The Inventor

Hello Everyone
Today I am doubling up DT artwork as this project is for Fashionable Stamping Challenge and also DT work for That’s Crafty.
At FCS, for the next fortnight Anything Goes.  There is always a wonderful prize at FSC so well worthwhile entering and there and there are so few rules, although we do ask that your artwork must include stamping and please, no digi’s.  Visit the FSC site where you can also view the inspirational creations by my wonderful DT sisters.
Now I turn my attention to That’s Crafty. For the Steampunk inspired wall hanging I used some wonderful Oxford Impressions’  Steampunk stamps, two sets:- Steampunk Elements and Steampunk Works.
If you visit the That’s Crafty Blog you will be able to view the full supply list, including paints and also instructions, including how I achieved texture on the background.  Also over there you should be able to view some extra photographs.Have a lovely Sunday.
Wishes
Lynne

Time Waits For No Man

Hello Everyone
Happy Easter Sunday.
Today is the first of my DT posts for That’s Crafty. The source of inspiration for this weeks project was the changing of the clocks this weekend and saw me taking a more masculine route in contrast to last weeks feminine canvas.
You can view the full project, including instructions HERE.

Enjoy today and try not to eat too much chocolate (maybe I should heed my own advice!)
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

Her Passion For Science

Hello Everyone
I have been working on a lot of clean projects of late and was eager to get a bit messy and the perfect opportunity was my lovely friend Martina’s birthday (if Martina’s name is new to you then why not pop over and visit to see her incredible art) . Martina  has a passion for Steampunk (in fact there are not many of us who are not captivated by the allure of Steampunk) so I knew I could have lots of fun with this.
Usually I provide links directly to a stamp set but I used so many of this altered book cover. I literally sifted through all the Oxford Impressions sets I own looking for stamps that would work with what I had in mind.  What I will do is list the stamp plates used and provide a link to Suzanne’s Oxford Impressions’ Etsy store but if you live in the U.K. I believe you can track down the Steampunk plates at either That’s Crafty or The Craft Barn.
Oxford Impressions Stamp Plates (excluding My Fair Lady plate, all other plates available from Etsy)
My Fair Lady (femme) discontinued plate
Abraham Lincoln (quote)
Dressforms & Corsets (stamped numbers on side of Bingo card)
Steampunk Works (text at top of panel and mechanical key)
Steampunk Elements (blueprint stamped onto book cover base and top hat)
We all have our own way of working, don’t we? For me it tends to be that I start with stamp selection (or image) and a vague notion of the style I am aiming for and at this point I will look for elements that reinforce the story that is in my mind. The Bingo card was an element that was foremost in my mind. This was a vintage Bingo card but I grunged it up somewhat with my scissors, sandpaper and ink.

As I wasn’t aiming for a perfect stamped appearance I stamped directly onto the painted cover, I was really wanting to achieve pattern and texture more than anything. This is such a wonderful quote… I had the tea/coffee stained fabric in amongst my stash although my stash of all things tea/coffee stained is quickly diminishing, I can certainly see coffee stained digits on the horizon! Clusters of watch parts add texture and juxtapose against the feminine pieces of  torn lace. I really had the most fun playing around with this book cover, bringing the different stamps together and getting painty and inky at the same time. For you, I hope you like the contrast from all the love is in the air pretty and feminine projects that I have been sharing of late.
Before I leave this scheduled post I have to say a heartfelt thank you for all of you who have continued to not only visit my Blog but also take the time to comment. Due to ill health I have not been able to visit Blogs and once I do return (this is a scheduled post so it might be possible that I have started to drift back into Blogland) it might be at a trickle so to have friends of my Blog who still care about what I post here even when I have not been able to visit them, that means so much to me.
In the coming days I plan to schedule some posts I drafted last month so that my Blog will be active even if I am anything but!
I hope you are all well and I really look forward to catching-up with your creations.
Wishes
Lynne

Steampunking Seamstress

Note:- There is a hitch with the text so at the moment I’ve had to cut out some of the instructions until I am able to remedy the problem but if you are interested then the instructions are available at Gecko Galz under Guest Artist section.  

Hello Everyone
Thank You for all the festive wishes you left for me to read and to all the lovely friends who gifted me with incredible handmade gifts, cards and tags, which I plan on sharing on my Blog soon and also for the lovely e-cards sent to me.
I haven’t decided if to leave Christmas well alone for 2012 even though I still have projects I could share but I feel we are all now fatigued with Christmas!   I do still have a few winter related DT projects and they will be shared at some point but for today it is another of my Guest Artist artwork for Gecko Galz.
When I was working on the artwork back in early November I had a bit of a first, as it was the first time I used a digi stamp.  I wasn’t too sure how I would  get on with digi stamps as it is so different from the usual way of stamping but there was no doubt that I was keen to try it.  Since this first I’ve now dabbled with digi stamps for a second time (you will have to wait until the New Year for the next project) and I can definitely see the appeal for many as you do not have to worry about space for storing stamps and they are very versatile so long as your printer has the capacity for printing onto different surfaces and if not then all you need do is print onto TAP allowing you to transfer the image to most any surface.
If you have a fondness for Steampunk then you will love the Gecko Galz Industrial digi stamp set which is where I selected my image from.  As with the other Guest Artist projects I will share the supplies I used and also brief instructions for the canvas panel I altered.
Supplies
Gecko Galz Industrial digi stamp set.
Oxford Impressions stamps (selection of steampunk and dressmaker related stamps)
Distress Stain Antique Linen (Ranger)
Staz-on
Gesso (Golden)
Klear floor polish (Johnson & Johnson)
Canvas panel 8″x8″, acrylic paints, white tissue paper, white cardstock, fabric scraps, vintage lace, dressmaker snap, hook and eye and safety pin (all my own stash)
Instructions
Apply paint to panel then stamp Steampunk element randomly onto panel. Tear tissue paper slightly larger than panel, on the diagonal and stamp two different text stamps. Apply to panel using Klear floor polish technique. Leave to dry overnight. 
As the digi stamp allows for the image to be re-sized I decided to increase the size as I wanted her to stand-out as the focal of the canvas. I was aware that I didn’t want her to be drowning in the stamped elements, she needed to be the star of the show.
In this little detail you can see the distressed background  (with gentle use of an old emery board I distressed the dried tissue paper in a random fashion) with the layered tissue and all the little scraps I gathered to add texture to the stamped elements.Over at Gecko Galz there are wonderful offers on all the time so well worth a look.
This post is scheduled for Thursday and to say I might not be able to visit you on that particular day but I will be catching-up soon as I can imagine many of you are already back to creating and blogging.
A last few words to say that all your visits and comments in the run-up to Christmas meant so much as I can just imagine how busy many of you were, you are such a supportive group of friends.
Wishes
Lynne

He Pondered, Oh To Be 21 Again

Hello Everyone
Today I thought I would share a birthday card I made last month for my cousin Christy who turned 21.
I turned to my faithful Oxford Impressions’ stamps using London Telegraph and the two other Steampunk sets (all are available either directly from Suzanne at Oxford Impressions or if you are based in the U.K. they are available from The Craft Barn).
I wanted to make a card that showed I had put some effort into making but at the same time, time was not on my side.  What was a time saver, when I’ve used those stamps for other projects I work in a particular way in that  I stamp up a bundle of images even though I know there will be too many to use on the project I am working on. I then keep the extras for when they will be needed in the future. So having those images already stamped and cut out saved lots of time.
I work in the same way with backgrounds. Preparing sheets ready to have to hand for when the stamping will get underway. This background is watercolour paper washed with walnut ink and then gently sprayed with homemade inks that I like to mix-up. Then I selected a bundle of stamps.  I wanted the symbol of the key as traditionally at the age of 21 the key of the door was handed over. I know this tradition doesn’t stand anymore but I still like the key as a symbol.  You will see that the first photograph isn’t true to colour.
Card size 8″x8″.
The following photographs are the true colours. They are fiddly but clock/watch parts are amazing for Steampunk projects. Did you spy the teeny piece I laid over one of his eyes?
The embellishments are a vintage Bingo counter aged with ink and a key was treated with Rusting Powder (again I had this stored in my stash). If you are using Rusting Powder it makes sense to work on a few items at one time and then store them safely. I prefer not to put Happy Birthday on a card front but for Christy’s card I wanted something to add. As my stamps are scattered around me my eye went to the words Celebrated Hats (one of the text stamps from London Telegraph) perfect! I only inked up as far as celebrate.
The clock/watch parts are also great additions scattered here and there.As with the recent Steampunk Tower (“The Inventor”) some of those cogs (or are they wheels?) actually rotate. Just to remind you that over at Fashionable Stamping Challenge we are still looking for Let’s Get Messy and Inky artwork. You still have time to enter this fun challenge. There is a prize for the winner so well worth entering.
Thank you for visiting this post. Sorry for the quality of the main photograph but hopefully the smaller photographs give you an idea of the colours, etc.
Wishes
Lynne

The Inventor

Hello Everyone
Today it is time for a new theme at Fashionable Stamping Challenge. We are looking for Steampunk artwork this fortnight. We welcome all styles of art whether it be arty or cute or somewhere in-between but please remember that we are passionate about stamping at FSC so we are looking for some stamping on your art and no digi’s please.
I am incorporating another DT by using Oxford Impressions’ London Telegraph stamps. Now this isn’t the first time I’ve used this set and I did warn you at the beginning that I had made a selection of London Telegraph art. This piece is re-cycled altered art as I am sure you can recognise what I used as a base for my Steampunk tower!
I had fun attaching different bits ‘n’ pieces, hanging from the edge of the tower, a rusted chipboard key, elements stamped onto shrink plastic.
Sometimes we can become slightly obsessed when working on a project. This was one of those times when I wanted the large cogs and gears to be able to rotate. Now don’t ask me why as I have better things to do with my time than sit and spin gears!!!
I also used stamps from  Steampunk Elements. That lovely decorative, almost architectural element is from this particular set.  Two lightbulbs were coated with Sepia Glossy Accents and then cracked before I placed them back to back and inserted into the die cut cog (I have Alison to thank for her kindness for sending me die-cut shapes).

If you are a Steampunk fan then you can purchase Oxford Impressions’ Steampunk sets (and more) in the U.K. from The Craft Barn and for Continental Europe you can purchase from Art Journey and of course you can purchase direct from Suzanne’s Oxford Impressions’ on-line store.
Have fun with this challenge theme whether you create a masculine or feminine piece of Steampunk. All rules of entry (of which there are so few) are available at the FSC Blog (link at top of post) and you will also be able to view the stunning array of art from my DT sisters.
Thank you for visiting.
Wishes
Lynne

Read All About It!

Hello Everyone
It must surely be a week since I last posted an Oxford Impressions’ London Telegraph piece of art so I thought I would share an altered spoon I made quite a few weeks ago.
Sometimes you are just looking for something different to alter and it had been a wee while since I last altered a spoon also the shape of one of the stamps fitted snuggly into the bowl of the spoon.
I did not measure the spoon but it is of a reasonable size, probably the size if not bigger of a table spoon, which was required to fit in all the detail I wanted.It probably goes without saying that I used scraps!The London Telegram text stamp was used to cover the spoon and the text was ideal for running down the length of the handle. The same stamp was stamped onto shrink plastic to form an embellishment which was tied onto the handle along with a charm of Big Ben (I bought this from The Fruit Pixie who sells some wonderful charms, especially Steampunk charms)There are still a few more London Telegraph projects to share so I hope you are not becoming bored of this set!
Although I may not be managing to visit you quite as often at the moment it doesn’t mean that I do not appreciate the visits made to Adorn and the lovely comments left for me to read, so thank you.
Wishes
Lynne

Full of Hot Air

Hello
I had forgotten about this tag I made for Crafty Individuals until I read Jean’s post at her CI Blog where she had displayed the tag so I decided best to post it today before I completely forgot about it, again!
Crafty Individuals Supplies
Shabby Tag
CI-336
CI-330 (nautical element)
CI-343 (crown and Great Britain)
Although the hot air balloon is the main image, I collaged elements from other stamps (see supply list)Scraps were utilised:- lace, cork, mica (save even the tiniest pieces of mica to use in smaller projects), burlap, etc.
On the opposite side of the tag there is a piece of torn gingham ribbon and something which I cannot remember the name of – it is what decorators use, it has a mesh like appearance with one side adhesive. Of course the name will probably enter my head once I click “Publish”!The Kraft style card was a re-cycled cardboard box. The downside is the preparation but the up-side is re-cycling and it costs no pennies.
I know I don’t normally post two days in a row but I might well return on Friday as I have a few projects I should have actually shared long before now, the time is just whizzing past.
Thank you for visiting and also thank you for the wonderful comments on the altered slide mailer.
Wishes
Lynne
P.S. The new challenge theme at Crafty Individuals was announced on 1st April, Time For Summer and already there are a few entries so why not join us with your Summer inspired artwork. All details are available at Jean’s Crafty Individuals Blog (see top of post).

That Magnificent Flying Machine

Hello
Previously I have shared some pieces using Oxford Impressions’ London Telegraph, well it is time for another one.  I am trying to stagger the London Telegraph projects so that I do not bore you with them too many in one go.
On the plate there is an incredibly detailed flying machine that just had to be the focus of its own artwork. I was lucky enough to receive this bracket shape from a friend as she knows I do not own a die-cutting machine. It is a great shape of base to work on especially for a project such as this. The colour re-produced in the photograph is a wee bit disappointing as in real life it has a more rusty appearance with a wonderful patina.  A mix of paints was applied before stamping the mechanical image. The bracket also received a good hammering, literally and distressed with sandpaper and a knife.
Mica overlays part of the flying machine.Stamping the text stamps onto various surfaces and layering with dyed gauze and clipping together to form a detail. The other corner has some more bits ‘n’ pieces I gathered. If you are U.K. based then it might interest you to know that you can purchase this set of stamps from The Craft Barn. They also stock Steampunk Elements and Steampunk Works, all three sets intertwine so well.
Thank you for visiting.
Wishes
Lynne