It's almost the weekend ......

Happy Friday folks .......

It is Friday isn't it?  We had a bank holiday here on the island yesterday and I kept thinking it was Saturday ........ now I've no idea what day of the week it is!

Let's go with Friday shall we ....... it's the first one of the month so that means the latest issue of the Craft Stamper magazine hits the shelves today.  It also means that there's a brand new Craft Stamper Take It Make It Challenge too.

As always the theme is Anything Goes ...... as long as there's actual rubber stamping on your projects somewhere.

It can be a card, an ATC or a journal page.  A canvas, or piece of jewellery even.  Or maybe something 3D, or a bit of home decor ..... the choice is all yours.
Just remember to follow the challenge guidelines, which you can find HERE on the Craft Stamper Blog ....... we don't want an amazing project to be excluded from the chance of winning one of the prizes.

Speaking of prizes ........ we have two on offer as always. 
The Design Winner chosen by the DT.  They will get their project featured in the Craft Stamper magazine, along with a winner's profile and also a Guest Designer spot on the CS Blog. 
And then there's a Challenge Winner, randomly chosen from all the eligible entries and they will win the prize on offer this month which is .......

Stephanie Ackerman's Faith Journaling Book ...... plus 2 sets of Documented Faith Stickers

OK ...... now for some inspiration
If you read my blog regularly then you'll know I recently discovered rice papers.  I know .... I'm a little late to the party with these but, I'm now hooked!
They are so easy to use ..... that's if you can bring yourself to tear into the gorgeous designs.   They can transform the plainest of items into something beautiful in no time ......

I've covered a simple MDF heart here, using the whole of the main part of the design.

To start I gave the heart a quick coat of white gesso, let it dry then added a coat of Mod Podge before laying the rice paper over the top.

Isn't she beautiful! The colours in this particular paper are just gorgeous, and the detail is amazing ....

I applied another thin coat of Mod Podge over the top, to seal the rice paper making sure I went right to the edges.
Once this was dry I used a sanding block to take off the excess rice paper around the edge ...... keeping all the pieces of course to use on other projects.
I dry brushed some white paint around the edge to soften it a little ........

and then used my favourite IndigoBlu Vintage Flourish stamp to add some more detail and texture ....
along with a sentiment, both of which were stamped in Versamark ink and heat embossed in gold

A pretty metal embellishment and some paper flowers, highlighted with a little White Fire Treasure Gold wax, add the finishing touch

The reverse of the heart has been painted ........ 

decorated with a few of the left over pieces of rice paper

and stamped and embossed with the vintage flourish ...... love it!!

Now it's your turn ....... see you in the gallery!
Check out the Craft Stamper blog for lots more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team.
Happy stamping!

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day and have a lovely weekend.
The weather forecast is looking good ...... sunshine, sunshine and more sunshine.
And lets hope we get the right result tomorrow in the football ...... I think we're off out to watch the match.  Don't think my nerves can stand a repeat of Tuesday night though .......... come on England!!!

Cheerio until next time .....