Twinkle, twinkle...

Hi everyone and welcome. It's been a while since I last posted and I'm aware that this poor blog is in danger of collecting a few cobwebs without some love and attention (though those may be welcome for next week's spooky project... !)

Before sharing today's projects I'd like to thank you to everyone who dropped by to see me and the IndigoBlu crew at the Stamp Magic show in Doncaster last weekend. It was great to see familiar faces and some very enthusiastic stampers throughout the day. I had the pleasure of working with some of the new Christmas designs and made up some samples so you can see what they can do...

(click on each image for a closer look)

This first card was made using some Christmas Compendium Mixed Media Papers with torn vellum and some festive foliage die cuts. I love that the Laurel Leaves stencil can be used with modelling paste and StazOn Studio Glaze dots for more dimensional foliage. The new Twinkle Star A6 stamp works perfectly with ink, white embossing powder and of course Mega Flakes.

Two projects here; the little money box house was painted with black Gee-Sso Good! before being covered in Fontastic Ephemera Mixed Media Papers (which are on offer right now!) Some die cut Christmas foliage (including some cut from card covered in Chariot of Fire Mega Flakes) with added glitter, white Gee-Sso Good! 'snow' and those Studio Glaze dots again added the perfect trim.

The little gift box was cut from black card before being stamped on each side with the Christmas Icons set. Chocolate Box Mega Flakes work perfectly on a dark background and a touch of Goldfinger paint around the edges really helps to set it off.

The final two projects now; another little box was covered in a layer of Postbox Red paint before being stamped with the Twinkle Star stamp again. White gesso stamping and edging give it a slightly Scandinavian feel. This time the Christmas Icons were stamped onto the Christmas Compendium papers using StazOn ink before being cut, distressed and layered onto the sides.

And finally to the door hanger; this was also covered in the Christmas Compendium papers, embossed and layered with the Twinkle Star stamp and stencilled with the Laurel Leaves stencil and modelling paste. The lettering on the front was die cut and I used the new Silent Night Dinkie stamp on the reverse (isn't that what most parents crave on Christmas Eve?!!!)

Hope that's given you a few ideas for using some of the new IndigoBlu Christmas stamps.

For a few more festive ideas there are still a few copies of the first IndigoBlu Inspirations magazine available on the website (they all sold out on Hochanda). There are step by step projects included, free papers inside and even a free limited edition stamp!

I'm off to get spooky for Frilly and Funkie. Whatever you're up to this weekend have a good one and take care of yourselves. Jenny xxx

Embroidered Rain Droplets at IndigoBlu

Hi everyone and welcome to my second post of the day (you can see the first HERE).

I'm sharing a new project for IndigoBlu over on their blog today and would love you to take a little look HERE.

Not the usual papercrafting this time - I'm sharing an idea for using stamps and stencils as a fabric template.

And there's just time to let you know I'll be bringing this little picture along with me to the Stamp Magic show at Doncaster this coming Sunday 18th October, where I'll be demoing all day on the IndigoBlu stand. It would be great to see you there!!!

Whatever you're up to this weekend have a great one and take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx

Friday Focus for Frilly and Funkie - Distress Paints

Hi everyone and welcome! It's my turn to host the Friday Focus slot over at Frilly and Funkie. This time the spotlight falls on Distress Paints and as promised in my post on Wednesday HERE I'm sharing a step by step tutorial for my 'Autumnal Splendor' card.

I hope you can join me over at Frilly and Funkie to find out how I put my Distress Paints through their paces.

And credit where it's due - the inspiration for this card came from one I received from my good friend Mo. She gave me the most beautiful hand crafted birthday card earlier this year which sparked the original idea in my head. Thank you so much Mo!

There's even more from me this morning too - yep, a double bubble day!!!
I'll be back in a few hours with something completely different for IndigoBlu so I hope you can join me here for that.

Thank you for joining me today and whatever you're up to this weekend have a great one and take care of yourselves. Jenny x

Autumn Splendour at Frilly and Funkie

Hi everyone and welcome. It's Week Two of the latest Frilly and Funkie challenge 'Autumn Splendor!' and our host, Nancy, asks you to create a vintage or shabby chic project using the rich colors of Autumn. And as an added twist you must include an autumn leaf somewhere in your project. 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.

Whilst I'm sharing my Autumnal card today, you'll need to return to the Frilly and Funkie Challenge Blog on Friday for a step by step tutorial...

(click on each image for a closer look)

and here are some close ups...

I hope you'll return to the Frilly and Funkie blog on Friday for my tutorial. In the meantime if you hop on over there today you'll see the gorgeous projects completed by the other super-talented members of the Frilly and Funkie Design Team.

For now take care of yourselves and I'll see you on Friday! Jenny xxx

Saturday Step by Step for Frilly and Funkie - Old Ledger Box

Hi everyone and welcome. No, I've not dropped off the edge of the planet (though you'd be forgiven for thinking it!) TV samples, prep for demos and step by step tutorials have been keeping me busy. Over at Frilly and Funkie today I'm sharing the first of those tutorials for this...

See more and find out how I created it HERE.

As for me, I'm over at Byrkley Park Garden Centre, Rangemore today demonstrating some brand new Christmas releases from IndigoBlu (also being shown by Kay Halliwell-sutton on Hochanda this weekend!) If you are in the area I'd love to see you.

Whatever you're up to this weekend have a great one and take care of yourselves.

Jenny xxx

Chalk It Up! at Frilly and Funkie

Hi everyone and welcome. It's Week Two of the latest Frilly and Funkie challenge 'Chalk It Up!' and our host, Shelly, says "I thought it would be fun to experiment with chalk techniques - whether it's stamping with chalk inks, using a faux chalkboard technique, coloring with chalks, or even dabbling in your art journal with sticks of chalk - we want to see what you can create using chalk as a theme!" 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.

It's a rare joy when a fully formed idea pops into my head (and incredibly helpful when you are more than a little busy!) Thankfully it happened for me this time. Having already swiped black embossing paste and black gesso roughly over a small canvas, I had the perfect uneven base on which to create a rustic chalkboard piece (with more than a hint of French country charm)...

For that chalkboard feel I reached for my Snow Cap pigment ink (alternative listed below) and used it with Wendy Vecchi's Vintage Mesh background stamp for the middle portion of the canvas. To top and tail it properly the ornate border from her Art and You set worked perfectly and they were finished with an Industrial border strip. Having rubbed plain white chalk along the edges of the canvas I attached some thin Venise lace on top.

The centre was created using an idea from Wendy's fabulous August 2015 London course with her faux enamelled technique used on the little cup and saucer. That gave me yet another opportunity to use the pigment ink for the splatters on that gorgeous Sky Blue embossed base. I love the Hydrangea SiSi set and used it in combination with Newsprint paper and Blackout Clearly for Art to add dimension and rigidity. The colours used included Leaf Green, Fern Green, Potting Soil, Peony Pink, Violet and of course Hydrangea! Little dots of Pewter Liquid Pearls added a little finesse to the blooms and my favourite Small Talk Chit Chat Stickers and Remnant Rubs provided just the right words again.

I am so pleased that Shelly suggested this theme as it was such fun to work to and helped to create a piece which should by now be sat in its new home. Isn't it wonderful when your most favourite projects are the ones you end up giving as gifts to special friends.

That's it from me for now. I look forward to see how you choose to 'Chalk It Up!' for the challenge over at Frilly and Funkie, and for lots more incredible inspiration please make sure you check out the projects created by my uber-talented Funkie team mates, including our latest addition Zoe!

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

Tim Holtz September Tag... Just!

Hi everyone and welcome to my second post of the day. It wasn't my plan to post twice but this is the last day of the month and it's been another ridiculously busy month. And so my September Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2015 project has come on the last day again. Not sure the photo on this does it justice but it was the only angle I could get the shine coming through. As ever Tim makes it all look supremely easy - I may have to keep practising!

For my version I combined Butterscotch, Rust and Denim Alcohol Inks with Gold Mixative on the central piece of card, then stamped Ledger Script onto the background, masking off an area for the little camera. However, when I added the transparent paste through the Tiles stencil and rubbed over the Black Archival Ink it started to get lost. So I added the other elements, coloured a piece of card with Faded Jeans and Spiced Marmalade and used it as a second base for my Frosted camera. The background is a mix of Faded Jeans and Rusty Hinge Stain Sprays with a generous splattering of the Tarnished Brass, Hickory Smoke and Picket Fence flavours.

Phew! That's it for September! Bring on October... Thanks so much for stopping by. Jenny xxx