The Language They Speak

Hello Everyone
This is another scheduled post. For this post I thought I would share something I made a couple of months ago.
When I saw this  particular flower image at French Kissed Postcards I knew I had to use it for a friend who loves flowers. The first part of the gift was a muslin bag which I decorated in a simple fashion with scraps of lace, velvet ribbon and button.
For the bag the image was transferred onto cotton fabric.On the back of the bag I simply stamped a favourite text stamp from Oxford Impressions’ Le Jardin
Then, as I cannot help myself, I decorated another shopping list pad (I’m afraid to tell you I will have more of those to share at a later date!). The same image was used but this time printed directly onto heavy weight white cardstock. I always appreciate the visits my Blog receives but none moreso than when I am absent from Blogland. I hope that when this post goes out there that I am at least managing a little bit more time on-line.
I hope to see you on October 1st when I will have a DT sample for The Stampsmith Challenge to share. Until then, thank you for your time today.
Wishes
Lynne

The Author of Her Life

Hello
My DT post for The Stampsmith this week is a scheduled post.
This is my first piece using one of the stamps from Belinda and Friends plate. As described by Estelle this plate is “Made from 19th-Century engravings, these stamps evoke the world of literature.”
She reminds me very much of a Jane Austen character which I why I chose to stamp onto script paper, as I wanted the script design to be visible amongst the stamped image. I changed my ink choice, nearly always reaching for  Archival when using Stampsmith stamps but I discovered that Versafine was more suited to stamping this large detailed stamp onto pattern paper, as we all know, there are no rules and you might have another ink preference.The paper and vintage book text along with tea and coffee stained lace and stained paper doily were layered onto a book cover to create a wall hanging.  If you are wishing to participate in The Stampsmith Challenge for this month then we are nearing the final days. The link to TSC Blog is on the sidebar.
Thank You for visiting and I hope it is not too long before I  can catch-up with your Blogs.
Wishes
Lynne

Step Into My House, Pretty Ones (FSC#31)

Hello Everyone
This fortnight at Fashionable Stamping Challenge Silvia has set the challenge to Alter Something. It is your choice what you alter but please remember to include stamping on your entry. As always there is a wonderful prize up for grabs so certainly worthwhile entering.
I am doubling up on DT duties as this is also a DT piece for Oxford Impressions using the new Hallowe’en sets.  I had fun altering a thimble display unit in the shape of a house. I bought this a good while ago for 99p always with the intention of  a vintage sewing themed project but when I knew I would be receiving the new Hallowe’en stamps I decided the house had to finally be used.
Stamps:-
Oxford Impressions’ Dr. Coffin’s Apothecary Shop (text stamp, witch hazel label, and mushroom)
Oxford Impressions’ Masquerade (Bat woman, witch hat, cat, broom, stars, bat and moon)
Dimension of Altered Thimble House:- approx 8.5″x8.5″

One of the text stamps from the Dr. Coffin set was stamped onto tissue paper and adhered onto the prepped unit. Upside … this is fabulously messy – the downside …it is incredibly time consuming!I added a hat to the Bat Woman and also a wand (handle from a broom adding a star to the end, covering it with glass glitter). Glass glitter was also added to her shoes, this woman has style!A sign was created with the Witch Hazel label.
Bats gather amongst the branches of a gnarled tree (handcut branches from greyboard, painted and swiped with ink and added touches of glass glitter here and there) along with a glittery moon. If you visit the  FSC site you will be able to read the rules for entry (for which there are few) and also be able to view the incredible altered projects from my DT sisters.
Thank You for taking the time to visit this post.
Wishes
Lynne

Medicine Man

Hello Everyone
Recently I shared the release of  Crafty Individuals CI-360 stamp.This set of stamps would be fabulous for Hallowe’en art however I’ve opted for a more Victorian feel using a gentleman from one of the CI Book of People and Places alongside this set. I find the Crafty Individuals books to be amazing as a source of images. Gathering a few stamped labels to attach to a clip, hanging from the mailer. I had a definite idea of the appearance I was trying to achieve,  a timeworn, rusty appearance.  Now I could have used Rusting Powder which is an amazing product but I decided to use acrylic paints (I used three colours) to mimic a rusty appearance. White cardstock was painted with the same colours before stamping. Another little glimpse at the texture on the mailer. At the CI store there is a Special Offer available on on-line orders. Also, a reminder that the CI Challenge, Last Days of Summer, is still open and all entries (that adhere to the rules) will receive a discount on an on-line order. All the information is available at Jean’s CI Blog (link on sidebar).
Thank You for visiting. I probably will not have managed to have visited you the past couple of days but I hope to catch-up with you soon.
I will return on Sunday with my DT piece for Fashionable Stamping Challenge. If you are interested, there is still time to enter the Good Things Come In Small Packages challenge (again, link on sidebar).
Wishes
Lynne

Their Inner Strength

Hello Everyone
It is time for a Stampsmith DT post.  I am sharing tags made using stamps from The Stampsmith’s Cleopatra and Friends plate. You might remember I shared two tags already using this plate, well at the same time I made tags using all the stamps from this set. Here I am catching-up with another two of those tags.
CordeliaThese tags are all based on the same idea of stamping onto dyed tags and collaging little bits ‘n’ pieces.
The second tag displays ImogenA gentle reminder that  TSC  Bags ‘n’ Tags is still open for entries. If you are interested then all rules are available at TSC Blog but please note that you must include at least one Stampsmith stamp on your entry. There is a random prize draw with the prize of $21 to spend at The Stampsmith on-line store.
Thank you for taking the time to visit today, your visits and comments are always appreciated and I will catch-up with your own blogs soon.
Wishes
Lynne

Dr Strangelove And His Muse

Hello Everyone
I am ending this week with another Oxford Impressions’ DT piece, the first of my Hallowe’en art. Hallowe’en is slightly  new territory for me, I probably could count on one hand (and still have too many fingers) the amount of Hallowe’en art I’ve ever created but us crafters we love a challenge so when Suzanne announced the new Oxford Impressions’ release Dr Coffin’s Apothecary Shop I was excited to play with this set.  I only received this stamp set on Wednesday but was keen to ink it up immediately.
This set is amazing not only for Hallowe’en inspired art but there are so many stamps that can be used well beyond Hallowe’en, the ephemera labels and the beautiful poppy and mushroom but for today I am sticking with Hallowe’en.Dr Coffin is a complex character with multiple personalities, I introduce him in the guise of Dr Strangelove with his muse, the beautiful Miss Hyacinth Nightshade.
Approx Size of Wall Hanging:- 8.5″ x 7.5″The base is a vintage sleeve for two cabinet cards which my lovely friend Dorthe gifted to me. I couldn’t make myself use the original so I copied and printed it, cutting out the sections where the cabinet cards would fit. You probably cannot see but by using silicone glue I was able to create dimension and form to both Dr Strangelove and Miss Nightshade.
I wanted this to be all about stamping so only added lace to the bottom and top edges other than that only some black pearl stickers to Miss Nightshade’s dress.
The bottles are fabulous and there are a selection of labels you can add.Expect more from me using this stamp set. I never knew Hallowe’en could be so much fun!
A little note to say that another new set released for Hallowe’en is Masquerade, full of wonderful images of women and little girls in fancy dress costumes as well as images such as a broom, hat, cat, etc. I am not too sure if those sets are available in the U.K. from The Craft Barn but I am sure it is worth keeping your eyes open for them.
Thank you for visiting. I hope to be able to catch-up with you soon to see what art you have been creating.
Wishes
Lynne

A Call For Freedom

Hello Everyone
It is time for another Oxford Impressions’ DT piece using Abraham Lincoln plate. A wonderful plate to use in conjunction with this set is Heart of Dixie which is still available.
For this card I used:-
Abraham Lincoln – Abraham Lincoln, Freedom, Flag and  Splatter
Heart of Dixie – Script, C emblem and Dollar.The script was used as a background stamp and also to create a pocket along the bottom of the card where I could tuck in the tag stamped with Lincoln. The tag might look as though I have burnt the edges but that is coffee which creates that aged effect.
When drafting this post I checked for availability at The Craft Barn but they do not appear to stock either of those sets, however you can buy both plates from the Oxford Impressions’ on-line store or Etsy store.
Thank you for visiting and apologies for drafting two posts for the same day but I appear to have a few pieces to catch-up with.
Wishes
Lynne

Mermaids & Angels

Hello Everyone
I have some precious gifts I’d like to share today which my dear friend Dorthe sent to me. What made the package all the more special, I had no idea she was sending anything my way.
First I will show you the beautiful cheesecloth and laces she dyed using flower petals. If all this were not enough then there was the most beautiful doll, a mermaid doll tucked in the package. If you know Dorthe then you will be in awe of the dolls she creates (if you visit her Blog now you will see the fabulous Hallowe’en witch doll she created for herself). This doll is wrapped in lace and has a sweet tag hanging from her, I cannot believe how lucky I am to have this doll in my hands. Yes, there is actually more ……. Isn’t she stunning? Since the day she arrived she has been watching over me as she hangs from my bed post.  She has amazing rusted wings and look at those flowing, golden locks.
When you receive gifts such as these a mere Thank You is never enough but I sure hope that Dorthe knows how thrilled I was when I opened the package and that her gifts from the heart will continue to give me pleasure day after day after day.
If you have never visited Dorthe before then it would be lovely if you popped over to say Hi to her.
Thank You for visiting here today and for the lovely comments left for me to read for my previous post. It seems that many of you have that new Crafty Individuals stamp on your Wish List!
Wishes
Lynne

Sing Your Sweetest Song For Me.

Hello Everyone
Today I have the first of my Crafty Individuals team samples using  CI- 357 ,this sweet bird collage stamp. You might remember that last week I shared this release along with three other new stamps. 
Crafty Individuals Supplies Used For Fabric Wall Hanging:-
CI- 357
CI-194(sheet music stamp)
I kept a neutral colour palette for this wall hanging which measures 9.5″x3.5″ (excluding the hanger)
I stamped CI-357 twice allowing me to decoupage certain elements. Zooming in on the sheet music part of the collage I stamped CI-194 (an indispensible stamp) to add a stamped element to the side.
This is it hanging up.Now before I leave this post a couple of things to mention. Remember that if you enter the CI challenge for September you will automatically receive a discount on an order from their on-line store, all details at Jean’s Blog. If you have not joined in with Jean’s Blog Candy then there is still time but not long so hurry over now.
I know I don’t often stray from crafting news but today I had to make an exception … I am sure many of you will have guessed where I am going with this one! What a thrill that Andy Murray has won a Grand Slam.
Thank You for taking the time to visit, which I always appreciate.
Wishes
Lynne

Good Things Come In Small Packages (FSC#30)

Hello Everyone
It is now time for another challenge at Fashionable Stamping Challenge where this fortnight my DT sister Claire has set the theme of  Good Things Come In  Small Packages.  We do ask that you include stamping on your entry and if you want to read rules and details of the prize available then just click the link above. As always, if you take a visit to FSC you will see the amazing art on display from my DT sisters. Have fun with this challenge theme.
My DT sample for FSC also doubles as DT art for Oxford Impressions, using the beautiful Season of Giving plate. Suzanne has up-dated this classic Oxford Impressions plate of stamps so well worth a look at it.
Stamps
Oxford Impressions:- Season of Giving:- boy and girl, sheet music, It’s A Wonderful Life
Oxford Impressions:- Sleigh Bells :-  Wish and snowflake
On receiving this set of stamps I was keen to make a start on my own Christmas projects and as they say, no time like the present, excuse the pun – this will actually be a present for a friend. I started by altering a matchbox, making the focal this adorable stamp and I could not but use that sentiment.
Now open up the matchbox…to reveal the gift of a Christmas ornament.
Vintage glass glitter particles are caught behind the glass to create added sparkle as is wish which is taken from Sleigh Bells plate.We look forward to seeing your entries for this challenge.
Wishes
Lynne