Shirl's Artwork

Imagine Being Inspired

March 9th, 2014 by Shirl - Posted in Indigo Blu, PaperArtsy, Tim Holtz, Vintage

I was definitely inspired this morning when I saw what the Sunday Stamper (Hels) had as her theme this week – A Stitch In Time. Sadly I don’t sew nearly enough these days but I love buying the sewing stamps. Especially this set from Indigo Blu called “Sewing Mends The Soul”.

Also entering into the very first challenge at A Vintage Journey with an “Anything Tim Challenge”. Hop on over and have a look at the Design Team’s work because if you are a Timmy fan then this is the place for you to be inspired, the design team samples are gorgeous.

Didn’t clear away the DI colours … Mustard Seed, Tumbled Glass and Antique Linen that I used on my last post which just shows how much I like the combination because I have used the same again. Used a movers and shapers die called Imagine and a PaperArtsy stamp set called Buttons 3. I totally got deep down and dirty with this make but hey that’s what this crafting lark is all about plus I didn’t really get a sewing machine for Andrew!!!!

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Shirl

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Water Inspired

March 9th, 2014 by Shirl - Posted in Fashionable Stamping Challenges, FlonzCrafts, Stampin Up, Tags, Vintage

Fashionable Stamping Challenges this fortnight have a fabulous theme of Water Inspired which was picked by the lovely Amanda.

Another of those cards that lays flat so makes it easier for posting but this one has wndows. This is similar to a card we made in my class last week, (gave the other away before I took a photo) so decided to make another for the FSC challenge. The theme today makes for a great man’s card so will be going into my future card box. Which incidentally I haven’t shown yet … will try to take photos next week and post.

Sideways on view of the card with the windows open. As you can see for the inside windows I made two pockets for little tags to be added. The other pic is how the card looks when fully opened.

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The middle band on the cardstock was masked off before being inked, stenciled and stamped.

This last pic is how everything looks when folded flat to go into an envelope.

Added a little digital collaging with my graphics program around the edges.

Shirl

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Nature Walk

March 6th, 2014 by Shirl - Posted in Indigo Blu, Stampers Anonymous, Stampin Up, Stamping

Made a very quick one layer card with one of the new stamps from the Stampers Anonymous Nature Walk set.

The birds nest was always going to be the one I used first because it is my fave from the set. Background ink colours are Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Crushed Olive and Frayed Burlap.

Stamped and embossed the Indigo Blu stamp set called Nature I with white embossing powder. Used another of my fave stamps at the moment from Stampin Up called ‘Off The Grid’ this was stamped with Versafine Vintage Sepia.

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Hope you enjoy looking as much as I enjoy making.

Shirl

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G45 Nuts & Bolts Album

March 5th, 2014 by Shirl - Posted in Album, Graphic 45, Stamping, Vintage

I made another of the “Nuts & Bolt” album as I call them, with my SIL Irene, but this time with Graphic 45 papers called Coutour. The last one I made was primarily stamping which you can see here and here but this one is very little stamping and more about the papers.

Who shows the last page first … well I had a play around with my graphics program again and liked the background, looks super cool eh!!! Loved the result of what I did here so played again.

I can hear you saying less of the playing and more of the showing Shirl!!!
OK here is the first page with some molding paste and ink through a stencil. Just to hi-light those super fussy cut pieces.

Each tag has a number, die cut from the movers and shapers magnetic set called Cargo, with a different embossing folder being used for each black page.

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Fussy cut the tickets and also the prim and proper Miss Madam sitting in the chair.

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Also mixed some of the papers from the French Country collection from Graphic 45.

Shirl

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Just For You

March 3rd, 2014 by Shirl - Posted in FlonzCrafts, Stampers Anonymous, Tags, Tim Holtz, Vintage Stamping Challenges

As I am writing this post Mr Postman has just delivered some little goodies from Art from the heart which I can’t wait to use.

Very good service and fast delivery plus everything was packed deliciously. Thanks guys.

Stampers Anonymous Nature Walk, Latticework Stencil, Doily Stencil and an Ideaology Locket Book. Fabulous

I have all the stencils now… apart from … sorry Tim just don’t do hearts so can’t see the point of buying something I won’t use.

Vintage Stamping Challenges want to see something – Just For You – in their new challenge this month.

Fabulous challenge and I have the lovely Claire to thank for this because what she wants is for you to make something for yourself. Now who doesn’t like a play around just for yourself?

Played with some corrugated cardboard, paint, molding paste, material and string then came up with this little piece just for me.

Stamped a portrait image which came from Flonzcrafts onto a spare piece of handmade paper which I found in my bit box. It already had the DI colours Mustard Seed, Peacock Feathers and Barn Door on it so I didn’t need to do much with it. Also stamped the fashion quote which came from A Flair For Art from Studio 490.

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To enter this months challenge just click Mr Linky at the bottom of the VSC web page and maybe it could be you who wins the $20 from Flonz’s store. Please visit the DT’s blogs for more inspiration and also it would be nice to leave them some love.

Shirl

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Wish List Wallet

February 23rd, 2014 by Shirl - Posted in Darkroom Door, Fashionable Stamping Challenges, Graphic 45, Indigo Blu, Nicecrane Designs, PaperArtsy, Stampin Up, Stamping

Fashionable Stamping Challenges this fortnight have an Anything Goes theme which was picked by the lovely Esther.

I have made another project which will sit on my craft desk it is a wish list wallet and inside I have added a little notebook plus pen ready for adding all the crafty goodies I want to buy at Ally Pally in April. Loads of stamping and the little goose in the top right hand corner was made by triple embossing an oval piece of chipboard then stamping into it before adding gilding wax to the edges.

When fully opened you can see my bird has been stamped onto some faux leather card. Used the age ole technique of making faux leather, which Sheena has revived but her method is with glycerine. When I first saw this being done with card it was with the Rangers Ink Refresher and I have now tried both products and the Ink Refresher just has the edge for me but they both do work. Also added a little pocket for a tag I made but forgot to take a photo.

The notebook and pen were bought whilst shopping in Newbridge last week, only €1 for both.

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Such a classy image but for the life of me I can’t remember where I bought it. Printed onto canvas paper to give an aged look then stamped the edge with a grid stamp from Stampin Up. The rather oversized bird cage is a Kaiser craft stamp. The rest of the stamps are from Indigo Blu, Darkroom Door, PaperArtsy and last but not least Stampers Anonymous.The background cardstock is of course from G45.

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It would be fantastic if you could pop on over for a peak at what the rest of the Fashionettes have created.

Shirl

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Tag Box Holder

February 16th, 2014 by Shirl - Posted in Boxes, Graphic 45, Stampin Up, Stamping

Apologies for the lack of posts to my blog. In between a nice little 18 hour power cut due to the storms, no internet connection because the ISP had no power and a garage roof ending up in our garden, all’s well with the world.

A true crafter lets nothing interfere with her creativity and this little make was made mostly by torch light … hubby really thinks I’ve lost the plot. Hands up those of you who have really wanted to make something so badly that nothing will stand in your way, not even having no electric. They managed it years ago!!!

Haven’t finished the ends of the doweling yet because I need to find something that will fit them. The plain tags displayed at the moment are cut from the Sizzix Tag & Bookplate die which fit perfectly.

I first saw this on the fabulous Anne’s blog here and just knew that I wanted to make one as well. So I duly followed all the links which Anne provided (thanks sweets) and bought the instructions. Click here if you want to make one too. Anne also has more info about how the the tag holder works than I do.

Sorry Helen but I tweaked mine just a teensy bit differently to yours in the front opening and didn’t do all those fiddly scores in the paper. Made mine flush instead of standing proud of the front which means that it doesn’t really need anything to hold it shut. Put two tiny clips either side just in case it gets a bit loose with use.

For the sides I made little pockets and the little tag hanging from the middle fits inside these.

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Chose some beautiful Graphic 45 papers to cover which you can see more of when the front is pulled down. Cotton reels for the feet but left them unpainted because I thought they matched better with the papers. Painted all the edges with a dark brown also distressed the edges and used crackle glaze for a more aged look.

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This sits beautifully on my shelf in the craft room and when I eventually fill with finished tags I won’t have far to look for inspiration.

Shirl

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It’s A Man Thing

February 10th, 2014 by Shirl - Posted in FlonzCrafts, Stampin Up, Vintage Stamping Challenges

Vintage Stamping Challenges wants to see something for the man in their new challenge this month. I made this whilst in the UK at one of my play days with my SIL. Happy Birthday Irene.

This is another die that I would never have bought for myself but after having a play with it I can see it going on my rather long (and getting longer) wish list … can’t wait for Ally Pally. It really lends itself to a man card but I can also see the potential of making girly things.

Stamped the man which you can find here at Flonzcrafts, it comes as a pair but they are so easy to cut around to just use one image. Painted the cardstock before I embossed then used various stencils with ink and paste. Touched up with a little gold embossing powder in the corners before adding the rest of the embellies.

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Shirl

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Kinetic Fun In A Card

February 9th, 2014 by Shirl - Posted in Class Makes, Fashionable Stamping Challenges, Stampin Up, Stamping

My first words are a huge thank you for all your lovely comments whilst being away. I am so behind with everything but I will be popping along to see you all in the coming week.

Finally back but when did I stop taking everything in my stride?? – Circumstances just went haywire when I went back to the UK for my grandsons birthday and they totally took me out of my comfort zone. A few years back I would have just shrugged and said “ah well what the heck”. I think I must have grown up somewhere along the line and not realised it!!!

When due to sail back they cancelled the boat due to bad weather conditions, Andrew went on line and changed my sailing dates for the next day, all good at this point.

Up with the larks and raring to go so off I started on my journey to the boat …two trains later and only as far as Bristol … Andrew telephoned to say they had cancelled the boat yet again. This time it was cancelled for two days. Got off the train and making my way across to another platform, ready for the trek back, it was then I realised that if I had been twenty years younger this would have been an adventure. I felt complete frustration that in this day and age they couldn’t inform the passengers sooner. Nobody’s fault when there are bad weather conditions but and a huge BUT we have all this technology at our finger tips and yet they couldn’t make a decision until the last minute … and I mean last minute … about whether the boat should sail!!

The up side was that I got another full day of crafting with my SIL Irene, three full days in all. We made some wonderful creations which will all be shown at later dates.

I have always had a fascination with kinetic cards, it’s the challenge of working out how the movement works. Sometimes just pasting things on and die cutting isn’t enough and the old grey cells want more stimulation. The workings out on copy paper for the pilot gets the juices flowing and when it works out it is a tremendous feeling.

Two birds with one stone and this is the card which my class made yesterday and they loved it.

This is a brilliant touchy feely card because of the flaps. When you first look they are not that noticeable it is only on closer inspection that you realise they are there. Then of course the fun starts all over again by the decorating of colour and stamps.

Fashionable Stamping Challenges this fortnight have the theme of Build It Up which was picked by the lovely Avril. You need to add at least three stamps or more to be in with a chance to win the $20 from Flonzcrafts.

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It would be fantastic if you could pop on over for a peak at what the rest of the Fashionettes have created.

Shirl

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Tag Along With FSC

January 26th, 2014 by Shirl - Posted in Fashionable Stamping Challenges, FlonzCrafts, Tags, Vintage

Well this is the best morning ever as I again have internet access … been without it since 10.00 o’clock Monday morning. The friendly techy engineer turned up yesterday afternoon and fixed it. Being without the phone wasn’t too bad as I have the mobile but not having internet access was unreal.

Fashionable Stamping Challenges this fortnight must be an all time fave with everyone and it was picked by the lovely Yvonne (Meggymay). She wanted us all to Tag Along and we certainly did.

When making tags you can really go to town with all the mediums you use. Tissue paper is an all time fave of mine and as you can see I stamped her and the shoes onto it, very lightly coloured before fixing with Mod Podge. The background has been embossed, sanded then painted over before adding a little white for hi-lighting.

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