Monday, January 21, 2013

What I'm known for...

is the new challenge theme over at Simon Says Stamp & Show this week! I must say that "talking" was definitely my first thought, and until my wee lassie came along, I was just as verbally active in my blog posts. Aaah, those were the days...
 Anyway, back on Planet Crafty, what am I known for? Tricky, as I love a whole range of styles. After a lot of thought I could see a few things that definitely make my list. In the past I have mentioned how my dance background has effected my art and therefore I'm going for my "Three D's!" Dimension, detail and design. That trio always gets a look-in when I'm busy creating.

Also, after taking a ride through my blog, it wasn't long before I had to admit that I do like to host the odd Wendy Vecchi Arty Party!

So, I decided to create a piece with three small offerings of the said Wendy goodies...
 All my Art Parts are now residing in a bright red valise case under my desk and I have built p quite a collection. I decided to dive in and make use of many of the smaller pieces which I often have left over after creating a bigger work. I used some panels from the five panel frame set as my bases, covered them in Retro Grunge Paper and then stamped the backgrounds. Then I set off in full "My Three D's" gear playing around with the design and dimension...

I love to spend hours working on composition, just playing around until it feels right to me. When I was happy I then used my trusty Distress Stains to colour my pieces before stamping them all with an array of fabulous Wendy stamps. I also like to edge the pieces with Distress Ink for extra effect.
As you can see I have managed to create some depth by layering the pieces up and the details come from a little Idea-ology, Blossom Bucket Buttons and the stamped wording. I wanted to display them together and this old folding wooden ruler winked at me at just the right moment! A perfect fit, even f I do say so myself. So there you go, a bit of crafty me and by golly, a lot of wordy waffle after all!

This is a really great challenge theme - the chance to celebrate your own inky style and share it with everyone. How fabulous is that? Take a look at the wonderful creativity from my talented team-mates over at the Design Team Blog and then get started on your masterpiece! 

You could be in with a chance of winning this generous $50 voucher from Simon says Stamp! Cards, layouts, journals, altered, Grunge, mixed media, vintage...whatever floats your boat!
It's over and out from me. Thanks so much for popping by... Sarah.

Posted by Sarah at Monday, January 21, 2013 34 comments

Monday, January 14, 2013

Lace and lurve...

Who said hearts and lace have to be all girly? At Simon Says Stamp & Show we are celebrating the joy lace! Lace is definitely up there with the big guns if you are a bit of a vintage buff but it could be a stamp, the long stuff that comes by the metre, an embossing folding or even a bit of stencilling... Loads to choose from!
 Although I have a huuuuge bag of long stuff (known as the the ribbon rage zone) breeding under my craft table I went for a stamp, namely a Wendy Vecchi one from the Sentimental Art Stamp set.
It's a great background stamp, looks fabulous and can be used on lots of different projects. l was able to put this Art Part creation together very easily but I still love how it looks. It makes a great hanging and would be a really lovely alternative Valentine gift. I used a combination of Distress Stains and Summer Distress Inks to achieve the vivid colours and think the green is really great.
l always like to over-stamp my pieces in Ranger Archival Inks as you get a good crisp result that shows up well against the background. By adding the hand and scallop I was able to create a bit more dimension and I think the hand and heart go together well.
I finished off with just one Blossom Bucket button and decided a rusty old wire would make a good hanging so I grabbed my Crop-a-dile Big Bite which I still love and use a lot! So there you go a quick and simple, little lacy love.
Take a look at the really great ideas the rest of the Design Team came up with and then head off into your crafty zone to think up yours! Do join in and share your work with us. Not only do we love seeing what you all get up to, there's also the chance of winning this great $50 voucher from Simon says Stamp! Righteo, Sarah is over and out and signing out for today. A new week awaits me - as does the house-work. 
Thanks for calling by. Until soon. Me.



Posted by Sarah at Monday, January 14, 2013 20 comments

Monday, January 7, 2013

A look back in time...

As we paddle in the shallow waters of 2013, you do of course glance over the years already gone. That is just what I have done - inky style - because this week at Simon Says Stamp & Show we are 'Embracing the Old' with our new challenge theme.
Back in the year dot (so it seems) I took my first steps into this mad, but wonderful crafty and bloggy world. As a right old  technical dunce, I remember secretly teaching myself how to build a blog through some long Googling nights. I was so nervous and was trembling the day I first hit publish!
After following a basic stamping workshop I plucked up the courage to attempt more than a Christmas card and created my first triple tag which you can see here... So I thought it would be fun to go back to that time for this challenge theme.
I love the series of Mini's from PaperArtsy. They are wonderful images and such high quality stamps. If you haven't tried Leandra's fabulous stamps, dies and amazing paints, then do! NOW! My background is created using Walnut Stain and Weathered Wood Distress Inks with lots of splatters, followed by lots stamping in both Distress and Archival inks.

I have a kind of nostalgic family mood going on, with the mother, father and son. The tag edges have been distressed and stitched and joined together with thin wire. You can then bend the tag into different shapes for standing. I often like to give a triple tag instead of a card to friends. It's just that bit different and it looks good too.
I really did embrace the old and used all my typical trademarks and crafty touches to create an aged look like this rusty old key and jute scrap. I just have to add words to my pieces and Tim's ChitChat sticker book has more than enough words to allow you to create your own little story.
So before you rush into the New Year, take a little time to wander down Memory Lane. There are lots more fabulous creations from my teamies over at the Design Team Blog here!

Do join in with your take on the "Embracing the Old" theme. It's fun and you could also be in with a chance of this generous $50 shopping spree - just what you need after the festive season! Stay inspired... and thanks for calling by!
Bye for now, Sarah.

Posted by Sarah at Monday, January 07, 2013 26 comments

Monday, December 31, 2012

I'm late, I'm late...

for a very important date!!! So said the White Rabbit. Are you in your party gear or still in your PJ's like me??? Welcome to the last day and Simon Says Stamp & Show challenge for 2012. We are already getting into the party mood with The Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Of course, like me, you may well think of Alice in Wonderland but we want you to think much further than that with this challenge theme and just have some really great, crafty fun... It's an Anything Goes, go mad week, so jump in and celebrate inky style!
l am feeling a bit like the White Rabbit lately. It seems as if I'm always rushing around with one eye on the clock, wondering if I'll make it! Life as normal I suppose with a boisterous baby on the loose...
Despite the fact that we live in a world surrounded by ever developing technology, sometimes you just can't beat the good old paper and pen. Maybe you are like me and still find yourself jotting things down on bits of paper, which is very handy until that elusive scrap goes AWOL.
So I decided to create a simple but fun book for all those important squiggles and notes. Hence the save the date design and all the clocks. I love Tim's Destination Paper Stash and knew it would be just perfect for the job. I covered two pieces of hardboard with different papers to create my covers and used lots of Distress ink around the edges.
I thought the clock and letters page would make a great dimensional cover. I cut four clocks out, stuck them to Grungeboard and edged them with ink for a chunky look. I cut the letters down a bit and then created lots of dimension using string, layering and foam pads. A Mr. Tim word band added a little extra interest...
l used my great Crop-a-Dile Big Bite to punch holes and set eyelets. The inside is dead simple, but that is exactly what you need if you are going to just jot down reminders, so I just stamped the month in the corner. Maybe you want to go to town with a really fancy inside!

So there you go. An ode, book style, to the faithful paper and pen (and my dizzy brain). For more inky inspiration, do take a look at the amazing ideas my teamies created on Simon Says Stamp & Show Design Team Blog, run off to your crafty zone and be in with a chance of winning this generous $50 voucher! Furthermore, let me wish you all a very happy, healthy and heartfelt New Year. Let's make it a great one! With love,
Sarah.

Posted by Sarah at Monday, December 31, 2012 45 comments
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