Just Persevere

Welcome to my newest followers and welcome back to those who've been here before. You find me on a busy Sunday with a pile of ironing to do (I don't mind that actually - gives me thinking time) and full of renewed inspiration. I will start by saying that there is a lot of yacking at the start of this post, so if you would prefer to 'cut to the chase' the piccies are a bit further down the page.

Sometimes the doubts set in when you see other people's work and begin to wonder if you will ever be that good. At that point it is wonderful to get some encouraging words from those around you - or in this case fellow bloggers like Butterfly and Anne, to name but a few. Then two huge 'shots in the creative arm' happened in the form of Hels Sheridan and Ali Reeve (of Stamps Away fame).

To explain, I attended the Big Stamp and Scrapbooking Show in Kettering yesterday and had the time of my life. Ali demo'd her Ink Blending Mats which are truly genius. Yes, they help you blend, but you can use them for perfect reverse stamping (they are solvent resistant) using a Grand Calibur (or I assume any other embossing machine) and you can even do a brayer effect without the need for that level of dexterity. I was stood at the stand as that particular lightbulb moment went on in Ali's head (and I'm proud to say mine at about the same time!) and feel sure she will be showing it to everyone having had chance to experiment further to push the potential.

Then it was off to see Hels in order to attend two of her classes. It's only when you spend time with a Ranger Educator that you truly 'get' why they can teach so much more - a huge depth of knowledge of the products and the inspiration behind them means they seem better able to get you to see how best to get the most out of them. Hels, resplendent in steampunk hat and newly straightened hair, guided two large classes through a world of inkiness resulting in our producing two beautiful tags (and in my case the mucky fingers to match!!) She may be posting them at some stage so I won't show mine out of creative respect.

"Just show us something woman!!" OK, there are piccies in this edition of War & Peace.

And the inspiration for this little number (created pre-Kettering) why Miss Hels herself - there was a fab tutorial on her blog on Friday which I sort of followed.

Obviously the colours are different - I like to think the background splatters of Jenni Bowlin 'Seed Packet' ink are a bit like ivy up the wall. Hmmm, that wall. No brick stencil here so I used a Creative Expressions embossing folder, rubbed DI Walnut Stain carefully over the top and reflattened the cardstock.

I must admit to loving the hand drawn lines seen on this - no need for perfection!!!

 Needless to say, after my day in Kettering I am now raring to go with a couple of ideas that I haven't seen much about out there. This may take a little time so if I disappear from Blogland there's no need to send out a search party - I'll be knee deep in masks, folders and inks, and ejoying every minute of it:))

Hugs for now, Buttons x