Think and Wonder

Helen Chilton has made this altered frame using the Artistic Outpost stamp plates "Think and Wonder" and "Ephemera Backgrounds" and she has provided the instructions for how to make it. Using tissues to stamp on and build up your picture is a great way to add texture. The tissue just disappears into the background when applied with very watery PVA glue.

Other Materials:

StazOn inkpad: Jet Black

Adirondack inkpads: Butterscotch; Wild Plum; Stream

Adirondack paints: Butterscotch; Wild Plum; Stream; Gold

Gesso

Tissues

Watered down PVA

Frame

Sequin waste

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of kraft card to fit frame and gesso. Swipe with Adirondack paints.

2. Stamp all the images in black onto tissues and peel off top layer. Tear round the figures and stick to card with watery PVA glue.

3. Build up all the other elements, tearing out parts of the background images to fit picture. Stick down. Add extra colour from the Adirondack inkpads with a water brush.

4. Masking off the figures, gesso through sequin waste to highlight their heads and upper bodies.

5. Use some of the stamped tissue to cover outside part of frame. When dry, colour with inkpads as before.

6. Swipe Adirondack gold paint over frame and picture. Stamp text and backgrounds directly onto frame to finish.

Happy Valentine's Day

I love this time of year. The days are getting longer, love is in the air, the new releases from the American CHA show start to arrive and in a week it is the big UK Trade Show where we get to see the new stuff heading our way (craft retailer technical term that is - stuff!) . I hope everyone is treated well by their significant others on the 14th, or just treat yoursef nicely - bubble baths with a glass of wine, or a treament at the Spa or some time to craft and create would be good (I would love any of those things).

Talking of luurrve, Joanne Wardle has been weaving her magic making this Valentine's Day treat using stamps from Stampotique Originals




We have had lots of treats this week too because our first consignment of the new Prima releases arrived. My favourites are probably the Dechire flowers, Moulin Rouge papers and Vintage Metal Trinkets. The Prima 12 x 12 masks are pretty cool too.

A Date for the Diary

We are delighted to announce that we will be at the Happy Stampers North West Fesitval in Port Sunlight on Saturday 14 May. And even more exciting is the news that Jo Capper-Sandon will be on the stand demoing with the stamps she designs for Stampotique Originals

Entrance is by ticket purchased in advance only. Visit the HSNW website for details.

This card, also by Jo Capper-Sandon features Surprised Cutie by Catlsife Press, the Crown stamp designed by Jo for Stampotqiue Originals and more of those Jenni Bowlin inks.

An English Rose

Helen Chilton has been busy. This piece based on an embroidery ring - how appropriate - and the Artistic Outpost stamp plate "Jane's Countryside".

Helen has written an online class on how to make it.

This uses the stamp and Sweetness papers by Pink Paislee.
Her she has made a Cameo Brooch which is mounted on a gift card.

Finally this fun card uses the Route 66 plate from Artistic Outpost

Happy New Year

I hope everyone has had a lovely Christmas and New Year. Our Christmas was hectic but fun, however, so far 2011 is testing us - a blocked drain, several more inches of snow, broaband failure and a flat tyre so far and we haven't even got through the first week! Anyway lots to look forward to, like sunshine, new releases from our favourite manufacturers, sunshine, craft shows, sunshine oh and did I mention the sunshine!
This lovely creation is from Jo Capper-Sandon, she has used the Scrolls Work "Miss Tart" stamp along with paper from the Pink Paislee Parisian Anthology range. These papers have a patterend resist printed in them which means you can use inks, sprays even paints to make incredible backgrounds. The piece is topped off with a spoon from the 7 Gypsies Vintage Hardware set.

Gillian Simson has made this gorgeous "House of Horrors" mini frame and has written a class for us which you can see in our online classes section.

I can't bee-lieve it's almost Christmas

A while ago I set a challenge for Joanne Wardle to make a Christmas card using the Medium Bee with Small Bee on the Side stamp Jo designed for Stampotique Originals and this is the festive result.


Jo also had a play and produced "We Bee Kings". I am really enjoying these stamps getting new leases of life at Christmas and will be raiding my own stash for inspiration next year.

Helen Chilton has been in the gift making mood. This wood block features the Pink Paislee Parisian Anthology stamps and Helen has done an online class on how to make it.

This will be my last post before Christmas so I do hope you all have a fabulous time, that the weather does not cause any more disrupution (yes we are under a white blanket again!) and that peace and joy reigns all round.

A Very Merry Christmas to you

Moira

Slides are About

Having spent 2 weeks now sliding about in snow and ice it's rather refreshing to see a different kind of slide. Here Helen Chilton has made some delicious ornaments for the Christmas Tree using Memory Glass, Old St Nick stamp and Glitz papers. The full instructions to make them are in our online classes "Stamped Projects" section.
















We also have a great online class, again by Helen, on making this wonderful Tag Book using the Artisitc Outpost "Oz Collage" stamps.

Hope you are all staying warm in this arctic weather and having fun with all your Christmas preparations.