Pretty in Paper...

Quite simply, I love paper and ink...and this week's 'Anything Goes' theme at Simon Says Stamp & Show opened a door to bring the two lovelies together and try out an idea that's been tugging at my mind for a while. There's always something rather endearing about a little girls dress and I wanted to try to 'capture' that feeling - but in paper.

I wondered about my potential 'fabric'. It needed to have translucency, softness, sew-ability and strength. I thought Tim's Tissue Wrap would fit the bill but I'd never seen it in the flesh. I found a Youtube video of someone frantically waving the stuff around telling me it was "Absolutely Faaaaabulous" so I went for it, and literally rustled up a dress!

I drew a simple pattern onto white paper and then cut out my pieces. The width of the Tissue Tape defined the skirt length so I based my sizing on that. How all the wording came out is purely coincidental so the collar was a real gift!

I swiped all my pieces with Vintage Photo Distress Ink which was quite a job but it gave that great aged effect and colour I wanted. I then randomly stamped the skirt with Papillon butterflies using Ranger Sepia Archival ink. Sometimes using the whole stamp and sometimes just sections for a varied effect.

I made the top half first and really had to think backwards about what came first. Well, that makes sense! Real fabric stretches, you can flip it inside out and play around. With paper you only get one shot! Pins and bad stitching were not options due to the holes you could make so I ended up using mini-pegs and acrobatics to hold it all in place during the sewing process!

The buttons are fixed as I didn't want to risk tearing the Tissue Wrap with an active opening! The Wrap stood up to quite a beating during the make, but I'm glad she picked up a few wrinkles along the way to add to the vintage look! It is, after all paper, and I didn't wanted to hide that. It also has a slight sheen which is very pretty and adds a little something...

The belt is made from a long stitched strip of wrap and is embellished with an Idea-ology Ornate Plate at the front which really is the perfect buckle! I glued the belt to the buckle and just let it fold and crease naturally.
Maybe a talented fashion student star could whizz up a full wedding dress or a whole new line...it is New York fashion week!

Here's a close-up of the ruffle sleeve which is just a pleated half circle. I also made a custom coat hanger from thick wire, coloured with Espresso Alcohol ink. Strong handed Hubby helped me twist that twiddly bit! No flowers this time! I restrained myself, allowing the beauty and simplicity of the paper to do it's thing! I just wanted to make a paper dress... I really enjoyed seeing her come to life which helped me get through the ultra fiddily-diddily moments. I hope you can love her as much as I do!

Embrace the freedom of "Anything Goes", discover your own creative journey and share it with us at the Simon Says Stamp & Show Challenge Blog. There you'll find more fabulous ideas from my Teamies and all the details too. I just want to wish you all a great week and say thanks for taking the time to be here! Until soon...Sarah.

A Little Craftiness...

Just popping in with a little one... No, I haven't given birth yet...just an ATC! I planned to have this done by lunch time but got side-tracked tweaking a DT piece which is the story of my life. Grungy Monday is all about ATCs this week and there's lots of hearty stuff on the go at the mo, so I made time for to dabble and put a lotta love into a little space... I don't do a lot of green but thought I'd put the sepia tones to one side for a day!

I had lots of Tissue Wrap scraps from a project (coming Monday!) and used them to create a textured background. I glued the scraps to the ATC base, added some Gesso with my finger and a spritz of Lettuce Color Wash. When dry I added Black Soot ink, a little Viva Gold to the wrinkles.

I zig zagged around the edges and then piled on the goodies including shabby hearts using this Tim technique. Then Grunge wings, touches of Idea-ology and a few embossed copper words... I stapled an off-cut of Ball Chain to the card as well as adding a wrap of thin wire..

I'm also just making the deadline for Snazzy's great new challenge blog and Hel's Sunday Stampers hearts theme...

Don't forget it's a heart theme and challenge at February's My Mojo Monthly too! There's a great interview with Tracy Evans, lots of shabby love and a fab prize...
Well, I must go and restore some decorum to my crafty zone and tomorrow I'm off up the road to Telford to enjoy an inky playtime with Kaz who's giving a workshop at Crafty Bunch. Oooh - playtime. Yes please...!
Until Monday then, thanks for the peek! Sarah.

WOYWW? Thankyous and Gingersnaps!

'Tis Wednesday and the fairest day of the week in Blogpost Kingdom. Peruse and behold  many a crafty domain whilst displaying thine own wares courtesy of The Noble Damsel Julia.
I'd like to start by saying a HUGE and VERY HEARTFELT THANK YOU INDEED to everyone for such wonderful words and reactions to my WOYWW post last week about our little miracle. It took me a while to muster up the courage to share things but all the fabulous words and wishes were truly amazing. I'm still trying to get round to everyone and here we are again... so it's on with the show!

There's seems to be a bit of everything going on at La De Dah this week...
Firstly, I'm very pleased to say I'm a Visiting Artist at Gingersnap Creations in February.

This week the technique is all about masking tape. I created a vintage tag in good old sepia tones. I made rolled roses using twisted lengths of tape aged with Distress Ink.

I used quite a wide tape so I folded it on itself which makes it  very strong and able to survive a good twisting and pulling. It actually takes ink quite well if you give it a good blast with the heat gun and if you want to stamp it then go for Stazon ink and you get a great imprint! Make your own tissue tape I say...!

I'm also really pleased to say I've had more work published in the March Craft Stamper Magazine! A double page special on Inchie cards and a small piece in the Gallery. I want to say a big Thank you to Chrissie and Mandi from Less is More because although I like the CAS style very much it was the start of their great challenge blog that really prompted me to really get into it!

I can only show a sneaky peek...!
If you do see the article, I hope you will have a go! So that's my round up on life, ink and love from over here... Have a good WOYWW, inspiring week - and stay snug! Once more. thanks so very much...in so a many ways. What a great crowd of lovely folk you all are.
Sarah.

Bootiful Budget Birdies...all going cheep!

Brace yourselves folks...I'm doing cute!!!! It's Monday so we're off the starting block with a new challenge theme at Simon Says Stamp & Show! Fancy a tasty recipe but not the washing up? Well, this is one for you...torn edges, Distress inks, buttons and wings.

After a hefty stint of Grungy makes lately, I was in the mood for a little fabric frenzy and 'something completely different'. Theoretically, despite the snowstorms, we are heading for Spring. I couldn't quite stretch to bunnies but I do think fat birdies are rather sweet.

I stamped Wendy's Vecchi's fabulous gingham design onto canvas fabric in Ranger Archival inks.

I used Saffron Yellow and Monarch Orange for two birds and a mix of the two to create an in between tone.

I drew my own birdy template. My first looked like whales and then fish, but I got there. It's all in the tail I say!

I cut out six birds and six wings (the birdy backs were cut from plain canvas). Then I grabbed my kitchen roll...

I sewed the top piece to 8 squares of kitchen paper going around twice and trimmed off the excess.

I placed the back on, sewed around again and roughed up the edges adding colour with Rusty Hinge Distress Ink.

I sewed the two wings together without any wadding and stuck them on with Matt Medium. The button 'bonnets' are made with the two smaller flowers cut with Tattered Florals and are stamped with Alphabetically Art. I used brass studs for eyes and finished everything off with little stamped labels before sewing them all onto a strip of jute ribbon.

Once a year, I'm allowed to be girly...and I still think they are very sweet! So that's my 'crafty' culinary take on things. Check out the great creations from the Design team here! It's time for you to get cooking, serve up something tasty...and maybe enjoy that great $50 prize! Thanks for dropping in! Sarah.

Flip-Top and Fashion Frolics...

They say "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder..." I'd like to add "Sanity is in the head of a crafter"... Hubby comes home last night, not feeling well and announces his retreat to the sofa. "That's fine", I reply. "I've got a flip-top man I need to do." All makes perfect sense to me.

I'm up to my ears with DT work but planned in a little "me" time with a tag. I've been a Vecchitarian for a while now and hopefully lots of you have seen Hels showing off the Art of Wendy Vecchi Loveliness on TV. All the goodies really are bundles of fun and with Lori at Everything Wendy Vecchi inviting us to make a fun piece, well, it's almost Mardi Gras.

The back ground is one of my faves, a dictionary page, swooshed with Picket Fence Distress Stain and stamped with Wendy Circle Bubbles. They've faded a bit (boo) so I used Stazon to stamp the alphabet. I Played around with the Seriously Art set and mini scallops adding a few extra layers to give Mr. Moustache more depth and extra ventilation.

I added lots of bits and bobs, and a few rounds of stitching. All a bit wacky but lots of fun and by dropping an "S", I conjured up some silly, but fitting words. Maybe I should send it to Gok Wan. As said, by bubbles are a bit on the anaemic side, (need to do some ink and Distress Stain detective work) but I was hoping they'd still make the grade for Sunday Stampers. And it's definitely a Guy Thing so I'm hopping on the Fashionable Stamping Challenges Bus too!

About twice a year, I go all cute and girly... well in the craft room that is. Here's a sneaky look at my new DT piece for Simon Says Stamp & Show airing on Monday. If you practice a little  "aaaw!" now, you might be able to handle it... And with that I'm away! Thanks for calling by. Sarah.

MY MOJO MONTHLY FEBRUARY-HEARTSTRINGS!

SEE THE NEW MY MOJO MONTHLY HERE! 

Hello and welcome to February! Further into the new year we venture, with a hint of Spring in the air. Are you raring to go or still finding your crafty feet? Whatever your crafty passion may be, do feel welcome and enjoy being creative in your own way. I'm hoping my Heartstrings will inspire both your own artful heart and Mojo! Firstly, let's talk to My Featured Artist, the very artful and sincere Tracy Evans... 

FIVE QUESTIONS TO MY FEATURED ARTIST...

I'm sure many of you have already encountered Tracy's wonderful work. I absolutely love her unique, creative style. 
Every piece fashioned with love, imagination and fabulous detail. Every inch and tone a real joy to admire...

Who is Tracy Evans in five words? Tracy in my own words is passionate, individual, motivated, thoughtful and loyal.
Where are you right now as an artist? I still continue to develop my art and feel I always will, I would like to think I am quite individual in my style, which can range from grungy to vintage to clean and simple with a love for the embellished look in my creations.  I am very passionate about crafting and strive to continue to perfect my style on an on going basis, I don't think I will ever stop trying to grow in my creative ventures.  I would love to think I inspire others In some small way to have a go at creating, that is what motivates me on a daily basis. I find nothing more satisfying than taking a rubber stamp and a piece of plain paper and transforming it into a unique individual piece with my stamp on each creation.

Which of your creations is closest to your heart? In many ways, all of my creations have a special place in my heart...The first piece, The Sewing Room I love as it shows my love of embellishments and I love the vintage pieces and the sewing theme. Secondly, a recycled book cover (below) for Simon Says, which again shows my love of earthy tones and the bits and pieces I love to use in my art. (I actually quite like it, which for me does not happen often.) I also collect hearts and love anything heart related, so this piece above really appeals to me especially the shape.

Where do you find inspiration when feeling Mojoless?  
My garden is a great inspiration to me from colours, shapes and forms. I love to see colour combinations in nature especially from plants that have self sewn in the garden creating their own unique colour partnerships. I also find fashion can inspire me from fabrics, patterns and colours. Home magazines can also play a part in my creativity and I find a good sort out in my craft room often leads to some creative play, either from old or new products I had forgotten about or simply from the motivation I get working in an organised space. I love to be organised!
You are going back-packing in the Himalayas for a year and may only take 3 crafting items. Which - and why? Anyone who knows me will be thinking I would need to be knocked out to even get me to the Himalayas. LOL! I do not travel well. However, if I did manage it I would need my Distress Ink Pads (is that one?), card stock so I could then create on the move and a notebook enabling me to make notes of any ideas that spring to mind on my travels, from the wonderful scenery, nature, buildings, ready to use in my creations when I return.  
Tracy creates for many Design teams including Creative Expressions, Simon Says Stamp & Show and is a Guest Artist with Artistic Outpost. She has been published in many magazines, a featured artist in Stampers Sampler and her wonderful blog can be found here!

Back at HQ...
Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring and heartfelt creativity Tracy!  Last month we were just getting started again...maybe this month you're finding your way, but also rather overwhelmed by the wave of wonderful new crafty goodies and products on their way. With Heartstrings we going a bit shabby. I want to encourage you to rethink a golden oldie - the heart, plunder the stash you DO have and also discover the potential in cheap, everyday materials. (Click to enlarge photos)

I'm starting with a variation on the banner! But with hearts and wood instead of flags and string to create a a piece of home décor. I cut five primitive hearts from old card, covered them in vintage magazine scraps and white washed them with cheap acrylic paint. I like the random patterns and shading you get from magazines. I distressed and stitched the edges and adding some alphabet stamping.

The double layered Tattered Florals flowers are die-cut from old brown paper, inked up with Pumice Stone and then spritzed with water. I gave them a good crumpling, dried them, swiped over more ink and added a touch of Gold Perfect Pearls. The shabby layers are scraps of chicken wire stapled to the heart and wait for it, a muslin gauze bandage nabbed from the first aid kit!

I coated it in white paint and when dry you can shape it to create great textured effects. The silver scrapbook letters are from a cheap sale. I gave them a bashing, 'rusting' them with Distress Embossing Powder and Alcohol Ink. The hearts are then wrapped in brown garden string and I added a few extras including a 'Granny' hair clip! You could hang them individually on pegs, turn the wood vertically or still go for a string or wire...
It's all up to you!

I have a weakness for buttons! I collect, scavenge and beg them but they're missing their true potential living in a chutney jar. I covered an 8" canvas in torn layers of ordinary tissue paper using plenty of matt medium adhesive, dried it well, added two coats of cheap gesso and then swiped it with Antique Linen Distress Ink to pick out the details.

I glued lace and cotton ribbon to the canvas before creating a heart collage of buttons. I chose creams and whites of various sizes, starting with the outer line, then filling in the centre. I used matt medium as it dries clear and gives you the chance to move things around if needed. To give it a little 'grunge' I wrapped around some wire, added rusty nails, a metal finding and hung it from a sink plug chain which make fabulous hangers. All pretty cheap stuff from a 'blokes' hardware store.

Time for a card this month... Can I say I love it?! I covered card stock in dictionary pages and die cut three hearts making sure I 'caught' certain words. I placed a little scrap over the word, inked up the rest of the heart and added some stamping before distressing the edges.

They 'hang'  from a scrap of crochet lace and I also added a button. They looked too bare on a plain card base and needed some 'grounding', so I machine stitched a few random lines which did the trick. Just a little inking and distressing to finish off. You could do this in any colour, any shape and with all sorts of papers, design papers, books and even stamped sentiments...mask, ink and be merry!

Challenge, Nice Stuff and Info...
Once again, I'm all done! My Mojo Monthly is all about the why, the what and creative adventures of crafting! What's your take and thoughts on hearts? I'm looking forward to seeing and reading about your artwork and I'll be calling by to look at all your work.

Wow! Thank you so much to everyone for playing along last month. Big congratulations to January's winner Rae with her darling ATC and in March we'll be meeting the very bubbly Kaz Hall! This month's giveaway is an inspiring book on creating vintage cards by Jill Haglund, a great Pumice Stone Distress Ink Pad and lots of lace - all to get you into a shabby mood...


My Mojo Monthly welcomes all hand-made crafters and artists. A few guidelines on submitting your work:
- In the spirit of MMM please write a few lines in your post about your creativity and why you want to share your work.
- You are very welcome to share challenge pieces, just tell me a bit about your inspiration.
- Please link directly to your post and not your blog so I can find you.
- Please add a link in your post to My Mojo Monthly, thanks!
- Multiple challenge photos without description will be removed.
- Feel free to take the MMM button for your blog - please do!

Once again, I really want to say a very big thank you to all of you for calling by, so much support and sharing your artful thoughts and creations. 
Have a hearty, loving and inspirational February!
Sarah.

WOYWW? Something special in the make...

Ask me about my inky life and I'll tell all. More personal than that and I keep stum. But after years of sharing with you through WOYWW, it feels right to break the rules... Many of you know I come from a professional dance background, am married to my Belgian music hubby and have spent a lot of life abroad. A dance life has been totally fabulous but also extremely demanding. Yet despite a wonderful career, I was less good at taking care of myself. You know things aren't right, but struggle to wave a white flag when everyone thinks you're so "artistic" and have "got it all together." Over three years ago, with me running on empty, we decided to drop the lot and move this way.

The release from the hectic demands of dance were wonderful, but being 'stripped' of my creativity left me very insecure. Creativity is indeed part of me, but what you do isn't who you are. It's hard to accept that with or without an artistic dance life, I am worth the same... . Around this time I decided to 'go a bit further with inky stuff'... the rest as they say is history. It has been my sanctuary and life saver in so many ways. I never thought I'd discover something that would win my heart and soul like dance did. But the humble ink pad did. We're in it for keeps. Life also showed me my fairy god-mother was not about to wave her magic wand, but it was time to tackle my baggage... and so began a long journey of learning to love, forgive and taking care of me. I'm a work in progress... Aren't we all?

In September aged 40 and armed with a previously unknown working body, hubby and I wondered if we might just catch the last bus to Parenthood. Our very first ride was well timed and two weeks later we were blown away to discover our little one is on the way! We are so incredibly grateful to the Big Man upstairs for such grace, throughout all our lives. We still can't get our heads around it all.  I'm wobbling in places I didn't know existed and Bridget Jones knickers are top of my shopping list...
Plans for the craft room are on a par with the baby room. My husband is my hero and knows how special my art is. His faith, acceptance, friendship and love are my absolute everything. Wonderful creative doors are opening up and it's a path I long to walk. I'm still passionate, driven and perfectionistic, just learning to coax it down the right road. Tweaking buttons until 2am is indeed bonkers, but it beats getting up at 6am to run 10 miles in the rain. Someone asked me what I really wanted in life. "Just a happy home, a family and a creative lifestyle". I'm realising that may not be too much to ask... Sarah.