WOYWW? A bit of Oooh La La...

 Both the weather and time have gone slightly mad and here we all are racing towards May in bikini and BBQ mode (I just did the BBQ bit). Time for our weekly bloggercise of desk-hopping...All thanks to the ever-lovely Julia over at Stamping Ground. Do join in, everyone is welcome! Be it a desk of total Chaos or sheer Perfection...we love it all. Here is my desk trying to look arty in vintage tones. I am disguising a shockingly grainy photo if the truth be told.

This time last week I was in Belgium...I'm over-joyed to be back in my crafty oasis. Lots going on...my to do list is full until around 2020. Glad to say I found time to work out an idea that has been swimming around "up top" for quite a while. Here it is.

I wanted to do something with flowers, wood and wire for ages. It was also time to get my rosette die into action (remember, you buy things to use them Sarah). I have cut five rosettes from an old French map and edged them with Distress ink. I cut one of the larger rosettes down to create an in-between size.

 The centres have been decorated with metal washers and brads coloured with alcohol ink. Liking off centre because...well, because!

I had a great time playing with the wooden scrap which is a piece of old skirting board. I sanded it, coloured it with Peeled Paint Distress Stain, swiped it with gesso and then sanded it again to reveal the grain. (That's almost a poem.) I stamped the Wendy V. leaves and edged it with Fired Brick for contrast. I also added an inky metal corner and a twist of copper thread to liven it all up a bit.

The letters have been embossed with Distress powder and then boosted with a touch more red ink. Funny how we so love to use French words on things - it all sounds so good to us. Bet you don't get many French Artists writing Downing Street or Fish and Chips on their art!

 I then played with the layout of the pieces, cut different lengths of wire and fixed them to the back of the plank with Wonder-Tape. Might be doing a bit more glue-work on it tomorrow!!!

It can hang or stand so hoping to find a spare few inches for it to live somewhere here! I seem to be hopping between Vintage and Modern, and neutral and colour a lot lately but it is all inspiring, fulfilling and such a journey! So there we are, some Frenchy flower power for you. I might just enter it into a few challenges...
Alter it Monthly - Spring 
CES Challenges  Spring Image/Colours
Fussy and Fancy - Springtime
C.R.A.F.T. - Flowers

In case you missed it Monday, here is my altered book for the Simon Says DT. Thanks to all those that left such lovely words! Click on the photo for more details.

So another Wednesday round-up all done. Off to peruse all your crafty spaces now...
Thanks for calling by, will see you again soon...

Sarah.

Less is More...off centre goes Vintage

Greetings to LIMettes of all ranks...
Welcome to my blog...thanks for calling by. I am very glad to be back home from my hols and I have set up camp in my craft room where I am making up for lost time! This week the challenge over at Less is More is "Off Centre". Couldn't be better - describes both my style and mind...
Many of you know I am a bit of a vintage fan which normally means lashings of layers, lace and flowery stuff... so I decided  I would set myself the task of a creating a clean and simple vintage card...

 I bought this lovely stamp in Holland last week from Stampin' Back and couldn't wait to use it. Just adore the image and the feeling it evokes...we can all imagine it being our grandparents as young sweethearts back in the 1940's...
I decided if you are going to do off centre, then that could also include the base, so for once I folded the card unevenly. When it is shut you can still see all of the lace border. I've stamped the image on a dictionary page that I first painted with mushroom paint to make it pop more, adding a little Distress Ink around the edges.

Then I stitched the image to a piece of brown polka dot card and adhered it to brown leather effect card stock. I stamped the sentiment Golden Days on some scraps and layered them up behind two vintage buttons.

I added a double twist of golden thread for some extra contrast and finished off with a border of crocheted lace on the inside of the card. I think the deep colours work really well, the simple look still makes me rather nostalgic...
So that's me all done again - had another playful afternoon discovering new in the old. Hope you like it...I'm off to see what you have all cooked up this week.

 We'll Meet Again...Don't Know When, Don't Know How...see, I said I was feeling the nostalgia.

Sarah.

Simon Says Stamp & Show...Buttons

Happy Easter Monday Greetings!
Hope you're enjoying the long weekend, sun-rays and boom of blooms...Another new week, new challenge and inspiration galore over at Simon Says Stamp & Show - with one of my all time favourites - Buttons! Love, hoard and cherish them and couldn't wait to create something to show them off. On holiday last week I drew a few sketches and now here she is...

After some serious glue, digging and paint, I altered an old book into A Dressmakers Studio. I used Vintage Photo Distress Stains and Ink to age the white paint, then I stamped a frame of buttons on the left-hand side to balance out the piece. I stamped a strip of lint to create a tape measure and layed it across some stitched bias binding. I love to sew, so I just could not resist these Haberdashery Stamps and participated in a little Haute Couture!

I stamped the mannequin three times onto the book, then just the bodice again onto card and cut them out.Then I designed a skirt and accessories for each one...This mademoiselle is wearing lace tiers and a wired press-studded bustier! Each lady has her own outfit and attitude...

 Just love this vintage image. I stamped directly onto the book, then a second time onto brown paper so I could paper piece certain sections.

 The stamps work well on natural Sticky back Canvas. Just great to sew on too and the texture is perfect for a needle book. Washers, lace, a rosette trimming, pins, scraps and ribbons form a gathering of goodies...yummy!

Here I've used the canvas again to stamp the reel labels. I've glued a few real buttons on top of stamped ones for a dash of colour, and depth.


My mega yet mini Glossy Accents bottle did some great work I must say...

Another trim waist sporting a stamped tissue paper skirt and chunky belt... check out the washer buckle - now ain't that just dinky!

Three Memo Pins hold some stamped Mica scraps and are then threaded into the lace...glad 'sew' only has three letters! Added a strip of ribbon and golden thread too.

 Here is a stitched paper frill made from Glassine paper - just like the ones I made for the skirt on my first lady. Showing off a few sweeties from my vintage button stash!

 I have to admit it was another intensive process, with a lot of what I call fiddily-diddily. But it is also very, very rewarding. I am always totally engrossed during the creative process and lose all track of time...
 I decided to decorate the cover too, but I really wanted quite a simple modest look, seeing as the inside is quite detailed.  I personally love all that open space...and not a flower in sight!

I've used trusty Coffee Archival Ink to stamp the single mannequin image, paper doilies and various snippets - to give a taster of what's to come...

The spine has been covered with a strip of button tape, coloured with the Distress Stain and then finished with a swoosh of Viva Gold.

On the back cover - just one more stamp and a strip of stamped measuring tape for that finishing touch!

Lots of pictures today... all to inspire you and get your mojo all a go-go! What's buzzing in your mind and fingers??? Buttons can be anything you want them to be. I'd love to see your ideas and it's really great seeing your creations appear on the challenge blog. See more great projects from the Design Team there too! You could be in with a chance of making the Top Three and gaining the coveted Winners button or maybe you fancy a $50 spending spree...!!!

So time to round things up for today - I'm off to a car-boot sale!!!! Thanks for dropping by, do say hello if you've got time - it's always nice to meet you all.

Ciao for now,

Sarah.

Grungy Monday

Hi there folks,
Sarah sauntering in on a Saturday and just in time for some serious colour therapy. I've just spent 2 days working on a vintage DT project and I is need of a wee break from the neutral tones...So Voilà!

This is my entry for Grungy Monday over at Linda's where it is all about doing a Mr. Tim technique. This week we embrace the joys of Texture Fades and Distress. Let's just say I had stardom, extravagance and a bit of insanity going on.

I was up for a laugh I made this tag in less than twenty minutes...a true miracle...for once I ignored my tweakaholic mutterings and allowed my alter-ego to take the driving seat.

I think she looks rather fabulous, I get to live out my wildest Diva urges and I laugh at her every time we meet... so all is well at the Funny Farm here...

Have to skid-addle - off to a party - might even wear that hat...






Also joining in at:
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday:Taglicious


See you soon,


Sarah .

Less is More. One is fun...

Evening all LIMettes,

Didn't think I would be doing my Less is More duty this week but I've wangled it to drop by with a quickie...Got back really late from a holiday last night and I'm up to my eyes in DT work, washing and utter clutter. This week it is acetate which is a bit of a slippy fellow. Decided to go for a modern look and neutral tones.

I have generated the text on the Mac, printed it out in brown on an acetate sheet and trimmed a section to fit my card. I then cut out a piece in the form of a house.

I've fixed the acetate to the card with four copper brads - you might as well use flashy ones if you're going to see them! Here you can see more of the text...There's no place like home. Quite apt after a week away and no crafty room!!!

 The copper brads inspired me to use a metal scrap for my sentiment which I stamped and layered up with some ribbon snippets. I usually like to do two or three cards but just ain't got the time today, so I have kept the little cut-out house and ideas for another time...

That's me all done - short and sweet today, and indeed, one can be fun. Signing out, gotta-a-whole-lotta-crafting-going-on. Have a great weekend and see you very soon for the next round! Will be back to some more intensive desk hopping next time...

Sarah

So...

Not the usual spread of chaos today but a bit of European blah, blah, blah live from Bruges. I've hopped around Holland, exhausted my euros and I am only just surviving six days without my craft room. Although the withdrawl symptoms have been pretty dire - comforted only by some serious stash therapy... As promised the low-down on my tottering around...

I was in Ede for a few days and was able to drown my no craft room blues with a visit to the yummy scrummy shop De Craftorij.

What can I say??? Just oodles of all things wonderful. You name it, they got it, I want it and almost bought it. I spent hours in a semi-comatosed state - you can never look at too much prettiness.


The next day it was onto the huge stamp and craft fair, Art Specially. I was in overload (and overspend) mode and had the most fabulous time...

...which was topped by meeting up with my Dutch friend Franka who blew me away with this wonderful gift.

This is us looking all very happy and smiley - who wouldn't????? Thank you Franka - it is so beautiful - see more about us, her trip and the book on her blog here! I just love it and cannot wait to fill it with crafty makes.

Also got to see Cheryl from Ten Seconds Studio doing her very best Dutch Maid look....

I was sooooo happy to be able to get all grubby with a free make and take which delivered these tags...

I can just about make it until tomorrow when I'll be back on home turf, bathing in my new goodies... oh joy of joys.

So there you go - that was a peek into my life...Enjoy the fab sun and I'll be around soon... loving you and leaving you with this great Oh so Dutch cow card I saw...

Sarah.

Simon Says Show a Tim Technique...

Hello Monday!
Golly - a new week already but that means a new challenge at Simon Says Stamp & Show, and time to create, indulge and play. This week we're showing off Mr. Tim Techniques, so that means a whole labyrinth to choose from.
Call me an old-fashioned gal, but it had to be Distress inks, stamping and tags for me. You can never get enough of the amazing colours and possibilities...

On this tag I used Snow Cap for the dabber resist technique. I am just loving those moody green and black tones and that fabulous stamp. Makes me think of a peacock! The splash of red livens things up even more.

The detail and quality of the stamps make them so great to work with...Added a scrap of mica stamped in black Stazon. Finished off with a black lace and ribbon trim.

I'm soooooon in love with number two...sigh...more luscious tones. Went for wrinkle-free techniques using Broken China, Fired Brick and Black Soot. Added layers of script and embossed the flourishes with Distress Powder. I turned the antique frame so it feels more like a mirror and stamped it in wonderful Plum Archival ink.

I then added the birds so that they are flying up, up and away...just love the feeling this gives...some rusty staples add a little metal love.

More mica for the words which really fit with the mirror image and a close-up of some yummy water splatters...I really let myself just go with the flow with the colours and design and allowed it to create itself!

Number three is oozing colour too, it's almost glowing! This time I used Spiced Marmalade and Scattered Straw. Then stamped the flowers in Fired Brick and the wings in Broken China followed by the Perfect Resist technique to add some sheen. Love how it starts to bleed into the paper!
The Mini-Ornates stamp set is a real gem.

The great word stamp is by Wendy Vecchi. I stamped it in brown and red tones and then re-stamped a segment onto a glass Fragment, laying it in top for depth. Loving the overlapped effect and a hint of script. Finished off with three eyelets and ribbons.

So there you go a crash course in Mr.T techniques, but hopefully it's the vibrant colours and images that will get you raring to go. Head on over to the blog to see more great ideas from the Design Team and get busy with a bit of Mr.T adulation. We are waiting for your creations ...you could make our Top Three or be shopping away with this...

Have a really great week and hope to see you soon. Thanks for calling - would love to know you've been...so do say hello.

Sarah.

The Background in the Spotlight-Grungy Monday

Howdy,

This is a scheduled post so hopefully it will grace your screens whilst I am hot-footing it around Holland and Belgium. This is my third tag for Grungy Monday over at L3 hosted by Linda. I know tags aren't the most original idea but it's kind of fun to build up a collection and alas my storage doth overfloweth...This week it's all about Ranger Color Wash Sprays. If you're going get that inky, then grab them all and have a party I say...My tag is all about letting the colours do the talking...

 I have used a sheet of watercolour paper as my base, and covered the whole surface with a multitude of colourings and mediums before cutting out a selected area to adhere to my tag. Great material for texture.
Here you can see a section that has firstly been dribbled with green paint and dried. It had then been randomly sprayed with Wild Plum and Butterscotch, also using a flower stencil to add more detail and paler areas. There is also a touch of Walnut  Gold Glimmer Mist too...I have then added some gesso details with a plastic cup and the edge of a paint scraper...you could use anything you want. Mmmm, what can't we wipe gesso on?

 Minimal decoration - just an intriguing face and a strong sentiment. I have added a simple punched paper scrap and a little frame. It was silver, so I used my alcohol inks to colour it and then found this little star of a girl amongst my snippets. I cut a circle from mica as a front which gives it a glass-like quality.

 The word stamp is by Wendy Vecchi and I like the muted colour - not too in your face. The edges have been distressed and coloured with spiced marmalade ink.
Just added a simple piece of white lace to the top and that was that... I love these vivid tones and random patterns...and was very happy for once to cut back on the decoration.

Hope you enjoy your dabbling too...

Sarah.