Serenity

I love these stamps from Artistic Outpost. The set I've used on these ATC's is called Serenity, it has everything I like in a plate of stamps... words, elements and images.

Let me show you what I've made with this versatile stamp plate.

On the first 3 ATC's I've used the stamps as background and elements which I've added collage images.

 The next 2 ATC's I've used the larger stamps as the focal point, I've watercoloured and used chalk inks on these to add colour.

 and lastly, a combination of a small collage image and lots of stamping.

TFL
Mandy x

Romance is in the Air- The Queens Jubilee by Annette Goatley

My Design Team creation was inspired by The Queen's Jubilee celebrations in the form of Garden Parties.

Products used: The new Suzi Blu - La Belle stamp (altered),  serviettes, patterned paper,  beads  lace, gesso, water colours, gold paint dabber,  Prima flowers, Studio multi medium, and glossy accents.

I know I shouldn't say it but really love how this has turned out.  Hope you like it as well.

Wishing you all a very happy day, am off to a Family Jubilee Garden Party this afternoon.  Thank you for popping in and hope to see you soon.   Hugs Annette x

May Queen Challenge Winner

Drum roll please, It's time to announce the winner of the May queen challenge. There were some lovely entries this month and using the Random Number generator number 9 was chosen.
So Tracey if you would like to email Moira at the shop she will send your your gift certificate to spend on lovely things and details of how to claim your free postage on your order.

The challenge for June was announced yesterday. To see the full details how how to enter for next months random draw prize have a look at the blog post.

June Challenge - June Bug

The challenge theme this month is "June Bug". Share your insect inspired pieces with us this month,  just interprate the theme as you want and show us your art.
There is a £15.00 voucher to spend in the shop that will be allocated by a random number draw at the end of the month and the winner announced on the 2nd July.
Just use one item that is available to purchase from the shop to be eligible for the prize draw. 
Below are some great examples from the DT to get you in the June Bug Mood.
Link your items using the Linky Widget at the bottom of this post. Or you can enter via our  facebook page.

Wooden Chunky ATC By Moira Sutton

My June Bug is a Chunky wood ATC which I covered with text paper using multi medium. I then applied a thin layer of watered down gesso, and when it was dry applied Distress inks in Broken china, weathered wood and worn lipstick. The Giant Daisy designed by Jo Capper-Sandon for Stampotique Oringinals was stamped onto thin paper and coloured with Distress Markers, cut out and stuck to the Chunky ATC. The small butterfly is from the Jubilee set by Pink Paislee and the Large Butterfly is also by Jo Capper-Sandon for Stampotique Originals.

Dragonfly Fridge Magnet By Carol Fox

Using Stampboard and Stampotique Stamp Dragonfly Verse


A Hanging June Bug Decoration By Samantha Read

Using Stampotique stamps and a large wooden spool 




Butterfly Cards By Annette Goatley

I chose to make 2 Clean and Simple cards using the Butterfly Stamps by Lost Coast Designs.  Hope you like them.

Large Tag, By Mandy Chilvers

Tag using Paperbag Studio Stamps, beaded ribbon and lace trim.

Announcing Lucy Edmondson as our Guest For June

We are really pleased to announce that Lucy Edmondson will be joining us for June as Our Guest on the design team.
If you are not familiar with Lucy's work have a look on her blog.
We are really looking forward to the arty treats she has to share with us this month.

Geek Chic

Top of the morning to all of you.
For my first DT piece for Happy Daze I've had a good rummage through my stamps to see what I could come up with. I've chosen to use this Geek Chic stamp plate from Artistic Outpost

I've made 2 postcards ~ all my backgrounds are handmade with inks, paints, spritzers, masks and stamps. All my black stamping is done in Archival ink ~ I find this ink to be the blackest black.

I'm so pleased to have been asked to be on the DT for Happy Daze... and I hope I inspire you with my creations!

Mandy ♥

Beeswax Beauty

I'm finding the new Suzi Blu stamps very hard to resist so for this make I just wanted to show how different the same stamp can look, if you look at my previous post Queen of Hearts you'll see I've used the same stamp but changed it a little. For this make I removed her wings, ouch, and just continued her hair to her waist.

I began by stamping the Angel of Art stamp on ordinary printer paper and then removed her her wings, I stuck the image down and then coloured in her face, neck and hands with pencils as these are the only parts that are not painted. I used string and modelling paste for the texture of her hair. The little bird is made with modelling paste as are the details of the skirt. I used a Prima Songbird stamp for the flowery details around the edge. Finally I stamped the Balloons stamp on tissue paper and then glued down so I would get it in the right place. After painting everything I then used an ordinary pencil to go over the edges and some of the details which gives the whole make a hand drawn look. I covered the whole make with beeswax and then distressed it by scratching with a knife and applying burnt umber oil paint and then rubbing off, a bit of bling adds another dimension simply embedded in the beeswax.

I used some stash and Suzi Blu Angel of Art stamp,

Paperbag Studios Balloons stamp,

  Crafters Workshop screen, 

Various paint dabbers also

Prima Songbird stamps

Wishing you a lovely, happy day, Sam xxx