves down the centre of the panel and popped the leaves them back into place using Tim Holtz/Sizzix Black Mini Foam to create dimension.

but they were lost on the background so I pulled them off and started over on background No 2.  I used the same technique, leaving more white space around the edges and added small torn strips of Tim Holtz Idea-ology Halloween Collage Paper fixed in place with Distress Collage Medium Matte.

I teased out strips of Idea-ology Mummy Cloth, fixed them in place with dots of Distress Collage Medium Matte. Once dry, I darkened the edges of the leaves with a Black Soot Distress Marker and popped them up on Tim Holtz/Sizzix Black Mini Foam to create dimension.

To finish, I added Idea-ology Clippings Stickers, trimmed the panel down, applied Black Soot Distress Paint around the edge using the dabber top and added the panel to an A2 Kraft Card Blank.

Between you, me and the goal posts, I think this may well be my first and last little dabble in the world of contemporary art...it's that old adage "each to their own/stick to what you know/don't try to teach your grandma to suck eggs" and with that in mind, I'm hanging up my crafty apron for today and heading out on an adventurous day with the Friday Girls...coffee, lunch and lots of chat, that I can do with my eyes closed.

Tomorrow is the start of the month-long fun STAMPtember party at Simon Says Stamp, lots of fabulous new products and loads of inspiration from the Simon Says Stamp Designer Family so I hope you will all pop in and join in the fun.

Have a great weekend whatever you have planned and I'll be back on Sunday with a project using one of the new STAMPtember products.

Toodle-oo for now

Hugs Kath xxx

More Makes with Modern Rose Blooms...

Hi folks, I'm back with another two cards made with the gorgeous 6" x 6" Modern Rose Blooms Cling stamp and Mandy's Flowers both included in Simon Says Stamp August Card Kit. The kit has sold out but individual items are still available to buy HERE.

I trimmed a piece of SSS Cotton Candy card to fit the front of an A2 card blank. I inked up Modern Rose Blooms randomly with Worn Lipstick and Frayed Burlap Distress Oxide inks, spritzed with water and stamped, allowing the stamp to sit on the card for a minute or so to allow the card to absorb the ink. Once dry, I die-cut a circle from the panel, stamped the image from Mandy's Flowers on the circle with SSS Intense Black ink. I re-stamped the flowers and leaves on kraft and white card, fussy cut and coloured the flowers with Worn Lipstick Distress Oxide using a Detailer Water Brush.

I stamped the sentiment from Bouquet of Thanks in the centre of the circle and popped the circle up on Tim Holtz/Sizzix Mini Foam to create dimension. I used a Sakura White Gelly Roll pen to colour the stamped circle, the flower accents and added dots to the centre of the flower. I used the Distress Splatter Brush to add Picket Fence and Black Soot Distress Paint splatters.I finished off by fixing Idea-ology Crinkle Ribbon around the panel, added a double bow and fixed the panel to the card blank.

For the second card, I trimmed a panel of Neenah Desert Storm card to be slightly smaller than the card blank. I fixed masking tape to the panel to create random stripes, inked Modern Rose Blooms with Vintage Photo Archival ink and stamped. I carefully removed the tape and fitted the panel to the card blank. I stamped the image from Mandy's Flowers twice on to white cardstock and fussy cut.

I fixed the first image in place with Ranger Multi Medium Matte and coloured the flowers and leaves with Mustard Seed and Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide inks using the Distress Detailer Brush. I fussy cut flowers and leaves from the second image and popped up on Tim Holtz/Sizzix Mini Foam to create dimension.

Lots of folks have said to me over the years that they don't buy background stamps because they are unsure how to use them so I hope I've given you some ideas and inspiration for getting more bang for your buck from these very versatile stamps.

Toodle-oo for now

Hugs Kath xxx

A Trio of Cards and Disasters

Hi folks, I'm sharing 3 cards today, made with the beautiful 6" x 6" Modern Rose Blooms Cling Stamp included in the Simon Says Stamp August Card Kit which has sold out but individual items from the kit are still available to buy HERE. I'm also using one of my favourite Simon Says stamps, Bouquet Of Thanks. Three cards with the same stamps but entirely different results.

I trimmed a panel of SSS Ultra White 120lb Card to be slightly smaller than the 5.1/2" square card blank and inked up the Modern Rose Blooms Cling stamp randomly with Mustard Seed, Worn Lipstick, Spiced Marmalade and Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide inks. I spritzed the stamp with water using the Distress Sprayer and stamped, leaving the stamp to sit on the card for a minute or so to allow the paper to absorb the wet ink. I stamped the sentiment from Bouquet of Thanks on to the panel with SSS Intense Black, die cut using SSS Stitched Squares and popped the square up on Tim Holtz/Sizzix Mini Foam to create dimension.

I stamped the flower image from Bouquet Of Thanks with SSS Intense Black along the side and bottom of the panel, added dots with a Sakura Black Gelly Roll Pen and fixed to the card blank.

For the second card, I inked the Modern Rose Blooms with SSS Intense Black and stamped on to a panel cut slightly smaller than the 51/2" square card blank. I trimmed down the panel and fixed to the card blank leaving a space for the sentiment which I stamped with SSS Intense Black. I stamped the flower image on to white card and die cut with the Bouquet Of Thanks die and added SSS Treasure Chest sequins.

For card No 3, I stamped the Modern Rose Blooms with Worn Lipstick Distress Oxide ink on to a panel of SSS Cotton Candy card which came in the August Kit, trimmed the panel into different sized strips and fixed to the A2 card blank.

 I stamped the Bouquet of Thanks image on to white card and die cut as before. I coloured the flowers with Worn Lipstick and Frayed Burlap Distress Oxides using a Distress Detailer Brush, popped up on Tim Holtz/Sizzix Mini Foam to create dimension and added a bow using the May Arts Natural Burlap Twine included in the kit.

 I stamped the sentiment with SSS Intense Black and added Studio Katia Cupids Kiss sequins

You may be thinking this is an odd time of day to be publishing a post but let me tell you, it's been one disaster after another in the world of technology. The cards were made last week but couldn't be photographed until my replacement camera battery charger arrived. Then right on cue, my Broadband connection decided it wasn't playing either and to cap it all, the element in the oven died a death on Sunday and my much anticipated roast chicken dinner was replaced by a couple of take-away pizzas.

But hey, the camera is working again, Broadband has been sorted thanks to the nice man from BT Openreach, the oven element has been replaced and fingers crossed the gremlins have decided to move on and irritate someone else.

I'll be back tomorrow to share more makes

Toodle-oo for now

Hugs Kath xxx

Simon Says Stamp - Fall/Autumn

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...

FALL/AUTUMN

Autumn is definitely one of my favourite seasons, I love watching the leaves change colour and wonder at the magic of Mother Nature's colour palette. The only downside is having to constantly sweep up the fallen leaves in the garden, not a task I enjoy, much like my sad faced friend.

I decided to decorate an Etcetera Small Tag with one of my favourite ever Tim Holtz paper pads, the beautiful Wallflower creating a collage effect with torn scraps fixed in place with Distress Collage Multi Medium Matte to create a collage effect. It was needs must I'm afraid because scraps are all that I have left of this pad, a reminder that it's time to shop and replenish.

I applied a light coat of White Gesso, sanded back the edges to remove the excess paper and also lightly sanded back the places where the papers overlapped to give a smoother finish.

I added strips of Idea-ology Halloween Design Tape and a panel of Halloween Worn Wallpaper, obviously not just suitable for spooky projects, but all year round must-haves.

I stamped the images from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous Leaf Prints with Peeled Paint,
Spiced Marmalade and Aged Mahogany Distress Paint using a mini round blending tool to pounce the paint on to the stamps. Once done, it's a trip to the kitchen sink to wash the paint off the stamps and rinse out the blending foams ready for next time.

I then inked the script background from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous Entomology with Versamark ink and heat embosssed with Ranger Super Fine White Embossing Powder.

I added Idea-ology Thrift Ephemera and created shadows around them and the Worn Wallpaper using a Walnut Stain Distress Crayon (but forgot to take a photo of that stage) I then coloured sheets of Distress Watercolor card with various colours of Distress Oxides, smooshing the card through the ink on my craft mat, drying, spritzing and picking up the remaining droplets of ink until I was happy with the colours. I then die cut loads of leaves using Tim Holtz/Sizzix Fall Foliage Thinlits and fixed them to the tag with Distress Collage Medium Matte, only applying the adhesive on the bottom sections of the leaves and curling them upwards to create dimension.

I applied a light coat of Distress Collage Medium Matte to the paper doll, the collage medium gives the shiny surface some tooth for the colour to grab on to and coloured his socks and handkerchief with a Peeled Paint Distress Marker. I fixed an Idea-ology Broomstick in place with Distress Collage Medium Matte and popped the paper doll up with Tim Holtz/Sizzix Black Mini Foam

I used a sharp knife to cut an Idea-ology Pumpkin in half so that it had a nice flat surface

painted with Walnut Stain Distress Paint, wiped it back with a paper towel, leaving the paint in the crevices and fixed to an Idea-ology Wood Slice. I covered the paper doll with scrap paper and flicked splatters of Distress Tarnished Brass and Antique Bronze Mica Spray on to the foliage and the background of the tag.

I coloured a scrap of card with Peeled Paint and Spiced Marmalade Distress Oxide inks using a mini round blending tool and stamped the script from Entomology with Aged Mahogany Distress Oxide

and die cut the wording using Tim Holtz/Sizzix Alphanumeric Thinlits. I fixed the letters to 2 layers die cut from scrap white card to add a drop shadow or should it be highlight.

I added small pieces of my new favourite trim from Tim Holtz...the amazing Mummy Cloth, again not just for Halloween. I teased it out with my fingers and fixed in place with Distress Collage Medium Matte. I added the leaves I had left over to create the feeling of falling leaves and added Small Talk Stickers.

I coloured Idea-ology Crinkle Ribbon by spritzing with Spiced Marmalade and Peeled Paint, spritzed liberally with water to lighten the colours, scrunched up and dried with my heat tool. I tied in to two bows and finished off with a double twine bow.

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

Something Dreadfully Wicked...

Hi folks, it's hard to believe in a week's time, we'll be heading into September. There's a definite feel of Autumn in the air now and of course, my crafty thoughts are already turning to Halloween.
A great excuse to dive in and have a play with the fabulous new Halloween stamps from Tim Holtz and Stampers Anonymous, starting off with my favourite and I suspect that the dreadfully wicked Mr Bones will be lots of peoples' favourite this year.

I trimmed a panel of Distress Media Heavystock to measure 5" x 7", coloured with Wilted Violet Distress Oxide ink, spritzed with water and mopped up the excess with a paper towel.

I applied Carved Pumpkin Distress Oxide ink through the Diamonds Shifter Layering Stencil using a mini round blending tool,

cleaned off the stencil, lined up the grid lines over the existing stencilling and applied Black Soot Distress Oxide ink.

I inked the Ornate background stamp from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous Ornate and Lace with Carved Pumpkin, spritzed with water and stamped randomly on the panel.

At this stage, I decided the colours were too bright, so I applied a light layer of Frayed Burlap Distress ink over the entire panel using a mini round blending tool.

I inked the Craze background from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous Craze and Planks with Black Soot Distess Oxide and stamped randomly on the panel. I also stamped one of the images from Tangled Webs around the edges but forgot to take a photo.

I stamped Mr Bones twice on to Distress Watercolor card and fussy cut. I cut out the hat and fixed in place with Tim Holtz/Sizzix Black Mini Foam to create dimension. I cut off the top of the hat with the idea of using it as a lid but didn't use it after all. I coloured the image with Antique Linen Distress ink and Carved Pumpkin Distress Oxide using a Distress Detailer Brush.

I added Idea-ology Halloween Design Tape and Ephemera to the panel, Idea-ology Mummy Cloth to the hat and tucked Boneyard Findings  and Ephemera inside. (This was where I was going to use the lid but not all ideas work out).

I chopped up the Idea-ology Halloween Quote Chip, sanded the edges with the Distress Sanding Grip and added to the top and bottom of the card. I coloured the wording on the Idea-ology Halloween Story Stick with a Picket Fence Distress Crayon.

I added lots of loose threads from the Idea-ology Mummy Cloth to the panel by pulling the threads through a blob of Distress Collage Medium Matte I placed on my craft mat, dropping the threads randomly on to the panel and pressing them down with my crafty pick until the Collage Medium dried.

I trimmed a panel of white card to cover the front of the 5.1/2" x 7.1/2" card blank, coloured with Carved Pumpkin Distress Oxide using a mini round blending tool and stamped around the edges with the Craze background stamp inked with Black Soot Archival.

I darkened up the edges of both panels with Black Soot Distress Oxide ink and fixed to the card blank with Distress Collage Medium Matte.

I can guarantee you probably haven't seen the last of the dreadfully wicked Mr Bones, meanwhile, the cubbyhole crew have been busy with Autum themed projects, a little sneaky peek of my DT project for Monday's Simon Says Stamp Challenge.

Have a great weekend whatever you plan on doing and I'll see you all soon.

Toodle-oo for now

Hugs Kath xxx