A Wee Scottish Laddie

Hello Everyone
Here we are, the last day of November and honestly, I do not know how we even got here!
This post stems from the organising of photo files (as was the previous post) when I came across a card that I had made as far back as August as a DT sample for Oxford Impressions, made for the O.I. Gallery and with no intention of posting here but as today is the 30th of November which is  St Andrew’s Day in Scotland I have decided to share this card.
This card uses the stunning  Oxford Impressions’ Season of Giving plate and from the photograph you can see where the Scottish link comes from!The month of December will be a busy time on my Blog with the 1st of December seeing a new challenge theme at The Stampsmith Challenge Blog.   Although the projects will be heavily influenced by this time of the year I will, as I have mentioned, scatter non-festive/winter projects here and there.   So I apologise well in advance for the posts that will be shared here, many of which I am in the middle of scheduling now.
I hope you will find a little bit of time in your busy December schedule to visit and as for me, I will certainly make sure I catch-up with yourselves to see what you have been busy creating.
Wishes
Lynne

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

The First Noel

Hello Everyone
When I received the Oxford Impressions Giant Distressed Alphabet it struck me how useful this set would be to up-cycle boxes. If you are a friend of this blog then you might have seen the Paris box and the most recent box which I will call the Snow box.  For this Oxford Impressions’ DT post I am again using one of those gift boxes with the very shiny, holographic design which I’d stored in the loft always with the intention of altering.  Alongside the Giant Distressed Alphabet I also used Season of Giving, in particular the holly stamp.
Gift Box Dimensions:- 6.1″x4″x2.2″
To cover the base I used the tissue paper and Klear floor polish technique.  As I wanted a faded, distressed appearance to the holly at times I only partially inked the stamp.  The box was simply adorned with some beautiful satin ribbon and pearly pins.
Shown from the side.On first receiving this set from Oxford Impressions I always knew it would be a useful set but where it has come into its own is with Christmas projects.  Due to the size of the stamps they are wonderful for  boxes, etc and very soon I will share another Christmas project.
I really must try, in between the Christmas projects I have to share, also add a dash of non festive projects or you will become quickly bored with one Christmas project after another!
If you are in the middle of Christmas preparations then I hope they are going well and you are managing to keep the momentum going, something that I find can be difficult at times!
Wishes
Lynne

Gecko Galz Cyber Monday

Hello Everyone
I’d like to tell you about Gecko Galz Cyber Monday. On Monday November 26th  if you visit the Gecko Galz Website atwww.geckogalz.com you will be able to  check out all the savings during their Cyber Monday Rockin Deals. It includes the Buy One Get One sale buy any regular price product from the shop and get a second of equal or lesser value FREE! Also there will be a collection of digital collage sets that will be only $1 a set, their  first ever $1 sale. And if you spend $50 or more you will get an exclusive gift set of a digital paper pack, digital stamp set, and a beautiful collage set. And finally, if you purchase a $25 or more gift certificate you get a FREE $5 gift certificate for yourself! It is going to be a great Cyber Monday with Gecko Galz and all day there will be other fun goings on!
LeeAnne has generously provided this download for free.
Here is the beautiful download free for use in your art. 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

Rosy Cheeks and Frosty Fingers

Hello Everyone
If you happened to visit my previous post then you will recognise the two “cheerful” little faces that adorn the tags I am sharing today.
Once again this is an Oxford Impressions’ DT post where I have used the Season of Giving plate but also used stamps from other Christmas plates.
Oxford Impression Stamp Plates:–
Season of Giving
Sleigh Bells
Winter Snow
On both tags I applied Gesso to paper that I didn’t particularly like but with the aid of Gesso and stamping I was happier with the appearance of the paper to start layering up the tags.  I used a Crafty Individuals Shabby Tag as a template as it is a lovely size of tag and  I wanted  larger sized tags as those tags I am sending as an alternative to a Christmas card to friends.
Tag No. 1:-  Season of Giving – holly stamp (stamped onto background paper), little boy and girl, label and  Epp’s Cocoa advert.
                        Sleigh Bells – star and December 25th.
Tag no. 2:–  Season of Giving – little boy and girl and Noel.
                        Sleigh Bells – star and postal mark
                        Winter Snow – snow! sleigh! advert (on tag base and as a stamped element)
The seam binding, lace and gauze I had stained some time ago with fruity teabags, it was useful that the colour matched with the tag base.
If I have not caught up with your artful creations it is because I have not managed to spend as much time as I would like, these past few days, on-line but I do hope to catch-up with you soon.
Have a lovely Friday
Wishes
Lynne
P.S. All those stamp plates are available from Oxford Impressions’ on-line store or you should find some of the plates available from That’s Crafty and The Craft Barn in the U.K. and on-line at Art Journey if based within Continental Europe.

Let’s Go Sledging

Hello Everyone
Are you having a good start to the week, managing to find enough creative time?
It has to be said that the majority of my posts between now and December 25th will be Christmas/Winter orientated and in particular I have quite a few projects to share that use the beautiful Oxford Impressions’ Season of Giving plate.  This Oxford Impressions’ DT posts uses a stamp that so far I haven’t introduced you to from this plate, a photo realistic stamp of two children having fun (although you would not guess it from the expressions on their little faces) in the snow.
This is always such a busy time for crafters and at the moment I myself continue to try to keep the momentum of Christmas preparations at a reasonable pace.  I still have a fair few Christmas cards to make and also some more gifts. For this post I thought I would share two gifts that I made last month. The glass ornaments could certainly hang from a Christmas tree but also from a door handle or suchlike.The glass ornaments are made in the same manner only substituting faux pearl trim for crystal beaded trim and sheer ribbon for seam binding.  A sprinkle of glass glitter (you should be able to see it) was trapped behind the glass with the hope that it twinkles amongst the festive lights.Excuse the fact that my hand can be seen! Always the downside to photographing glass.
At the time of drafting this post I checked to see the availability of this stamp plate from U.K. stockists and discovered that The Craft Barn stocks this plate and if you are interested in Sleigh Bells or Christmas Wish then those plates are available from That’s Crafty.
Thank You for visiting today and also for your kind comments on the Home hanging I posted on Sunday. Soon I will have another project using the amazing Distressed Giant Alphabet to share.
Wishes
Lynne

Home Sweet Home (FSC#35)

Hello Everyone
Today we are announcing a new challenge theme at Fashionable Stamping Challenge, Home Sweet Home.
The same rules apply although there is really only one rule, that  your entry must include some stamping, other than that we are a very relaxed challenge site.  Please visit FSC to see the prize available and the inspirational samples from my DT sisters.
I am doubling up my DT sample for FSC as it is also a DT sample for Oxford Impressions. Once again I had fun with the Giant Distressed Alphabet. This set very much suits home decor projects and I always had in mind to make a country style hanging.
Unusually this is a post very light on photographs!

The embellishments were kept to a minimum, a bow tied from some of the remaining fabric, an old key and some vintage and new lace.
We hope you will want to join us with your Home Sweet Home entries.
Many Thanks for visiting this post.
Wishes
Lynne

Dear Santa (The Stampers’ Sampler)

Hello Everyone
A short post this time where I thought I would share an item I was thrilled to see published in the pages of the latest issue of The Stampers’ Sampler.
When I was making projects to submit to their Holiday Happenings challenge call I decided on one of those hanging pouches I have a fondness for making from a you know what!
Stamps Used:-
Oxford Impressions’ Sleigh Bells
It isn’t often you see me using such bright colours. Of course it did result in me having to retire to a darkened room for quite some time afterwards!
Thank you for all your visits this week, always appreciate when you take the time to do so.
Wishes
Lynne

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Hello Everyone
Recently, for Oxford Impressions DT work I re-cycled a very shiny box making use of the Giant Distressed Alphabet set.  With Christmas being at the forefront of my mind I decided to use this stamp set once again to recycle an old presentation box this time as Christmas packaging where I have incorporated stamps from the beautiful Season of Giving plate.
Oxford Impressions Stamp Sets Used On Box:-
Giant Distressed Alphabet
Season of Giving
The stamps are wonderful for such projects due to their size, approx 2″ in height so they do not end up being lost on a larger surface.
Talking of surfaces, this surface demanded a lot of attention in the preparation stages before applying blue emulsion paint and the layers of paint used to create a distressed effect as I was aiming for a distressed, wintry appearance to the box. This particular stamp will be turning up on projects quite often between now and December 25th, aren’t they adorable?
What hasn’t translated on the photograph is the shimmer. I used a Stardust pen on the letters and to highlight the photo real image and there is also sparkle from the glitter cardstock the image is layered onto.

A litte detail of the painted surface.Thank You for taking the time to visit this post especially as it was only yesterday that I posted last. All your visits and comments are much appreciated by me.
Wishes
Lynne