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