Chocolate Girl Tag.....By Moira Sutton

The background of this tag has been made using distress stains and the wrinkle free method.
The main image is Zetti, and the squiggle arms are by Stampotique. The dots are Silver Ferro used though a Dylusions Stencil "chequered Dots".

I bet you haven't seen one of these before on Happy Daze!

Hello, I'm Lottie, and this months guest 'Designer'!!!

I know what you are thinking, and I thought that too when they asked me.

But it's great to be invited to create three items to brighten up the month - and it just proves that someone like me, who can't make a card for toffee, and who is definitely not a designer in any way can be picked.  They really do look at your blogs when you join in the challenges.

 I have been 'rummaging around' the Happy Daze shop looking for something different for Christmas presents, and I was not disappointed.

I've found something that will be great for children and adults.

It's lined with plastic so it can hold water,  

It packs flat so it's cheap to post!
It's  brilliant - so much so you'll want to buy one for yourself too!

It's a collapsable Paint Brush Bucket!
I've found different uses for mine - but first I decided to personalise it.

I stamped on two of the sides using brown acrylic paint.

 I've never tried doing that before so I was a bit apprehensive - but it was easy.

I spread brown paint on a washable flat surface, then just gently tapped the stamps on it, checking that the stamps have an even covering.  If you put too much paint on your stamp on your first attempt, don't be tempted to use it - just wipe the stamp clean, and try again; if it is too thick and gloopy you won't get a clear image, and clean your stamp/s as soon as you have stamped  your images as paint dries quickly and  you might not get it properly clean if you leave it.
 Leave the bag to dry properly, then colour you image in. 

 I have multi uses for mine.  As you can see, its holds lots of paintbrushes.  I have a number of very tall ones too, so decided to make the most of the bag by storing everything in one place.

This is one of those big chilli con carne tins which I have covered.

 I was looking through my old ATC collection for inspiration, and realised that those little works of art hardly ever see daylight!

 So I scanned some into the computer and printed them off and used them to decorate the tin, which fits nicely into the middle of the Paint Brush Bucket

 This is great as it holds my watercolour pencils too! All neat and in one place.  I'll be getting another for my colouring pencils, Promarker pens, and water colour crayons.

When I am ready to paint I just lift out the pot of paintbrushes, and pop in a jam jar, or a big yoghurt pot or fill with water!  There are so many other uses: for all my polymer clay tools - they'll be near to hand and tidy on my desk ready to use,  instead of hidden away in a drawer, ditto my jewellery making tools, colouring pencils etc

More ideas...... decorate one very girly with pretty stamped images, add embellishments, flowers etc. and do the same for a boy with another colour.  Add a name tag too to presonalise it.  If you don't have time to personalise one - just buy some for presents.  They are so cool and great for arty crafty friends and children
Am I allowed to say how much they are?
£3.80  I'm not being a 'cheapskate' but they do make really lovely presents - for adults and children alike!  What a bargain!

Yes, with Happy Daze, you sure can brighten up the month, and make birthday and Christmas presents at the same time!

Go on, give it a go, and do send me a link as I would love to see what you create.

And thanks so much for looking - and if I can do something anyone can - so all my three 'makes' are easy peasy.

Kudzu Cafe Canvas Board

I decorated this canvas board using the gorgeous new stamps by Artistic Outpost called Kudzu Cafe. I used patterned tissue paper first - you can buy similar here - then sponged on Distress Inks and stamped with a selection from the set, then added more prominent ones on tissue paper in different shades of ink. I also used the small mesh stamp from Whimsical Melange which is a great 'filler' stamp for adding visual texture.  I stamped the Kudzu Cafe on glossy card and coloured it with Distress Markers. Finally I added some die cut vines climbing around the cafe to represent the prolific Kudzu vine.

I hope this is colourful enough to brighten up your world and encourage you to join in this month's challenge!

Once Upon A Time

Here is an altered book that I've made this week, using a (very) cheap notebook from a supermarket (think it cost me 18p) and then some acrylics on paper ~ using a scraping method with an old phone card.

I've used a zetti stamp ~ you can find a huge selection here. All stamping is done with Ranger Archival Ink in jet black.

This month's challenge is BRIGHTEN UP THE MONTH ~ check out the details here to find out how you can win a voucher for the Happy Daze online shop.

TFL
Mandy x

'' You outta be in Pictures '' by Annette Goatley

Hi, November's theme is Brighten up the Month.  The new stamps 'Picture Star' by Artistic Outpost certainly brightened up my month.

''Down on your heels

Up on your toes

That's the way to do the Varsity Drag.''

Stamped the images on Speciality Stamping Paper with Archival Coffee Ink, adding some Distress Inks to give an aged appearance, the rest is simply matting and layering.  A lovely simple card to make which I think looks quite glamorous despite not having any embellishments.

Looking forward to seeing your interpretation of the theme this month.
Take care of yourselves, hugs Annette x

October Challenge Winner

Well the winner was chosen in a slightly different way today. I could not the Random number thing to load, so I put 14 bits of cat biscuit on the floor in a line and then let the cat into the room. The first one he went to to eat was the 6th in line so the winner is NO6 Kate . 
So Kate, if you drop Moira at the shop an email she will arrange your gift voucher for you.

This is a picture of the kitty machine, having a little snooze after his hard work.Hopefully normal service will be resumed for next month when the winner is chosen.

November Challenge Brighten Up The Month

The challenge title of Brighten up the month says's it all really, use bright colours to make something, other than the colour its an open theme this month.

You can enter the challenge up to 3 times and the only rule is that you have to use something that is availalble to buy from the Happy Daze Shop.

You can enter via the linky widget at the  bottom of this post.

Here are a few DT items to inspire you.

All the Designs have used Stamps by Artistic Outpost 's New Release '' Picture Star ''

By Lucy

By Netty

By Carol