Mother

Hello Friends

I have been busy making some framed items this week for Christmas gifts and decided to make my Mum a wee stocking filler. I always like to make  things for Christmas I think even if it is just a wee token gift. It always means more when you make something from the heart.

This is really easy I just stamped some pink flowers from the Insightful Meadows stamp set.  Then stamped the sentiment from First Friends, Best Friend , Forever stamp kit on top with black archival ink.  When it was done I put it inside this mini wooden frame. I love it!!! I am going to make a whole bunch of them for Christmas with all different sentiments inside to give to people.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!!

Mandi xox

Joining in the Unity Hop

Craft Stamper Inspiration

Hello Friends

Welcome back with a wee reminder of the Craft Stamper Challenge. Anything goes this month! So as long as there is stamping on your project you can make whatever you like. You still have plenty of time to make something if you want to join in. We have two prizes up for grabs. Our prize winner who will receive these lovely stencils and masks from our sponsor Magenta.

 Then there is our design winner chosen by the design team. The winner will be published in the magazine and featured on the blog. You can head back to the Craft Stamper Blog for all of the details.

  Also remember Magenta are very kindly offering a $5 flat rate shipping deal to all CS readers on all stencils and cling stamps! Simply use the code: Promo CSUK at checkout. This offer is available from 7th-30th November.

 Now on to my card that I made for today's inspiration. I made a wee snow scene on kraft card. I used this lovely wee moose stamp from Unity called Happy Kiss-Moose Everett. The trees are also from Unity from the Kit of the Month 12/14.  

I started off stamping the trees in black archival ink and then used a white gelly roll pen to colour them. Next I used some white acrylic paint to create the falling snow. When it was dry I stamped my moose and sentiment on top with archival ink. I then stamped the moose again separately and coloured and cut it out. I paper pieced him and used foam dots to to make him pop out a little. I love the way he turned out :)

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.

Mandi xox

Poppy Tag

Hello my lovely friends

I have finally got around to making something for the Unity Hop this week. I am always forgetting it is now on a Tuesday.  I went with the lovely  Donna Poppies since today is Remembrance day. The Sentiment is from the What Lies Within KOM 11/14 and the background heart stamp is from the Love is stamp kit.

I made this really quick and easy tag by stamping the background with the hearts.  Then I stamped, coloured and cut out  the poppy separately. Next I glued it in place and added some black enamel accents to the centre. I then stamped the sentiment above and then added some ribbon and rhinestones to finish. See how super easy is that?? 

Thanks so much for for stopping by my blog today :)

Mandi xox

Let It Snow

Hello Friends

I am back with another card! Two in the same week ha!  I have been missing in action for a while but I have returned to blog land. I moved back home to Scotland at the beginning of October. So all of my crafty things have been packed away for the last month. I literally just unpacked them all the other day.

 I made this card a few month's ago and I can now finally share it with you all. It has just been published in the November Craft Stamper magazine on sale now. I used this lovely wee reindeer stamp from Unity called Let It Snow ( I'm ready ).  There is a collection of three reindeer but this one is my favourite.

Here is my card in print and all of the details on how to make it.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today

Mandi oxo

Craft Stamper November Challenge ~ Take a Stamp

Hello Friends

Welcome to the new November Craft Stamper challenge.  This month our theme is Take a Stamp. So as long as you use a stamp on your project anything goes. This is what I came up with for this challenge. I am hanging on to the Autumn theme as long as I can. Even though the trees around me are becoming pretty bare and winter is approaching. I made this card with this lovely Tree Poem stamp from Stampendous. I fell in love with this stamp as soon as I saw it. I love trees and I have a huge one in my back yard.

  I used my Brusho  paints to colour this tree.  I really love the way that they blend so well together.  I also used some patterned vellum and a real dried leaf and layered them all together.  I went around the edge of my card with some distress ink and then finished it off with some twine.

 We have another great prize up for grabs this month from our lovely sponsor Magenta.

They are giving away some lovely masks and stencils as part of the prize package. These include large pic  Poinsetta Rectangle MC15, top row left to right:  Mini Poinsetta TM125, Christmas Ornaments TM135, Mistletoe Wreath MC14, bottom row left to right  Poinsetta MC13,  Mini Holly TM124 & Stylized Holly TM127.

Magenta are very kindly offering a $5 flat rate shipping deal to all CS readers on all stencils and cling stamps! Simply use the code: Promo CSUK at checkout. This offer is available from 7th-30th November.

Remember we have two winners our second winner will be our design winner. Who will have their project published in the magazine and will also be featured on the blog.

 So we would love it if you took part in our challenge this month. Hop on over to the Craft Stamper Blog for the rest of the details.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.

Mandi xox

Craft Stamper TIMI Reminder October

Hello Friends

I am back today with a wee reminder of our Craft Stamper challenge this month.  This is Take a Technique month where you have to use one or more of the following  in your project along with stamping. This is from the strapline from the Craft Stamper magazine.

 Ink Stitch Paint Collage Print Paper

I made this card for my project today which incorporates ink, stitch, paint and paper.  I went with everything I love about Autumn. The leaves are just beginning to give us some colour here in Maine.  It is really pretty. I love Autumn, I used the same stamp as my last project called Maple Girl. The Girl is another stamp called Dream of Being. I started off by painting in some sky on a white card base then made a border with the leaves around the edge.  Next I stamped and painted the girl with my watercolours then cut her out.  Finally I typed us some words cut them out and inked them around the edges and glued it all down. 

There are some great prizes to be won this month from Calico Craft Parts. Hop on back to the Craft Stamper blog for all of the details. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! 

Mandi xox

Craft Stamper October Challenge

Hello Friends 

Welcome to October and another new challenge from the Craft Stamper team!! This month the challenge is ' Take A Technique' which is any technique involving our strapline which is on the front cover of the magazine. 

Ink Stitch Paint Collage Print Paper. 

We want to see you use any one or all of those techniques as well as stamping on your project. 

 The design team are all show casing these lovely ATB boxes today, which is part of this month's prize. However you do not have to use them you can make any project you like. We just want to give you ideas on what to do with them.

My project today reflects all things Autumn. This is my favourite season of the year.  I decided to use things that you can find right outside of your door. I have a couple of huge trees that grow right over my house. So I picked up some of the branches and acorns that had fallen off of them. I cleaned them and set them aside to dry out for a few days. I would also recommend baking the acorns if you are keeping them indoors to to kill off any bugs.

 I decorated the ATB but left the top off as I wanted to  to use it as a container. I primed with gesso then painted three sides of it with several distress inks. The colours were quite bright so I went over it with the brown distress ink to dull it down a little. I then went over the top with clear crackle paint and it left a really nice distressed texture behind.

For the front of the ATB I cut out a square of card and created a background with the leaves stamp. Then I stamped the sentiment over the top. I then stamped a whole bunch of leaves in various colours and fussy cut them out.  I  glued each one of the leaves to the the branches.  

Once they were glued down I fanned the branches out and secured them with some twine. Then I used acorns to hold the branches in place inside the ATB.  To finish I glued some twine around the top of the ATB to give it a little border.  

I really enjoyed making this ATB.  I have never worked with one before.  I will admit I sat and looked at this plain box for about three days wondering what to do with it before I went with this idea. I love that I managed to bring a wee bit of nature from outside inside.

Now on to our awesome prize for this month. Our lovely sponsor Calico Craft Parts are giving away these lovely prizes. 

Top row left to right: 3" plain ATB cube kit, mini cogs style 1, geometric cut out ATC blank.

Middle row left to right: Mini fancy shapes 1 wood plaques, 2" square aperture ATB cube kit, mini crowns style 3.

Bottom row left to right: Fleur De Lis frame ATC blank, Mini butterflies style 3, Fancy cut out frame ATC blank.

So we would love it if you joined in with this month's challenge.  You can find all of the rest of details over at the Craft Stamper Blog.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today. I hope you leave inspired :) 

Mandi xox

Products I used

Calico Craft Parts - 3'' Plain ATB Cube

Unity Stamp Company - Maple Girl

Distress Inks - Spiced Marmalade, Fossilized Amber, Shabby Shutters & Vintage Photo.

Clear Gesso

Clear Crackle Paint

Twine

Branches/Acorns

Craft Stamper TIMI Reminder September

Hello Friends

Welcome back to another wee reminder for this month's TIMI Craft Stamper Challenge. You still have plenty of time to join in this month's challenge which is Take A Stamp. You can make anything you want as long as you have stamping on your project.

I made this piece of wall art for my project today. We live in Maine and I am fortunate enough to live less than five miles from the beach. I found this piece of wood laying on on the road beside the beach after a huge storm a few weeks ago. It was still soaking wet but rescued it anyway! I knew I wanted to craft with it when I saw it on on the road. The wood is pretty worn and weathered and I absolutely love that look.

I took it home and let it dry out. I pulled it out last week and decided to make something with it. I covered some of it in gesso to give me a base to work on. I left some of the wood showing through to keep that lovely distressed look. I got out my all time favourite stamp from Unity called Your Wings Exist designed by Phyllis Harris. I just love her art work and stamps. This set also has one of my favourite bible verses.  I used archival ink to stamp with and then a mixture of different paints to give it some colour.  My photos are a little dark showing you the process. I tend to work late at night on my projects and the light is not good. If I even remember at all to take pictures at all ha!

I was going for a beachy theme since I found the wood at the beach. So I created some sand under her feet with with paint brush splatters of different colours of paint.  took Next I took some of my shell collection and some glass chips to resemble sea glass. I glued them in place along the bottom to create a semi border.  I really love the way it turned out.  I need to put a little hanger on the back of the wood and then I can hang it on my wall.

I really love using things you find outside to craft with. I can nearly always can see another purpose for something even though it looks like it may belong in a rubbish bin. My husband is always pretty surprised with the things I make from so called trash!

So now it is your turn to create something. Hop on over to the Craft Stamper Blog and link up your project. Remember there are some amazing prizes this month from STAMPlorations. So go and check them out. Also STAMPlorations have supplied a coupon code for our lovely Craft Stamper challenge players. FREE shipping on orders over $20 or £12.90. 

 The code you need to use is CSTAKEITMAKEIT  

This code will be valid all through September. Happy Shopping!!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.

Mandi xox

Linking up to the Unity Be Inspired Challenge

Imagine

Hello My friends

I made a quick tag for the Itty Bitty A Day Challenge over on the Unity Facebook page. It has been going on all week but I am just getting a chance to make something and join in the fun.

I used my Courage To Imagine Itty Bitty on this tag.  I heat embossed the sentiment on to the tag and then dry embossed the tag with an embossing folder. I then stamped and embossed the butterfly separately and glued it in place.  I bought this Cracked Pistachio Distress Ink ages ago and have finally just got around to trying it out. I paired it with Worn Lipstick.  It is an unusual green colour I almost like a deep mint I quite like it.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!!

Mandi xox

Linking up with FWF

Craft Stamper TIMI Challenge September ~ Take A Stamp

Hello Friends

Welcome to the September Craft Stamper TIMI Challenge. Where is the year going?? It is flying by fast!!!  This month our challenge to you is Take A Stamp. That means as long as there is stamping on your project you can make whatever your little heart desires.  I made this tag  for my project this month.   

I also used two different stamps from Unity they are You Have Made a Difference & Insightful Meadows. My love affair with Brusho continues! I can't seem to get enough of those powders. I used two colours on my tag Vermillion & Ost Red. I also used Brusho to colour the ribbon on my tag. It works really well the fabric absorbs the colours beautifully.

Here is wee tip for you. I used to buy lots of different types of ribbons for my projects but I would never have the exact colour match. It used to drive me crazy!!  Then I decided it was easier if I bought a  roll of seam binding ribbon and just dye it to match my projects. I think I paid $10 for 100 yards of white. I use distress inks and Brusho to colour them mostly. So you will always have the right colours to match your projects and you save money from buying every colour of ribbon under the sun ha!!!

So now it is your turn to make something for our challenge. We have a GREAT prize for you this month.  Our sponsor this month is STAMPlorations and they are giving away this lovely Stamps called Boxed Blooms and Bold Sentiments. Along with two stencils Bold Florals & Leaf Print. What a great prize package. 

But wait that is not all!!!! STAMPlorations have been incredibly generous and have supplied a coupon code for our lovely Craft Stamper challenge players. FREE shipping on orders over $20 or £12.90.

 The code you need to use is CSTAKEITMAKEIT 

Remember you need to spend $20  or £12.90. The coupon will work all through September, and can be combined with any other STAMPlorations coupon.  How amazing is that?? Here is the link to the  the STAMPlorations website so you can shop away!!!

So come and play along with this amazing challenge this month. I am looking forward to seeing what you all create. So head back to the Craft Stamper blog and link up your project. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Mandi xox

Struggle & Strength

Hello my lovely friends

I got some new stamps in the mail yesterday and I just had to have a wee play along with them. I get excited when the mail man comes with my new Unity stamps ha :)  I wanted to create a silhouette flower card with wee butterflies dancing in a dusky sky.

I started off  with two different stamp sets. The flowers are from the  In My Garden stamp set and the sentiment is from the Struggle and Strength stamp set.  I used my Peerlees watercolor paints to create the background. Then I stamped each flower individually with black archival ink. Next I took a black fine liner pen and drew in some grass. I then punched two tiny butterflies from black card and glued them in place. Next I mounted it on to some black card and them a white card base.  Finally I stamped the sentiment at the bottom of the card.

I love the way my card turned out I hope you like it too.  Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.

Mandi xox

Linking up with FWF