A blueprint for the coming Season, my 800th post and a giveaway!

Yesterday I got my inky mitts on a full set of the new Seasonal Distress Stains,
and of course I just had to have a play! Take a set of Tim's new Blueprint mini stamps, and all the colours of the rainbow, an Artistic Stamper notebook stamp for the background,  a large Manila tag size #10, and some foam tape, and voila a colourful rendition of a Christmassy/Autumn tag!

I have also noticed that this is my 800th post....who would have thought it? So I do believe a giveaway is in order and what better to giveaway away that 3 of these new Distress Stains! Hands up who would like them? Leave me a comment, and I will pick a winner early next week :)
Hope you have a very creative day
Hugs

Oh Bright Star!

I am quite amazed as yesterday I created something!! As you know I always try to stock most of Tim Holtz products, and of course, most of the Sizzix Alterations too. One of my friends used the Bright Star to great effect on a card, and I kind of pilfered one(don't tell Mal!)  from the shop, and wondered if I could use one of the mini Movers and Shapers to create a focus on the star. WOW! loved what it did, and although I did make a tiny mistake I loved the idea and will be back with more. To make it cut out two stars and if you are using patterned paper, make sure you cut them on opposite sides. i.e. make sure the tags that are there to glue them together, are on opposite sides. It is quite hard to explain, but if you have this die, you can match up two of them to make a hanging star.

I then cut out the holly by placing the die on the mini holly, and running it through my machine. Do this as many times as you like.  I then glued green paper to the inside, and because I was in a hurry folded them the wrong way and got two sides the same, so I glued them together and added mini tinsel to hide the join! Makes sense? No it doesn't to me either... but the end result is gorgeous. There are actually two sides to this star, but I forgot to photograph the other side! I was just so excited to have created something!!!

 

 

The die also has a mini star too, so here I made it out of Co-ordinations, inked it up with a little distress ink on the folds to give it a bit of depth, and added Multi Medium matte , and covered it in Ranger's Distress Stickles Dry Glitter. Oh I am in lurve..it is the best glitter I have ever used, and if you know me, I am definitely NOT a glitter girl!!

If you fancy trying this technique, and making a mini star, we will be making this in Saturday's Christmassy tags at The Artistic Stamper. We will be using dies, and Tim's stamps and glitter , of course!
Have a very creative day
Hugs

It's a Melting Pot

It seems like several days since my meltpot workshop on Saturday! I guess it is !! It certainly was a great mini class, and definitely a melting pot of great girls!

 We did several techniques, and one of them is this great image transfer taught  by Suze Weinberg when I did my Ranger certification. Just love this technique :)

I have discovered that it is quite difficult running two "workshops" . In effect I keep leaving stuff at the shop, and then spend most of the night trying to work out where everything is! I made this fab porcelain rose from paper, and although I photographed it, can I find it? No! I guess it must be at the shop....lol

I hope to be back tomorrow with a sample of next Saturday's class - making Christmassy tags... but knowing me it will be Sunday before I venture here again... too much to do, and not enough hours in the day!
Hoping you have a creative day
Hugs

A lovely day was had by all....

I just had to show you photos from the workshop that we held last Sunday in our new classroom which was taught by the delectable Leonie Pujol from Create and Craft TV.
She created 3 gorgeous projects which everyone thoroughly enjoyed making! I just wish I could have taken part :(, but next time definitely! I got a lesson in cutting out more than several Spellbinders snowflakes!! LOL

We have lots of great workshops happening through November and into December and have a few already getting full in January too!
If you fancy cardmaking or learning to watercolour, or learning how to use Spellbinders then these are a definite must! i am teaching classes in Distress ink, Christmas out of the box!, an altered book (very christmassy!) and this Saturday one learning how to use your meltpot. There are few spaces left on it.
If you feel like having a play or just would like to use our workshop, then do call Mal at the shop on 01795 597757, or book online.
Have a very creative day
Hugs

You are a winner!

Thank you to everyone who joined in my giveaway over the weekend. I have picked a winner by Mr. Random.org and

My Name is Cindy

came out of the hat!
Congratulations! Please email me your address, so I can send you your stamp .
I have a busy day today, but will be back later with pictures from Leonie's workshop in our new classroom :)
Have a happy and creative day
Hugs

It's Friday and that means a giveaway!

I like Fridays! It means the weekend is almost upon us, and in my case this weekend, I get to see lots of lovely people, and host a workshop taught by Leonie Pujol! We do still have a couple of places left for the morning one, if you fancy a great time getting inky and messy with Leonie :) You can call the shop on 01795 597757 and speak to Mal who will very happy to help you :)))
Here is a sneaky peek of one of her projects ( which she never reveals.. so I feel very honoured, thank you Leonie)

On another note, Fridays often means in our case new stamps, and this time Donna has created some very eclectic stamps, one being this Mail Art Me stamp which is perfect for embossing and colouring , and adding to your journal pages.To see the other ones check them out here.

I thought because it is almost the weekend, you might like to win this stamp too? So just add your comment, and I will pick a winner on Monday,  and if you share , I will add you again.. 2 chances...maybe it is your lucky weekend?
Have a very creative day
Hugs

Beware all those who enter!

I know that we don't really do Halloween over here, but it does seem to have got a little bigger over the years, and I quite enjoy the spooky goings on, and what better place than our late night shopping night at The Artistic Stamper Craft Store & Art Bar to celebrate the ghostly going-ons! You can come and make a Halloween ATC with me, and eat cake too! There is even a special offer on!
We will be open until 9pm, so would love to see you...

Happy spookiness!

Halloween Trick & Treating!

It is my turn over on The Creative Team blog, and I have created a very quick and easy ATC for you, that could easily be adapted for any occasion :) To see what I have made pop over and let me know what you think .

Have a creatively spooky day
Hugs

Winner of the Rainy Day giveaway

Thank you everyone for joining in yesterday's giveaway. I have picked a winner, and if

505whimsygirl

could email, I can send you your stamp!
It is a little foggy here today, so take care when stepping out, and have a creative day
Hugs

It's a Rainy Day Giveaway!

Down here in the South East of England it is raining! No surprise there then?! What could be better than a one day giveaway! All you have to do is put comment on this post, and you are in with a chance! As always I am happy to post around the world :)
Perfect giveaway: this cute red rubber stamps from ©Mabel Lucie Attwell all of which are available from The Artistic Stamper.

Like another chance, then add your comment to our facebook page here.
I will post the winner tomorrow.
Have a drier day than me, and keep warm.. winter is on its way:(
Hugs

WOYWW 176... AWOL in the name of stamping

I have suddenly realised that I have been AWOL from my blog, which I have left to fend for itself, and is sadly very neglected, but never fear I am determined to get creating again in the very near future! In the meantime, Mrs Dunnit has decreed that we should show our workdesks every Wednesday. Mine is a bit like my blog, sad, and neglected, so instead I am going to show our new classroom at the shop, which is absolutely fabulous, new, clean and pristine, and definitely in need of some stamps!!  See: I have been busy, sort of, sorting this out ( ok Mal did most of it!!LOL)

We opened it on Saturday and some of my stamping girls came by, and decorated these... which will be given pride of place on the wall, when Mal has figured out how to put them up!! LOL

Last week, Shaz Silverwolf came into the shop, not once but twice!! It was lovely to meet someone from WOYWW, who loves to stamp.. did I get time to stamp too? NO, we were busy and so my time was spent behind the till! Next time definitely.

So,  if you fancy a look at some of the brilliantly creative desks out there, pop over to Julia's for a nosey!
Have a creative day...
Hugs

 

WOYWW 174…Deja Vu

Once again, Wednesday has arrived with a vengeance, and in my case a horrible sniffly cold, which is making me feel quite horrid I am never one to complain, but I don’t often get colds, so all I want to do is wrap up warm, and make it go away! Now, of course Wednesday is the day of What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday hosted by the glorious Julia, who has deemed it necessary to show our workspace for a moment or two in the world of hyperspace. So, here is mine taken at Port Sunlight, ( very similar to last weeks) where we did our last show there after 14 years of driving up the motorway twice a year. Love the show, love my customers up there.. shall miss it, but time to concentrate on other things, including the shop, and our new workshop which will be almost fully functional next weekend ( 13th October) ! yea!!

                               
I hope to get round to yours this week…and if I don’t, a big thank you to everyone who comments…
Have a creative woyww day
Hugs
 

The Artistic Stamper Creative Team Challenge- Natural World

I just cannot believe that we are already in October, and for me although the dark depresses me, I do seem to get more time to create ....work that one out!!! Of course it is time for a new challenge over on the Team blog, and the girls have done a stunning job this time! I even joined in too! Here is a sneaky peek of mine, and we would love you to join in.

 

Have a very creative October
Hugs

Inspired by Creativity

Today is my day for showing you a little creativity over on The Creative Team blog. If you have never been there before, it is so well worth a visit! I love all the inspiration the team give, and our guest designers always create the most amazing work with The Artistic Stamper stamps!

If you fancy a snoop, we would love to see you and we adore comments too! By the time you read this we will be up ( yes it is up for us!) at Port Sunlight get ready for the HSNW Stamping Festival... hope to see you there if you are coming along :)
Have a creative day
Hugs

WOYWW 173..from a different perspective

It is official, the only posts I seem to do at the moment are those of What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday! It has become habit forming, and every Tuesday I work out that the last time I posted was last Wednesday! that is not good :( . But I have been creating and I have a post due on the Creative Team on Saturday...watch this space! When did I make anything last? Well it was on Saturday and Sunday at The Big Stamp & Scrapbooking Show at Ally Pally, and this is my desk ...note the small space left to create in! and sustenance in the form of a diet coke can!  It was great weekend and I got to play with stamps, and sprays and lots of gilding Flakes..lovely! oh, and of course meet some of the woywwers, and other friends :)

 

Thank you to Julia as always..she is definitely the hostess with the mostest! Pop along and see all the wonderful creative desks...
Have a very Happy WOYWW
Hugs

Foiled by the time!

I have failed miserably in trying to post on my blog...time is just running away with me, and if I was honest with you, the fact that I am surrounded by beautiful stash, and gorgeous stamps makes it harder. At the weekend, I got to play with gilding flakes, and glue and Dylusions Sprays, and stamps.. demoing at The Big Stamp & Scrapbooking Show! We had a blast, even though the floor was more than exceptionally hard, (feet were sore), but I love the shows, and I even went shopping! LOL.. Here are my wonderful helpers...Kat and the man with the till! sorry board!!

I thought I would show you one of my tags which I started, but needs finishing ( or what do you think?!). Sprayed with Dylusions, gilded within an inch of it life, stamped with Journaling words, and check out the size. it is a GIANT tag..they are the new love of my life! LOL

Gilding Flake Giant Tag

Hoping you have a creative day
Hugs

WOYWW 172....from the top

This will be the shortest post in the history of my What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday! I am very busy getting ready for the Big Stamp & Scrapbooking Show at Ally Pally this weekend, amongst other stuff, but I had to just show you the newest stamps from woywwer Donna! Here they are on my desk ready for mounting and playing with at the weekend. I have ideas.. will they work?..possibly if I get time to try them out..if not I shall be trying them on Saturday and Sunday at the show!! and if you are wondering what the “meet the mascots” is ..try the Olympics! ..missing those days badly..lol



If you would like to see them then go to this page, and check them out Have a great woyww day
Hugs

Our First Workshop!

Yesterday, we held our first ever workshop at The Artistic Stamper Craft Store and Art Bar! It will be the only workshop in this space, as today Mal has sledgehammer and Chisel in his hand, as I type, knocking down the wall to make it a lovely big and airy space! I cannot wait!!
 In the meantime yesterday I was joined by Donna, Lizzie, Rosemary, Carol, Liz and Sandra in our first ever workshop in our new home. We laughed and chatted and created. Oh yes and we ate ! Chocolate muffins which were made by the lovely Lizzie! Yum! How can you have a workshop without cake?! Altered books were the name of the day :)

Rosemary's gorgeous book cover

Carol's Button page

Thank you to everyone who came along, it was a great day :)
Have a creative day
Hugs