Cowboys and Cowgirls at Gingersnap Creations and Give-Away Post

Howdy Partners

Well this has been one darn hell of a week with Blogger and it sure aint sorted yet. I hope you will go and look at my post for Thursday 12th May HERE and in my side-bar to see that I have a Give-Away linked to the MAWTT challenge I am hosting this week. TWO great chances to win yourself some good, clean stash to play with.

On to some mighty fine business now. (Ya gotta have a John Wayne accent in your head to read this ya know).

This week the theme at Gingersnap Creations, as part of their Wild West month, is Cowboys and Cowgirls. Now I don't have any rootin tootin stamps that fit this challenge so I have downloaded some images from the internet and used them to make a journal page. (Are you really getting the feel of this one???).

'Young fella if you're lookin for trouble, I'll accommodate ya'. John Wayne in True Grit - great film

Firstly I stamped the background with 2 different stamps using Claudie Hellmuth's Studio paint and this gave me background colour and texture. Over those I washed some distress stains, mixing with water to get a lighter effect in places. The next layer the images were stuck on with multi matte medium and then over that I used gesso and stamps to create an overall blended look. Lastly I added some more stamping, a gold pen border, some faux stitching and edge decorations round the photos in pen and then some embellishments.

This shows some of the texture created by the first layer stamping in paint.

Well I have to say this is the most 'mixed media' page I have in my journal and I thoroughly enjoyed the paint and inkiness and I am really pleased with the colours. I just love the old photos and thought the map helped with the feel of the wild west area. Do ya recognise any of these fellas or gals as being on the 'Wanted' list?

Supplies -
DIs - peeled paint, barn door, wild honey, walnut stain
Sudio - multi matte medium, gesso, semi gloss acrylic paints in landscape green, dab of yellow, modern red
DSs - wild honey, fired brick, forest moss

Right so saddle on up and mozy on over to see more fabby wild west creations.

And remember - Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction

Other challenges to have fun with -
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Anything Goes
Crafty Creations - Anything Goes
The Paper Variety - Movie Inspiration - True Grit
Crafts 4 Eternity - Colour Challenge
Stamp Something - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday _ Distressing

Have a great weekend.

luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

The Craft Barn Blog Candy and my 'give-away' post.

HI All
This is to let you know that the Craft Barn have got a fabulous blog candy on offer. Go take a look, leave a comment and post the candy to enter.

It's a fabulous chance to gain some extra stash don't you think? And if you take a look at the amazing range of goodies they sell, you will get a flavour of what might be included.

Just to let you know that the post for my blog candy and my MAWTT challenge still hasn't been returned by Mr Blogger - I hope it comes back soon. Although I still have the draft version it isn't complete.

See you tomorrow, have a good night.

luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

My shabby recipe

HI blogging friends - just where are the weeks slipping to? If you are in the UK have you noticed how light it still is at 9 pm? I just wish we had some balmy evenings to sit outside.

I keep a close eye on some of my most favourite challenge sites and today I have bought you a card where I have made up my own recipe of challenge themes to inspire me and I chose -
Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Beautiful things
Cheerful Stamp Pad - Girls with curls
Creative inspirations - Glitz and bling
Sugar Creek Hollow - Sketch
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - punches / die cuts
My colour combo comes from the image itself

I had this real desire to try printing an image from the computer onto Claudine Hellmuth's tacky back canvas - and it worked just brillintly - I was amazed at the quality. I cut it out with a nesties die and used the faux nestie technique to get my blue mount for it. The background is another of my own digital makes using a free music score from the Technique Zone and free children vintage clip art from Vintage Holiday Crafts. If you think it would be useful to you, leave me a message below and I will offer it as a freebie if enough people can use it.

I have photographed the steps I took to build this one as I thought you might like to see the digital background before it had everything layered over it.

Background has been inked and stamped, splashed with water to get a more distressed look.

Next layers added.

I overstamped the pink border with white paint, then added DI over the top of that.

The image has been edged with DI and the blue mount painted with crackle paint.

All the embellishments added.

A close up of the shabby flower made with fabric.

Supplies -
DIs milled lavender, worn lipstick, tumbled galss, antique linen, walnut stain (this has to be my most favouritr at the moment, I use to edge nearly everything).
White acrylic paint.
Distress crackle paint - picket fence
MS punches
TH Tattered Florals die
Stamps - la Blanche, B Line Designs
Blamour dust, distress sticles - rock candy, stickles - star dust
Pink gems and gem brad
Other swirls and leaves and a button.
Fabric for the flower
Mmmm not bad, I enjoy making the shabby chic style cards and this is a large one 8 x 8 inches.

Enjoy the end of the week.

luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

MAWTT challenge 98 - 2 B's ...................... and a give-away

Saturday Edit - I am very annoyed and very sorry that Blogger didn't get this post back up after the catastrophe on Thursday and Friday. All the lovely comments and entries into my blog candy have completely disapperared. I am now extending this Give-Away till the 28th May - all details for entering are below. Thank you for your patience.


Hi Everyone, it's my turn to host the challenge at MAWTT this week and I have chosen the theme of 2B's. Now let me interpret this -  my initials are BB (2B's) so I thought I would make this the challenge for the week. So your entry must have at least 2 things beginning with B on them, ie brad, button, bow, blue, bling etc etc.

I bought four LOTV stamps at Farnborough back in February and this is the first time I have inked one up - what am I like? I stamped the image with walnut stain and painted it with DIs. Cut with a nesties circle, embossed and coloured the outside with bundled sage and stream and painted the image with DIs listed below. Mounted on another circle and then the lacey circle.

The paper from the Mariposa stack was not big enough, so I cut it and inserted some other paperstock and added text paper. I have edged the papers with stickles and white paint to create a shabby vintage look.

My 'B's include - beads, bow, button, blue, bird and butterfly.

Supplies

LOTV stamp
DIs - frayed burlap, weathered wood, scattered straw, dried marigold, walnut stain, bundled sage, barn door
Adirondack dye ink pad - stream
Nestabilities - circles, lacey circles
Stickles - star dust
Papers - Mariposa, DCWV

Vintage ribbon

MS butterfly punch

  Our sponsor this week is Crafty Emma's Store so go take a look at all the lovely goodies available - I am sure you'll find something you like.





Now for a little surprise, I didn't get round to having a birthday blog candy back in March and I have now reached 201 followers so I thought I would combine this challenge with a give-away.

I have asked that MAWTT entries have at least 2 things beginning with B on them BUT if any of you can show me 3 or more,  then link your work in the comments section below and I will use Random Org thingumy to choose a winner. (You do not need to have entered the MAWTT challenge to take part in this give-away but it would be lovely if you do). Your work cannot be posted before today's date to enter.

Now if anyone has been able to match or better my 6 B's then they will be in a second draw for another little prize - so Random Org thingumy will be choosing another number.

Please this isn't a guessing game for me, so kindly let me know on your comment below what number of 'B's there are and name them. All compliant entries will get one chance to win in each give-away and if any of my followers enter they will get an additional chance to win (please put an F by your name). I will come and visit everyone who leaves an entry.

This will stay open for two weeks, it will close at 8 pm on the 28th May and I will announce the winner on the 29th. What could you win? How about some stash all beginning with 'B'?

For 3 - 5 B's I have got  -

Two Books and a Box for altering

Blue, Brown and Black papers
Black (and white) Buttons and Bows
Bling - to include adhesive stones and glamour dust
chipboard Buttons
Butterfly 3D stickers
Beads



For 6 (or more) B's you will also be entered to win -

Butterfly stamps (papermania)
Bare chipboard album
A Box canvas
A Book for altering
Black and white tags
Chipboard Buttons

Wow that was a long post but I look forward to seeing your entries and Good Luck. Don't forget this is open to everyone - just follow the guidelines above to be eligible to win.   (I hope it isn't too complicated)

Challenges to have fun with -
Fab 'n' Funky - Buttons and bows
Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

Gingersnap Creations, Stampotique and Blog Candy Give-Away

I just had to blog and let you know that I am the Home Page Artist this week at Gingersnap Creations. I am so pleased to add this to my previous 2 Ginger Gems.

This was the winning piece -

EDIT - ALSO

I have won at the Stampotique challenge this week with this creation.

Isn't it funny how you don't see a win for ages and suddenly 2 come at once?

I also have some news for June - but I am sworn to secrecy at the moment - ooh can't wait!!!!!

Well after all that excitement -

I am so looking forward to the start of my blog candy give-away later today. The photos are now posted in my side bar. I hope you will come take a look and hopefully join in.

Thanks for looking.

luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

White on White - and not a distress ink in sight.

Hi Everyone - well what do you think? Not an ounce of colour or proper distressing insight.

This is my first time attempting a white on white card and I was inspired by the WonW challenge at 'Less Is More' and Ruffled Up at The Shabby Tea Room.

But how difficult it was. This really makes you think again about composition and texture. At every step I wanted to ink the edges, apply some paint, add an image, stamp, mask or heat emboss - but no. ......................... I just had to keep telling myself  'no'. And these were all white, no cream in there at all, honest.

I used -
Muslin for the ruffles.
TH Damask embossing folder
TH Sewing Room die
White ribbon and thread.

And so my first white on white creation was born. I adhered everything straight onto the main card and I hope the girls at LiM will tell me if this is a true clean and simple card and if it fits the guidelines. If not, how can I improve on it to make sure I get it right next time? Let me know your thoughts please. I slightly distressed the edges of some of the card with a distressing tool, I just had to make it look a little bit shabby didn't I - can you see it and does that count?

Well I hope your week is going well. I seem to be on a roll at the moment and ideas and finished pieces are coming quicker than normal - long may it last.

Take care and enjoy the rest of your week.

luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

Blog Candy Give-away - starting this Thursday for 2 weeks

HI Everyone

I thought I would just let you know that I will be having a give-away commencing this Thursday morning. A full explanation will be given on my MAWTT DT post - but I warn you, there is a catch - that is, the give-away is linked to the MAWTT challenge this week. There's nothing difficult to it and you don't have to enter the MAWTT challenge to have a chance of winning - but you will be required to have certain things on your card or project.

Have I whetted your appetite?

There are 2 different give-aways that you could be eligible for and if you are a follower your chances of winning will be increased.

Do come back on Thursday morning and all will be revealed and see my side bar later today for photos of what you could win. (Sorry it's the cats tea time and I must go and feed them).

luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

Birds on a wire - Inchies

Hi there, me again. The beginning of a new week and I hope it is a good one for everyone.

I have to apologise to the girls at 'Just for Fun' cos although I joined in with their first challenge, weeks ago, I haven't been back since and there have been some fabulous themes. Well this week it is 'Inchies' and I promised Zoe I would have a go at this one. An inchie, some of you may ask? Yes, a small piece of art one inch square - and if you pop over to their blog you will see they say that size matters and there is some great inspiration and some links to tutorials.

I made a digital collage for the background of this (but you can't really see much of it now - note to self, don't make the backgrounds so light, give them some more depth of colour and tone). Inked and stamped for colour and then embossed and glued micro beads for texture. Edged with picket fence crackle paint. It's the first time 'The birds on a wire' stamp has been inked up and I love it. (I seem to be into stamping with birds at the moment).

This shows how I have used the embossing - I used glitter, mauve and white embossing powders and reheated each time I added another colour and mixed them up using a cocktail stick. The microbeads have been added when it cooled down.

Supplies

Stamps used - Paper Artsy - Tops and Tails 2, TH Urban Grunge, Stampers Anonymous Honeycomb, La Blanche
DIs - Worn lipstick, tumbled glass, dusty concord, walnut stain
Kaleidoscope ink - birthstone
Adirondack ink - eggplant
Archival - jet black

Challenges to have fun with -
Just for Fun- Inchies
Creative Cowgirls - Anything Goes
Allsorts Challenge - Use at least 3 different stamps (I have used 4)
Marks Finest Papers - No embellishments
Paperplay Challenges - Show us your style
The Rubber Cafe - Anything but a card

Before I go, I just had to show what Roy, the Postman, bought me this morning.

These are all the amazing goodies that dear Angela has sent me, which was her recent blog candy. I just can't believe what was in the parcel - the papers, ribbons, rub-ons, brads, flowers and oh so much more to play with. It will take me ages to take in what is actually there. Thankyou so much Angela, what a lovely surprise and I am going to love playing with all these wonderful things. Angela at Pages by The Sea, creates the most wonderful pieces of art, do click the link and pop over to see her fabulous creations. Recently she has made two little books of techniques, one for resist and one for using beeswax. I have bookmarked them so that I can go back and use them as a reference myself. Have a wonderful day Angela and thanks so much for your generosity.

Thnks to all of you for taking the time to stop by. Have a wonderful week.

luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

Free as a bird

Welcome to a glorious Sunday afternoon. There are some clouds in the sky and it has been really bright but somewhat windy. I hope it good wherever you are.

I am working on a large project at the moment and apart from DT work I haven't entered any challenges for fun this week so today I have had a play with alcohol inks and produced a card to enter into the Crafty Individuals challenge for this month. I loved this stamp as soon as I saw it. (But it doesn't have a name). As I slowly increase my stamps repertoire, CI is a range that I am adding to my collection (alongside my TH stamps of course). This stamp is one I bought recently and this is the first time I have inked it up. I also wanted to link this with the Play Date Cafe colour challenge, which this week is a red, mustard and white combo. I have interpreted the mustard to include gold.

The birds are a clip art download, cut out and edges inked with black soot. The sentiment I produced in word, and the background was stamped with the large text stamp from TH Papillon set.

My blogging friend Joyce from Canada should be in the UK now and Joyce if you are reading this check your emails in a day or two as it would be lovely if we could meet up next Sunday.

I hope you are enjoying the day and finding time to do something you want to do today.

Take care.

luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

The Stamp Man Challenge # 18 - Poppies

Welcome to a new Friday challenge at The Stamp Man and the theme of Poppies has been set by the lovely Janet. Where she lives in Skipton, The British Legion are very active and her husband is organising a fund raising concert on the 25th October; he would love to have some poppy cards to sell at the function. So this week we would like to see Poppies on your creations and if you would like to donate your creation to The Concert in Skipton you can post your card to The Stamp Man, that is only an 'if' - you can enter the challenge with any Poppy themed project and will be eligible for the prize and top places whether you send them in or not.


So here is my design. I was also inspired by the red and gold colour challenge at Gingersnap Creations, where last month the overall theme was The Far East.

The supplies list and photo tell most of the story, but I found this great tutorial at Stampin Up, on how to make this poppy embellishment. Simply die cut an appropriate flower shape in thick card. Scrunch it, roll it and twist it until the layers seperate and can then be made to look like the petals of the poppy. Punch a small hole in the middle and fray some black gros-grain ribbon. I cut along the edge of a piece, frayed it out, then rolled it to fit through the hole - then you have created a very life-like poppy. The other and very unusual thing I have used is the very thin strips of red card, that curl when you trim them off. Can you see them round the poppies? I thought they looked quite funky. The bottom and right hand edge of the DP has gilding flakes added to it.

Supplies -
Poppy Stamp - created by Jill (at The Stamp Man) on her 'Framies'.
DIs - victorian velvet, barn door, forest moss, vintage photo.
Paper - unknown
TH stamps - music stamp from festive sounds
Nestabilities - Labels 5
Embossing folder - D'vine swirl
Paper Artsy dies - Grungeflowers 2 and 3
Stickles - diamond
Gilding Flake - variegated red and gold
Cosmic Shimmer Mist - red firefly
Adirondack Paint Dabber - gold
Spray and Sparkle - gold
Sentiment - my own

Go take a look at the Famies at The Stamp Man shop - they fit with the Nesties labels 5 and there are some gorgeous designs. If you click here, you will be taken staright to the page in the shop to see what these are.

I hope you have had a good week and are looking forward to the weekend. Thanks for stopping by.

luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

Challenges to have fun with -
Bloggers Challenge - Nature
Crafts and Me - Swirls (embossing folder)
The Paper Variety - inks, mists or paint.(I've used all 3)