believe ... an inchie Christmas

I just love, love, love the fortnightly challenge at Ready Steady Stamp and the current challenge recipe is given below:

I am also entering this into three other challenges.

At Theme Thursday the theme is to use 'script or writing'.

One Stop Craft Challenge has a challenge to 'use diecuts'.

Finally, the challenge at A Spoon Full of Sugar is 'Christmas'.

For this creation, I was very much inspired by the Inchie Collage technique kindly shared at Gingersnaps Creations. So thank you! This is my take.

I dug out some of my Christmas stamps ~ Tim Holtz and Paperartsy. After stamping them out and inking up the paper, this is what I ended up with (click on photo for a better view).

TIP: After stamping the images, let them dry before adding the strips of ink colour. I smudged the first strip I did, so quickly heat set the cardstock before carrying on. Apologies for the upside down paper, I didn't even notice until I went to view my photos!

The next step was to cut the card into inchies. I don't possess a square punch so I decided to cut my inchies using the square cut on my cricut machine. This meant that I couldn't hand pick my inchies, but it was quite fun to leave it to the randomness of the cut!

I cut the whole sheet and then chose the inchies I wanted to use. For each inchie I either crackle glazed them or added glossy accents.

When dry I mounted them on to chipboard. I initially tried to do this by cutting the chipboard with my cricut using my extra deep cutting blade. However, it kept cutting the square too short, ie it wasn't an inch all round. Haven't a clue why so if anyone can tell me what I did wrong I would be grateful! Nothing ever seems to come out right when I use the extra deep cutting blade. So I mounted my inchies onto chipboard and cut them out by hand. I then inked the edges with a silver paint dabber. I didn't use all of the ones I made up as I completely changed my mind about how my finished piece would look ... as you do.

The next part of the recipe required me to use masks on a background. I really liked the idea of having snowflakes in the background.

As I didn't have a snowflake mask, I decided to make my own. I cut three different snowflakes from my Speaking of Winter cricut cartridge and placed them randomly on  a sheet of pink Bazzill. I then used blending foam to blend the white ink over the masks.

I repeated this several times, moving the masks around until it ended up like this:

Having done this, I was then able to arrange my inchies on the square to suit.

I cut a piece of corrugated card and applied some white gesso. I took two diecut brackets which originally were white and glittered but the perfect size. I applied some silver paint dabber to them, so now they have a nice texture to them. The 'believe' panel in the middle was a section of a Tim Holtz stamp.

My final piece looks like this:

                   

Thank you for looking.

keeley

having a {me} day

oriental cat

This posting is so named for the papers used and not because my cat is oriental! I am entering this into four challenges.

I have used this week's sketch at Anyone For Anya? together with a GF stamp.

The challenge at Simon Says Stamp Challenge is to use stitching - I have used my sewing machine.

The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge has a theme of 'animal antics' - I have a cat in my image.

At Moxie Fab World the challenge is to 'incorporate gradient colour treatment'.
 

This is what I came up with:

The papers are from DCWV ~ Far East mat stack.

The word stamps used are by Hero Arts.


The image is Reeta from The Greeting Farm. I coloured her with my copics.

Thank you for looking.

keeley

having a {me} day

happiness is ...

My entry today is for six challenges.

At Created by Hand Challenge the theme is 'texture', of which I have plenty!

Stamp with Fun, My Time to Craft, Allsorts Challenge and Creative Inspirations all have a theme of 'Autumn', whilst If the Shoes Fits has an Autumn theme but has an additional requirement in that it must contain leaves.

Here is what I came up with:

Unfortunately, the photo hasn't come out too well, but hopefully you will get the idea!

Papers are from the Bo Bunny ~ Beautiful Life collection ~ LOVE these papers! Epoxy leaves are Jolee's.
The image (which I coloured with copics) is by Marianne Design and the stamps are available for purchase at The Card Studio. If you are able to visit the store, you will be able to see my original work of this on display.

Today, I also gave a Copic demonstration at The Card Studio's Make & Take Day. If you weren't able to make it, then I will be at the next demonstration in October. Check out The Card Studio's website for up-to-date details (together with details of other fabulous workshops) and I will post about it here nearer the time.

Thank you for looking.

Keeley (aka kat)

having a {me} day

22 minutes past 1

Uggggg! I shouldn't even be writing this post, I should be sleeping. So this will have to be quick. This entry is for TWO challenges.

At Mixed Media Monday the challenge is to 'pick an image or colour scheme that evokes a particular time of day to you and develop a piece around it.' I've chosen 22 minutes past one ... in the MORNING. The black is for dark ... it's night time, the white is for light ... the lights are on. Pink is for colour ... I'm crafting :-)

At ABC Challenge the challenge is 'D is for diecuts' I used a diecut piece of cardstock which forms the basis of this book, together with a die cut clock and grungeboard keyhole. PS Thank you ABC for including me in your top 5 last week!! It is much appreciated and being well thought of always inspires the mojo!

I'm not sure where the love theme fits in at 22 minutes past one in the morning! The book is created from a Teresa Collins tag. I used the scalloped die cut to form my cover and the shape of my book.

I decorated it with bits and pieces from my stash ... an acetate die cut clock, heart shaped button, pink and black flowers with a gem stone brad. The keyhole is a diecut piece of Tim Holtz grungeboard which I coloured black and pink.

I had to have a loving couple image to go with the papers and this is taken from Paperartsy ~ Architecture: Plate 2.

I am behind on catching up with my blogs due to 'real life' interfering, so I apologise for my delayed comments.

Thank you for looking at any time of day.

kat

having a {me} day

what's on our workdesk wednesday

Ooooh, I came across this on a few blogs I visit and just had to join in. I love looking at other people's crafty spaces! The original posting can be found here.

I am actually lucky enough to have quite a large craft room, but part of it is also an office. I have 'stuff' everywhere, not just crafty stash but other stuff. I really need to have a sort out so that I can get more of those storage units off of my craft table.

These photos are actually me being tidy. Eeeek! I try to have a major tidy up once a week and I try to have some kind of clear up at the end of each project. I've got the papers out to start my next project. The photos are taken at night with a flash, so haven't come out too well.

My cutting mat is covered in stains but it is clean! The stains are ingrained .... ink and glue. I have another mat underneath which I use when I get really messy.

The plastic boxes contain my 12 x 12 papers. There are six on top of my desk and I have another ten boxes all jammed full, underneath the desk and around. Yes, I know ... if I live to be a hundred .....

The smaller storage compartments contain my little bits. Ribbon scraps sorted by colour. Actual ribbons which are not scraps are stored elsewhere. I also store buttons and brads and sewing machine thread spools and all sorts of other embellishments in these little compartments. I also have unopened buttons and brads and embellishments stored elsewhere. They only go into a little box when they have been opened!!

I ought to make better use of my Making Memories carousel. I must admit when I'm clearing up and I have something in my hand I'm not sure what to do with, I shove it in one of the drawers of the carousel. That way it is out of sight. But guess what? My drawers are crammed full of bits I will probably never use.

You might notice a roll of kitchen roll behind the carousel. That is permanent, essential for so many things.

I've got some copics and almost have the entire set, but not quite and I notice they have brought out some new ones. I am exerting considerable patience here, but it's just a matter of time ...

I have a mug which I made in pottery class at school a lifetime ago. I found it last time I moved house and it's perfect for storing scissors and tools. It's certainly far too chunky to be used as a drinking mug!

Other things you can see are my cricut machine and lots of cartridges, many never used ... yet. Also my Bind-it-all (which I resisted buying and now love, love love) and my Crop-a-dile (one tool I couldn't live without).

Thank you for looking

kat

having a {me} day

key to my heart ... forever

Today I am entering into FOUR challenges.

I used this week's sketch over at Just Magnolia.

At Stampavie and more the theme is 'love'.

The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge has a theme of 'hearts and flowers'.

Whilst at Basic Grey Challenges we are required to take inspiration from a photograph. I have incorporated the whites, blues, greens and yellows from the photo into my piece.

Here is what I came up with:

You will need to click on the photo to see this clearly.
I have used papers from the Basic Grey ~ Urban Prairie collection, using a mixture of 12x12's and 6x6 papers.
Flowers are by Prima and brads by Making Memories.
The image is Magnolia ~ Tilda with key, which I coloured with my copics. I also used another Magnolia stamp ~ Heart with keyhole which I stamped and embossed.

I added some broderie anglaise to match Tilda's petticoat.

Thank you for looking.

kat

having a {me} day

book worm

Today I am entering into SIX challenges.

I used the current sketch at StampARTic. You'll have to go their blog if you want to see the sketch as my pc isn't bringing up the picture so I can't download it.

I am also entering this into Mixed Media Monday where the challenge is to 'use stitches'. I have used machine stitching.

At Polka Doodles the challenge is 'spots and stripes'.

The ABC Challenge is 'C is for circles'.

Both Creative Belli and Cute Card Thursday have a theme of 'back to school'. New school terms always bring new books to read.

Papers are from the Pink Paislee ~ Pop Fashion collection and I used Bell Bottoms and Mary Janes.

The 'book worm' letters are chipboard letters which I inked and embossed to match the papers.The image is Annika from The Greeting Farm. Isn't she cute?! I coloured her with my copics.

Thank you for looking.

kat

having a {me} day