Exciting News!!

Well for me anyway lol
You are now looking at a Proud New

http://www.creative-studios.co.uk/

WoooooooHooooooooo

*jumps up and down doing a happy dance*

I'm a big fan of Sam and her stamps, after discovering her by chance via WOYWW a few years ago.

I am very much looking forward to playing and creating with all the wonderful products she has to offer.

Here is a little something I made especially for today if I was lucky enough to make the team.. 

 I used one of the new stamps I got at Ally Pally, It's called Gothic Gateway and is one of the 'singles' line.

I combined it with the Tim Holtz brick embossing folder to create a nice castle effect.

I did some layered stamping and hidden message behind the door, using 'chickenwire' 'newsprint flourishes' and the 'checkers' from the 'vintage aviation' set, the wording also came from that set.

I have lots of fun idea's roaming around in my head right now so can't wait to get my first DT and start sharing those idea's with you all.

Till then..

Stay Inky

PA: Inspired By:

This week over on the PaperArtsy Blog Suzanne Czosek has been showcasing some uber cool projects, I was really inspired by her #2nd make and really wanted to try the technique for my challenge piece.

 I took an old book, removed the innerds, did a light wash of white linen dylusions over the whole cover then converted it into a box.
I die-cut a few of the 'PA dragonflies' from 'metal card', I embossed them and a TH frame and cut it out to fit the front of the book.

I then channelled my inner Suzanne to re-create the technique she had used on her piece.
I used 'eggplant' 'south pacific' and 'pansy' frescos.

I didn't have the same embossing stuff so used some Snazzys own 'turquoise sparkle' which is AWESOME, The stamping in the background is 'snowflake' with a touch of gold embossing using 'script mini #61'.
I used the antenna of the dragonfly as the clasp to keep the box shut as being metal card it holds it shape quite well.
I really enjoyed making this, and love how the embossing powder changes the colours of the paint.
Till next time,
Stay Inky

WOYWW 203

Morning desk hoppers, 

Tiz been a few weeks since i've played along but only coz I was away in london visiting my folks and attending the Big Stamp & Scrapbooking show. I actually thought for a split second this morning that it was the anniversary and I wouldn't be able to play along as i've not made any ATCs yet but was releaved to see it's a few more weeks yet.. Phew!

{note to self.. MAKE ATCs!!!}

I had an excellent time in London {you can see HERE & HERE}

But i'm back now, just still not quite back into my crafty groove yet so I have been sorting my new stash as you can see. There is also some remaining hints of my next DT project for Snazzy's in a couple of weeks time. There still on my desk so I don't forget what I used.. 

{another note to self: Get DT blog post drafted}

 So to my sorting: I give the top of each paint bottle a colour swatch and then add another to a tag,
It comes in very handy to keep track of which paints I actually own, Ideal for taking to shows too so I don't buy doubles!

There are more on the back, I've not quite got a full set yet but i'm working on it little by little lol
The tag behind it has my washi tape samples on it.
I would eventually like to have all my inks/paints etc catalogued like this but i'm not holding my breath lol
Right I must crack on, Got a driving lesson in an hour and need to get ready!
Will be round to visit ya'll later xo
Stay Inky

Giveaway Winner

Big thanks to all who took the time to enter my little follower giveaway,
Sorry i'm a bit late with the winner, it's taken me a wee while to get back into the swing of things after my break away.
So without further ado:
By the powers of Random.Org
The
Winner
IS

CONGRATULATIONS

Brenda Brown

Please get in touch with your snail mail {my email link is in my sidebar} so I can get your mystery ART prize to you xo

Stay Inky

Simon Says: Backgrounds!

Over on the Simon Says Stamp'n'Show blog there theme has been 'Backgrounds' and yesterday I finally managed to have a little play with some of my new stash from Ally Pally,
Hurrah!!

I used 'broken china', 'brushed pewter' & 'spiced marmalade' distress paint {YAY I FINALLY HAVE SOME} for my background.

I then cut the paper into 4 and stamped using the fab images from the 'time travellers' set {also new, whoooo lol}

I used my 'picket fence' distress marker to highlight, and then colour the images.

And finished with some dymo punched wording.

I still have A LOT more playing to do so if you'll excuse me that's what i'm gonna do, Ta Ra for now.
Stay Inky

The Best'est Weekend Ever! Part #2

As promised here are the snap shots taken on day 2 {sunday} of the Big Stamp & Scrapbooking show.
Having done nearly all of my shopping on the saturday it left sunday free to watch lots of demo's like the lovely Jo showing off her skills.

Then Leandra managed to throw Gillian in at the deep end and do a bit too. She resisted for about 2 seconds before getting into the swing of things.

Then I went and pestered me old mucka Hels

Nabbed the lovely Sam Poole for a shot while she was skiving from demo duty

And also caught Val {of Snazzy's} playing with pan pastels

 Don however was doing... well... not alot lol although he will argue he was working hard!!!

The weather was alot brighter on the sunday, usually we have heatwave weather for the ally pally show but this time it was very hit and miss, we got totally drenched after the show saturday..( you may have seen the great shots of Gillian fashioning some smoking hot rain head wear.. NO.. check out near the end of Sam's post HERE )
and sunday was... well... very windy but nice and warm so all was good except this dodgy pic lol

Alison also came back for a second helping and we caught up with Lucy too.

 Alison even followed me home.. (I'm kidding of course) we happened to bump into each other on the way home after the show, which was nice as we got to natter a bit more.

It was an awesome weekend with lots of laughter, fun and friendship alongside all the crafty stuff. The best way to spend any weekend. Thanks to all of you who made it special, I can't wait to do it all again in aug/sept for the Finnabair class!
I'll be travelling home tomorrow so will be back to normal blogging of crafty makes soon after hopefully.
Till Then..
Stay Inky

The Best'est Weekend EVER! Part #1

So as many of you know this past weekend was Ally Pally's Big Stamp & Scrapbooking craft show.
It's been a year since i've been able to attend so was a tad excited.
On Friday afternoon I met up with one of my best'ies Gillian

Then Saturday morning, this was the calm b4 the storm!

That didn't last long as trouble turned up in the form of my other best'ie Lily

and she started shopping straight away lol

B4 I knew it the place was teeming with PATWITS {paper artsy twitter peeps}

This is lovely Gabrielle

 Sam{21Ski} This was the 1st time we've met in person after knowing each other online for about 5 years.

Another first in person meeting with the oh so talented Carol Q

Then I got some hugs from a familiar face both online and in person, The slightly crazy Alison

Leandra was in full demo mode on the PA stand.

As was Lin, showing us all how it's done.

Then it was all hands on deck

From left to right Michelle, Leandra, Darcy & Lin

 Michelle and Darcy took over for a bit

Then it was time for more hugs

and stuffing of faces with some scrummy cupcakes Darcy handmade.

OH MY GOD melt in the mouth lemon yumminess I tell ya

{Lily, Me and Helen with an extra arm..which was Gillian's}

Emma was being all shy hiding behind her camera, Then I found her and Sam in the massive queue on the PA stand where poor Mark was working his little behind off!

Right I think that's enough pics for today.. I leave you wanting a bit more.. and I'll be back tomorrow with more pics from Sunday.

Stay Inky

Butterfly Wishes!

As alot of you know I am now up in London in readiness for Ally Pally this weekend,
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLL {sorry i'm a wee bit excited to see all my pals}
But b4 I left I did manage to make my entry for the following challenges
 Country View Crafts Challenge with their 'Butterflies' theme and
IndigoBlu Forever 21 Challenge with their 'Words & Phrases' theme

I've used one of my prize stamps from IndigoBlu 'Elizabeth Bennet' and coloured her with copics.
My first colouring attempt at the larger flowers wasn't quite up to par so I stamped them out again, and when I was happy with the colours I cut them out, mounted then on top with some foam mount which added a nice dimension to the overall look.

I also did the same with the butterflies although the teeny tiny butterfly was cut from paper at some point and was randomly found on the floor the day I was making the card....spooky!

The wording is also an IndigoBlu stamp from their 'little voice' set, stamped onto a tag and then mounted onto a nestie die-cut shape, as was the main image. Don't ask me the names as they have all gone clean out of my head!

***

If you are attending Ally Pally you will find me lurking at the PaperArtsy stand with my good buddy Gillian and the rest of the #PATWITS so if ya see me do stop, introduce yourself and say Hi, I love to meet fellow craft folks xo

I hope to get lots of photo's so will be back to share them some time after the weekend.

Till then...Stay Inky

Celebrating 5 Years!! {and a little giveaway}

Hey fellow crafters. Can you believe it was my BLOG-O-VERSARY yesterday and I totally forgot!!
I've been blogging for 5 years now after the lovely Hels nagged and nagged me to get a blog!
So I finally gave in and the rest as they say is history.
I've reached almost 500 followers and posted over 640 posts.
All I can say is a MASSIVE THANK YOU to each and every person who has visited my blog, Your love, support and comments mean the world to me, more then you could ever know xo
***
Today I am travelling up to London not only to see my folks who i've not seen in a year, but also in readiness for The Big Stamp & Scrapbooking Show at Ally Pally this weekend.
I can't wait to catch up with friends old and new, many of which I found via this very blog.
If you're going you will prob find me lurking around the Paper Artsy stand so do say Hi, i'll be there both days xo

So to the little giveaway mentioned in the header!
I'm not sure what it will be yet, maybe a bit of art, maybe some stash, maybe both!! Who knows but thats the fun of it, Right! so i've set up a linky below for you to all add your names and i'll pick a prize and a winner in a couple of weeks time when I return from London.
{you must be a follower of my blog to be in with a chance of winning, this is my way of thanking those who support me}
*****


Stay Inky

Finnabair Inspired Challenge!

Over on the Snazzy's DT Blog today we have a challenge for you.
Make a bit of art inspired by the very talented  Anna Dabrowska aka Finnabair.
You could be in with the chance of winning one of her fab mixed media journal by Prima.
I am a big fan of how Anna uses die-cuts in her scrapbook layouts so I decided to take my inspiration from there.
I started with a piece of  7dot studio paper and did some stencilling using Anna's new prima sunrise sunset stencils, I also did a tiny bit of stamping with her new clear mini stamps.

Next I added a few layers with some of the sunrise sunset papers, washi tape and the film strip die cut.

Time now for a photo, some more die cuts and other bits like lace and some of the prima sunrise sunset vintage trinkets.

Along with a wee bit more stamping with the mini cling stamps, I am loving the tiny little doily images, too cute..

And there you have it. A finn inspired bit of art.. What will you make?
I look forward to seeing how Anna inspires you.
Stay Inky