What Ain't on my Workdesk Wednesday?

A bit of the aftermath...not showing the other end or other side...show a girl some grace...

Seeing as it's Wednesday, I can let my desk run around in its undies and not be ashamed. This has to be the busiest month of projects I've ever known. Everything I had taken on had an October deadline. Most of which I can't even show yet. Booo. I am utterly zonked... still in love with all things inky, but actually looking forward to the weekend off! Phew...I'm almost there...


Here is one sneaky peek from one of my new projects for October's My Mojo Monthly feature and challenge which goes out this Saturday!!! Really hope to see you there. Tomorrow I'll be doing a last bit of tweaking, taking all the shots and probably quite a lot of faffing around...but I'm very excited about the new "stuff"

Seems Tuesday night is becoming a Wendy Vecchi night for me as I tinker away with the challenges from Lori at the EWV group. Here is a little hanging last night. Taken on the only free corner left in my room!!! I kept saying, "I haven't got time this week". Famous last words...

A side shot, The little frame, flower and hand are Art Parts which add just the right amount of dimension. Yet another flower has crept in. I was planning a riot of colour but I think Autumn deserves a lot of love and attention, before we all go into a Festive Frenzy!

Ok, this is the PR bit... It's the last week to enter September's My Mojo Monthly where I want to see you working those stamp sets...! I'll be back this Saturday (October 1st) with lots of new ideas and ta-dah! an interview with Tammy Tutterow - DON'T MISS IT!
UPDATE - IT'S HERE!
I'm all done for now, even the matchsticks holding my eyes open are starting to bend... Am I getting up, or am I off to bed? Not sure anymore. Thanks for calling by, it really does mean a lot to me. Really. For more fabulous desk love, head over to Julia's and join in the fun. I am officially signing off...so it's over and out here.
Sarah.

Not Circling Around the Truth...

Hello to Tuesday and anyone just calling by...
Yesterday, I couldn't wait to get onto my Less is More lovelies... I have been working flat out to complete some pretty complicated design work and I was in desperate need of some simplicity and white space! I was playing around with a circle  punch for something else and then started playing around with these... I'd also promised myself some colour as a recent string of vintage makes have left me with a slight case of Sepia overload.

I just love these patterns, all topped off with a wooden fluttery. As everything is concentrated in the corner, I think you can get away with a splash of bright spots and florals! On a big scale it wouldn't work, but here the expanse of soothing green card tones it all down. YUMMY!

It was so much fun, I had to have another go and see what happened with different sized circles and more subdued colours. Again, a wacky combo but it all works...having the right sized sentiment also creates balance...almost three funky planets there!

And would you believe... yes, I have succombed to the Chrimbo Limbo. I spotted this lovey-dovey birdy paper in my scrap box, an oldie from Pink Paislee, and thought they might also be able to do a little 'Two Turtle Doves' show for me...

They were more than happy to play along and 'pop' with a touch of Festive Green in the mix. So there you go, three quick and easy card ideas. I do recommend a good dose of pretty papers and white space at least once a week. It did me the world of good! I must flutter away myself, thanks for taking a peek. Sarah.

A Gent in the Making...

Hello Everyone,
Well, Monday has sneaked up on us yet again. Flippin' heck, next week it's October! This year is on fast forward. I even started thinking about Christmas, but only because I was confronted by a sky-high wall of Festive chocolate at the supermarket. I'm not fussy about the month, and am more than willing to eat Chocolate Buttons all year. Meanwhile, back in September, a new Monday means a new theme at Simon Says Stamp & Show... and it's Men Only. Lads, boys, fellas, geezers, blokes and chaps...a Dandy, Duke, Lord, Prince or King! There's a few for you. Not forgetting bro, uncle, Dad, Grandad and Santa Claus. I think you get it by now...

l love thinking up and designing unusual things for the Design Team but this week I really wanted to indulge in some old school card-making. We get lots of card entries so I thought I send a little vintage inspiration their way. It's full on vintage so get ready for the distressing and layering

I've had the wonderful Think and Wonder stamps from Artistic Outpost for a while and thought it was high time to give them a whirl! I had so much fun I even made some stamped bunting using the border of one of the other stamps. You get three lovely images in the set and some great sentiments. Take a look at all the wonderful stamps here.

I used used Rusty Hinge, Weathered Wood and Stormy Sky Distress Inks to colour the base card, adding a few splashes along the way before stamping the wonderful image in Versafine Black Ink.That's the first ink pad I ever bought, and he's still going strong!

Then the rest is all playtime.... choosing all the different layers and goodies which include October Afternoon papers, a hand cut scallop (I drew along the edge of my Wendy Vecchi sheet!) and lace from Hero Arts.. I raided my scrap boxes to find all the best bits!!! I appear to be in full vintage mood just lately but who can resist these stamps. I think I might need to make some neon fuchsia pink roses tomorrow to balance all the sepia out!

That's me done for now...got a project with my name on it upstairs... Thanks for calling by. Do head over to the DT blog to see lots more Man stuff and some really fabulous vintage creations from my lovely team mates. Don't forget, there's a great $50 shopping spree on offer and we looking for our Top Three! So, izzy whizzy, let's get busy! (for all who still remember Sooty...)  I'll be seeing you all soon!
Sarah

Just a Little Vintage Love...

SORRY WRONG LINK! FOR WOYWW SEPTEMBER 28TH PLEASE CLICK HERE !

Hello Everyone,
I'm welcoming the weekend with open arms and hope you all have some great plans lined up...make sure you do at least one thing you really enjoy! In my case that it'll involve a lot of ink and very little housework. I'm just calling by with a little something I made for Catered Crop where I very honoured to be Top Chef on Sunday! It's a vintage theme and I sure don't mind cooking if it's papery recipes...

Lots of torn layers and muted tones...The stamp is by PaperArtsy which gives a great nostalgic feel. I thinking more of the 1940s and 1950s with this one. "When you could go off and play from morning to evening without a care" as my Dad would say.

It's always fun to dig around in the scrap box and find little off-cuts of your favourite papers.

I've used book pages, tags, vintage magazines and all sorts of goodies that came to hand. Can't resist a bit of sewing or old string either...just playing around with the colours and building up the layers. I used just one word 'together' which seemed just right, on the tag and at the top

I love the image of these girls and like stamping onto old shipping tags for an aged effect... Vintage can still have colour and so I picked up on the blue and greens of the yummy K&Co papers...So just a little one tonight...
Hope you like it and will be cooking up your own recipes too. Thanks for calling by!

Sarah.

Joining in with:
Gingersnap Creations
Try it on Tuesday 
StempelStudio
Inspire me Fridays 
Polka Doodles

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday?

Thought I'd go for the overhead shot today. It's a work in progress with a lot of tatty edges but it'll get there. Just like me. Lots going on as I try to whittle down my list of DT work, projects, My Mojo Monthly ideas and some secret stuff. So secret, I haven't figured it out yet either...

Am actually on schedule which is a miracle. Outside crafty life I'm suffering from Chronic Faffing Around Syndrome which drives me insane. How can I spend so much time being so busy doing nothing? 

Ok, what did I do? Still having a ball with my Wendy Vecchi stuff and the EWV Group. This week's theme was dots and a face...

Fancied trying out this chap on the ever elusive genre, the male card. After many years, whatever card I give my Dad, I'll get a "Taaa, very much." Don't get me wrong. He's always thankful, whether it's 99p tat from Tesco or handmade. I just figured I might as well indulge my quirky urges in the process and then we're all happy!

Last week we had to use just two stamp sets so I made the most of the minimum and had my own butterfly party on a tag.
That's Rusty Hinge and Stormy Sky Distress inks doing all the work for me. I can look at colours like that all day. (So there you go Julia, a touch of blue with the 7 shades of... makes all the difference).

Just a reminder that Septembers My Mojo Monthly Inspiration Challenge is in full flow. There's lots to read, see and get you going...who's joining in this time?
Time to be loving you and leaving you...Thanks for calling by! Catch up on more desk talk over at Julia's. Until the next time.
Sarah.
joining in with:

Fashionable Stamping Challenges
The Stamp Man 
Take a Word 
Anything Goes
Crazy Amigo

Two in ten and up to the 1000.

Stamp, punch, punch, punch, stamp. May sound like a fight, but it's all it took to put two cards together in just ten minutes. Now there's absolutely no excuse for legging it down to Tesco's for a 99p cheapie. I'm on a very tight schedule this week but wanted to join in with Less is More where it's an Anything Goes trail blaze to reach 1000 entries. So here's my donation!

Grabbed my punches, pretty scraps and two stamps and I was almost done. It's my third week with Kraft card, but I love the stuff...

A few Wendy V. dots, Jenny Bowlin paper (so yummy), vintage newspaper and a cheery Hero Arts sentiment.

A slight variation with more yummy paper. Pretty sure it's Cosmo Cricket. Must be with with those tones.

So there you go. Easy peasy but I'm really loving them! I came, I saw, I stamped! It took me longer to get the right length of string than make the card, as I always cut it too short. I like that I can just as excited about two simple cards as a full on DT piece.

So, next time you need a quick card...you know what to do!

Farewell and see you all tomorrow.

ATC... is that Aren't They Cute?

Morning All! Monday morning strikes again so I'm starting the week off with my latest for Simon Says Stamp & Show. It's an ATC theme... Artist Trading Cards... your own creative signature in miniature! I used to make lots a while back and just love working in small detail so I was ready to rumble!

l decided to play with my smaller Art Parts from Wendy Vecchi and boy... I had real real fun. These were just great to make and I kinda fell in love with each one on the way.

A little house frame I made from scrap card, Wild Honey ink and a Scallop piece as a roof. Had to have some polka dots and a butterfly somewhere. I stamped the butterfly onto Grunge paper, cut him out and inked up the rougher reverse side. The sentiment is from the Homemade Art set and is a perfect fit!

Then lots of itty-bitty things which is one of my favourite past-times!



The background uses lots of Distress inks in Stormy Sky, Broken China and Rusty Hinge  and is stamped using the Nature's Art set.

This little one is feeling rather elegant. I used the Dress Forms and more which has been lovingly inked and the stamped with the Love to Make Art set in Ranger Snowcap Pigmnet Ink. This time I used the large butterfly stamp as an outline to create wings on a painted vintage book page.

This back ground is from the Celestial Art set. I added a stitched circle, a charm clip and a vintage earring from my stash!

And number three, looking perky. This flower is from the Florals Art Parts pack and the stripey background from Fit for a Queen set. Lots of Autumn tones using Rusty, Hinge, Scattered Straw and Bundled sage.A little stamped sign in a memo pin and a rusty washer and brad centre...

Went to town with stitching, stamped leaves, stapled wire, and well, all sorts of goodies. Can't get enough on there!

I hope you can see how versatile Art Parts are. They're just so easy to work with and immediately create dimension and interest.I could have done another 50! I'll leave that up to all of you! Look what's up for grabs, a fab shopping spree and the much desired Top Three title!

Phew! That's me all finished up for today. I'm off to dabble, my head is spinning with ideas! Thanks for taking a look. So what do you think? I'd love to hear from you and will gladly answer any questions on the crafty gossip side...

One more arty shot for you. Wishing you all an inspired week! Sarah.

Lady Be Good...

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay...my, oh, my, I'm so glad it's Friday... Because it means I'm all done with the boring stuff and the weekend is mine for the taking and I'm doing that with both hands. On Wednesday I showed you the fabulous Acey Deucy stamps I got on eBay. So, I decided that instead of just admiring them for a year or two I would ink, stamp and be very merry.

I made a Steampunk piece on Monday and a little of that metal eccentricity is still lingering. I totally love designing for Simon Says Stamp & Show but sometimes miss the thrill of the ride of being in such a great challenge.
So I'm playing along inside my own head (where there's plenty of spare room anyway...)

Played with Distress stains, inks and Picket Fence... adding details with Wendy Vecchi & Artistic Outpost stamps.

She is one inky lovely... a beautiful stamp and black ink can make a girl's day feel right. Still addicted to scraps whether it's metal, lace or thread.Added a few extra details for a touch of quirkiness and depth but still want her to shine through.

Inky splodges and water just moodling around with some random red stitching to give it a little zing!

I wasn't planning on making her, busy times... but sometimes they start talking to you and it's just so inviting.
 What's got you going at the moment...? Do Tell! There's plenty of time to join in with September's My Mojo Monthly challenge and share your inspired art with us all! Wishing you all a great weekend too. Thanks for dropping by, it would be great to hear from you... Sarah.

Joining in with:
Fashionable Stamping Challenges 
Dragon's Dream Tag it on
Anything Goes
Flutter by Wednesday
Make my Monday

Show me yours and I'll show you mine...

The dawn of Wednesday's musings and mooching has broken! If you're up for a mid-week flash of desks then do join in at Julia's. My Simon Says DT goodies have just arrived. I am now awaiting inspiration and the will to clean my craft mat sometime this year.

 She does not look impressed with the grime and is definitely giving me the look. 

I scored a great Acey Deucy set on eBay for a bargain price! Can't resist a bit of artful quirkiness. Onto some tageology...

Frankie did us proud hosting a bird-cage swap and today is the official show and tell.THANKS FRANKIE! I blundered by revealing all last week. But the crafty gods granted me redemption. I jumped in for poorly Anneliese who is hopefully now tucked up in her own bed. Get well soon! If Mr.Posty is also being nice I hope that Alison has now received this fella. I did a modern take on vintage last week so I went old school with this one.

You never know what someone else will like or make for you but that's the fun part. Let's hope a bit of girlyness is good for everyone! I do quite like Mr. Birdy with a bit of resist technique.
By the way, I don't have this die at all.

I bought some great pre-cut ones off eBay for a pound which was enough to settle my curiosity...

My tag is coming from the States, so a little wait yet. Not as long as Peggy did for my WOYWW gift. I sent it in May and it arrived last week!!! Let's just hope it enjoyed the journey. Just ending with a picture for any Steampunk lovers. It's my new Design piece for Simon Says Stamp & Show so why not join in if it's your kind of thing! Now that's definitely a round up of all thinks inky and merry here. Thanks so much for being here, hope you had fun. Off to desk hop myself now!

Sarah.

My tag is joining in with:
The Pink Elephant-Vintage
Catered Crop-Die,lace,flowers,ribbon,shabby,stitching 
Papercraft Star-Anything Goes 
Anything Goes-Shabby Chic/vintage 
Shopping our stash-vintage

Just one then...

Flitting by again. Trying to get lots of DT work done early as I've got some weekends away coming up. Don't fancy tinkering until 3am the night before! Has been known. So far so good. Wasn't sure I'd have time for Less is More but can't stay away. This week we're "Seeing Double". Show two of something with one layer stamping. Just one little lady with wings. Two, as that tends to steer better.

Simple to look at but a tester of patience. With clear stamps and a posh positional thingamajig, it would have been a doddle. Not so with rubber stamps. The masking was a bit tricky and she endured many wonky wings to begin with.

The mannequin is by Lost Coast Designs. I never seem to use my LC stamps which is a shame as they are gorgeous. Stormy Sky Distress ink which I don't normally stamp with as it's not so crisp but gives a great effect on Kraft. Tim wings stamped using White Brilliance ink. Finished off with a flourish of Vintage!
I'm also joining in with Try it on Tuesday as I'm digging up an oldie! Glad I did as she's rather sweet. I have to flit off again...could do with those wings myself. Thanks for taking a look. See you soon,

Sarah.

Eccentric Gents and Gadgets...

Well, hello Monday! I'm glad to be back in the saddle for Simon Says Stamp & Show after the huge Blog hop. Big thanks to all those who joined in and called by with such lovely words. Today I'm really excited to share something new with you all...we're going full-on Steampunk!

I was chatting with Dan about our definitions of Steampunk... and I like to think of it as Victorian Science Fiction! I like to dig out the essence of a theme and combine it with my own style. For me, there has to be some slightly eccentric Old Gents and gadgets in the story. I'm still digging these quirky fellas from Mr. Holtz's Steampunk set and knew they'd look just dandy teamed with metal grid-work, clock parts and rusty findings.

I went to buy some strong hangers for some of my other canvases a while ago and when the shop man showed me these I got all excited and demanded to see every model that had ever been made. I thought they would make great little portrait frames! (So another shopkeeper that thinks I'm mad! Just recently, the girl in the wool shop asked me what on earth I was knitting as I keep buying random buttons). Anyway, I separately inked and stamped each man onto a painted book page and stuck him into his frame that I'd coloured with Alcohol inks.

I built up the back ground by stitching an old dictionary page, and layering card and papers coloured with lots of Wild Honey Distress Stain and Espresso Color Wash. I distressed splotted and splashed and added extra stamping. Here you can also see a cardboard strip that is inked and clearly embossed giving bit of nice sheen and detail. The vintage findings are from a clockmaker so the colours and tones are just perfect! The stapled Steampunk sign is actually a little Wendy stamp I sneaked in!

Couldn't resist adding two stamped hands to the mix. I like working with one stamp set when possible. It makes things more consequent and therefore harmonious, like buying clothes from one good store! The metal grid is cut from a sheet bought at the garden centre. I cut it down with wire cutters and pounced with Rusty and Timber Brown Stazon to get the colour.

I have actually stitched it to the back ground, hiding the stitches under the other pieces, which is a lot easier and stronger than glue! All the findings are glued with Glossy Accents and the whole thing is mounted on a brown distressed card, glued to mount board. So there you go, a crash course in Steampunk. It was really great to make and has a bit of everything I love in it!

I hope my Gents will stir a little of your Steampunk Attitude.I would luuuurve to know what you think!!! Take a look at the wonderful ideas on the Design Team Blog for more inspiration and loveliness. I'm look forward to seeing your creations and thoughts.
What is Steampunk to you? Your favourite or something entirely new? Go on...give it a go...! Remember there's a great $50 voucher and specially selected Top Three Tiara out there.
I'm done, it's over to you! Thanks for calling by...be seeing you all soon.
Sarah