Such Fashionable Girls (CI Challenge)

Hello Everyone
The start of a new week and a new month. To kick off this new month there is the announcement of a new challenge theme at Crafty Individuals.  The challenge theme has been set by the fabulous Gio who asks you to be inspired by  Spring In Fashion.  To enter you must include at least one Crafty Individuals product on your artwork. To read rules of entry and the prize up for grabs please visit Jean’s Crafty Individuals’ Blog.

Stamp – CI-324
I am lucky to have a few fashion related Crafty Individuals stamps and looking at  CI-324 the women look as though they are dressed for a beautiful Spring day with their pretty dresses. As soon as I read the theme I knew it would be a tote bag I would alter as I adore bags and it worked perfectly with the fashion element of the challenge theme. Wanting to infuse colour into this project I decided to layer fabric onto the canvas tote and I knew I had just the fabric to use, which  I was lucky enough to receive from my lovely friend Maria (please visit her beautiful blog if Maria’s name happens to be new to you – Made By Maz).
I wanted to stamp onto fabric  but the pattern would obscure the stamped image so I tore another piece of the same fabric, flipped it over and stamped CI-324 onto what is the back of the fabric. The result, you see the faint design of the fabric coming through on the stamped side which creates a background for the stamped image and all I had to do was add some extra colour to their outfits to co-ordinate with the fabric.   A vintage style button adorns this panel.  To finish, I layered pink lace and trim at the top adding a piece of torn fabric and the final adornment, a piece of lace tied to one of the handles.
At Jean’s blog you will also be able to view what the other Crafty Individuals team members created for this theme.
Thank you for visiting this post.  For April I have quite a few projects to share:-  some new, most created earlier in the year and one or two from the end of last year.  I certainly look forward to seeing your creations throughout this month.
Wishes
Lynne

Singing In Sweet Harmony

Hello Everyone
This is the first of my February DT posts for Gecko Galz.  I have used one of their most recent digital paper packs and a digi stamp to alter a white gift bag.  I bought this bag from Crafty Individuals last year but at the time of drafting this post it appears they no longer stock them.
Supplies
Pocketful of Posies Digital Paper Pack
Gecko Galz Industrial Age Digi Stamp
Caran d’ache watersoluble crayons
White cardstock, transparency, tulle fabric panel, seam binding, lace, fabric flower, vintage sheet music and white gift bag (my own stash)
Instructions
Print digital paper onto white cardstock, trimming to fit gift bag. Re-size lady and print onto white cardstock and transparency. Cut away middle section of her skirt from the cardstock image only. Layer onto transparency and then layer onto vintage sheet music. Colour image with watersoluble crayons and embellish with flower. Layer to gift back with tulle fabric panel and lace, finally embellishing bag with seam binding tied into a bow.
I wanted the beautiful Bo Peep paper to be on display but at the same time for it to be slightly diffused which was achieved by layering this lovely tulle style fabric panel over the paper (I say paper but I actually printed it onto white cardstock).
This image is beautiful merely printed onto cardstock but it seemed a  fun  idea to create layers beneath her skirt and emphasise the notion of the music, the birdsong. Thank You for visiting this scheduled post.
Wishes
Lynne

Bags of Love

Hello Everyone
This is a DT post for Oxford Impressions using the Giant Distressed Alphabet (by now you are all fully aware how much I love this set!)
I used this set of stamps for Christmas when I not only decorated boxes and white gift bags.  For this post I’ve decorated white bags once again.  The other stamp set used on one of the bags is the lovely BonBon stamp plate.
Lots of lace with a simple declaration of love for this bag.
Can you see the hearts with ribbons that were stamped onto the second bag before I layered the tulle style panel over the top? That stamp is from the BonBon plate as is Valentine which was stamped onto the paper doily before stamping and cutting out 14 and two stamped hearts to finish.  If you are a friend of my Blog you will notice I have been absent (and continue to be). Sorry I have not visited your own Blogs for several days, hopefully I will manage to do so soon enough.
Wishes and Thanks for the lovely comments I will catch-up on in a few days time.
Lynne

Wishes & Gifts

Hello Everyone
As the days are passing too quickly I’ve realised I will need to double up what I share on a post as I still have many Christmas projects on file.
This scheduled post is  DT for Oxford Impressions’ using various plates to create gift packaging for Christmas.  I have  provided a stamp supply list with links if you want to source directly from Oxford Impressions but you should find that many plates are now available from The Craft Barn and That’s Crafty.
Stamps Used For Both Projects
Giant Distressed Alphabet
Winter Snow
Season of Giving
Sleigh Bells
Well I am still finding a use for the wonderful Giant Distressed Alphabet set to once again create Christmas gift presentation.   Previously when I have shared this stamp set I have used the letters from the set but this set is so well thought out that there are numbers included as well so obviously I had to use the 2 and the 5 for Christmas.Stamping the numbers with Brilliance ink provides a lovely shimmer and to add more, after stamping and cutting out the numbers I added glass glitter. A scrap of leftover fabric from a previous project (Home wall hanging) was tied into a bow and attached to the handle with the calendar from Winter Snow creating a stamped element. The second project is an altered matchbox with my favourite little people, I really love working with this stamp.  The matchbox was painted with various paints to provide a shabby winter white appearance and then I set to work stamping the sheet music (from Season of Giving) randomly onto the box.  Once stamped I then applied more paints to tone down the stamping. Isn’t it funny how so often to create an imperfect, distressed appearance it can be time consuming – fun but very time consuming!
It is such a little word but the word wish is such a lovely one to have included in a stamp set.
A little bird (Sleigh Bells) perches on layered flowers.Thank You for visiting this post.
I am aware I am taking longer to visit your posts at the moment but hope to be able to visit soon and view any new creations.
Wishes
Lynne

Shop ‘Til You Drop

Hello Everyone
Today I return with a quick,  festive post for Crafty Individuals.
Crafty Individuals Supplies:-
CI-369
Elegant Swirls Mask Set
White Bag (no longer appear to be in stock)
CI-369 seemed a good choice to decorate a bag as the vintage femme she reminds me of a woman from the 1920s who would enjoy a spot of Christmas shopping, her arms weighed down with beautifully packaged gifts in boxes and fancy gift bags all adorned with ribbons and bows.

Believe it or not,  I am not a fan of glitter and avoided it for so long preferring to add a shimmer with the aid of a Stardust pen then I made the discovery of glass glitter and DekoIce and since then I have found myself more partial to a smattering of glitter.  Here there are the merest of touches on the stamped image, some of the stamped elements were layered.
I find myself reaching so often for the Elegant Swirls set (you will see it in use again very soon).  The glimmer doesn’t translate in the photograph but the paint catches the light beautifully.  To adorn, some pearly white fabric flowers and pink velvet style ribbon which was also formed into a bow.
Thank You for visiting as you are no doubt so busy at the moment with your own festive preparations.  At the time of posting I have another post scheduled for tomorrow, with the 25th looming I am running out of days!
Wishes
Lynne
Just a note to add that it is worthwhile signing up for the Crafty Individuals Newsletter if you have not done so already.  You receive notification of new stamps and products and also special offers. 

A Time For Giving II

Hello Everyone
This post is an Oxford Impressions’ DT post using the Season of Giving stamp plate.   Since I started working with this set back in July I have used it for cards, tags, gift boxes, glass ornaments, gifts and packaging  which shows its versatility as a stamp plate.
Two photo real stamp images were used to decorate white gift bags. I kept to a simple colour scheme of white, winter white and a soft grey.The beautiful holly stamp was used for both bags but I also incorporated other Oxford Impressions’ stamp plates such as the  BonBon plate . I stamped one of the text stamps from this plate onto the white doily and on the second bag the sentiment belongs to the Sleigh Bells plate.
Seam binding, lace, glitter cardstock, pearly embellishments and faux crystal drops were some of the items that were added to adorn the bags. As I looked at my notes on  the Christmas  items I still have to post on my Blog I realised I could be in trouble to fit them all in before the 25th of December, it is crazy how fast time is whizzing past!
A note on the stamps used.  You should be able to source some or all of those Christmas stamp plates in the U.K. either from The Craft Barn or That’s Crafty.
Thank you for visiting this post and I will be catching up with you soon to view your own artwork.
Wishes
Lynne
P.S. I bought those white bags from Crafty Individuals some months ago. They are a lovely size at nearly 12″x7″.

A Time For Giving

Hello Everyone
I actually had no plans on posting this item but as I was sitting organising photographs I realised it fitted in with the latest challenge theme at The Stampsmith Challenge,  White on White.  Not too long until this challenge closes  so if you would like to enter then you need to be quick.  All rules for entry and prize details are available at TSC Blog.
I simply stamped Joyeux Noel, from Christmas Greetings stamp plate,  onto a white muslin bag.  Lace, pearl beads and seam binding bow adorn the bag. What is tucked inside? Well I will leave that to share in another post, another day.
It surely feels as though I am bombarding you with posts at the moment, sorry there are so many but with several projects being Christmas related and the days whizzing past I sense the need to get those posts out there before the 25th of December is upon us.
Wishes
Lynne

Oh Christmas Tree

Hello Everyone
If you ever shop at Crafty Individuals on-line store do you happen to  browse through their Must Have section?  If so then you might have noticed the muslin bags they sell, two in a pack and really they are perfect for any time of the year but definitely for Christmas if you are looking for a quick way to present a gift.
Crafty Individuals Supplies Used:-
CI-368
Muslin Bag
The new Christmas Tree stamp is wonderful with its bold design, stamping up a treat on the fabric. I simply added a pearl beads, a dash of lace and seam binding. The CI Challenge, Festive Sparkle is still underway and if you enter you are entitled to 25% discount on your on-line order from the Crafty Individuals store. Not only that, at the on-line store there is a wonderful special offer at the moment, well worth a peek!
Thank You for visiting today and also this past week as all your visits and comments are appreciated.
Wishes
Lynne

Parisian Chic

Hello Everyone
To end this month of October I thought I would share an Oxford Impressions’ DT piece using the Giant Distressed Alphabet. The word giant is appropriate as each letter measures approx 2″ in height.  Although they could certainly be used for papercrafting, there are lots of possibilities for scrapbooks/memory books and imagine the possibilities for home decor items and wearable items.
When I received this stamp set I knew I could use them to alter boxes I  had laid aside, gift boxes received at Christmas (the type that have a high shine or holographic style pattern, do you know the ones I mean?)
Apologies in advance for the length of this post. I planned on having it as two separate posts but it looks better as one post, it will make sense soon enough. This box measures 13.5″x9″. I had to spend a lot of time preparing the box as that shiny surface was not paint friendly! After three coats of Gesso I painted with my all time favourite emulsion paint, Camisole Pink. I then distressed using the  dry brushing technique and a white patina paint.  You can see the patchy appearance in the photo.  Each letter was stamped, cut out and added to the lid.   I wanted an under-stated appearance, trying to mimic a chic Parisian style adding only black lace to accent the lid.  Edging the lid (sorry, no photo) I stamped one of the text stamps from Dressforms & Corsetry onto tissue paper.
The box could house vintage ephemera or documents etc but I had in mind a gift idea and nobody wants to receive an empty box. This is a large shoulder tote. I kept it simple, stamping directly onto the tote.As an accent I stitched a grey vintage button to the I .
Next month I will share some Christmas boxes using this stamp set. Talking of next month, on the 1st there will be the announcement of a new challenge theme at The Stampsmith Challenge so I will return then with my DT sample and another challenge theme to be announced is Crafty Individuals, so a busy start to the month.
Thank You for visiting particularly as this is such a long post today.
Wishes
Lynne

Turning The Pages (TSC#34)

Hello Everyone
The 1st of September and a new challenge at TSC where we are asking you to create Bags ‘n’ Tags.  The same rules apply as always, that we ask that you must use at least one Stampsmith stamp on your entry. All rules are available at TSC Blog. It is well worth entering if you happen to own any Stampsmith stamps as at the end of the month there is a random Prize Draw with the winner selecting $21 worth of Stampsmith stamps at the on-line store.
I know that it can be frustrating when based in the U.K. and knowing that any stores that do stock The Stampsmith stamps do not carry the full range but you might be hesitant about ordering from America due to customs.  Estelle has kindly provided the following information for me to share here.
Wishing to order Stampsmith stamps from The Stampsmith  on-line store:-
I actually make it easy to ship to Europe: I leave out the invoice and mark the packet as a gift with a very low value. So, no customs!
The shipping costs come up automatically in the shopping cart, which people can see before they do the final payment.
Without further ado I will share my DT sample.
Stamps:-
Olivia and Friends (I selected Juliet)
Cartolina Postale (used on tag)
The first part of my DT sample is a book bag. Since as far back as I can remember I have been a Bookworm, I need to know that I have a books around me.  Juliet was stamped directly, no need for image transfer. I covered up the text on this stamp as I wanted the image to fit and would not have done so if I had inked up the text as well.
Removing the books you can probably see the way in which I trimmed the bottom of the tote with lace and stained seam binding. The second part of the challenge states tag so I used Juliet once again.
One of the Cartolina Postale stamps (fabulous set) was used to stamp on the bottom edge of the tag, which I had torn and also stamped onto torn pieces from a cardboard box to add details on the edge of the tag and to cut out the postal mark to create an accent. What would you like to create to share with us for this Stampsmith Challenge, there is lots of scope and plenty of opportunity for fun.
In case you happen to be a Bookworm and curious as to the book inside the book bag, it is Alice Hoffman’s “The Dovekeepers”, which is next in line for my attention and the other book tucked in there is “The Forgery of Venus”.  Purely as a bit of fun if you would like to share either your all time favourite book (could be from your childhood or a more recent favourite) or what you are reading at the moment or have you any recommendations then I’d love to know what they are.
Thank You for taking the time to visit and also to say thank you for the lovely comments left for me to read on my previous post.
Wishes
Lynne