Autumn Leaves (Stampington’s Take Ten)

Hello
I have so much catching-up to do but instead of putting pressure on myself to schedule regular blog posts, I’ve realised that the sensible route is to ease myself in and see where it takes me.
I cannot explain why but 2017 found me not to be in cardmaking mode.  There I was, routinely submitting card collections to The Stampers’ Sampler and Take Ten and suddenly, the brakes were on.  It wasn’t a conscious decision on my part, just “one of those things” and it would be silly to force myself to make cards when the desire isn’t great at the moment.
I share that only because it meant that when I had cards published, it somehow meant more to me (if that were at all possible because I take no publication for granted).  I had a surprise in finding a wee card collection in Take Ten..  
Each card features a beautiful leaf stamp either from Red Lead Paperworks Autumn Beauty Leaves or Darkroom Door Word Block Stamp Wilderness or Leaves Stamp Set

I had some pieces of handmade paper which I had been treasuring for a long time and it was really this paper which ultimately set me on the path to make this collection.

With the pretty embedded petals, which I didn’t want to obscure, it worked perfectly with the Take Ten criteria of speedy cards as I didn’t need to concern myself with a background, other than some splatters.

A stamped word and fragments of tree bark and suchlike were the only additions to each card.

Autumn seems such a long way off in my corner of the world where there is still a Winter to battle through!!!
Wishes
Lynne

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The Ancient Woods

Hello
Today, over at the That’s Crafty blog, I found myself taking a gentle walk into The Ancient Woods where I stumbled across a cottage, where a Wise Woman spoke to me of her friends from nature who while away the hours of the day with her.

The complete project, this is only a peek, can be seen HERE
Hope you are having a lovely Sunday.
Wishes
Lynne

Nature Study (Somerset Studio)

Hello
This project is another article in the Jan/Feb issue of Somerset Studio, it was in answer to an art call for the colour Olive which isn’t a colour which I would normally reach for but I knew I had PaperArtsy olive Fresco so I had no excuse to dive in. It was packaging which inspired me, cardboard packaging from Amazon (I always have to battle with my conscience when I say their name!!!) which has almost a folder appearance to it.

I wanted it to become a Nature Study portfolio with not only green to transform the cardboard packaging but also a Green ethos to the items I reached for throughout.

The folder opens to reveal a panel of tree bark, embellished with a piece of found paper, stamped and layered with a beautiful feather and for the right side, where a book or other item would normally be packaged, this is the area where the art panels are stored.

The jute twine ties this element to close it,

A cluster of stamped tags, it was probably walnut ink (I keep a large jar which I top up when required and so far, no sign of mould appearing) I used to stain the found paper/cardstock.  All of those stamps are from Character Constructions.  That is one of the many reasons I adore Character Constructions, not only for the stunning paper dolls stamps but there are also so many detail stamps included on the plates.

The rear which was stamped with a script stamp (PaperArtsy ESN) and a beautiful fern stamp).

Inside the portfolio there are four panels which are all substrates of birch tree bark which I have randomly painted. There are layers and layers and texture upon texture, all items from around the home and garden. Some items again stained with walnut ink and I was so pleased, without going out of my way, I discovered that piece of book text.

Tree bark, burlap, muslin, brown packing paper, cardboard paper and a wooden button/bead from a piece of clothing.

Loose fibres gives the impression of nesting material within the stamped nest, which was stamped onto birch tree bark

I peeled back a layer of the tree bark to place this stamped image of the nest behind it.

Panel Two which features another Red Lead bird stamp

which was stamped onto resin paper or maybe the ICE Resin was applied after stamping…I think I should have referred to the instructions in my article! I know he rests on a MDF heart from That’s Crafty.
Thank you to Dorthe for the driftwood and the sweet wee cone.

Within the folder, other than the two panels featuring birds, there were two other panels, featuring leaves.

The leaves were stamped onto deli paper which had the PaperArtsy Freco paint, diluted and applied to create a textural appearance.

Red Lead have an extensive range of nature themed stamps and they do some of the very best bird stamps you could ever hope to source.
I appreciate, this was a very long blog post with lots of photos so huge thanks if you managed to stay until the end!
Wishes
Lynne

A Bundle of Hopes & Wishes (Somerset Studio)

Hello
This is another of those posts relating to an article in Somerset Studio, Jan/Feb, cannot believe it is from so long ago.  The items were made in answer to an art call in Somerset Life, Gifts of Positivity but as sometimes happens, they will move projects to another magazine title, I was just thrilled that they wanted to publish them whether in Somerset Life or Somerset Studio!
I had received a bundle of wooden word charms from Red Lead and for some reason, the notion of making trinket pins entered my head.  In the intro of the article I write that I was making an effort to use supplies which were ever so slightly unloved or I was saving, such as some Idea-ology items.  I never did embrace the whole Tim Holtz style but like so many others, was drawn to some of the Idea-ology items, preferring them for Mixed Media wearable art, etc.
This is what a bundle of Hopes & Wishes looks like, gathered together, attached to the presentation idea I had for each trinket pin.

I only worked, deliberately, with a handful of supplies.

I received the journal tickets from an art friend (Sam) and they were exactly what the pins were looking for as a presentation idea.

In Somerset Studio, I liked the way they attached this particular pin to a swath of fabric.

A tiny amount of mica flakes, on the engraved wooden word charm, to catch the light.

The wooden wing is also from Red Lead.  If you have not explored their wooden items then it would be worth your while, they have an extensive range.

Pearls and rhinestones embellish this pin.

Shine Bright is the sentiment spelled out with this pin.


A final Wish.


Thank you so much for your visit.
Wishes
Lynne

She Wears Butterflies In Her Hair

Hello
Time for my That’s Crafty D.T. project which is a sample I made for their recent appearance on HOCHANDA.
That’s Crafty Art Shrines are one of my favourite items from their product range so it was great to see them being showcased on HOCHANDA. One of my new Affirmations stamps sets has “She Wears Butterflies In Her Hair” so I decided to have a wee bit of whimsical fun with That’s Crafty products with that Affirmation. Although it isn’t exactly an Affirmation, that term has been used very loosely for my sentiments, the message is one of hope and positvity.

If you would like to see the full project with details, then please visit HERE.  One final word from me, words of gratitude to those of you who have left such warm words about my latest Affirmation stamps, thank you so much for your support.
Wishes
Lynne

Art Girl Journals (Somerset Life)

Hello
In the Apr/May/June issue of Somerset Life, one of the articles I had  published, this bundle of journals.  I didn’t take the time to look at my photos when the journals were still in my possession, it was only when organising this blog post recently, when looking at the photos, the colours are not true and I have fiddled around but cannot capture the warmth of the kraft colour of the journals. Decided to share them anyway.
Products from two of my favourite companies, RedLead and PaperArtsy, appear.  PaperArtsy Eclectica Everything Art ( at That’s Crafty).  Red Lead collage sheets and various stamps and some from their Labels collections.

I kept a simple palette of the kraft journals, white Gesso and accent of black.

Inside the cover of each, I stencilled or stamped, art related sentiments, all available from Red Lead (if you have this copy of Somerset Life then you will see some of the inside pages they shared within the article)

Two smaller journals.

Red Lead have the most stunning collection of images to select from.

I wanted a simple packaging idea for the notebooks and it doesn’t get as simple as glassine paper and bakers twine, the journals all bundled together with

each journal also tucked inside its own glassine pocket, again simply adorned with the wonderful Red Lead Art Girl label (I so love this label).

Have a lovely week!
Wishes
Lynne

Growing Up

Hello
My regular spot over on the That’s Crafty blog today, this is the sneaky peek of it .
if you would like to view the full project and the story behind it, then please, visit HERE.
Thank you for your visit today, enjoy your day.
Wishes
Lynne