Always & Forever

Hi

It's getting a little chillier here in the UK now, I'm sad to see the sun go.  I'd like to share my second project, which is a wedding keepsake, and was inspired by the song 'Always & Forever':

It's made from three pages of an mdf album which I've covered with a combination of Kraft cardstock and Melissa Frances co-ordinating dps. 

On the cover is an adorable image from The Stampsmith plate "Thank Heavens For Little Girls" - I've trimmed it to fit inside the bronze frame then encased it within Ice Resin - I love how this has turned out.  I've added various charms and embellishments, and embossed some loving sentiments on either end of each page.

Another Stampsmith image appears on the inside of the third page, from the plate "Wedding Bells":....

.....it has also been trimmed, and sits behind the little round chipboard frame which was painted before being given a coat of Decoart crackle medium.

On two of the inside pages of the mini album are small pockets - these could hold a special photograph, or a memento from the wedding - one page also has a Kraft frame which has been left open at the top, so that a special personal photograph can be slipped inside.

I've made a digital collage (my first one!) from the photographs I took, to try and show as much as possible, including the inside pages:

This was another labour of love, so I do hope you like it :-).  You still have plenty of time to join in the current Stampsmith challenge "Inspired By A Song", your creation can be anything you wish, as long as it has been inspired by a song.

Thanks for visiting

Maria xx

Inspired by a Song Challenge

Hi Smithies!

The September Stampsmith Challenge is up and running.  The theme this month is:

INSPIRED BY A SONG

I was inspired by the song, Tiny Dancer by Elton John.  I used the Stampsmith Stamp-Ballerina #1 for my card.   I stamped the image on glossy white CS with a gray pigment ink.

You can see more pics and info on my blog here.  Pull out your Stampsmith stamps and make a project to link up.  Can't wait to see what you come up with!
Karen McAlpine

'In My Daughter's Eyes' (Inspired By A Song)

Hi, I was so honoured and excited when I was asked to be a guest designer for The Stampsmith, for September, October and November.  Those of you who know me, or follow my personal blog, will know that I have had a love of their photo-real stamps for quite some time.  I was asked to choose the theme for the current challenge which was posted today, for which I chose "Inspired By A Song" - just use a song as your inspiration for what you decide to create.

As I love my wall hangings, I decided to create one for my first project using a stamp from the 'Thank Heavens For Little Girls' plate::

It measures 8 x 8 inches and has been painted with chalk paint, stamped, painted again and sanded a few times in between.  The image of the beautiful little girl was stamped onto Ranger speciality card in Coffee Archival Ink and matted and layered..  The texture framing the hanging has been created with Grunge Paste and highlighted with gilding wax, and the ribbon roses I made with various off cuts of ribbon,.  Most of the metal embellishments were given the chalk paint and gilding wax treatment, some crackle glaze was used in various places, and it wouldn't be complete without some lace!  The full details are on on my blog here.

A few close ups:

The song which inspired this creation is called "In My Daughter's Eyes' - the words are beautiful and it took me back to when my daughter was born and all those feelings you have for your child!  The words to the song have been printed and rolled up, and are tucked inside the little glass vial which hangs on some chain from the bookplate.

There's a whole month to enter the challenge over at The Stampsmith Challenge Blog, and don't forget, you could win $21 towards your next stamps!

Take care

Maria xxxxx

Rest Your Weary Head

Hello Everyone
Although I have shared on my personal Blog, Adorn, until now I have not shared this pillow  I made back in June for a lovely friend of mine who was celebrating her birthday.

Reaching for Portia from Cleopatra and Friends I created a focal by stamping directly onto a doily I had stained stitching pearly beads around the edge and topping with a shabby bow.
We are into the final days of the August challenge at TSC.  It is well worth your while entering as there is a prize of $21 to spend on stamps of your choice at The Stampsmith on-line store.
Wishes
Lynne

Lovely Audrey With Lots of Layers

Hi Smithies!
Seems like summer is just flying by!  I have been making a few cards while enjoying the cool inside--very hot outside in Michigan, USA.  For this card, I used the ever lovely Audrey Hepburn.  I added lots of die cuts and layers to this shabby chic card.

For more pics, materials list, and instructions see the full post on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  Hope you are having a great day!
Karen McAlpine

A Quilted Postcard

I have loved my time on The Stampsmith design team and so it is time to share my final project with you. I just had to use Ophelia, a real classic and definitely one of my favourites.

I used the largest Ophelia and stamped onto artists transfer paper. I then printed up a digi postcard design onto printable cotton and ironed the image onto the fabric. I then tinted the image with zig photo markers. I  added some hand quilting on the lace heart and around the image of Ophelia.

There is still plenty of time to join the Stampsmith monthly challenge. The theme is World traveller. So please join the Stampsmith Challenge for a chance to win $21 towards your favourite Stampsmith stamps!

Have a lovely day and Happy Crafting xx  

Regal Cat Birthday Card

Hi Smithies!
I wanted to share this Regal Birthday card I made using the Stampsmith Stamp--Princess.  I love this stamp for humorous cards  paired  with a queenly sentiment!   Take a look.

Great stamp for all the cat lovers on your card giving list.  For more info and pics, see the full post on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  Have a regal day!
Karen McAlpine

The Princess of France

Hello
It has been a wee while since my last post.
I have become quite smitten with Estelle's Shakespearean stamp plates, so many beautiful images packed onto each plate.  For this post I would like to share a petite notebook which I altered using the Princess of France from Julia and Friends. .
This notebook was a gift to an art friend who adores anything with a French flavour to it.

A reminder of the new TSC. World Traveller is the challenge theme for August at TSC Blog. If you are looking for a challenge then all you need to do is create anything be it a card, tag, altered art, jewellery, the list is endless but please, you must include at least one Stampsmith stamp on your artwork.
Until next time.
Wishes
Lynne

August Challenge--World Traveler

Hi Everyone!
The Stampsmith Challenge for August is up and running.  The theme for the month is:

World Traveler

For my project, I stamped several of the images from the Paris Full Sheet, cut them out and made them into a collage.

For more info and pics, see the full post on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  Have a great day and don't forget to link up your World Traveler project on the Challenge Blog!!
Karen McAlpine

Vintage Tea Lady

Hi Smithies
I would like to share this vintage card with you today.  I used one of my favorite Stampsmith Stamps--Coffee Gal.   But for this card, Coffee Gal  is Tea Lady.

I did lots of distressing and tearing.  I added some fun tea die cuts and a crackle finish frame.  For more info and pics, click over to my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  Hope you are having a great day!
Karen McAlpine

Friendship

Phew we're having a heatwave here in the UK, very unusual for us, as the British summer is usually a washout. The gorgeous weather reminds me of my childhood playing with friends in the long Summer holidays and it is the inspiration for my card. Vintage Shabby is a favourite style of mine, and this gorgeous stamp from the Darling Boys stamp plate is just perfect for the vintage style. I used some favourite linen fabric that I ironed to grunge paper using bondaweb. Then I used the Tim Holtz cameo die to frame my picture. Adding a few stitches using my trusty sewing machine. The little padded heart was made using some matching linen fabric and a heart die. I added a linen bow, scraps of lace and some vintage style buttons to complete my card.

There is still plenty of time to join the current Stampsmith Challenge 'Shabby Chic or Vintage Grunge' and We'd love you to play along and share your projects with us this month. So choose your preferred style `Shabby or Grunge' or a bit of both and join the Stampsmith Challenge with a chance to win $21 of gorgeous stamps of your choice from The Stampsmith.

Paula xxx

It's ON the bag!

 There's still time to join in on Altered Boxes, Bags, and Books Challenge! Hosted by our Guest Designer, Paula.
  Here I used the Serena #2 stamp which is "new to me"! I stamped her on glossy cs with ColorBox Mudslide and then surrounded her with die cuts!
  Get out your Stampsmith stamps and have a go! You could win some awesome rubber!

Wishes
Debbie
More photos on my blog: Scraps From A Broad

TSC43: Altered Cigar Box

 

For the challenge this month over at The Stampsmith Challenge site, our new Guest Designer, Paula Tidman has challenged us to create some art using the theme 'Alter it - Boxes, Bags or Books.'  My features an image of the lovely, Lucy.   I just love this image...she looks stunning and not at all silly like your normally remember her!

Here's a bit of an angle to better show you the gorgeous lacey pattered paper and hardware on the box.

Yes, I know this next image is upside down...I just wanted to show you a view of the back of the cigar box, so you can see the pretty sheer, gathered ribbon that's around the three sides over top of the lacey patterned paper.

I hope you decide to play along in the fun!  You still have a few more days to play and I can't wait to see all the different altered art!  Just remember to use at least one stamped image by The Stampsmith in order to be eligible for the draw.  :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)
 

Silvia's Box

I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to be a guest designer for The Stampsmith during the months of June, July and August. They have an amazing selection of stamps which I am really enjoying using. I chose to alter an mdf box to fit in with the current challenge which is Altered Bags, Boxes and Books. There is still plenty of time to enter the challenge, the winner of the random draw will be able to choose stamps to the value of $21 and free shipping.

I chose the beautiful Silvia from the Shakespeare heroines stamp plate Olivia and friends as the central image for my box. Silvia is one of the heroines from the comedy 'The Two Gentlemen of Verona' she was locked nightly in a tower by her father and I imagine this is her looking out of the window for her lover Valentine.

Here is my finished box, I hope you like it, more details are on my blog here.

It would be wonderful if you could share your artwork featuring Stampsmith stamps and join the challenge this month.

Take care & Happy Crafting

Paula xx

Beloved

Hello Everyone
I hope you are having a lovely weekend.
For this post I am sharing a fabric wall hanging I made some time ago, in fact it was for May's TSC.
I selected the beautiful 1920's bride from Portrait of a Lady stamp plate. http://www.stampsmith.net/ecommerce/unmounted-rubber-stamp-sheets/portrait-lady-art-rubber-stamps.html which I used in conjunction with TAP (Transfer Artist Paper).  If you are a fan of photo real stamps and want to further the scope of the surface you stamp onto, other than glossy cardstock and other papers, then TAP will open up a whole new world of possibilities for you.
For this wall hanging I transferred the bridal image which I stamped onto TAP onto scrap cotton fabric.Prior to transferred, the image was tinted with Caran d'ache watersoluble crayons to co-ordinate with the fabric I painted for the main panel.

The June challenge is well underway at TSC Blog where our Guest Artist, the talented Paula, has selected the theme of Altered Books, Boxes and Bags.  All details for rules of entry and the prize available at TSC Blog.
Wishes
Lynne

Altered Brown Paper Lunch Bag

Hey everyone! Hope you are having a great weekend. It's a little, no, a lot! soggy here! We are feeling the effects of tropical storm Andrea in Nova Scotia. Makes for a great crafty day though!

This month's challenge is to alter a bag, book or box. I decided to alter a brown paper lunch bag. This was a lot of fun to make. Lots of layers of die cuts with the beautiful Serena #2 photo image stamp.

Hope you can join in this month. Hop on over to The Stampsmith Challenge Blog for all the details!

Wishes
Debbie
Scraps From A Broad: It's On The Bag

June Stampsmith Challenge--Alter It!

Hi Smithies,
The June Stampsmith Challenge is open and in full swing!  This month's challenge is:

ALTER IT

For my Design Team project, I altered a round paper mache box.  I used the large Sunflower image from the  Bontanica Full Sheet.

Before

After

Click over to my blog, Dreaming and Creating, for more pics and instructions.  Hope you are having a great day!

Karen McAlpine

Full of Grace

Hello Everyone
It has been quite some time since I last posted so it is lovely to be here today and to be able to share one of the cards that I was thrilled to see published in Stampington & co's Take Ten publication (Spring edition).
The card features one of the stamps from the beautiful Olivia and Friends plate. 

The fragment beneath the main image is one of the stamps from the Cartolina Postale set stamped onto prepared watercolour paper.
Another time I will share some more of the cards featured alongside this one.
Thank you for visiting.
Wishes
Lynne

Lovely Ophelia with Kraft Background

Hi Smithies,
Today, let's take a look at the Lovely Ophelia.  I used the Medium Ophelia and placed her on a background of Kraft CS and decorative papers.

Ophelia is stamped with black dye ink on smooth white CS and cut with a die.  For more pics and supplies, head over to my blog, Dreaming and Creating.

Hope you are having a super day!
Karen McAlpine

Lovely Lady in Rust

Hi Smithies!
I wanted to share this romantic card with you.  I used one of the ladies from the Belinda and Friends Full Sheet.    I stamped in a dark rusty colored ink (Siena Archival) and used lots of rust colored DP's.

I added a touch of yellow for a soft contrast.  See the full post on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.
Karen McAlpine

Audrey in the Spotlight

Hi Smithies,
Lovely Audrey Hepburn is in the spotlight today.  I stamped Audrey on glossy white CS and colored the background with blue distress ink.  And add lots of yellow papers and embellishments.

For more info, check out the full post on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  Have a lovely day!
Karen McAlpine

Mother's Little Darling

Hi Smithies,
Mother's Day is this Sunday in the US.    I made this Mother's Day card for a friend.  I used one of the little darlings from the "Thank Heaven for Little Girls #1" full sheet. 

I added a pretty paper and Stickles to complete this card.  See the full post on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  I hope you are having a great day with lots of sunshine!
Karen McAlpine

A little birdie told me...it's your Birthday!

I created this card using a fun, retro, photostamped image of two ladies at a hair salon from the Those Were the Days 1950's stamp set by The Stampsmith.  I made this card for my friend, who's celebrating her birthday today.   I'm happy to say, this was before our time...but cute, nonetheless.  Happy Birthday, Ang!  :)

I don't normally decorate the inside of my cards, but I wanted to use more of this fun paper and the coordinating journalling cards, so added a little more inside the card.

Here's the rest of the stamp set...funny, eh?

Thanks for stoppin' by!  :)
 

TSC42: Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Who's Crazy?

First, I'd like to send out a warm welcome to Paula Tidman (aka Ephemera) as she was selected as a Stampsmith Challenge Guest Designer for the months of June, July and August.  Paula does beautiful work and I look forward to seeing what new creativity she brings to us.  Congratulations, Paula!  :)

We have a fun "Tic Tac Toe' challenge for you this month over at The Stampsmith Challenge blog.  I opted to use a picture frame to incorporate the metal into my project, but you're welcome to do a card or whatever strikes your fancy.

Here's the Tic Tac Toe board...simple choose a straight vertical, horizontal or diagonal row and work with those three elements.  I chose Metal-Manly-Distressed for my project. A metal frame stand, manly image and design and a distressed crackle finish on frame.  In case you can't read the quote, it reads:

A question that 

sometimes drives 

me hazy: am I or 

are the others crazy?

~ Albert Einstein

Remember each project that contains at least one stamped image by The Stampsmith will qualify for the random draw for a gift certificate to The Stampsmith Store valued at $21.00.  I'm excited to see what everyone comes up with for this challenge since they'll all be so different. 

Happy creating!  :)
 

Ophelia in the Pink

Hi Smithies!
Time for a new Stampsmith Challenge!!  The theme is Tic Tac Toe!!  Lots of scope in that theme!   Here are the elements.

I picked Pink, Pattern Paper, and Ribbon to make my Design Team Card.  I also used the lovely Ophelia stamp.

For more pics and info, click over to my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  Have a great weekend!
Karen McAlpine

Eiffel Tower in the Spring

Hi Smithies!
Today, I would like to share a Spring themed card with you.  I made this card using the Eiffel Tower image from the Paris Full Sheet.  Take a look.

A Kaleidacolor pad was used to stamp.  And, I added a thick coat of UTTE.   For more info and pics see the full post on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.   Hope you have a great day.

Karen McAlpine

April Challenge Project

Hi Smithies!
I am back with another post today!  I thought you might like a reminder that the April Stampsmith Challenge is up and running.  This month's theme is Black/White with a pop of color!!  I used one of the cute images from the full sheet "It's A Dog's Life". 

The sentiment is from the "Say It Like It Is" full sheet.  

For more pics and info, check out the full post on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.
Have a super day!
Karen McAlpine

Folded Tag Card with Belinda's Friends

Hi Smithies,
I wanted to share a fun project I made with a large tag die cut and one of the lovelies from the Belinda and Friends full sheet.  The image was stamped with Coffee Archival ink on glossy white CS.

See the full post on my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  Hope you are having a great day!
Karen McAlpine

A Snapshot of Springtime in Paris

Tonight is your last night to get your submission in for the current challenge over at The Stampsmith Challenge.  This month we're challenging you to create something using Spring Flowers and Colours.  Simply upload your artwork to the blog linky and you'll be entered into a draw for a free sheet of stamps by The Stampsmith! (a $21.00 value)  All projects using at least one image by The Stampsmith will be eligible. 

For my card, I used several stamps from the Paris sheet.  I love this sheet with so many great images.  Bottom left you'll see the Eiffel Tower, top middle you'll see Notre Dame, next to it, a Paris postmark and middle right you'll see a Paris map.

I hope you decide to join in on the fun.  I look forward to seeing all your creations!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)
 

Paris in the Spring "Time"

Hi Smithies!
Although it does not feel much like Spring here in Michigan, I wanted to share a fun and cheerful Spring card with you today.  I used the Eiffel Tower from the Paris Full Sheet. 

I added two layers of UTTE on top of the image.  Check out my blog, Dreaming and Creating, for more pics and instructions.  Have a great day!
Karen McAlpine

Victorian Easter Egg

I had fun making Easter Eggs with my girls the other day. We used the plastic eggs that you break open and fill with smaller chocolate eggs or Easter goodies.  We brushed them with Decoupage (sealer-glue-finish) and covered them with small pieces of tissue paper, reapplying more Decoupage, as needed.   I used my heat tool to make sure the egg was completely dry and then we each decorated them.

I chose to make a Victorian looking egg, using the sweet little angel girl, called Butterfly Kiss by The Stampsmith as the main focal image for my egg.  I stamped her onto to Copic paper and then crinkled the paper all up so that it would more easily form to the egg.   I stamped text onto tissue paper and then decoupaged it on.  I distressed the entire egg with Tea Dye Distress ink.  I free-handed the pearl flourish along the side, then applied a strip of pretty lace around the entire egg and bronze embellishments at the top and the bottom, finishing with a little polka dot bow at the top.  I used the small Butterfly Kiss stamp, but it also comes in a large version, as well.

Lace around the egg.

 

 Embellishment and bow on top of the egg.

 Embellishment on the bottom of the egg.

I hope you decide to play in the fun this month with us over at The Stampsmith Challenge blog.  This month, we're challenging you to use Spring Colors and Flowers.  To be eligible, use at least one Stampsmith stamp in your creation for a chance to win a free sheet of stamps (of your choice) by The Stampsmith, valued at $21.00!  I look forward to seeing all your Spring creations!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)