I Believe (The Stampers’ Sampler)

Hello
I thought I would share a collection of cards which appear in the July/Aug/Sept issue of The Stampers’ Sampler.
The cards were inspired by beautiful Artist paper (which appeared in a Somerset Studio) designed by Rachel Emilie Jackson, I’ve no doubt that many of you will recognise her name, an inspirational artist.  I kept that Artist paper safe until last year, when I decided to stop saving items “for a rainy day”.
Imagine my joy when I made one collection and it appeared in The Stampers’ Sampler and another collection submitted and published in Somerset Life (will share another time).
The Stampers’ Sampler focuses on stamping so I added touches of stamping to each card.  I wanted the overall appearance to be one where my backgrounds, with Frescos, would blend with the Artist paper, fortunately, Rachel’s palette is one that I am drawn to and the chalky appearance of the Frescos worked a treat with the quality of the Artist paper.

PaperArtsy Everything Art wonderful text stamp was exactly what was needed to add hints of text and

the I Believe stamps, again from the Everything Art collection were an instant choice

with the beautiful sentiments being so well suited to the gentle quality of

Rachel’s artful images.


The cards are quite small in dimension, this was dictated by the Artist paper, in me selecting as many elements from the paper as possible, so that I could make as many cards as possible.

The  Frescos, the colours and chalky texture allowed me to carry the paint onto the Artist paper and integrated so well with the Artist paper.

This was my favourite colour palette, soft blue with the warm buff, peachy tone.

Embellishments were kept to a minimum, a vintage button and the tiniest scraps of crochet lace or jute ribbon

What do you believe in?
Whatever it is, I hope you have it in abundance in your life.
Wishes
Lynne

Find Yourself In Nature (The Stampers’ Sampler)

Hello
In the Apr/May/June 2017 issue of The Stampers’ Sampler, one of my features is the collection of cards I am sharing in this post, which came about after some play-time with Prima Christine Adolph rub-ons, after receiving some through my DT role with That’s Crafty .
My first introduction to the artist was via Stampington & Co, from the pages of their magazines and subsequently, when I got my hands on some of the art stamps (available from Stampington).  I paired each selected rub-on with a sentiment from various Darkroom Door Word Blocks.
Word Blocks are amongst my most favourite Darkroom Door stamps, especially Wellbeing and Wilderness.  If, like me, you love the addition of words on your projects, then the Word Blocks are musts.
Each card is approx 4″ x 2.5″.
When I was working on this collection, the gentleness of the rub-ons helped with my word selection.  Overall, I wanted a collection of cards which capture the serenity in nature.  Nature shares its many lessons with us and I wanted each card to be a moment to pause and to consider the message from Mother Nature.  Whether the freedom within the wings of a butterfly or the bliss of a new blossom or the stillness within nature.

Although they are small in stature, this does not in any way hinder the inclusion of layers of fragments.

Everything was stained with PaperArtsy Infusions, they provide that fluid,

delicately coloured background on watercolour paper and stain all the elements.

If you have used the Christine Adolph Rub-Ons, you will know that they vary in size within each pack.  Cards such as these are perfect for the smaller sized rub-ons.

To add interest to the backgrounds, I stamped Christine Adolph stamps, Trims  and Collage Cube

which helped bring a textural effect by stamping randomly.  I also stamped onto some of the fragments of Infusions stained found papers and textiles,

such as this tiny piece here, layered onto Infusions stained book page.


The foil,

catches the light beautifully!

Thank you so much for your visit.
Wishes
Lynne

Let The Party Begin, A Celebration Gal (The Stampers’ Sampler)

Hello
I thought I would begin this week with another of the Celebration Gals from The Stampers’ Sampler.
The paper doll is constructed from Character Constructions stamps, quite a few stamps.
That’s Crafty is the U.K. stockist for Character Constructions stamps and will take special orders for any Character Constructions stamps which are not available in their shop/website.  You can contact That’s Crafty with your enquiries.
Young woman’s face is from French Laundry No. 10
Dress is from Cirque No. 10
Her legs/stripy tights are from Paris Flea No. 8 (this is in stock at That’s Crafty)
Cake is from Mannequin Cafe No. 14
Her hat is from Mad Tea Party No. 2
She stands at 9.5″

To make it more celebratory, I added some gems to the hat and organza ribbon bow.

The same gems were added to her dress.

She holds a flag declaring “Let The Party Begin” (from Red Lead) which she carefully carries a birthday cake in her other hand.

It is always fun to add trimmings and other details to the paper dolls.  It’s amazing how even the smallest details can add so much to the dolls.

Thank you so much for your visit.
Wishes
Lynne

Celebration Gal #1 Celebrate Today(The Stampers’ Sampler)

Hello
Today is the first of my Celebration Gals paper dolls to share.
Each paper doll was created for the theme of celebrations, in answer to an annual challenge call from Stampington & Co’s The Stampers’ Sampler.  The results appeared in the Spring 2017 issue and how delighted I was that they were featured, the Celebration Gals.
The dolls were presented in a gift bag which I also had fun altering to the theme except I cannot source a photograph!
All stamps are Character Constructions and Red Lead.
Character Constructions:   Mad Tea Party No. 2    Mannequin Cafe No. 8  Inner Child No. 1
Red Lead: Celebrate Today Label
She stands at 9.5″ so she is reasonably tall!

Knowing I’d be making more than one paper doll, I decided to use some unloved pattern paper.  If time had been on my side or only making one, I’d have no doubt painted my own papers.  It feels a bit like cheating when I use pattern paper!
Her face, arms and legs were stamped onto lovely vintage paper.  The sparkles are not really “me” but I wanted cheerful colours on the dolls.

My hands might complain of fussy cutting but I can overlook it to focus on the fun of assembling all the fussy cut elements to bring the dolls to life.
The frill and bow tie were all fussy cut and layered, with a fluttering of stained lace around the edging of the neckline and sleeves of the dress.
The character is added by placement of limbs, here I had her with one arm behind her back, maybe she is clutching another birthday surprise!  The gift package is dressed with pearl trim and sparkle.

A celebratory label dangles from her wrist.

Thank you so much for your visit.
If you are interested in any of the Character Constructions stamps and live in the U.K., That’s Crafty are the U.K. stockist.  They will special order any Character Constructions stamp which they do not hold in stock.  Visit Character Constructions to view all available collections
Wishes
Lynne

Dress Up (The Stampers’ Sampler)

Hello
To start the week, I thought I would share four cards which appear  in The Stampers’ Sampler.
It was actually the packaging for RELICS & ARTIFACTS, which I had also used as a substrate for this collection, HERE ,which led me to make the cards.  I deliberately limited myself to the stamps I inked up and also embellishments, you can see they are minimal, only tiny little accents.
Stamps
Character Constructions Stamps.
French Laundry  No. 11 (female/upper torso and arms) available from That’s Crafty  and direct from Character Constructions
French Laundry No. 5 (dress)
Mad Tea Party No. 8 (parasol)
Darkroom Door
Stitched Borders
The dress was stamped directly onto the re-cycled RELICS & ARTIFACTS packaging, dressing it up with tiny pieces of fabric

giving the gown a lacy collar.

This is one of my oldest Character Constructions stamps, she is much loved by me.

I like the way the design on the packaging shows through the stamped image.

Little shabby details such as Paris stamped onto some found/re-cycled paper and a fabric scrap layered with another stamped piece.

What I have learned is that proportions do not need to be accurate when working with Character Constructions stamps.  It is very freeing not to be bound by such constraints although it has taken me a long time to be comfortable with doing so!

A snippet of lace and pearl detail to embellish the gown.

Darkroom Door stamped stitches directly onto the packaging and also onto brown found/re-cycled paper.

I like the effect the stamped stitches bring to the cards.

I like adding small details, tactile details.

There we have it, the first post for this new week.  I don’t know about any of you but I cannot believe it is April already!
Wishes
Lynne

Royal Blood (The Stampers’ Sampler)

Hello
This collection of six cards, appears in the Jan/Feb/March issue of The Stampers’ Sampler. 
It meant so much to me that they published all six in a feature over three pages.
All stamps are PaperArtsy LPC and all feature Infusions, Royal Blood.
They are some of the oldest LPC stamps but for me some were inked up for the first time for this collection.

Some rusty wire coils.  The colour of the rusty wire worked so well against the Royal Blood Infusions.

It’s no surprise that scraps were utilised throughout the cards such as little stamped elements added here and there.

Card No. 2

Card No. 3

Mop-up papers bring texture.  I stamped onto them, even though the stamped images are not crisp, it still brings something extra to the effect.
A wisp of coppery fabric.

Card No. 4

I liked the watercolour effect achieved.  If you are interested, it is actually watercolour paper I worked with for the backgrounds and stamped focals,  HP and NOT.

Card No. 5
On this card, I also used Infusions with a That’s Crafty Dinky Stencil, creating a hint of pattern on the base of the card

More scrappy mop-ups and another piece of that lovely copper fabric which lovely Dorthe gifted to me.

Card No. 6

I like that texture of the mop-up paper (kitchen paper towel) adds dimension even when stamped upon.

It’s all about the layers – this stamped piece of mop-up paper layered onto the stamped focal.

Thank you, always for your visits.
Wishes
Lynne

Love Notes (The Stampers’ Sampler)

Hello
Squeezing in this collection of Valentine themed cards.
Now, the reason the cards are so simple in design, they were actually submitted to Take Ten (criteria is for card makes of 10 minutes or less) but they obviously decided to print them in The Stampers’ Sampler, where they appear in the Jan/Feb/March issue.
Redlead Paperworks Musical Heart stamp is the focal for each card.  I remember at the time of making the cards that I wanted to work with only that stamp as the main image, pairing different Redlead loved themed sentiments with the heart.

The watercolour paper provides a lovely texture.

I deliberately worked with only two paint colours, Frescos Blush and Nougat.  In fact minimal supplies:- 2 Frescos, 1 ink pad, 1 focal stamp, various sentiments and fragments of found papers and lace.

For the musical note accents, I simply

inked up the Musical Heart,

stamping onto various found papers to layer to the cards

Redlead’s complete Valentine stamp collection can be found HERE.
Not relating to Valentine’s Day, Redlead have, at the time of scheduling this blog post, a 20% discount on new stamps.
Thank you so much for your time to visit this post.
Wishes
Lynne

Be Mine (The Stampers’ Sampler)

Hello
Thank you if you made it through to today for the sixth and final Valentine paper doll.
Be Mine paper doll is approx 3.5″ x 8″
(All paper doll stamps are Character Constructions)

For some reason, her face makes me smile!
Here she is with her pretty dress, with lace trim and a touch of sparkle.

A wooden heart with crackle and of course, PaperArtsy Fresco paints with a Redlead sentiment declaring her adoration for her Valentine.

I’ve noticed I seem to like to bundle tags and sentiments, to suspend from the wrist of a paper doll.  Not sure why I feel the need to do this, maybe it is just another way to adorn them.

This crinoline stamp is a “must have” for paper dolls and it is versatile because there is no reason it then cannot be layered with tulle, lace, net, whatever you can lay your hands upon.  The ribbon, which I pleated was another way to add detail to the skirt.

Thank you so much for visiting.  If the paper dolls brought a smile to your face then I am more than happy!  They were such a joy to create, then to have them published was such a wonderful feeling.
Soon, I will be sharing another, much smaller collection of paper dolls, again which date from last year but for now, posts return to normal on Sunday with my regular That’s Crafty DT post.
Have a lovely weekend.
Wishes
Lynne

French Kiss (The Stampers’ Sampler)

Hello!
Today is the penultimate Valentine paper doll.
As with the previous posts this week, the paper doll comprises Character Constructions stamps and for this project, a That’s Crafty white/greyboard heart, which has become a fun piece as I adhered it to a painted and stamped wooden stick.
She is approx 4″ x 11″

A Dinky Stencil was used on the heart, you can just about make out the design.

It’s such a lovely stencil, this is the link HERE, TC038

This LOVE banner was made from the individually stamped letters (from Paris Flea set), forming it into a shabby banner. (The V appears to be shy!)  She also holds an envelope.
Could that sweet flower be a wrist corsage from her sweetheart?

Thank you so much for staying with me for this week of daily posts.  One more paper doll and then we will return to normal!
Wishes
Lynne

You Are My Destiny (The Stampers’ Sampler)

Hello
Today is No. 4 of the paper dolls I am sharing from the latest issue of The Stampers’ Sampler.
She is approx 4.5″ x 9″

If you love details then Character Constructions stamps allow you to while away the time adding all manner of details.  That fabulous sparkly heart was a gift from lovely Dorthe Hansen, perfect to add a touch of glamour to a stamped bow.

Those stripey sleeves are such great stamps, the instantly inject fun into a paper doll.
The wooden heart receives a pretty trim edging, that sweet trim I received from an art friend, Clintine Steele.

This paper doll does like a hint of bling!  Tiny rhinestones form a bracelet.

I love the stripey tights as much as the sleeves.
Look at the tiny rhinestones on her shoes!

Thank you so much for your visit to this post.
Wishes
Lynne