Hang on to those mop up paper towels ........

Happy Wednesday .......

How's your week going? ........ flying by just about describes mine!

I've got a fun day today ...... the ladies are coming round shortly for a midweek workshop.  We're going to be working on the calendars again, well we need to get them finished soon.
It's going to be easy watercolouring today, and also creating simple inky backgrounds for all those large sentiment stamps.

Before I dash off to finish getting everything ready, I want to play along with this month's CAS Mix Up Challenge. 

Interesting theme this month ...... Paper Towel??!? 

It's all about recycling those inky paper towels ..... you know, the ones we get when mopping up our craft mats, well ...... don;t throw them away!! 
Loll (Stamping with Loll) is hosting this month's challenge and she's used this technique in the past with amazing results. 
Now you know me ........ I don't like wasting inks or paints, and I do mop up, but it's usually with pieces of card first.  My paper towels don't look that pretty by the time I've finished!  However I did manage to find one that didn't look too bad so, here we go .....

I created the background by spritzing a piece of white card with a little water, I laid my mop up paper towel over the top and then sprizted again with water.  I placed another piece of card over the top, just to avoid getting more ink on my fingers, and then applied a little pressure to help transfer the ink onto the white card.

I did this a couple of times, using different parts of the paper towel and I love the results.  The texture from the paper towel has also come through and looks fab,  and I love the layers.
It's a bit of a surprise what you're going to get using this technique, and no two backgrounds will ever be the same.  What a fun way of using up left over inks!

I stamped over the top using one of the new stamp sets that arrived in the craft room last week ......

and heat embossed the image in gold.

The stamps are from a lovely set called Bloom, by a lady called Tracey Hey.   This is a new range to me.  I've seen the name around Blogland and in magazines so I popped onto the website for a little look.  Oh my! ....... what gorgeous designs, and so cute.  I had to shop, so you will be seeing a few more of Tracey's designs on here.

I added my sentiment, which is from the same stamp set ....... I love the mix of fonts

and I finished off with a few splatters of white paint.

That's ...... Paper Towel (check!)
                  Stamping (check!)
                  My choice ...... heat embossing, or it could be ink splatters (check!)

I'll be looking at my mop up towels a little differently now.

Thanks for popping by ..... have a lovely day.
It's time I checked the work table, they'll be here soon ....... here's a sneak peek at what we'll be doing

Cheerio until next time .........

Products used:
Stamps: Bloom (Tracey Hey)
Inks: Distress Oxides - Mustard Seed, Worn Lipstick, Mowed Lawn; Versamark,
Other: Gold Embossing Powder (WOW!), White Acrylic Paint .... and of course a mop up paper towel!

My first AT Coins for the Craft Stamper Challenge ........

Happy Friday folks ......

Not quite sure what happened to the rest of the week but heyho! ........ it's the weekend!!!
It's the first Friday of the month so that means it's time to get the latest Craft Stamper Take It, Make It Challenge underway.

The theme as always is Anything Goes.  Just make sure that there's some actual rubber stamping somewhere on your project.

I'm quite excited (it doesn't take much!) because I've made my first ATC's .... coins that is.

I love making Artist Trading Cards ..... those little miniature masterpieces, but it seems the craze at the moment is to create Artist Trading Coins.  Cute little 2.5 inch discs, decorated with anything you like.

I've had these MDF discs for a while, just never got around to playing with them.
So, after my recent craft room tidy up ....... mind you, if you looked in there this morning, TIDY is the last word you would use to describe it.  Well .... it's been a busy week!  There's been Design Team stuff to do, Birthday cards to make, little man had a homework project to finish off, and I have a Christmas workshop to prepare.  There's that much glitter and shiny stuff on the floor it looks like backstage at Strictly Come Dancing ..... talk about sparkle!!!

Anyway ..... we were talking Artist Trading Coins.  I could get addicted to these ..... they are so much fun to do.

As I said mine are MDF but you can use cardstock instead, the size needs to be 2.5 inches in diameter that's all.
I gave mine a quick coat of white gesso then painted them using PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Paints.  I think it was Smurf (blue) and Granny Smith (green) ..... don't you just love the names!

I then stamped onto each one using just one of the images from the JOFY13 set of stamps, and heat embossed using clear embossing powder.

I used more Fresco Finish Paints to add colour to the daisies ......

Splattered the backgrounds with a little bit of Snowflake White paint ...... and added a few dots of Clear Nuvo Drops

The words are from the same stamp set ..... stamped onto white card and then fussy cut before gluing them on each of the coins

I decided to make the AT Coins into a pretty wall hanging by attaching some simple twill ribbon to the back.

If you fancy more inspiration for this month's challenge check out the Craft Stamper Blog and see what the rest of the Design Team have created.

As always there's a prize for the Challenge Winner ....... and this month it's an absolute cracker!!

Yes, that's right ......... it's the Sizzix Scoreboard XL Die - Wrapped Journal by Eileen Hull.  Told you!!
Fancy getting your hands on that?  All you have to do to be in with a chance is to play along with the challenge.  You could even be our next Design Winner and have your project published in the magazine.

Speaking of the magazine .... the latest issue is on the shelves today, and you'll find a little something from me in there this month ........ mwahhahaha!!!

Thanks for popping by .... enjoy the rest of your day and have a lovely weekend.
It's the Happy Stampers Festival at Port Sunlight tomorrow, and unfortunately I'm not going to this one ... sigh!  
It's a bit of a risk on the ferry in October, it can get a little bumpy.  And I must admit the forecast for weekend is not great so maybe it's just as well I'm not going!
If you are though, have a great time ..... spend lots and say Hi! to everyone for me.  I'll be there in May next year.
I have got a busy day tomorrow though.  I'm out with Lauren in the afternoon.  We're off to do a bit of creative gardening,  in a Succulent Terrarium Workshop which should be fun.  We'll be creating two terrariums each ..... is that the right word? filled with pretty succulents and ornaments and stuff.   I'll share the results with you ..... if I can keep them alive long enough! 
Then in the evening hubby and I are off out for dinner with friends.  This is one of the dates that we had booked BEFORE we decided to go Sober for October so for the only night this week there will be a little glass of wine or two I think. 

Cheerio until next time .....

Reach for the Stars ......

Happy Friday ......

It's the weekend ..... whoo hoo!!!
It's also the first Friday of the month so, it can only be ..... the launch of this month's Craft Stamper Challenge ......

We have a fabulous sponsor this month ...... the amazing RubberDance stamps

And the lucky challenge winner will get to choose a RubberDance stamp set .... ooooh!

As always the theme is Anything Goes .... as long as there's actual rubber stamping on your project somewhere .... no digis please.
You can enter up to THREE projects only into the challenge .... just make sure that each project has its own blog post
Speaking of blog posts ..... when you link up your entry to the Craft Stamper Challenge post, please link back to the actual project post and NOT just your Blog ...... and, only one project per post please.

OK .... onto a spot of inspiration.  I've been playing around with Galaxy Backgrounds ....... using Distress Oxide inks

A little messy but what fabulous results ...... I love it!!  Jennifer McGuire has a fantastic YouTube video ..... if you've not already tried this effect, give it a go .... it's fun!

I used smooth, hot pressed, watercolour card because you do need to add quite a bit of water to blend the inks.  I'm sorry I didn't take any photos of the whole process, it was only supposed to be a trial run, but I just loved the result so much that I decided to use it.

I used fossilized amber, seedless preserves, salty ocean and peacock feathers Distress Oxides and applied them randomly all over my watercolour card.  I then spritzed heavily with water and let the colours blend together whilst drying them using a heat tool.
Next, came the messy bit .... I smooshed black soot Distress Oxide ink onto my craft sheet, spritzed it with a pearl mica spray instead of plain water and then used a piece of acetate to smoosh the black over the top of the colours.
What! .... black ink over the top of the colours ..... that can't be right, well ....... yes it can, this is the fun part. 
Just keep applying the black over the top of the colours, leaving some of the colour from underneath showing through (this is where I'm sorry I didn't take pictures of the process).
Because of the mica spray you get this fabulous pearlescent sheen over the top of the chalky finish from the oxides .... it's so pretty and makes this amazing galaxy sky

Just remember to dry off each layer of ink that you apply.  If you add too much black and think you've ruined your piece don't worry ..... dry it off, add a little more colour on top, spritz a bit more water and dry it again.  Too much colour .... then add a bit more black.  There's no right or wrong, just keep going until you're happy with the result ..... it will come!

I heat embossed part of my sentiment ....... Written in the Stars stamp set from My Favourite Things

and used one of the matching dies (Shining Stars) to cut the rest

I will be doing this effect again .... I love it!! ..... and I promise to take more pictures of the process next time.  I'll show you just how much of a mess I can make!

Check out the Craft Stamper Blog for more fabulous inspiration from the rest of the Design Team.

Thanks for popping by .... enjoy the rest of your day and have a lovely weekend.

If you're off to watch a firework display this weekend, have fun ...... but please stay safe.
I'm off out on a girlie night with Lauren this evening which should be fun.  We're off to the Tea Junction for a Sparkle event .... apparently we have to dress to impress!  Better start going through the wardrobe ..... it could take a while!!

Cheerio until next time

CAS Mix Up ......

Happy Wednesday ......

Well here we are .... the  middle of another week.  At least the sun is shining again!
I thought I'd catch up with everyone seeing as I have a little bit of time on my hands.  I'm waiting in for the carpet cleaner to arrive.  Hubby had a mishap with a glass of red wine ..... on the lounge carpet (oh no!).  He couldn't have spread it any further if he'd have tried!
I managed to get it all off the sofa! and most of the wine off the carpet but it's left a lovely pink stain on my nice light coloured carpet. As you can imagine ..... hubby's on the naughty step!  Let's hope the carpet cleaner can get it out, otherwise I'll be buying a rug!

Anyway .... onto alcohol of a different kind.  I'm playing along with this month's CAS Mix Up challenge today.

and as you can see, this month it's all about using Alcohol Inks ...... I really don't use these little bottles enough!!

The pretty background is a piece of glossy cardstock which has been smooshed with alcohol inks .... I I'm not exactly sure what the colours are as this was done some time ago and it's been lying in my bit box waiting to be used ......

I love the delicate shades, and the hint of pink looks so pretty .... not sure it really comes across that well in the photo though.

I stamped the flowers over the top, using Versamark ink and then heat embossed them in gold .....

Using the MISTI ........ I placed a piece of white cardstock down and then laid the alcohol inked card on the top, and then stamped my sentiment so that the words went across both pieces.
I removed the inked piece of card and stamped the sentiment again just to make sure that I got the full image without any gaps around the edge ...... I do love my MISTI 💗

To finish off I added a few dots of the Nuvo Jewel Drops in the Sea Breeze shade ..... one of my current favourite products, they're going on everything!!!

So ..... I've done the stamping, used Alcohol inks and the 'my choice' element is heat embossing.

It's been a bit of a mixed bag this week in the craft room ..... DT stuff, Blog challenges, a workshop at the weekend to prep for and, a little bit of Christmas.  Yes, the December workshop is sorted!! Project is finished ..... two different looks done, and I must say I'm pleased with the results.
SPOILER ALERT!!!!!  Look away now if you don't want to see a sneaky peek.  Talk about sparkle!!!!

Thanks for popping by .... enjoy the rest of your day, and I hope the sun is shining where you are.
Now where's my carpet cleaner got to?!

Cheerio until next time .....

Have you entered the challenge yet .......

Happy Friday .......

It's the weekend again ..... whoo hoo!  and it's time for a little reminder of this month's Craft Stamper Take It Make It Challenge.

Anything Goes as long as there's actual rubber stamping on your project somewhere ...... easy!

Here's a simple card for you using the Altenew Bamboo Rose stamps ...... they're so pretty and I like that you get the different sizes of blooms in the set.

I've simply stamped some of the blooms onto opposite corners of a piece of white card using Versamark ink, and then heat embossed them with a detail gold embossing powder ......

then used my ZIG Clean Color Brush pens to add the colour.
I wet each individual petal of the flower with a water brush first, then just a quick touch with the ZIG pen to add the colour.  The colour spreads itself through the water giving this pretty shaded effect.

If you don't get the effect you're after first time ..... just add more colour and use a little more water until you get the flowers how you want them .... same with the leaves

A added a few ink splatters onto the background and added in a few sequins here and there for added
sparkle

And then finished off by adding my layered die cut sentiment ......

3 layers cut from black card using the CUTplorations word die, and then layered together to add a touch of dimension.

Check out the Craft Stamper Blog today for more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team.

Our sponsor this month is the fabulous Seven Hills Crafts ...... a super online store bringing you the best craft products from the USA

And the challenge winner will receive a £25 gift voucher to spend in the store.

A couple of reminders if you're entering the challenge .........

• include some actual rubber stamping on your project
• keep your blog post to the one project only
• and make sure you include a link back to the Craft Stamper Blog

Some of the challenge entries unfortunately have to be excluded each month because they don't follow the rules. This is such a shame after all the hard work that goes into them.

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day and have a lovely weekend.
Mine's going to to filled with boxes ..... packing and unpacking.  We're moving most of the small stuff ourselves before the removal men arrive on Thursday next week.  Hopefully by the end of the weekend most of what's in my craft room will have gone along with all the kitchen stuff etc. At least we haven't far to go!

Cheerio until next time ......

Playing with Alcohol Inks ......

Hello again .....

Time for another fun Blog Challenge for you ..... how do you fancy a little bit of Mixed Media over at the Happy Little Stampers
This month the theme is Alcohol Inks .......

As with all the other HLS challenges, the Mixed Media challenge is sponsored by the Happy Little Stamper Store

and the challenge winner will receive a $15 discount to spend in the shop ...... there's new stamp designs, so this could come in very handy!

I've got another Christmas design for you ...... well, I've got to start filling up that festive box sometime.

I've been having a play with Alcohol Inks and YUPO paper ....... and all I'm saying is it's very addictive!

I wanted to try a technique used by the lovely Loll Thompson (Stamping With Loll) ..... Smooshing with AI's onto YUPO paper.  Check out Loll's fab YouTube video .... you'll want to give it a try too!

I've smooshed with Distress inks before, smooshed using a piece of acetate, but I've never smooshed with Alcohol Inks.

I took a piece of  white YUPO paper, spread a few colours of AI onto a piece of foil (I think it was Cranberry, Poppyfield and a little Gold Mixative) then smooshed the paper through the inks.
I then die cut the baubles from the YUPO paper and added a little embossed design for a bit more interest .....

I love the marbled look you get from the Alcohol Inks, and the touch of shimmer from the gold mixative looks really pretty in the light.

I took a piece of watercolour card and stamped the beautiful IndigoBlu Bauble flourish across the top and embossed with a gold powder

The stamp actually has two baubles in the design, which I've covered up using my Alcohol Ink ones.

I did a little more smooshing onto the background using Distress Inks this time and a piece of acetate, just to add some colour behind.

The die cut baubles were attached using foam pads, for a little bit of dimension and you can see I also added a sprinkling of Fran-tage Chunky White Embossing Enamel

I then edged around the panel using a gold pen and finished off the design with a beautiful festive greeting from the HLS Mixed Christmas Sentiments ..... another of my go to Christmas stamp sets ..... stamped and embossed in gold

Now it's over to you ..... go have some fun playing with alcohol inks!

Check out the HLS Blog for more great ideas ...... the DT have been busy again, and we have a Guest Designer this month ...... the lovely Pooja is joining us, please stop by and say Hi!

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy what's left of the weekend.
I'm off to catch up with some TV and I shall be taking these with me ......

Mmmmm ...... my favourites.  A nice little surprise from Lauren yesterday ..... to say Thank You for having the little man sleep over last night.  I'm easy to please ....... Love you too hun!

Cheerio until next time ......