When I was at San Telmo Market, I purchased a few old photos from a stall there. Unfortunately it looked as though all the 'Tango' photos had gone, but I managed to find a few photos to grab my interest. Please feel free to use these in your artwork but please post a link back to this post so that I can see what you create!
Example only - your postcard will be unique.
Today is the second Anniversary of this blog! I can't believe that I've been doing this for 2 years now....I'm actually secretly impressed with myself that I've managed to keep it up for so long. I know I don't post every day, but I do try to keep it going as best I can and I hope my regular visitors enjoy reading my posts. A big thank you to all of you who visit and who are kind enough to leave comments, I do appreciate them even though I don't always say so here.
So, as a big thank you for your continued support, I'd like to offer some Blog Candy. As my regulars will know, I love my Character Constructions stamps most of all, out of my ever growing stamp collection. I especially like to build Collages using them. So I will make one of my Collage Postcards especially for the person I pick at random from anyone who leaves a comment on this post. These are pretty special, just simply because I do spend a fair bit of time on them, and I've never made one design more than once.
Example only - your postcard will be unique.
But that's not all! I also have 1 set of weird and wonderful Character Constructions stamps to give away, as well as several other stamps and bits and pieces that will be well worth having.....
So if you are interested, please leave a comment on this post and I will randomly select a winner on Friday. Have a great day!
Example only - your postcard will be unique.
I've been trying to take part in the Two Peas Photography Lessons and last weeks session was on Composition. Apparantly there are 6 potential rules for Composition, and so I looked through my photos to see if I had any that fitted the rules. The good news is that I have used some of the ideas in the past and so I know that I am instinctively trying to compose most of my pictures in this way.
The rules are:
1. Keep it simple
2. Apply the Rule of Thirds
3. Keep an eye on the Horizon
4. Frame your Subject
5. Fill the Frame
6. Try a new Perspective
Remember when I bought this painting way back in September? Well today I finally managed to pick it up from the Post Office. The delay was due to the fact that the Shipping ended up costing almost half the cost of the painting again and owing to some confused communications between myself and Karyn Gartel, the artist, there was delay in shipping (all my fault, I thought that I had sent an Email when I hadn't)
Anyway, the painting was well worth the wait and is even more beautiful in real life because I can see the collage layers which give the work hidden depths. I bet you didn't realise that this was a collage - to be honest, neither did I!
It's fab, and I now want to buy a matching one that Karyn made which was a night scene. Just waiting to hear if she still has it or if she would be willing to make one similar for me.....
The painting/collage really makes me smile!
By the way, Karyn does on-line workshops to teach her techniques. You can find details here. If I was at home a bit more often, I'd definitely be signing up for one of the courses. I know that my stamping buddy Dymphie is taking part in one just now and I've seen some of her resulting work and it's very good!
Over at Nancy's Blog something special's going on especially for Christmas! I hope you will join in the fun! She's making gifts for the first three people that sign up but with the proviso that the lucky receipients 'Pay it forward!' Well, I managed to be first to sign up on Nancy's list, and so now I'm going to play Santa and am going to offer to do the same thing!
I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow, or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. So basically, if you comment and you’re on, I’ll send you something crafty that I’ll make!
Once you sign up, copy and paste the above paragraph on your blog, and send three other lucky recipients a piece of your handmade work. I’ll be receiving something hand-crafted by Nancy and thought it would be fun to pay it forward to you. I will check my blog daily to see who the first three sign ups are, and if they’ve joined this Pay It Forward exchange, they will be the recipients from me. Please be sure to leave your blog address with your message, so I can check your blog for the 'Pay it Forward' message.
Have the Merriest of Christmases and a Prosperous New Year!
A new release is planned for January 1st called 'Queen of Tarts' over at Character Constructions. Forget the January sales... this is what I'll be spending my money on! Sneak peaks HERE!
OK, I don't usually go around begging, but I have a very little request. Imagine my surprise when I open Stampingtons 'Postscript' Newsletter today to find that they are running a vote to choose the front cover of the Feb/March edition of Stamper's Sampler and there, in the group of cover choices, is one cover with one of my cards on it! What makes this especially surprising is that this is also the first time that I have ever submitted to a Stampington magazine! The cover is easy to spot as it's the only Blue one, and it has completely different pictures on the front to the other three.
If you feel compelled, I would really appreciate it if you could visit HERE at Postscript to vote, or if you already receive the Postscript E-mail, to consider voting for the cover with my card on the front!
No pressure (but I'll love you lots if you do!)
It seems to be a week of Births, Deaths and Marriages. I made this today for my neighbours from my hometown. Their son who was just a few years older than me died last week. My Mum is having to go to the funeral on her Birthday. Not much fun for her, or anyone else there for that matter.
Stamps: Hero Arts ( Poppies & Sentiment) Elusive Images (Butterfly) & Stampington (Swirl)
Inks: Mark Markers, Colorbox Chalk Ink in Charcoal
Other Items: Border Punch, Corner Punch, Watercolour card, Pop Dots, Black ribbon
I'm a Rockin' Girl Blogger! Well, that is according to Shari Carroll of Hero Arts fame. Shari nominated 5 Lady Bloggers who she thinks have 'Rockin' Blogs' and I was one of them! Thanks Shari, you are making me feel guilty now that I have not been keeping this Blog up to date recently! LOL!
In return, I have to nominate 5 more Lady Bloggers who I think have 'Rockin' Blogs'. Well, I already know that this has spread round the Stamping community like wildfire, so I'm going to start tagging blogs that are craft related but are not necessarily stamping related but which hopefully will inspire you!
My first nomination is Hanna who writes Il Bloggo. Hanna is Swedish, and her site is a diary, photo gallery and she also handmakes all manner of goodies. The photography of her elegant Swedish lifestyle is beautiful, very inspirational, and she also has lovely photos of her cat, Smilla, too. A lovely, lovely site. Check it out!
Not sure how I came across this next lady's blog, maybe just surfing, but now I check it out almost daily! Jen Hall is a Photographer and a Scrapbooker who's sheer use of kaleidescopic colour takes my breath away! Her pictures and pages are sheer Eye Candy for the colour obsessed!
Now back to Stamping, or actually Mixed Media/Collage. Barbara Smith creates beautiful collages, and I have been reading her blog ever since I knew Blogs existed. I love how she manages to mix different papers, stamping and images in her creations.
If anyone deserved the title of 'Rockin' Girl Blogger' it would have to be Michelle Ward . Michelle is a Graphic Designer who also designs stamps and owns her own stamp company 'Green Pepper Press'. In addition, she also designs for Stampington. Michelle is heavily inspired by Rock Graphics and Graffitti Art at the moment, as well as having a deep passion for the Finnish Rock Band HIM so you will see from her site that she fits the 'Rockin' Girl Blogger' title to a T!
Finally, just for sheer writing style and stunning Photographs I nominate Kim Kwan. It wasn't the art that got me hooked on Kim's blog, it was the writing. I first heard about her blog when someone was discussing her P.I.L (Psycho-in-Law) stories on a Message Board I belong to. that got me intrigued so I hunted down her site to educate myself. Even when I'm not reading about her P.I.L, I am still hugely entertained by her writing and her beautiful Photographic Portraits.
I hope you enjoy checking these sites out!
The event is nearly upon us! Tomorrow and Sunday will be packed with fun-filled events over at 2Ps! Here's the latest schedule, I hope that you can make some of the classes or complete some of the Challenges. I am running 2 classes, one on Saturday (Bazzill Chip Brooches) and one on Sunday (Watercolour Resist Background Paper).
Thank you once again to Aud Design & Tanda Stamps for donating the lovely prizes for the classes I am running!
EDT = Eastern PDT = Pacific , GMT = Greenwich, AEST Aussie East? , WST Auusie West?
SATURDAY JUNE 23 2007
Stamped Background Challenge
midnight to noon All am hours Saturday, all time zones!
Hosted by mjfc - Michelle
Use stamps to create patterned or background papers for cards, layouts or any other paper arts project. Post your creations in the stamping gallery between the hours listed above.
*RAK: background stamp from Purple Onion Designs (a choice of script background, music background, scallops or harlequins). Randomly selected winner chosen from postees during the hours of the challenge only.
8:00am-10:00am EDT, 5am PDT , 1pm GMT, 10pm Sat AEST , 8pm Sat WST
First-Stamp-You-Ever-Bought Challenge
Hosted by Glinda - dreis1
*RAK: SU stamp set
8:00am-? EDT, 5am PDT , 1pm GMT, 10pm Sat AEST , 8pm Sat WST
Bazzill Chip Brooches
Hosted/taught by Kristy – brayergirl
Check out her ingredients list thread.
RAK: Aud Design (See link on ingredients thread)
10:00-11:00 EDT, 7am PDT , 3pm GMT, 12pm Sat AEST , 10pm Sat WST
Earlybirds Morning Chat/ Surprise Challenge
Hosted by Lianne - liannallama
*RAK of yummy PSX Botanical Stamp
10:00am-10:00pm EDT, 7am-7pm PDT , 3pm-3am Sun GMT, midnight Sat-midnight Sun AEST , 10pm Sat WST
Stamp Your Scrapbook Challenge
Hosted by Neysa - neyw
Use 2 different stamps and 2 different inks on a layout.
*RAK: surprise
11:00-1:00 EDT, 8am PDT , 4pm GMT , 2am Sat AEST , 12am Sat WST
Stamps Only Challenge
Hosted by Sandy – colourful
Make a card (or other project) with stamps only – no attached embellishments, paper layering, or gluing, just stamps on paper---see how elaborate you can get with just stamps!
*RAK: surprise
noon to midnight All pm hours Saturday, all time zones!
Alphabet Stamping Challenge
Hosted by mjfc - Michelle
Pull out those alphabet stamps that we all have soooo many of and start creating!
*RAK: an alphabet stamp set from Purple Onion Designs. Randomly selected winner chosen from postees during the hours of the challenge only.
2:00-3:00 EDT, 11am PDT , 7pm GMT, 5am Sun AEST , 3am Sun WST
Non-paper Stamping Chat
Hosted by Daniel – looser
Open to anyone who's ever wondered if they could stamp on something other than paper. Also open to those who do stamp on non-paper surfaces. Those 'NP' stampers are welcome to share their experiences & examples. Examples do not have to be current--just be sure you share the 'how' on the chat thread.
4:00-6:00pm EDT, 1pm PDT , 9pm GMT, 7am Sun AEST , 5am Sun WST
Patriotic (whatever your country) Challenge
Hosted by Rainbow_Scrapper
*RAK: House Mouse stamp
4:00-6:00pm EDT, 1pm PDT , 9pm GMT, 7am Sun AEST , 5am Sun WST
Distress Ink Challenge
Hosted by Isa-uk
Supplies Distress inks, PVA glue, white card, Textured paper towel. Optional : background + word stamps, vintage image, prima type flower, brad, ribbons.
*RAK: Katzelkraft Stamp
5:00-6:00 EDT, 2pm PDT , 10pm GMT, 8am Sun AEST , 6am Sun WST
Surprise challenge
Hosted by Dawn - 3bmom
*RAK: Surprise
6:00-8:00pm EDT, 3pm PDT , 11pm GMT, 9am Sun AEST , 7am Sun WST
Unused Stamp Challenge
Hosted by Rainbow_Scrapper
*RAK: House Mouse stamp
7:00-9:00pm EDT, 4pm PDT , midnight GMT, 10am Sun AEST , 8am Sun WST
Class: Coloring with Sharpies
Hosted by MargertAnn
Secret formula will be shared…see supply list in post below!
*RAK: 10--count em, 10--Sugarloaf stamp sets plus a grand prize!
8:00-10:00pm EDT, 5pm PDT , 1am GMT, 11am Sun AEST , 9am Sun WST
2-Stamp Challenge
Hosted by Kat - **Kat**
*RAK: $20 Gift Certificate
9:00-11:00pm EDT, 6pm PDT , 2am GMT, noon Sun AEST , 10am Sun WST
Alcohol Ink Altering
Hosted by Lisa – Monas Lisa
We are going to use alcohol ink on our projects! Use these inks to create backgrounds, alter hardware or create designs on glass or acetate.
Supplies: Alcohol Ink, Applicator and felt pads, Blending Solution, Glossy card stock, acetate, colored card stock to match the inks you want to use, permanent ink to stamp on backgrounds (Archival by Ranger, StazOn by Tsukineko and Noir Palette Hybrid by Stewart Superior), Item to alter - hardware (brads, label holder, photo turn, eyelets, etc), glass slides, anything with a slick surface, bold stamps, collage stamps, background stamps
*RAK: 1 wood mounted background stamp and 1 pot of Chocoholic Brownie Scented Embossing Powder from Cornish Heritage Farms
10pm-midnight EDT, 7pm PDT , 3am GMT, 1pm Sun AEST , 11am Sun WST
Let the light shine through Acetate Challenge
Hosted by Jan – Far North
Stamping on acetate - can be flat clean pieces recycled from packaging, transparencies or plastic presentation folders; Stazon black ink recommended. General tips will be provided.
*RAK: surprise
SUNDAY JUNE 24 2007
Solid Flower Stamp Challenge
midnight to noon All am hours Sunday, all time zones!
Hosted by mjfc - Michelle
I love using solid flower stamps because there are so many fun coloring techniques to use with them. Break out the colored inks, brush markers, watercolor crayons, twinkling H2O's and anything else you love using with these stamps.
*RAK: solid flower stamps from Purple Onion Designs. Randomly selected winner chosen from postees during the hours of the challenge only.
8:00am-? EDT, 5am PDT , 1pm GMT, 10pm Sat AEST , 8pm Sat WST
Watercolour Resist Background Paper Class
Hosted/taught by Kristy – brayergirl
Check out her Ingredients thread.
RAK: Tanda Stamps (link on the ingredients thread!)
10:00-11:00am EDT, 7am PDT , 3pm GMT, 12midnight Sun AEST , 10pm Sun WST
Bella/Girly Card Challenge
Hosted by Dawn - 3bmom
*RAK: Bella stamp
11:00am-noon EDT, 8am PDT , 4pm GMT, 1am Mon AEST , 11pm Sun WST
Vellum Challenge
Hosted by StampingMathilda – Godelieve
Embossing on vellum. Samples and supply list are on her blog: White on vellum; Inspiration samples are posted so you can get started on WSW early!
*RAK: Just Johanna stamps. Randomly selected winner chosen from postees during 24 hours from the start of the challenge.
Faux Postage Stamp Challenge
noon - midnight All pm hours Sunday, all time zones!
Hosted by mjfc - Michelle
Get a little artsy and create some fun faux postage. This can be on any type of project or it can just be the faux postage to be used on something at a later date.
*RAK: set of faux postage stamps from Purple Onion Designs (a choice of either the Vintage Postmark Set or Vintage Postcard Set). Randomly selected winner chosen from postees during the hours of the challenge only.
noon-2:00pm EDT, 9am PDT , 5pm GMT, 1am Mon AEST , 12midnight Sun WST
3-Techniques Challenge
Hosted by Andi - RrlScrapGal
*RAK: surprise
1:00-2:00 EDT, 10am PDT , 6pm GMT, 4am Sun AEST , 2am Sun WST
Inchie Challenge
Hosted by Sandy – colourful
Inchies are inch-sized pieces…they can be used on cards, sb layouts, art pieces of all sorts. The only requirement for this challenge is that they include stamping---so get out your tiny stamps, or find creative ways to stamp a portion of a larger image onto an inchie! My inchie gallery will give you a "small" idea of what inchies can be!
*RAK: Surprise
2:00-4:00 EDT, 11am PDT , 7pm GMT, 4am Mon AEST , 2am Mon WST
Non-ink Stamping
Hosted by Jbgreendawn
Stamping using acrylic paints, etc.
4-5:00pm EDT, 1pm PDT , 9pm GMT, 6am Mon AEST , 4am Mon WST
Make [& use] your own stamp
Hosted by Daniel – looser
Nobody has to run out purchase materials, but if you're someone who likes to have stuff on hand, check out the stamping gallery--lots of pieces there that show 'made' stamps.
6:00-8:00pm EDT, 3pm PDT , 11pm GMT, 8am Mon AEST , 6am Mon WST
Masculine Card Challenge
Hosted by Rainbow_Scrapper
*RAK: SU retired set
Misc RAKS offered:
Philippa (pillypop) - UM stamps
Ethel (lucasmom)
Michelle (Mjfc) - POD RAK
weaser
JBGreendawn
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