Fabrics: Not Just For Sewing

Hello Everyone
I am sharing a link to Papercrafters’ Library and the Fabrics@ Not Just For Sewing article.
The lovely Shari who is a DT contributor for the Papercrafters’ Library, kindly contacted me as she wanted to include some of my fabric related artwork in this article.  Shari selected art that she thought fitted the bill and amongst them she selected this card which, Shari wasn’t aware of this at the time of her selection, I am thrilled to say is published in the 2014 edition of Somerset Holidays & Celebrations which was published on 1st September.
Shari, thank you for always being so supportive and wanting me to be a small part of this article.
Wishes
Lynne

UPA Spotlight – Fabric Frenzy

Hello Everyone
Today I am delighted and honoured to share the news that over at Unruly Paper Arts (UPA) my Fabric Frenzy Guest Designer project is being showcased.
A little peek …I share my use of Lesley Riley’s Transfer Artist Paper with a photo real stamp and also transforming cotton fabric with paint and stamps.
Thank you to UPA for having me as their Spotlight Artist for May.
Wishes
Lynne

Amongst The Flowers (Guest Artist for Altered Pages)

Hello Everyone
It was such a lovely surprise to be invited by  Altered Pages  to be their Guest Designer.
From the outset I knew that I would work with fabric and Lesley Riley’s TAP but it was such a difficult choice selecting which collage image sheet to work with.   However I had to go with the Flower Maidens image sheet as it is brimming with stunning images and one of my all time favourites is the one I eventually decided to feature as the focal on my fabric wall hanging.Whether a collage image or rubber stamp, she has long been a favourite of mine, I like the dreamy quality to it.Last year my lovely friend Dorthe gifted me trims which she had stained with berries. There was one piece in particular which I was saving for a rainy day, waiting for the perfect project to use it. It appears to be a piece cut from a vintage linen tablecloth, trimmed with crochet lace which Dorthe had stained a lovely deep berry colour.  I noticed when I printed the image onto TAP that the colours of some of the flowers would match perfectly with the stained linen.  What made the linen all the lovelier to work with as a base for the wall hanging, there were pretty stitched elements which you can see peeking at the right side of the photograph above.
I was keen to add flowers somewhere onto the hanging but somehow fabric flowers weren’t working and paper flowers didn’t look right either, not for the feeling I wanted to exude, so I delved into my stash of pressed flowers, selecting what are favourites of mine.  A few scattered down the side creates a pretty border and adds another texture to the panel.  I  favour rugged textures, such as the burlap (and the corrugated cardboard) against soft, feminine textures, in this instance the flower petals.One of my favourite trims at the moment is this creamy, rose lace.Initially I planned on stamping a sentiment relating to nature but my eyes happened to fall on a rubber stamp depicting one word, Moments. In my eyes, perfect, reminding the viewer that we should all take the time to savour moments throughout our day.It was fun creating this wall hanging with an Altered Pages image and an honour to be their Guest Artist.
I know you are all such busy people but if you would like to visit Altered Pages to read my short post, then that would be lovely.
Thank You for your visit.
Wishes
Lynne

You Are Beautiful

Hello Everyone
Sunday rolls around so quickly, it seems like only yesterday I was sharing my DT project for That’s Crafty, yet it was a whole week ago!
This week I am sharing a project which makes use of some of my absolute favourites when crafting. As always, the full project can be viewed at the That’s Crafty Blog.
Enjoy your day.
Wishes
Lynne

A Lady In Waiting

Hello Everyone
Well I am being very much a tease this week with my sneaky peek at my DT project for That’s Crafty!If you are curious then the project along with instructions and supply list can be viewed HERE.
Many Thanks for your visit to this post and if you visit the That’s Crafty Blog.
Have a lovely Sunday.
Wishes
Lynne

Devoted Hearts

Hello Everyone
If you are a fan of Crafty Individuals then you probably know that we have a challenge underway, A Fine Romance. You can create anything:- a Valentine’s card, tag, altered art, wearable art, anything so long as you create to the theme and use at least one Crafty Individuals product on your entry. Five winners will be selected with the prize of a stamp of your choice from Crafty Individuals. All details for entering are available at Jean’s Crafty Individuals blog.
For my team sample I created this fabric wall hangingThe Crafty Individuals image is from one of their fabulous image books.  I re-sized the image then transferred it onto TAP (available from Crafty Individuals).
It is so easy to get swept away with the romance of this image.  I imagine her each day awaiting the arrival of the post eager to receive a letter from her beau who is serving in the Army and stationed in France.
I used the image as a springboard for which stamps I would incorporate into the fabric hanging.  Obviously hearts were going to feature heavily. This heart is from one of Crafty Individuals older collage stamps, I believe it is now discontinued, featuring a romantic couple with a damask heart below them.  Peddling backwards for a moment I should start with the actual background.  After staining the cotton I selected one of the decorative hearts from an Elements set.This is quite a large fabric panel that the collage created with the Crafty Individuals image and stamped could easily have become lost plus I also wanted to balance the two stamped hearts so I cut free-hand this large shabby heart.The stamped script represents the handwritten script on the image. The exchange of letters declaring their love for each other. Roses and flowers representing the flowers he has gifted to her during their courtship, flowers she saved by pressing them amongst the pages of her beloved books, the pages now scented with the perfume from the petals.
The treasured pendant she wears every day is the gift he presented to her as they said their tearful farewells on the platform of the station where they pledged their love for each other. The Crafty Individuals Elements set that consists of lace stamps is a firm favourite of mine and you will often see me using it.
In the photograph you can see more clearly the lace border incorporated in the image.Finally nestled amongst more lace is a Paris postal mark. Why not share your romantic artwork with us at the Crafty Individuals Challenge.
Thank you for your visit to this post, your visits always appreciated.
Wishes
Lynne

Her Beautiful Heart

Hello Everyone
Let me share with you a sneaky peek of my That’s Crafty DT project for this week.
This week sees me playing with Lesley Riley’s TAP which is a beautiful product to work with.  I used it in conjunction with a photo real stamp.  That is the beauty of TAP it can be used for stamping, drawing, painting, with use in your printer and the image transferred to a variety of surfaces.The full project with a list of the other supplies I used and instructions can be viewed at the That’s Crafty blog.
Thank you for your visit and for your visits this past week, especially the wonderful comments left for me to read on the The Bliss of Reading post.
Have a lovely Sunday.
Wishes
Lynne

In Good Company

Hello Everyone
Not so long ago I shared with you the first of my December DT samples for Gecko Galz, transforming a papier mache box into something a little bit more elegant with a household DIY tile forming the lid of the box.  At the same time as creating that particular sample I set about working on another home decor idea, a set of drinks coasters.
This a lengthy post, photo heavy so I apologise!

Classical Ladies A Set of Decorative Drinks Coasters
Gecko Galz Beauties in Black and White
Oxford Impressions French Script stamp set (damask and script stamps)
Staz-on Jet Black, Paper Artsy Satin Finish, Putty paint (Martha Stewart), Klear Floor Polish (Johnson & Johnson), Gesso and Gel Medium (Golden), Paper Artsy Fresco Finish Vintage Lace
Extras:-  tissue paper, lace, emulsion (latex) paint, 4 x tiles, cork
Instructions
Each of the tiles were stamped randomly and each vary slightly but this is a guideline if you wish to decorate your own tiles
Note:- Ensure the texture on each tile are all in the same direction.  I turned each tile so the texture ran in a vertical position.
Print Black and White Beauties onto white tissue paper.Tear around image.  Lay aside for the moment.

Stamp damask or French script or even both onto the tile. Stipple paint onto the tile, also over the stamping.

Adhere selected image with Klear floor polish, be generous with the application of Klear. The image will soak into the tile  Leave to dry, overnight if possible.

Working in a loose and random fashion stipple paint then stamp script or damask. Blend the edges of the image with the paint. Stipple more paint to obliterate some of the text.  Continue with this method

Apply Satin Finish to each tile.

Cut cork to the size and adhere to the bottom of the tiles.
You can see the texture on the finished tile.
The texture adds more character to the finished coaster but you might prefer using a smoother tile.The second tile. It is therapeutic blending the image with the layers of stamping and paint.
The stamping differs on each tile but I tried to not use too many varying patterns, preferring to work with script and damask stamps.Many Thanks for your visit to this scheduled post.
Wishes
Lynne

She Walks In Beauty (Published)

Hello Everyone
A quick post to kick-start this brand new week and as I do from time to time, this is a post that actually belongs from the summertime, as far back as May 1st when Sew Somerset (Summer) was published.   Recently I shared with you this POST, well imagine the double thrill of seeing another fabric wall hanging in the same publication.I am sorry that I am unable to give you the source of that beautiful image which I transferred onto cotton fabric, surrounding her with lace.
Stamping is to a bare minimum on this wall hanging and stamping isn’t a requirement of submitting to Sew Somerset but you know me, I cannot help myself! Anyway, this Oxford Impressions’ stamp somehow suited the image.Thank You for your visits last week, especially as I was very hit and miss with my visits to Blogs and still have much catching-up to do.
Also a lovely big thank you if any of you did take the huge trouble of visiting Gecko Galz to vote for my National Cardmaking Day card. I fully know that I will not win but I have to say it is lovely just the thought that one of you took the time to place your vote.
Thank You also for your wishes for my health and technical issues.
Wishes
Lynne

The Princess of France – petite notebook

Hello Everyone
To start this week on my Blog I have a quick post to share and unusually for me, only one photograph.
I always focused on photo real stamps from The Stampsmith (excluding the beautiful Ophelia) so it came as a surprise to me just how much pleasure I would have stamping with Estelle’s non-photo real stamps.
With the Princess of France from the Julia and Friends plate. I set about altering a petite notebook to send to the lovely Marie (Lost Bird Studio). This is such a pretty and feminine stamp.The Princess of France was stamped onto TAP then transferred to canvas.  It was a matter of vintage French book text (beautifully aged already without the aid of Distress Inks) adhered to the notebook with the addition of tea stained vintage lace and seam binding also stained with tea (different tea).
Many Thanks for your visit today.
Oh, one last thing to mention. TSC new challenge theme is underway. The lovely Paula has selected the theme of World Traveller.
Wishes
Lynne