It's All In The Chemistry... Tim Holtz Tag August 2015

Hi everyone and welcome. First off, thank you so much to those of you who've joined me in celebrating my second Craft Stamper Magazine front cover!!! I feel incredibly proud, honoured and humbled by your reaction and by the faith our amazing editor, Trish Latimer, has in me. Trish has been working tirelessly to give Craft Stamper an overhaul, with varied and inspirational projects leaping from every page, so if you've not reached for a copy recently I urge you to take a look. The October issue is out this Friday 4th September (subscribers have already been receiving their copies!)

Now to the business of today - my last minute entry into Tim Holtz' 12 Tags of 2015, August challenge. Yep, I'm diving in under the wire again as DT work has had to take precedence over the past couple of weeks. With time at a premium (and a full tutorial of all the techniques/products involved from the great man himself on his blog) I'm keeping it short and sweet...

It's a card (for someone special!) and the colours include Fossilised Amber, Hickory Smoke, Rusty Hinge and Brushed Corduroy. Must admit that this is my second attempt - the first (with a different colourway) went wrong when I didn't leave enough of the bottom layer exposed. This version worked so much better and the monochromatic scheme allowed my 'chemist' to stand proud amongst the mix of ephemera and stamping. Hope you like it!

OK, that's it from me for today but I'll be back on Wednesday with the latest offering for Frilly and Funkie. Hope you can join me then.

For now, take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx

Wendy Vecchi UK Workshop 2015 and more...

Hi everyone and welcome. I've been working hard on commissions and DT pieces recently, hence the reason for my 'radio silence' here on the blog, but today saw those done and dusted (almost!) and I had chance to play (with purpose). Needing a gift tag/card for a special present I reached for a tag base created at the Wendy Vecchi UK Workshop in August (more of that below). You'll possibly spot the dilute Archival Reinker on Specialty Stamping Paper in the background of the finished piece...

(click on the image for a closer look)

I used Archival Inks through Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi stencils to add to the background before turning to the stamping and stencilling - I love the ease with which layers can be added to a detailed image when you employ a SiSi set. You may notice the Mini Mat pot, covered in my own blend of Studio 490 Wendy Vecchi embossing powders and the raised flowers, stamped onto Newsprint and added to Clearly for Art. And finally some Remnant Rubs and a seam binding bow added a flourish. I've just got time to add this to the August Make ART Challenge, a fabulous home for anyone who adores anything Wendy Vecchi - I highly recommend you check it out!

Now back to that wonderful Wendy Vecchi workshop at the beginning of August. It's feels like an age since we gathered in London for a day in the company of this very special lady (and her lovely husband Rick) - I know everyone else posted their photos of the day way back when but for me a holiday in Paris followed the very next day and since then I've been chasing my tail!...

We got to create a beautiful box of tags (which I'll share soon) and learn so many clever techniques along the way...

... and got to meet up with so many crafty friends during the day (and for a few hours the night before). You may recognise many of them...

It was a privilege to spend the all too brief time in the company of such creative talent and I shall treasure these memories. The only question now remaining is when can we tempt Wendy back over the pond?!!!

OK, more work to be done so that's it for now. Whatever you're up to take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx

Summertime at Country View Challenges

Hi everyone and welcome! Back in May of this year I was delighted to have been chosen as a Top 3 winner over at Country View Challenges and resultantly got an invite to create something for this month's challenge; the beautiful lady that is Alison (Butterfly) chose the theme 'Summertime', sponsored by Country View Crafts.

Long story short, due to a heavy workload I missed the deadline for submission back at the end of July so rather than let it slide I figured I'd share my little inspirational piece here with you anyway. And then the wonderful Chris let me know that it would be showcased over at Country View Challenges anyway! That lady is a superstar and I'm so grateful for her help.

How many of us get back from Summertime holidays with photos that we do nothing with (other than sharing them on social media?) I decided it was about time to make use of one, a cropped shot of the Jardin des Tuileries from a recent trip to Paris.

(click on each image for a closer look)

Having covered the image with a thin coat of Glue n Seal (to protect the surface) I used Wendy Vecchi's Silver embossing paste through Tim Holtz' Wildflower stencil to add to the floral border (and obliterate some random unwanted strangers in the background!) To add some colour and echo the flowers in the real border Wendy Vecchi's Archival Inks were blended over the stencilled areas. Then it was just a case of using botanical Remnant Rubs, Industrious Border Stickers, a Small Talk sentiment and some Idea-ology Foliage to add to the design. You'll find all of these products in stock at Country View Crafts. And here's the finished upgrade...

I hope this tempts you to make use of those holiday snaps in a more creative way and don't forget to enter the 'Summertime' challenge to be in with a chance to be a Guest Designer too!

Hope you have a great upcoming weekend and whatever you're up to take care of yourselves. Jenny xxx


(ps. thanks for the reminder Julie Short (Time to Create); you do amazing things with photos - well worth a visit!)

Stitch in Time at Frilly and Funkie

Hi everyone and welcome. It's the second week of the current challenge over at Frilly and Funkie and this time our host, the wonderful Sue, has chosen a really fun theme, 'Stitch in Time (with a twist)'. Here's what she had to say about it; "I love to incorporate sewing into projects. Be it real or faux, it always adds an extra dimension to your artwork. So, for this challenge I want to see stitching somewhere on your vintage or shabby chic projects, real or faux will do! BUT, I would also like to see a timepiece too!"

And why enter? The Design Team will choose their top four picks with the winner being invited to join us in a Guest DT spot at Frilly and Funkie and the next three will receive badges to display on their blogs. Everyone who enters and follows the rules will be entered into the draw to have the chance to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.

Having recently returned from a fabulous family trip to Paris I'm starting to put together a large portfolio in which will be stored all sorts of memorabilia, photos and recollections, totally inspired by a similar project created by the amazing Annette Green HERE. First step, add the 'stuff' you've collected and create the various pages/flip elements. Second step decorate and embellish in the arty way we love to do. Inspired by Sue's theme I made a start by working on the inside covers...

(click on each image for a closer look)

Throughout the portfolio I've used papers from Tim Holtz' French Industrial and Correspondence collections and it seemed appropriate to use this one as the jumping off point for the whole adventure. It needed chopping up to fit and I used some of the remainder to cover the leaf on the other side. To add some 'age' I splattered the paper with Antique Linen Distress Stain and blended Gathered Twigs around the edges.

Sue's requirement for a time piece fit perfectly on this page as time was an important part of our journey to Paris. Meeting up with the family (after a fabulous weekend in London with Sue for the Wendy Vecchi course - more of that soon) then check in, departure on the Eurostar train and arrival in Paris were all timetabled, and of course we changed time zones too! I added a mix of silver embossing powder and Brushed Pewter Distress Paint to an already painted kraft surface, scuffing it roughly on the large clock and blending the edges with Potting Soil Archival Ink on the smaller watch.

Sue's other requirement for this challenge was some stitching. Struck by the intricate interlacing of the metal struts on the Eiffel Tower I decided to echo this on my die cut version. This was layered over various bits of travel related ephemera, including some stamped from the Documented set.

To draw the eye in to the focal point I used stencilling (thank you Wendy for encouraging me to dip my fingers into your amazing embossing paste!) arrows, cut from the same paint distressed kraft card as the Tower and 'Euro' stars using the Possibilities Frameworks set again (LOVE this one). Finally sentiments from Tim's Life Quotes stamp set fit the whole theme perfectly.

And here's a peek at the whole portfolio to date. With most of the photos, memorabilia and journalling now included I'll enjoy adding those arty finishing touches over the coming weeks, so don't be surprised if you see even more Paris related projects on show!

That's it from me for now. I look forward to see what you come up with for the 'Stitch in Time (with a twist)' you pick for the challenge over at Frilly and Funkie and for more inspiration please make sure you check out the projects created by my uber-talented Funkie team mates.

Whatever you're up to take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx

Destination Inspiration, Now Calling At Terminal 2, A Vintage Journey

Hello and welcome everyone! It's my turn to take you on your travels to the latest Destination Inspiration at A Vintage Journey. Here's a sneak peek of what lays in store for you when you disembark at the other end of the link...

Hope you can join me over there, Jenny xxx

Celebrating a Bygone Christmas at IndigoBlu

Hi everyone and welcome. It's my turn to share a brand new project using the new Christmas Mixed Media Papers and stamps over on the IndigoBlu blog today. Here's a sneak peek of what's in store over there...

Looking forward to seeing you over there. Jenny xxx

Things With Wings for Frilly and Funkie

Hi everyone and welcome. So it's Week Two of the latest Frilly and Funkie challenge 'Things With Wings' and our host for this one is the lovely Cec. Here's what she has to say; "Use anything with wings as the focal point on your vintage or shabby chic projects this time. Be it of the animal, fantasy or mechanical variety we want your creativity to take flight!" With the chance of a Guest DT spot at Frilly and Funkie, three Top 3 badges, and a draw for a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique, there are plenty of reasons to join in the fun.

I definitely tapped into a slightly 'Frillier' side for this card, completely inspired by the amazing Frosted Film creations I saw on a recent Compendium of Curiosities 3 challenge. It seemed like the perfect way to replicate the delicate and ethereal beauty of butterflies.

(click on each image for a closer look)

The background panels started life as jumbo tags, altered using the Shabby Chic technique I employed recently on a tag for A Vintage Journey. It may be just me? but one of the latest Distress colours, Hickory Smoke, seems to have a red undertone to it. As a result it worked perfectly with the pale pink butterflies. I used the Distress Paint version in combination with Antique Linen and the Distress Damask stamp set to create a paler panel. The deeper ones were made by embossing manilla card, highlighting the raised areas with Snow Cap pigment ink (Glacier works equally as well) and then spritzing it with Hickory Smoke Distress Spray Stain.

The butterflies were created using Tim Holtz 'Frosted Film' technique, embossed and cut using the Butterfly Duo die set and coloured with Peony Pink and Watering Can Archival Inks. Each one was centred with an Idea-Ology Spinner (great for hiding staples!!!) The beautiful swirling pearl embellishments are on offer in the Clearance section at The Funkie Junkie Boutique and they are easily cut up to fit your projects. I love the little roses which coordinated perfectly with the rest of this card. That wonderful sentiment stamped at the top is another of Wendy Vecchi's gems.

That's it from me for now. I look forward to see which 'Things With Wings' you pick for the challenge over at Frilly and Funkie and for more inspiration please make sure you check out the projects created by my uber-talented Funkie team mates.

Whatever you're up to take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx

Folk Tag - Saturday Step by Step at Frilly and Funkie

Hi everyone and welcome everyone to the weekend! A quick heads up that I've got a full step by step tutorial for a fun, mixed media tag over at Frilly and Funkie today. And to tempt you to see more here's a sneak peek...

I hope you can join me over there to see exactly how this came together and then maybe give it a go!

I'll be back again on Wednesday with my DT project for the current Frilly and Funkie challenge 'Things With Wings'.

Until then have a great weekend and whatever you're up to take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx