Take time to smell the flowers ........

Happy Friday folks!

It's the weekend again and it's the first Friday of the month ....... only 11 more to go before Christmas (eek!!!)  It also means it's the launch of October's challenge over on the Craft Stamper Blog.

This month it's the turn of ....... Take a Technique, and for this challenge we'd like to involve the strapline from the cover of the new look Craft Stamper magazine .......

Ink Stitch Paint Collage Print Paper

As long as your project includes one (or more) of the above,  and stamping of course! then you're good to go.

This month our sponsor is the fabulous Calico Craft Parts

If you're looking for something different then check out their website.  You'll find lots of wood craft products perfect for altered art projects, home decor, gifts etc.
This month the challenge winner will receive a whole bundle of stuff .... just look at this ......

On the top row left to right is ..... 3" plain ATB (Artist Trading Block) cube kit; mini cogs Style 1; geometric cut out ATC blank
Middle row ..... mini fancy shapes 1 - wood plaques; 2" square aperture ATB cube kit; mini crowns Style 3
Bottom Row ..... Fleur de Lis frame ATC blank; mini butterflies Style 3 and a fancy cut out frame ATC blank ...... phew!  what a bundle.

And ..... there's also the Design Winner, chosen by the DT.  You could have your work published in the Craft Stamper magazine ....... so go on, why not give it a go!

The DT have been spoiled this month .... we were each sent a pair of the Artist Trading Blocks to decorate however we wanted and hopefully give you some inspiration should you be the lucky winner.

Here's mine .......

This was using one of the 3" square ATB's for the base, and a 2" square aperture one on the top!

These were so much fun to decorate ..... I've gone for a garden theme but it could be anything you like .... just take a look at what the rest of the DT have done .... they are amazing!!

I started off by painting my ATB's with Black Gesso once I'd put them together ......  don't worry they're really simple to do.

While they were drying I painted up a couple of pieces of mixed media cardstock using PaperArtsy's Fresco Finish paints in shades of greens and blues. 

Once they were dry I stamped some JOFY flowers (from sets 12, 33, 38, mini 13 and mini 34) across the length of one piece, embossed them with a clear powder and used the paints again to add some more colour.  

I used a brick wall stencil on the other piece of card, with Grunge Paste to add a bit of texture

When everything was dry I cut the pieces of card into squares to fit on the sides of my ATB's and had fun decorating each one!

I added more JOFY flowers here and there .... this time stamped onto white card, painted and fussy cut

The words are also from sets of JOFY stamps

And the butterflies are from Visible Image ....... left over from a previous project.

The small ATB with the aperture is a little planter on the top ...... to hold even more flowers

I used Flowersoft wires for the stems, each one pushed into a large ball of BluTack that's inside the ATB and then I covered it all up with a bit of moss

To finish off I painted some wooden beads and attached them to the bottom as feet

Can you tell I had fun with these!  Now it's your turn.

Whilst the DT have all showcased Artist Trading Blocks for this months challenge, your challenge entries can be anything you like ..... cards, journal pages, scrapbooking, altered art ..... it's entirely up to you. Just remember to include one (or more) of the techniques from the strapline on the magazine cover AND some rubber stamping.  Have fun and good luck!

Thanks for popping by ...... enjoy the rest of your day and have a fab weekend.  Lets hope the sun keeps shining!

Cheerio until next time

Linda

xx