Lyre Player

The Make a Moo challenge is musical instruments - always a favourite of mine. Here's the lady who adorns the Peters edition sheet music covers.

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Stamps: DarkRoom Door Chorus; Stampington Antique Music

Inks: DI Scattered Straw, Aged Mahogany, Pink Lipstick, Black Soot and Antique Linen; Adirondack Cranberry; Archival Black

Extras: Perfect pearls 'Pearl'

Gargoyle couple

The SoArtful theme for this week is tongue twisters. This is the one I chose, and I cannot say it fast. It's provided a lot of amusement among the offspring today!

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Stamps: ISC ATC Elements set 2

Inks: DI Weathered Wood, Old paper and Frayed Burlap; Archival Black

Extras: Cling Film; Images from the 'Past Times' web site; Computer Generated Text

We're all individual

The Artarazzi challenge 25 is to use the given fingerprint image. Another chance for me to try out some new techniques in Photoshop.

Up to the surface

The Art Creations challenge #28 is to use a given background. I've selected part of it.

Flowers are bursts of colour

The ATC Wednesday theme for this week is flowers.

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Stamps: DarkRoom Door Full Bloom 2; Time to Stamp Oriental Splendor

Inks: DI Black Soot, Dried Marigold and Shabby Shutters; VersaFine Onyx Black

Extras: White brads

Learning the 3 Rs

In case you're wondering what the 3 Rs are - they are reading, writing and arithmetic. A concept remembered perhaps by the older British readers amongst us.

This is my contribution to the Small World of Inchies and Twinchies, whose theme is, of course, school. Unfortunately I wasn't able to post this due to my computer crashing whenever I went to the site, but the challenge for the beginning is June is ABC, and this is relevant, so I'll double up. I used the spraying-over-threads technique for the background.
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Stamps: Paper Artsy Frames 4 and Mini 23; Stampington Paris 1900

Inks: Sticky Fingers Sprays Pinks and Bluebell; DI Back Soot; Adirondack Sail Boat Blue and Watermelon

Extras: Thread; Prima Flower; Q&Co mini Crystal Gem

Toccata and Fugue

This week's image from Artarazzi really stumped me until my mind wandered in the service at church this morning, and I sat gazing at the organ pipes.

I've included a sort of work in progress tutorial, as I find these so helpful on other people's blogs.

Sparkling Dragonfly

The Saturday Workshop challenge this week is 'sparkling'. The entire card is lightly sprayed with homemade glimmer mist, and I added crystal gems.
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Stamps: Paper Artsy mini; Time to Stamp ATC set 1

Inks: Ecoline Light green, Magenta and Red Violet; DI Black Soot; Adirondack Cranberry and Wild Plum; VersaFine Onyx Black; Inkessentials White Gel Pen; VersaMagic Key Lime

Extras: Paper Cellar Crystal gems; Swirls template; Sequin Waste; perfect pearls 'Pearl'

In the depths dwell the seahorses

The SoArtful challenge this week is fish. Strictly speaking, a seahorse isn't a fish, but don't tell June!

The background uses yesterday's daily image from http://www.thesumofallcrafts.blogspot.com/. This particular one is now unavailable but you'll find equally stunning backgrounds new every day. I completely changed the hues to make it more suitable to the colours of the seahorse image.
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Seahorse from google
light Beam by redhead-stock at www.deviantart.com
Porcelain font and Recife2 brushes from http://www.misprintedtype.com/
Image from www.thesumofallcrafts.blogspot.com

Smile

The Make a Moo or 2 theme is the word 'happy'. This lady just wasn't happy until she had some bling!

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Stamps: DarkRoom Door Friendship Flowers; Simple Expressions people 2

Inks: Adirondack Lemonade and peach bellini; StazOn Hydrangea Blue

Extras: Flower gem; PP unknown

Royal Beauty

The Art Creations Friday challenge #27 is to use the image of this girl. Although the original background on the photo was beautiful in itself, it looked to me as if she should be sitting or leaning on something. I like the way the leaves from the bird image give the effect of wings.

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Girl image from acf
Bird and Music images from http://www.thevintagemoth.blogspot.com/
Light Beam Brushes from redhead-stock at www.deviantart.com
Recife Dirty2 Brushes from www.misprintedtype.com

Guardian Angel

The ATC Wednesday challenge is simply angels. I love the thought of having a guardian angel, watching over me and protecting me. And praying on my behalf.

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Stamps: Hero Arts Fabulous Flourishes; Invoke Arts Shrine Frames

Inks: VersaFine Onyx Black; Adirondack Purple Twilight and Silver Dabber

Extras: Angel image from www.digitalcollagesheets.com; Background from http://itkupilli.blogspot.com/ ; German scrap; Dymo Labeller

Twilight crane

This stamp layout has been in the back of my mind for a while now, so I'm pleased that I can use it for the Tag It On challenge, whose theme is Oriental, and China Blue. I'n not sure if you can see the detail, but I pressed the brads into versamark and then embossed them with sparkly EP.

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Stamps: Time to Stamp oriental Splendor

Inks: DI Broken China, Worn Lipstick, Spiced Marmalade and Black Soot; Adirondack Aqua; VersaFine Onyx Black; Versamark

Extras: Madeira Metallic Thread; Blue Brads; PM Eyelet; Fairydust EP; Sheer Ribbon

Daisy Fairy

Here's another digital design using part of the image from challenge by artarazzi this week. Now that it's finished I can see many things wrong with it, but that's part of the learning curve. eg. I think the border brushes would have better in a darker brown, and the corner butterfly is too small.

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Daisy photo - Ryan Turtle at http://www.deviantart.com/

Script brush - Scully1471 at http://www.deviantart.com/

Butterfly - http://www.nancydooren.blogspot.com/

Border brush - recifedirty2 http://www.misprintedtype.com/

Fantasy Lights - dirt2 at http://www.deviantart.com/

Seated lady

The Small World of Inchies and Twinchies have chair as their theme. This chair is barely visible - sorry about that!

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Stamps: Stampington Pressed Profile

Inks: DI Scattered Straw and black Soot; Adirondack Sandal, Lemonade, Ginger and Wild Plum

Extras: Image from Tuscan Rose CD 3; Prima Flowers; Brad

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day

The Saturday Workout challenge is to use spin and splash. My face lit up when I saw this, as I really enjoy this technique. Once again I played with this in Adobe photoshop.

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Inks: Alcohol Inks Lettuce, Espresso and pearl Mixative

Extras: Glossy card; Image from Art creations; Flourishes from Finsternis-stock at www.deviantart.com

In Memorium

The So Artful challenge is either to use a given image, or to base your work on cherubs. I'm still slogging away trying to get my head round adobe photoshop, so this is done in that programme. Thanks to those of you who've offered me help; beware - you might get lots of emails!
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Images from Internet (cherub and lilies), and Artarazzi (background)

Il bacio

Make a Moo or 2 have kiss as their theme this week. A scrap left over from making cards earlier in the week was perfect for this image. This pair look so grown up! I bet they hated posing for the photo!
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Stamps: Stampington Butterfly Girl; Hero Arts Heartfelt Messages

Inks: Ecoline Magenta and Light Green; Adirondack Denim

Extras: Image from Takeabreak on flickr; Salt; Cuttle folder Swiss Dots; Sanding Block

I sent a letter to my love...

I've been meaning to set aside some time to get the hang of adobe photoshop. After what seemed like several hours, this is what I achieved today. I have a lot to learn... Can anyone tell me how to make the background to text or stamped images invisible? These letters were typed on.

The background is the image given in this week's Art Creations challenge.
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Stamps: Paper Artsy

Inks: Adirondack Eggplant

Extras: ACF Background; Woman from Tuscan Rose CD 3

Blues Singer

The Theme Thursday challenge is a card with a masculine theme. I wiped gesso over the cardstock with a babywipe, and then the dabbers on top of that when dry.

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Stamps: paper Artsy Letters 5 and Stagelights 3; Stampers Anonymous Background

Inks: Adirindack Dabbers Cool Peri, Cloudy Blue and Purple Twilight; Archival Black and Sepia; Adirondack Eggplant; DI Vintage Photo

Extras: Babywipe; Gesso; German Scrap; Ribbon; PM Eyelet; Copper Metallic RubOn

Yummy colours

The Tag It On challenge #3 is called Rhubarb Crumble and Custard. What an imaginative title!!!!

I'm particularly fond of this pudding, and grow rhubarb in my garden. Strangely enough, it's the title my brother gives to his emails to me, as it's one of his favourites too!

Back to the plot (narrative, not garden :-)) the task is to use pink, yellow, and some texture. My texture comes from the swiss dots cuttlebug folder, which I rolled over with a rolling pin as I only own some folders and not the machine (yet!). I sanded over the texture and rubbed over with Scattered Straw.

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Stamps: Crafty Individuals 121

Inks: DI Scattered Straw and Aged mahogany; Archival Sepia

Extras: PP by Imaginisce; Cuttlebug folder Swiss Dots; PM Eyelet; Sheer Ribbon; Sanding Block

The joy of discovery

The So Artful main challenge is fruit. Imagine my delight when I found this RubOn saying in my stash - such a great pun to use with a pear. I kept the card quite simple as it's for my BIL.

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Stamps: RSTapestry Leaves; Time to Stamp Leo's Plate

Inks: DI Mustard Seed, Shabby Shutters and Peeled paint; Adirondack Terracotta and Lettuce; Watercolour pencils; Archival Sepia

Extras: MM RubOns; Green card

Les poupees

The Gothic arches challenge is little girls, and I've combined this with this pretty image given by So Artful challenge.
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Stamps: Stampington Paris 1900

Inks: Distress inks Spiced Marmalade, Dried Marigold, Fired Brick and Shabby Shutters; Archival Black

Extras: Background image from www.digitalcollagesheets.com; Children image from So Artful

Garland Fairy

The Small world of Inchies and Twinchies have flourishes as their theme.

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Stamps: Stampington Loose Leaves; RSTapestry Flourishes

Inks: DI Wild Plum, Dusty Concord, Milled Lavender, Worn Lipstick; Adirondack Wild Plum

Extras: Image from www.digitalcollagesheets.com

Pink, for life

The Theme Thursday challenge this week is music/dance. I used a pink colour scheme so that I could send this to Sammie to support her in raising money for Cancer Research.

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Stamps: DarkRoom Door Melody; AudDesign

Inks: Ecoline White, Magenta, Light Green and Red Violet; VersaFine Onyx Black

Extras: black card; Salt

A charming woman

The ATC Wednesday theme for this week is womanhood. I wasn't sure how to convey this until I saw the following quote by Loretta Young:

"A charming woman doesn't follow the crowd. She is herself."

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Stamps: paper Artsy Mini; free stamp from Craft Stamper magazine

Inks: Archival Black; DI Weathered Wood, Vintage Photo, Dried Marigold and Antique Linen

Extras: PP by Imaginisce, Fancy Pants and Scenic Route; Paper Cellar Square Gems; Lace

Butterfly Song

The Tag It On challenge #1 is called Fairies at the bottom of the garden. Here's mine in a musical mood.

Frankie suggested I used my previous post, but I had already started this. Do feel free to have a look though.

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Stamps: Darkroom Door Melody and Full Bloom 2; Stampington Butterfly Girl; Hero Arts Treasure the Moments

Inks: DI Shabby Shutters, Dried Marigold and Dusty Concord; Archival Black; Adirondack Rust; Black pen

Extras: PM Eyelet; Sheer Ribbon; Perfect Pearls Gold; Vintage Image from www.digitalcollagesheets.com

Spread your wings little fairy

I loved this image as soon as I saw it, and thought it loooked as if this fairy had just emerged, like a butterfly from its cocoon. It came from http://www.digitalcollagesheets.com/.

This is my contribution to the Crazy Amigos theme of Come fly with me.


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Stamps: DarkRoom Door Little Dreams

Inks: Alcohol Inks Stream, Butterscotch, Pitch Black and Pearl Mixative; Archival Black

Extras: Vintage Image; Prima Flowers; Grey Brad; Paper Cellar Square gems; Glossy and Black card; Spin and Splash toy

US Tea Company

The small world of inchies and twinchies have tea and coffee for their theme. The central panel from this piece is the twinchie. The background is a vintage advert from The Graphics Fairy.

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Stamps: Stampington Cup Collection and The Letter C; HeroArts Treasure the Moment

Inks: Adirondack Rust; Archival Black; Watercolour Pencils

Extras: Blender pen; Vintage image

The direction of your dreams

I made this for the Graphicus May challenge, which is to use the colour blue and the theme of travel.

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Stamps: Elusive Images Boys on Bikes

Inks: Sticky Fingers Sprays in Bluebell and Delphinium; Adirondack Aqua; DI Refill Broken China; StazOn Ultramarine; DI Antique Linen; Adirondack Dabber Pool

Extras: Perfect Pearls 'Pearl'; Mini Grungeboard Arrow; Metallic RubOn in Copper; Suitcase Charm; Ribbon; BB Blue card; Blue Wire

Three Sisters

The Gothic Arches theme this week is vintage women.

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Stamps: ISC About Me; DarkRoom Door Friendship Flowers; Paper Artsy Backgrounds 2

Inks: Versamark; Adirondack Cranberry and Mountain Rose; DI Tea Dye; Anna griffin Chocolate; Marvy Pen Mocha

Extras: Image from Tuscan Rose CD 3; Star gem; Clear EP

Fairyland Park

The Saturday Workout is collage. I love collage stamps - they're so versatile, and you can feature small (or large) parts of them individually, or use them complete as I've done here.

I've used the free stamp from this month's Craft Stamper magazine on the background. To make the fairy wand I covered a cocktail stick with versamark and used one layer of white EP, and one layer of Fairydust EP. The butterfly was a free gift from a craft magazine many years ago. Lots of sparkly detail that you probably can't see!

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Stamps: Free stamp from Craft Stamper by Crafty Individuals; Darkroom Door Little Dreams

Inks: Adirondack Stream and Wild Plum; Versamark; VersaFine Onyx Black

Extras: 'Pearl' Perfect Pearls; Detail Opaque White, and Fairydust EP; Cocktail Stick; Butterfly embellishment; DCWV Blue card; Net bow

Time and tide waiteth for no man

Time and tide is the theme of the new Tag It On challenge. This is my contribution.

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Stamps: Time to Stamp Beach Memoirs; freebie stamp of clock

Inks: Archival Sepia; DI Dried marigold, Scattered Straw, Faded Jeans and Broken China

Extras: PM Eyelet; Fibres; Computer generated text; Water Spritzer