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

Cafe Patisserie – Packaging Idea (Greencraft)

Hello
Inside the Spring 2018 issue of Stampington & Company’s Greencraft, I was thrilled to have a simple packaging idea, published.
I was inspired by Catherine Moore’s Character Constructions stamps, from the Mannequin Cafe stamp collection.  The simple idea, to re-cycle cardboard packaging into boxes which might contain a cupcake or macaroon, etc.
This is the largest of the boxes – I love this stamp. She is fussy cut then adhered to the Ledger Paper, with her holding a fussy cut cake.
The Ledger Paper was a gift from sweet Dorthe.  It was the perfect paper to adhere to the sides of the painted, re-cycled cardboard packaging.I wanted to add another something to the submission and I happened to have a spotted paper bag, the perfect extra – I could imagine a home baked cookie tucked inside. The  paper bag also tied in with the red spotted bows and red and white twine.
There are many, many reasons why I am passionate about stamping, one of them is the simple transformation of packaging that would otherwise be dumped into the re-cycle bin!  I still dearly miss Stampington’s Greencraft magazine, it was such a great publication to submit to.
Wishes
Lynne

Learning to Fly (Somerset Studio)

Hello
I am winding back the clock to the Sept/Oct 2018 issue of Somerset Studio, when at that time, I had the lovely surprise, of this submission, featured as a Spotlight.
I remember at the time, the inspiration for this project and another which I am sharing in this post, were the fabulous Greyboard Wings from That’s Crafty and their Art Shrines. With beautiful image of a young woman from Red Lead, I had the possibility of giving her wings, outsized wings which would enable me to attach chain, suspended from a tree branch.Although there is a strong nature element to this hanging shrine, it is also an Affirmation.  The shrine is trying to convey the spirit of a person, most especially when that person doesn’t see what is actually within them, almost blind to their own spirit and what they are capable of.PaperArtsy Frescos enabled me to bring a speckled appearance to the RELICS & ARTIFACTS Imperial Egg, nestling inside the Art Shrine. 
The twin to this shrine, has the message of “Fly, Soar”, almost saying to the young woman from the first shrine, you have the spirit with you, this is now time for you to fly, for you to soar.  The light catching the wing.At the time of working on the shrines, I was not conscious until setting them side by side, viewing them as twins, possibly a subconscious nod to Gemini.  Side by side, they could be viewed that it is one side of the personality, nudging the other side, supporting it, shoring it up to say you are able to achieve anything, believe in yourself.
Thank you always for the visits you make to my Blog.
Wishes
Lynne

Earthy Affirmations (Somerset Studio)

Hello
In the latest issue of Somerset Studio, one of the articles I have is Earthy Affirmations.
I was inspired not only by the Somerset Studio Art Call for the theme of Blush but also inspired by That’s Crafty white/greyboard Doodled Shrooms. Instead of matching them with their corresponding clear stamps, I wanted to give them a grungy, earthy appearance,pairing them with Affirmations.For each collage I worked with the same items, torn papers including stained That’s Crafty Rice Paper, layered onto eco dyed watercolour paper. Partial Affirmations appear on a stained shipping tag, with a central word taken from the Affirmation, to be layered at the base of each mushroom.Machine stitching the layers brought extra texture and interest to the collages.PaperArtsy Fresco Paints were used, swiped here and there, with my fingers, onto the panels.Corrugated cardboard, oh it is simply wonderful to work with!  I used the corrugated cardboard which comes within That’s Crafty’s Surfaces Mixed Media Paper/Card Kit. to form pockets for the collages, making one pocket larger to contain two collages.A full supply list and details of the pockets can be seen in the Somerset Studio article.
Thank you so much for your visit.
Wishes
Lynne

Friendship Notes @ Somerset Life

Hello
Turning the clock back…. to when Stampington & Co’s Somerset Life had a challenge call, relating to The Art of the Letter.  In the Oct/Nov/Dec 2017 issue of Somerset Life, my submission was published.
The idea, to limit myself to only work with a few supplies, with old book pages being the basis of each note/letter.
Glassine envelopes were the perfect pockets, allowing the letter tucked inside to peek through.Darkroom Door photo images provided the sense of friendship, setting the tone for each note/letter.Delicate details on the front of the pockets: scraps of ribbon and fabric, lace flowers and sweet paper flowers (a gift from lovely Dorthe).PaperArtsy paints created a wash of colour on the book pages also slightly obscuring the text.The idea is that on the other side, there is room for a hand-written note.

It was lovely to have this idea published.
Wishes
Lynne

French Laundry… Lavender Sachets @ Somerset Life

Hello
Friends of my blog will know that for a long time, I have been a fan of Character Constructions stamps (I think my first ever blog post featured a project with Character Constructions stamps).  I never tire of them.  As with any stamp that is designed to the highest level, there will always be new ways of working with them.
This idea is a simple way of making paper lavender sachets, appearing in the Oct/Nov/Dec 2017 issue of Stampington & Co’s Somerset Life magazine.  Sadly, Stampington & Co had to make the difficult decision to retire several of their titles, including Somerset Life.  I will be ever thankful for the opportunity to be published in such an exquisite magazine.
I adore this stamp from Catherine Moore.The wooden peg and buttons are adorable.The stamp above and below, are from the Blue Daisy collection.Each lavender sachet was tucked inside a Kraft pocket,the bundle of them presented in this bag…again, decorated with Character Constructions French Laundry stamps.
Thank you for your visit.
Wishes
Lynne

Celebrate The Earth (3D Challenge Craft Stamper)

Hello
I thought it was time to share some old but new projects… old as in made months, possible a year or two ago but new, as in not shared, other than published.
When I received a small zinc bucket to alter for Craft Stamper’s 3D Challenge (July 2018), I knew I didn’t want to simply alter the surface of the bucket, I wanted the project to be “more”.
The bucket made my mind automatically turn towards the garden which took me on a journey through my gorgeous collection of Character Constructions stamps.  Knowing that some of the stamps have a whimsical style to them, it helped me along with the vignette that started to take hold in my head, of flowers popping out of the bucket but with it being Character Constructions stamps, the flowers would have a slight twist! Instead of pretty flower heads, we have ladies!  The stamps are incredible in their detail and when fussy cutting, they are quite delicate in some areas.  To keep with the natural, earthy feel I was aiming for, I broke twigs to adhere the stamped images to, including the stamped flowers and butterflies, all managing to be propped into the bucket amongst the moss.This photo shows the twigs and also the texture I managed to build up to alter the zinc bucket, wanting an aged effect as though it has been out in a garden for an age, becoming weathered by the elements and time.  It rests upon a vintage tart tin (I write about how I rusted the tart tin within the 3D Challenge)

I adore this stamp which is also Character Constructions.
My project is a way to celebrate the earth both in the style of the project but also the materials I worked with, this sentiment is stamped onto cardboard paper which is something I love making not only for the amazing surface it provides but also as a way to be kind to the environment.Looking down on the assemblage which was propped upon a wood slice, altered slightly to allow it to co-ordinate.It is fascinating to look at the 3D Challenge, to view how everyone has their own interpretation of working with the item supplied by Trish Latimer.
Wishes
Lynne

Heart and Soul: Journal & ATC (as in Craft Stamper)

Hello
I have neglected this Blog and it is sad because I adored Blogging and the connections made through Blogging was so important in my creative life.  I will try, now and again, to share some past projects which for whatever reason, have been neglected by me to share there, on Instagram and FB.  I am finding, more and more, Instagram is more accessible for me but want to try to keep my Blog going, if possible.
Anyway, today I have a project which appeared in the February issue of Craft Stamper.  With a heart theme set, I turned to the beautiful hearts from That’s Crafty (available in various sizes whether in MDF or white/greyboard) and I have to say a stamp which I never tire of inking up from Catherine Moore’s Character Constructions stamps.
I seem to have lost several photos I took at the time, before sending to Craft Stamper.  This is how I packaged up the journal and ATC which I then popped into a glassine bag.  Torn calico, stained with Infusions, wraps around both ATC and journal and I also made a tag to co-ordinate, the tag is another That’s Crafty product, one of the smaller sized MDF tags.This is the journal, with ATC placed upon it.
A textural cover with the detailing of the Character Constructions stamps and the beautiful wings are of course, from That’s Crafty!  Quiet Strength Takes Courage, one of my Affirmations stamps which I feel suits this image so well.
Within the feature in Craft Stamper, I write in the intro …
Sometimes, when life throws challenges in our way, we might need to seek a place to jot down worries, thoughts, niggling doubts or dreams that we are not ready to share with others. The Heart and Soul Journal is such a place, a place to build inner strength.

Gratitude to Craft Stamper, Trish Latimer for having me share this project and to That’s Crafty and Catherine Moore for creating inspirational projects which not only allow for creative fun, they allow for me to take the ideas within my head and have them materialize.
Wishes
Lynne

At Home With Nature

Hello
As part of the That’s Crafty D.T., we were provided with the fabulous MDF Art House Shrine, each of us altering it any which way, with our finished house shrines appearing as a 3D Challenge in Craft Stamper magazine.  They appeared in the March issue so I thought I would now share my house, which has a theme of nature.
It is always special to be part of a collective, showing the diversity of a team but also the versatility of the product, namely this time the art shrine.

I shared a video of the project over at FB, for some reason, my Blog will not allow me to upload the video here but it can be viewed at my facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/lynne.moncrieff/videos/857281537794840/  The video showing different angles of the house shrine, including stencilled side panels, etc.
Thank you always for your visit.
Wishes
Lynne

 

Wisdom of the Trees Part II (Somerset Studio)

Hello
This is Part II to this previous post, sharing collages inspired by trees and their wisdom which were published in an issue of Stampington & Co’s Somerset Studio last year.
Sharing today the final three collages.
Collage 4
As with previous collages, the trees were stamped onto lovely, delicate tissue such as dressmaker tissue.Infusions were the aid in bringing touches of colour, earthy colours as though they were pigments created from natural elements gathered from a walk in the woods.Collage 5Stained book text, again with Infusions, are a gentle layer that peeks through from the stamped tissue. Corrugated cardboard evokes ruts in the ground.Collage 6Layering fragments beneath the trees, again aiming to conjure images of layers of texture in a landscape.
I appreciate both posts were lengthy so many thanks for taking the time to visit both of the posts.
It is nice to be able to catch-up, sharing projects from some time ago, next I need to start to be able to visit blogs, something I enjoyed doing so much before.
Until next time,
Wishes
Lynne