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! :)

Portia

Hello Everyone
It has been a few weeks since my last post Sleep Sweet Miranda, the lavender sachet using the beautiful Miranda.  For some months now I have very much enjoyed using the various Shakespeare stamps available from The Stampsmith, enjoying their versatility which is far beyond creating for people who are fans of Shakespeare.
The card I am sharing today, I am thrilled to say, was published in the Spring issue of Stampintgon & co's Take Ten, published alongside another four cards all featuring Shakespeare characters as the focal on each card.  Portia from Cleopatra and Friends. is featured on the first card.

Portia quickly became a firm favourite of mine alongside Ophelia who I also never tire of creating with. The other stamp used was from Cartolina Postale which I have mentioned before is an easily overlooked stamp plate but which is so useful.  Stamped onto prepared watercolour paper the stamp and torn into a panel.  Hand stained tag, lace and seam binding create a unified colour on this collage style card which was embellished with fragments of this and that.
Thank you for visiting this post, have a lovely weekend.
Wishes
Lynne

Let's Dance the Night Away!

Hi Smithies!
Let's get crazy and dance the light fantastic with Fred and Ginger.   I used one of the stamps from the "Let's Dance" full sheet on this uplifting card. 

The image is stamped on Glossy White CS with black dye ink.  I added lots of layers to complete this fun loving card.  The sentiment if from the "Say it Like it Is" full sheet.  For more pics and info, head over to my blog, Dreaming and Creating.  Hope your day is filled with fun and stamping, of course!
Karen McAlpine

Spring Colors and a Loving Couple

Hi Smithies!
The March Stampsmith Challenge is underway!  The theme for the month is to use Spring colors and flowers.  I went with super bright CS and papers for my Design team project.
The stamp is from the Flappers #3 full sheet.  I added some white paper flowers with rhinestone centers and a white ribbon.

There is an extra to way to win on the Challenge blog this month!!  Leave a comment with a challenge theme idea for a chance to win a mystery gift!  How fun is that!!  Take the challenge and show us your Spring projects!!  Hope you have a great weekend!
See my blog, Dreaming and Creating for the full post.
Karen McAlpine

Is It Spring Yet????

The Design Team is looking for signs of Spring in this month's Stampsmith Challenge!!

Plus, this month, there's a bonus draw!

We hope you'll enter for your chance to win!

Stamps by Stampsmith:
Thank Heaven For Little Girls #2

Sleep Sweet Miranda

Hello Everyone
For my DT sample this week I would like to share something I made as far back as December!
The stamp I worked with is the beautiful Miranda from Julia and Friends. 

This was a gift of a lavender sachet which I made for a friend.
Miranda was stamped onto TAP before transferring to canvas then the fun of embellishing with wintry white and creamy laces and a shabby seam binding bow.
It is now down to the very last hours for entry at the February Stampsmith Challenge but of course that does not mean you do not have time to enter.  Details can be found at TSC Blog but do hurry if you wish to participate.
Wishes
Lynne

Her Delicate Heart

Hello Everyone
I am sorry I have been absent for a wee while. Before my enforced absence I created this altered canvas where I used the beautiful Ophelia as my focal.
Ophelia comes in various forms, this one is the medium size version.

I stamped Ophelia onto painted cardstock before layering with an epoxy frame.
Soon, over at my personal Blog,  Adorn  I will be sharing more details about this canvas.
Are you aware that the February challenge is underway at TSC? As always there is a prize of $21 to spend at The Stampsmith on-line store on stamps of your choice so it is well worth entering.
Wishes
Lynne