Stretch Your Wings And Fly: Pendants (Somerset Studio)

Hello
This is another re-wind post, sharing two pendants which were published in Sept/Oct 2018 Somerset Studio, two Mixed Media pendants which had focal elements of a word (Red Lead stamp), stamped onto birch tree bark, with an application of ICE Resin.I worked with all I had to hand, including some beads which were re-cycled from broken jewellery and the stamped birch tree bark was layered onto suede which was from an old suede skirt. Packaged with re-cycled corrugated cardboard with one of my Affirmations stamped onto scrap calico.  Wings…the second pendant.You can see that this pendant is a variation on the first onewith similar style of packaging. Thank you for taking the time to visit this post.
Wishes
Lynne

A Day At The Beach (Willow And Sage)

Hello
Last year, I was given the unexpected opportunity to come up with a packaging idea for Willow and Sage magazine and since then, I have found myself enjoying, thinking up ideas to submit to them. If it hadn’t been for that opportunity I would never have thought to submit to this publication.
I stumbled across some cute baskets, easy to assemble, I could see so many possibilities for their use. Armed with two of those baskets and a bundle of Red Lead stamps, two of their wooden word charms and PaperArtsy Fresco chalk paint and a few other supplies, I set about making this gift packaging idea for bath/beauty products.
If you read Willow and Sage, I provide ideas for what I could imagine contained within the baskets.

The shell, which has been stamped onto directly, is a scoop for bath crystals.

Red Lead wooden word charms are so useful, for all types of projects and easy to paint.  By painting them, the engraved words are highlighted.

Each side of both baskets stamped with Red Lead stamps.

The muslin bags, again stamped with Red Lead sentiments, stamped onto fabric scraps.


The baskets are sold with horrible ribbon, really quite nasty (!) but that is okay because I like being able to make handles that are more suited to the theme of the baskets.  For this one, a piece of driftwood from my lovely friend Dorthe – a piece of driftwood from Denmark.

It certainly isn’t weather for days at the beach here in Scotland, unless wrapped up in the coziest of clothes!
Wishes
Lynne

The Gift of Giving (Somerset Life)

Hello
In the latest issue of Somerset Life, one of my articles features festive packaging.  Although Somerset Life is not a dedicated stamping magazine, it is a lifestyle magazine the tags in the article all feature Crafty Individuals Festive Curly Sentiments, generous sized sentiments which can be the focal on festive cards or tags.All the cardstock and papers were painted/stained, also utilising mop up/under paper.
I mixed a variety of metallics:- brass, gold, copper, platinum.
Tiny accents of pearl stickers, rhinestones and tiny pieces of lovely crushed velvet ribbon with the gorgeous copper fabric gifted from my dear friend Dorthe.So, even though this post relates to the festivities, I am still not convinced that Christmas is galloping towards us. Where has this year gone?!!!
Wishes
Lynne

Spools of Positivity (Somerset Life)

Hello Everyone
This is another catch-up post, for something I had published as far back as Spring, in Stampington & Co’s Somerset Life magazine.. Somerset Life is one of my all time favourite Stampington titles. It is not a stamping magazine, it is an everything magazine.  Stamped projects might well appear along with fabric, mixed media, presentation ideas, it truly is a lifestyle magazine, to lead a Somerset Life.
As much as I love this title, it was only recently that I submitted to a Challenge Call, Bookmarks, which I shared HERE. On reading in that particular issue that there was to be a new Challenge Call for Torn Fabric, well I couldn’t resist. I don’t own a sewing machine and I don’t sew but I love fabric. As is often the case with me, the idea came about by pure chance when some fabric happened to be beside some wooden craft spools. To have my bookmarks published was a dream come true, but to have that followed with another article in Somerset Life, let’s just say, I am running out of words to express what it means to me!
I would like to share three pendants that are presented in the article. You will appreciate, I do not want to give instructions as they are printed within the actual article. The trickiest part of all was finding words of a dimension to suit the craft spools.  I am lucky to have lots of positive words in stamp form but most of them were too large for the purposes.Each word stamped onto fabric, an absolute favourite of mine when it comes to stamping.The chains were deliberately made simple as I didn’t want anything overly fussy.The stamps are from Darkroom Door (Bliss) and Joy and Dream are from PaperArtsy ESN.  Words stamps have to be amongst the most useful stamps we could own.Each pendant was presented in its own fabric roll which again tied in with the challenge theme of torn fabric.With pretty floral fabric bringing contrast to the calico and also acting as a closure.Thank you to Christen Hammons, the Editor-in-Chief, for publishing my pendants and thank you to all of you who continue to be friends of my blog, it is always appreciated.
Wishes
Lynne

Honey, It’s Bath Time! (published Willow & Sage)

Hello Everyone
Earlier this year, a wonderful and completely unexpected opportunity came my way from Stampington & Co which resulted in me being published in Willow & Sage.
Willow & Sage is a magazine I haven’t mentioned before because it specialises in handmade bath and beauty products, something I would love to dabble in one of those days but at the moment, it is an area I haven’t dipped into and therefore, have never submitted to this title. That’s one of the reasons that the opportunity was such a bolt out of the blue for me.
My article in the Summer issue is all about packaging. With bath products in mind, with ingredients of honey or lavender, I set about creating a set with peat pots which would contain bath bombs and a soap bar wrap, all of which would be tucked inside a kraft bag.
I am sure you understand that I do not feel comfortable sharing instructions, what with them being published in Willow and Sage but I will share some photos.
A bath bomb would nestle comfortably in the peat pot, amongst the scrunched raffia.Throughout, the colour palette is that of lavender and the natural colours of burlap, jute and the peat pots.A little stamped tag.  You can probably guess what the tag is made from!A soap bar wrap, with the same supplies as those on the peat pots other than switching the style of the burlap flower.
The gift bag.  Apologies for the strange angle of the photograph and it also does not show that the gift bag is a decent size, after all it had to house all of the above.Thank you to Natalie Way and Christen Hammons for this wonderful opportunity and to Catherine Moore from Character Constructions and Suzanne Melvin from Oxford Impressions, whose stamps I used.
Thank you so much to you, for taking the time to visit this post.
Wishes
Lynne

Rosebuds and Butterflies (and The Winner of Giveaway No. 2 )

Hello Everyone
Welcome to my Sunday sneaky peek at my DT project for That’s Crafty.
A very mean sneaky peek however I am sure you can guess that once again I’ve had some fun with clay.If you would like to view the full project it can be seen at the That’s Crafty Blog.

Sorry for the delay in announcing the winner of my March Madness Giveaway No. 2 – Stamps Away.
The randomly selected winning name is:-

Meggymay – Congratulations! Please could you acknowledge this post.

Thank you to everyone who joined in with that Giveaway. Remember, Giveaway No. 3 is now open and will stay open until 21st March, you are all welcome to join in.
Have a lovely day.
Wishes
Lynne

Sweet Valentine

Hello Everyone
Isn’t it true that we have barely said goodbye to Christmas when as crafters our attention turns towards Valentine’s Day.
Before I share with you a Valentine project made for Gecko Galz let me give you some information you might be interested to read:-

This year the Gecko Galz design team has been asked to show how Gecko Galz products can be easily combined with products from other companies.
January features our cross promotion with BasicGrey AND you get to join in the fun!

Create your own valentine project using Gecko Galz and BasicGrey products and win the new Basic Grey True Love digital paper pack and a $25 shopping Spree from Gecko Galz.  Talk about a great duo!

Just email a picture of your project by January 31st to

 geckogalz@gmail.com 

And then on February 14th we will announce our winner and show off the winning product on the Gecko Galz website!

Let me say that I had no idea that Basic Grey created digital papers!  For my Valentine sample I incorporated one of the True Love digital papers alongside a Gecko Galz image on this altered box.

My Sweet Valentine

Back to front I know but with the box open it reveals the Gecko Galz Postcard Memories image.Stained lace and scraps of Tissue Tape decorate the box.
The box had a heart shape recess which made it perfect for this Valentine challenge. As this is a Gecko Galz sample I will now share my supply list and instructions.
Supplies
Basic Grey True Love digital papers
Gecko Galz Postcard Memories
Papier Mache box
Martha Stewart – Putty
Paper Artsy Fresco Finish – Irish Cream
Golden Gesso
Golden Gel Medium
Distress Ink Tattered Rose, Vintage Photo, Tea Dye and Victorian Velvet
Tim Holtz Tissue Tape
Canvas printer paper
Extras:- stained lace and stained seam binding

Instructions
Paint box with Gesso before applying paints.
Print Basic Grey paper onto canvas printer paper. Cover the sides and back of box with the paper, ink edges with Distress Ink. Cut out heart to sit in the heart recess on the box lid Adhere torn pieces of Tissue Tape to the lid. In my stash I had some stained lace so I adhered this to the lid and tied a shabby bow with stained seam binding.
Inside:- Adhere a couple of pieces of torn Tissue Tape to inside lid. Print the Postcard Memories onto canvas printer paper. Distress edges and ink with Vintage Photo and Tea Dye. Layer to the lid with some stained vintage lace.
Finally tuck some chocolates inside ready to be presented as a Valentine gift.

Thank you for visiting my first post for this week.  Remember, we would like to see your Basic Grey and Gecko Galz creations!
Wishes
Lynne
I have to say a warm thank you for the amazing support on the news of my new DT spot.

The cosy warmth of friendship on a winter’s day.

Hello Everyone
To start this brand new week I am sharing an altered matchbox I made using a Nicecrane image, an image from that beautiful set called Vintage Women’s Christmas.
Matchboxes are always a fabulous item to alter and I need to point you in the direction of my lovely art friend, Marie @ Lost Bird Studio as she is surely the Queen of Matchboxes (also the Queen of Soldering!).
Such a sweet image.  If you are interested I printed this onto low glossy cardstock which I then edged with vintage mica flakes (Luna Silver).Opened, ready to be filled with treats.
Layers of paint (the colour quality is poor, photograph taken when there was barely any daylight. I used Martha Stewart Sea Lavender, a mother of pearl/silver paint (from a supermarket) and gilding wax) and the snowflake stencil (from That’s Crafty) which has appeared on nearly everything I have made for this Christmas and more mica flakes. Gauze softens the effect. A Prima natural icon star has been given the sparkle treatment! Thank you for visiting my first post of this week. I really have too much I should have been sharing by now so if possible I aim to schedule as many posts as possible so that I can share all Christmas related samples before the 25th.
Have a wonderful week and here’s to it not being too stressful for you.
Wishes
Lynne

An Old Fashioned Christmas

Hello Everyone
This was intended as a scheduled post except I foolishly forgot to click the correct commands so this post is a bit later in the day than it should be.
As a Gecko Galz DT member I was asked, along with my lovely team, for us to each create a Christmas ornament with us each receiving a designated date for it to be shared at the Gecko Galz site and also on our own Blogs.  A requirement was for us to use Gecko Galz products, I selected this image  from the Alterable Christmas image sheet.
I have opted for almost a Victorian style colour scheme and feel for my ornament which also doubles us gift presentation. At this time of the year when preparations can become slightly frantic, I like the idea of when an item itself is doing the multi-tasking as well as the person creating the item! If you are a friend of my Blog you will have seen me create these many times and for different occasions.
Tuck a gift inside the pouch and hang from the Christmas tree until the 25th of December and there is no reason it cannot be re-used year after year when it can be filled with candy canes or chocolates.  Several on a tree would look lovely, one for each family member.I like the idea of this tag on the ornament where names can be added yet the text is  subtle enough that you really are not obliged to insert names.

SUPPLIES
Gecko Galz Altered Christmas (2)
Extras:- green braided tassel trim, faux pearl drop, stained green lace, canvas printer paper, glitter cardstock and cardboard tube from toilet roll.
INSTRUCTIONS
Cover cardboard tube with the glitter cardstock and glue one end close. Fussy cut the image from Altered Christmas (2), adhere to the tube, glue a faux pearl drop to the image. Trim with the tassel braid. Finally, thread through stained lace in two holes created in the holder.
Tuck a gift inside and hang from the Christmas tree.

I hope my U.K. friends of this Blog are safe and well, also their properties after that terrible storm.  I am sure many of you had some damage to your properties just as we did.
I have fallen a bit behind with Blog visits due to still being in the middle of Christmas card making, sorry to say that all enjoyment has now walked out the door!  Never mind, I see the light at the end of the tunnel with only a very few remaining to be made so if all goes well I surely will achieve that over the weekend.  With my time and energy focused on this it has meant that my time on-line has shortened and missing visits to your Blogs but hope to catch-up with you all very soon.
Many thanks for your visits because I can just imagine how busy all of you are.
Have a lovely weekend.
Wishes
Lynne

Wish Upon A Star

Hello Everyone
Sunday is time for when I share my peek at my DT post for That’s Crafty.
This week is a practical item for Christmas or I suppose it could be suitable for someone celebrating their birthday either on Christmas Day or the month of DecemberI’ve been playing with some, what are, new brands for me, Martha Stewart, Clear Scraps and Maimeri.
Thank you for your visit to this sneaky peek and a big thank you to those of you who take the trouble to visit and comment at the That’s Crafty Blog.
Wishes
Lynne