A Bit of Earth @ That’s Crafty

Hello
That time of the week where I share a project over at That’s Crafty!, a sneaky peek below
If you would like to view the project, please visit HERE.
Have a lovely Sunday, maybe enjoying some creative time 🙂
Wishes
Lynne

Laundry Day

Hello
I have a very quick post to share, a little something I made as a “paper fancy” gift.
The main stamps used are from the recent release from Character Constructions, Blue Daisy collection with the wonderful French Laundry stamp from one of the older collections, a French Laundry set.

This is actually a paper lavender sachet or should that be a lavender, paper sachet?

The image was stamped onto lovely paper from a vintage French Agenda, some of the pages containing beautiful writing.  By stamping onto this paper, I liked the whimsy of the day of the week appearing on the image , as though Mercredi is laundry day (I really should have scheduled this post for yesterday!)

With the sachet being simple in approach, I wanted the tag to be in keeping with this simplicity.   Old denim jeans formed the base, although I did layer it to kraft cardstock for stability and  a place to jot a message.  A sweet vintage button is all that embellishes the stamped and fussy cut Blue Daisy dress, oh, I also stamped buttons.  This smock dress is a cleverly designed stamp because the open design allows for so many possibilities whether under-stated or adding wild, doodled patterns. A great stamp to use with Gelli prints.

That’s Crafty are U.K. stockists for selected Character Constructions stamps, including the recent addition of two sets from the Blue Daisy collection.  If you have any queries regarding availability of Character Constructions stamps, either contact Laura Holland at That’s Crafty or contact me and I will pass your query to Laura.
Thank you for your visit.
Wishes
Lynne

Vive La France (Take Ten)

Hello
Sharing a wee collection which appears in  Take Ten magazine.
Last year, some reasons outwith my control but also, I didn’t seem to be in cardmaking mode, I didn’t really manage to submit the usual volume to Take Ten (or The Stampers’ Sampler).  When  I received Paris Flea stamp collection (Character Constructions) from  Catherine Moore, I knew immediately that aside from having some paper doll fun, I wanted to also focus on the lovely French/Paris related stamps, particularly stamp plate no 7.
That’s Crafty is now stocking select Character Constructions stamps, including some of the Paris Flea collection.  They are the only U.K. stockist.  If you have any queries, then I am sure Laura at That’s Crafty will try and help you with questions re availability, etc.
They are all mini cards (3″x 4″)
For each card, I worked with some (to me) precious vintage French receipt paper, it has taken me all my time to use this book of receipts because once finished I doubt I will ever replace it, such items are something I struggle to source.
.
The printing on the vintage paper determined placement of stamps – the numbers stamped alongside the printed No. on this second sample.  To utilise scrap pieces of the vintage paper, I stamped little elements, such as the postal mark and sentiment, layering onto the cardbase.

Embellishments were deliberately kept to a minimum for a few reasons.  I wanted it to be more of a stationery set as opposed to individual greeting cards. The tiny pieces of cut ribbon are only there to bring another layer of French flavour, I didn’t want any such details to smother the stamps and I did not want the paper to be obliterated by “this and that”.

Just enough room to add a flag to the Eiffel Tower!

Two of the inserts – sentiments stamped onto scraps of the paper

and one of the envelopes.

Thank you to Catherine Moore for creating such wonderful stamps and to Stampington for publishing this wee card collection and THANK YOU to you for visiting this post.
Wishes
Lynne

The Heart of Childhood (for Calico Craft Parts GD)

Hello
A scheduled post to share my second and final project as a GD for  Calico Craft Parts blog.
All the details can be found at the Calico Craft Parts blog, along with the inspiration for this piece, HERE, the way the Character Constructions stamp inspired my selection of Calico Craft Parts.

Stamps:- Character Constructions Inner Child No. 4
PaperArtsy Infusions – staining the Calico Craft Parts heart, sari ribbon, trims and more.
Thank you to Calico Craft Parts for having me as a GD.  It is always a privilege to be involved with a company, even if only for the shortest of time, working with products I genuinely admire.
It has been a busy week with lots of scheduled posts, so thank you to any of you who have taken the time to stop by, it is genuinely appreciated by me.
Wishes
Lynne

Character Constructions @ That’s Craft

Hello
This post is to announce the news that Character Constructions stamps are now available at That’s Crafty! So far as we are aware, they are the only U.K. stockists of Character Constructions stamps.  There had been queries to their availability outwith the U.S. so it is good to know that Catherine and Laura have pulled together to make this happen and you can see the sets available if you click HERE.
If you are new to Character Constructions, this is the link to Catherine Moore’s website. Catherine is the designer of the stamps and they truly are a labour of love and passion for her.  The stamps are meticulously designed.
Like many of you, I am lucky to have access to many gorgeous stamps and the companies you see me whose stamps I work with time and again, I do so because I genuinely love their stamps and respect the companies.  It would be tough to be enthusiastic if I did not genuinely feel this way.  This also extends to Character Constructions.  The stamps are high quality, the older ones I have actually date back  to my earliest days of stamping, that might be 9 years or so.  Catherine designs them by collections and within the collection, each set, or plate, has a number – French Laundry No. 11, etc.  I find this a good system for keeping track of which stamps I own.
The stamps are wonderful for mixing and matching, constructing paper dolls from various collections but you could stay within the collections if that is what you prefer – there are no rules!  The lesson I learned, the dolls do not need to have their body parts in proportion.  Initially I would stumble over this, blame my years of Art & Design at school (!) but it is so freeing to be lead by your imagination.
I have selected two of the sets available from That’s Crafty, showing the set and previous projects where I used those particular sets.
French Laundry

The crinoline skirt is also available from That’s Crafty, look for Paris Flea No. 3

From Paris Flea, I worked with this set to

create another paper doll on outsize wooden peg (again with the same crinoline skirt as above).

If you do a search on my blog you will see the many ways I work with the stamps, either as stand alone paper dolls, cards, tags, presentation ideas and more.  They do not necessarily have to be for pretty paper dolls, they can be arty, edgy, they can be anything you want them to be and they are also for beyond paper dolls – wearable art, journals, assemblage….. For those of you who are like me, you rarely work with pattern paper pads, there’s no reason you cannot stamp onto your own backgrounds or onto fabric.
Catherine has just released a new collection, The Blue Daisy .
If you have any requests then maybe it would be worthwhile contacting That’s Crafty.
This link is to Character Constructions Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CharacterConstructions/?fref=ts
I am sure, if you have any queries about the stamps, Catherine will be willing to answer them, just leave a query at the link above.
Just a thought – some of those stamps would look amazing with That’s Crafty’s new shrines 🙂
Thank you for your visit to this post. I have a few other posts scheduled, seems to be a busy week!
Wishes
Lynne

Somerset Art Gal No. 3 (Somerset Studio)

Hello
Today sees the final Somerset Art Gal being shared.
Once again, the same stamp companies:- Character Constructions for all the paper doll elements, including the bodice and skirt.  The words dangling from her wrist are from Darkroom Door Creative Word Block and the stamps appearing on the outsize wooden peg are Redlead Paperworks.    The paints are PaperArtsy Fresco Finish (available from That’s Crafty)

This Art Gal does not believe in a minimal approach.  She is happiest with her many paintbrushes surrounding her.

Personally, I’ve never liked tattoos but when I was inking up (no pun intended!) the paper dolls, onto some lovely vintage French receipt paper, I thought it would bring a fun twist to incorporate the script, as though it were tattoos.  With tattoos being popular amongst artists, it just seemed cool to do this.  This Art Gals is into her tattoos in a big way!

It just so happened I had Frescos in colours that worked perfectly with the colours of the Somerset Studio Artist Paper.  I like nothing more than when I can make something my own and not only that, the finger painted mark making also brought texture to the paper.

You can just about make out the paint and stamping on the outsize wooden peg.

Thank you for your visits to the Somerset Art Gal. They were great fun to make. They were time intensive but somehow, that was okay, enjoying the process of making the Artist Papers my own, creating the characters of the dolls with the individual stamps but poor fingers are not happiest when having such a big fussy cutting session!
There will be new Character Constructions stamps available any day now – it’s possible they will be available by the time this post goes live – The Daisy Blue Collection.   For many, resistance will be futile!
Wishes
Lynne

Somerset Art Gal No. 2 (Somerset Studio)

A picture is a poem without words
Hello!
Somerset Art Gal No. 2 being shared today.
Stamp Supplies
Paperdoll stamps – Character Constructions
Art related words – Darkroom Door
Stamps on wooden peg – Redlead Paperworks

She has a “don’t mess with me” stare to her eye so don’t even try asking if you can use her favourite paint colour,

unless you are prepared to prise them out of her grasp!

She loves to customise her clothing.  Here she’s added fingertip spots to her skirt, dipping her fingers into paint.

She is so cool and confident, never one to shy away, so she will happily declare herself to be artistic.

Somehow she manages to pull this look off – girly bows and lace and stripy/dotty leggings – yes, this girl knows her own self and she is running with it!
Did you spy the tattoo she has on her foot?!

Thank you so much for your visit.  I hope the Somerset Art Gals have brought some cheer.
Wishes
Lynne

Relics and Artifacts: Retailer Project Feature in Craft Stamper

Hello
Before I was invited to be a Relics and Artifacts Ambassador, it was suggested by Sandra and Trish, that I create two projects featuring Relics and Artifacts for Craft Stamper.
Relics & Artifacts are a dream to create with and I don’t say this because I am an Ambassador, I say this because I have been using them for some time now and grow to love them more and more.
To see the full range of R&As, including Bohemian Jewels, Velveteen Flowers and more, visit HERE.
If you are already creating with them or have only recently discovered them, then why not join the Facebook Tribe and share your R&A creations with us.
Just to add, some of the R&As are available, in the U.K. from That’s Crafty 

If you are a Craft Stamper reader then you might want to know that there is a Giveaway for some R&As!

The idea of the projects, to show how easy it is to work with R&As, with the stepped-out project showing how by simply transforming the Chandelier Pendants with a few supplies, they can become home decor items in very little time.

The assemblage frame is more time time intensive but the idea was to display the use of multiple R&As, all from different R&A sets, yet coming together in one theme.

and

Craft Stamper links:-
To purchase subscriptions: www.craftstamper.com
Single print copies: www.mags-uk.com
Digital copies: www.pocketmags.com

Stamps used on both R&A projects – individual stamp details are noted in the Craft Stamper article along with PaperArtsy Fresco Finish paint colours.
Character Constructions
Redlead Paperworks
Many thanks for your visit.
Wishes
Lynne

Somerset Art Gals (Somerset Studio)

Hello
Trying to catch-up with projects from last year so I thought I would share my Somerset Art Gals.
This is the Art Gals as they stand side-by-side but I thought it fun to share each Art Gal in detail so I’ve drafted one post a day for three days.
They were published as an article in Somerset Studio Sept/Oct 2016
Stamp Supplies
Paper doll elements – Character Constructions stamps
Art Related Words, Paintbrushes, Paint tubes and Pencils – Darkroom Door
Stamps on outsize wooden peg – Redlead Paperworks

If you read Stampington & Co magazines, you will know they include Artist Papers, quality papers.  In all the years I’ve read their magazines, this was only the third time I’d used the papers.  I always wanted to save the papers within the magazines and also, I rarely use pattern papers, enjoying making my own backgrounds or my real love – any found papers.
On an absolute whim – which came about when I thought of turning some Character Constructions paper doll stamps into artists, I had the idea that a vibrant Artist Paper was what they needed, with me adding my own touches with Fresco Finish paint, to make the paper my own.
They were never going to only be paper dolls, each Art Gal is attached to a huge wooden peg, this enables the dolls to be free standing but also a place for creative notes to be attached, To Do List or a collection of favourite quotes.  I don’t have their dimensions but they are tall.

All Art Gals should wear a beret, especially with Parisian polka dots (paint pen), adorned with vintage trims.
She is a messy one, with smudges of paint on her face. I think we can all relate!

Her brushes are well used but that doesn’t mean they are not much loved – she just never seems to be able to keep her tools pristine.

She doesn’t believe herself to be an artist, much more comfortable with the term crafter but maybe, one day, she will view herself differently.

Thank you for the time you spend here, I appreciate your time is precious.
Have a wonderful week and I’ll return soon with the other Somerset Art Gals.
Wishes
Lynne

Love Tokens (Somerset Life)

Hello
To start this new week, I thought I would share some Love Tokens, a collection which appears as an article in Somerset Life., obviously I am absolutely thrilled!
Supplies
All paper doll elements are Character Constructions stamps
Love/Valentine themed sentiments are Redlead Paperworks
Heart is from Oxford Impression, With Love (also available from That’s Crafty)

The How-to for making this collection appears within the article so you will appreciate why I do not want to share those details here.

Friends of my blog will recognise this mischievous face as I have inked her up countless times since the release of the Paris Flea collection in 2016.  I cannot imagine I will ever tire of her.

A love sentiment on the rear of each tag.

A new favourite rests beside an old favourite, one of my oldest Character Constructions stamps, she is from the French Laundry collection.

Each tag has a kraft pocket.

Variations of the first two tags, making four in total.

Red and white are not colours I find appealing but I wanted this collection to have a Retro Valentine feel as opposed to shabby chic Valentine.

Gathered and bundled,

with another Redlead stamp featuring on the tag.

Thank you so much for your visit.
Have a lovely week.
Wishes
Lynne