Claritystamp Clallenge # 29

Hi Folks!  1st of the month!  JULY!!!!!!!  No it can't be!!!!!

Time is just moving too fast for me theses days!  How about for you?  

Well nothing to be done but fit as much crafting into a day that I can 

and this little number below was a quickie for me.

My Design Team Piece for 

Claritystamp Challenge

No 29

Anything Goes

(as long as its Clarity)

I taped up the edges of my Gelli Card (comes cut into lovely squares).  This was a job that called for Masking, so I stamped my deckchair, ball, bucket and the Banner onto Post-it Notes, stamped my images onto the Card and covered them with the masks.  (I already had Masks for the Beach Houses supplied by ClarityStamp, also a Moon Mask)

Torn Copier paper to make sand dunes, sea and sky.  My Claritystamp Stencil Brushes (of course) and inks used were Adirondack: Butterscotch, Stonewashed and Black Archival.

So with masks and copy paper in place I added the Sky using light strokes with my brush to build up the colour.  I then used the other bit of paper to cover the sky and then build up the sand dunes.
I stood back to look at the image and I wasn't quite happy with the sky so I went in with a make-up sponge and dabbed a bit of blue here and there.  I used my Stencil Brush on the Sun in a swirling action with the leftover Butterscotch....I felt the rest of the image was bright enough without me overdoing it with the Sun!!!

I used various Distress Markers to colour in my images (once I had removed the masks of course). Next I removed the masking tape from around the edges.  I took a Black Fineliner around the inner edge Twice.....I normally like to do a straight line but I felt this needed a bit of a squiggle.  I coloured all the little spaces with a Denim Distress Marker.  I then used an Indigo Blue ProMarker for around the edge and mounted this onto an 8 x 8 Card Blank.
I Die Cut two Tags, punched a small hole at one end, coloured them with Butterscotch Ink, threaded through a bit Butchers Twine and stamped the Top Tag with the "Lee" using the brilliant Letterbox Kit (that is what I used to stamp the Good Luck with).
All done and dusted apart from the message that will go inside.....Nah Nah!!!

So what happened!!!

Close up of border and bow

I took the pictures of the finished card...chose what I thought was the best one...sent it onto our wonderful leader Sazz...came on here today to finish writing my post....oh my silly me!!!!!

I had forgot to put in the ties that hold the Banner up!!!!

leaving it floating in mid-air!

Fine Liner in hand.  Got it sorted, took another picture, then sneakily went in and changed it!

(Hope no-one noticed)

So that is my piece for this challenge.  I hope you like it and forgive my blatant error....that's what happens when you try to do too much in a rush.

Please pop over to the Claritystamp Challenge Blog and have a peek at the WONDERFUL artwork created by the rest of the Design Team to give you some inspiration.  If you haven't had a go before, now is the perfect time with this theme...just get your Clarity Stash out and have a play.
But do remember to post your entry on the Blog or email a picture and your name into Sazzle at:

 ClarityStampChallenge@hotmail.com

We all look forward to seeing your lovely entries

and Congratulation the Winner of the £50 Gift Voucher

and our Top 5 Pick

Happy Crafting!

Hugs 

Emma x

Clarity Stamp Challenge 28

Hi Folks! Once again another month has flown by this year and it is now 1st of June...You all know what that means...Yes the start of another ClarityStamp Challenge over on the Blog  (last month's challenge 'Clocks' brought in some absolutely wonderful artwork....getting tougher each month for us on the Design Team to pick our Top 5 Favourites!!!)

http://claritystampchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/28

This months Theme is: Boys, Boys, Boys!

For my Design Team Sample I have made a Triptych Birthday Card using some Clarity Boy stamps.

So in order to make this card I used the following:

Boy and dog

Boys - Wee Folk 2

Mini Naked Tree

Mini Leaf

Mini Grasses 1

Grasses 5
Oats
Happy Birthday 

Archival - Potting Soil,
Adirondack - Stonewashed,
Memento - Summer Sky

Clarity Stencil Brush
Makeup sponge
Scissors
Post-it Notes
Double sided Foam Pads
Double sided Tape
Craft Knife
Brown Sharpie Pen



I stamped the Boy with his Dog first. As you can see this stamp comes within a frame. Made a mask of this stamp leaving just the edges exposed, inked it up with Archival Potting Soil, as I wanted to make frames for the other two ATC's.

  

I masked off the edges of all the Frames with Post-it Notes and then stamped the other images onto the ATC cards.  I stamped the boys first before masking two of them so that I could do some background and foreground stamping with the grasses and tree.

I had a right old mess going on...glad I had Nail Polish Remover to clean the stamps with!

After all this stamping I began shading the foreground with a makeup sponge and the Archival ink and a bit of torn copy paper.  Then using Memento Summer Sky across the middle of each card, also some Adirondack Stonewashed for the sky and a bit of water.  I applied the ink using my Clarity Stencil Brushes.
I removed the Post-it notes, marked the edges with a Brown Fine Line Sharpie Pen and added the tip of the Leaf stamp to the corner of each card for a finishing touch.  I trimmed the ATC's down to the edge of the Framing on all three.

I stamped the sentiment onto another ATC and used the excess ink on one of my brushes to colour the boxes.  This is a great little set from Clarity Stamp....very useful!  I cut out the boxes, mounted the 'Happy' directly onto the ATC  and mounted the 'Birthday' underneath directly onto the DL card with Foam Pads.

A little private sentiment for the insert later and there you have a finished card!

I hope this gives you a bit of inspiration to join in the challenge this month and I hope to see your wonderful artwork there!!  Remember there is a £50 gift voucher to spend at ClarityStamp up for grabs and a spot as guest designer for the winner too!!

To see the RULES and have a gander at what the other ladies on the Design Team have made, just follow the link below:

http://claritystampchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

Happy Crafting and hope to see your wonderful entries soon.

Hugs,

Emma x

Clarity Stamp Challenge No. 27

Hi Crafty Folks! Ist of May today and it is time for another Clarity Stamp Challenge!!

The theme for Challenge 27 is: Clocks!

I am so looking forward to seeing what your take on this theme will be.  I have certainly had fun making my Design Sample and I hope that you all will have fun too, whatever you make.

I have decorated a box with the Clockwork Stencil along with Small Fob and SideView Fob Stamps from Claritystamp.  As per usual with moi! I have a step by step for you.  I hope you find it easy to follow, but if there are any questions please feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to you asap.

(I have placed a piece of black card under the lid to show the details on the glass for the photo)

So I began with this little number that I picked up in a sale at a garden centre.  Its paint was chipped and it was a bit grubby but I knew with some TLC that I could give it a new lease of life!

To recycle this box I gave it a light hand sanding on the outside and used a Stanley Blade to scrape off the paint on the glass lid. Cleaned with white spirit and polished glass with Kitchen Roll.

I Cut 2 lengths of Brown Suede to fit sides of Box Base plus 2 lengths at 1cm longer. I left an overhang at the bottom of ALL lengths of about 1cm. (the longer pieces are for the front and back - shorter pieces for the sides) Applying fabric to a box can give a luxurious feel and is very easy to do.

Start at the sides of the box.  Apply Glue (MOD PODGE) to flat surface then lay material gently on top, straighten out top edge, use a plastic scraper and working from middle GENTLY smooth outwards.  This will expel any wrinkles (wish it worked on faces lol). Tuck the Overhang underneath after applying some GLUE to the edge of the base. 

Leave to dry before doing exactly the same to the other side.  Once again do the same to the Front and Back only this time CENTER the Suede in the Middle so you have an overhang along bottom and both ends.  Use a Brush to apply more GLUE for the overhangs.  Any Excess GLUE can be wiped away with a damp cloth.

Tape STENCIL in place on inside of lid (cover rest of box with sheets of newspaper or copy paper - worktop too)  SPRAY on Humbrol White GLASS ETCH.  It dries in minutes so build up the layers to get the depth you want.  Remove STENCIL and clean with White Spirit.

Use Double Sided Strong Tape to make a border with GILDING FLAKES. Use either a Wood Stain or a Permanent Ink to Colour Rest of Lid.  I used Archival Coffee Ink.

For the outside of the lid  Cut 4 strips of Suede effect Paper. Leave an overhang the depth of the lid. Apply Glue to top and edge then apply paper (same as for the suede), crossing paper over at corners. Before Dry use a Craft Knife to cut a Mitre Corner, cutting through both layers on the diagonal.

Use Double Sided Tape to apply GILDING FLAKES to the Center Groove.  Neaten up any excess paper at corners and fit a METAL CORNER for protection.  Turn Box over and cover Base with either a Square of Card or a Square of Material to neaten.  Once Dry Attach METAL FEET with Silicon Glue and Small Pins.
To finish randomly stamp the two FOB WATCHES with Archival Coffee Ink onto the lid.

To make the cushioning for the real fob watches use a Square Die to cut 18 Foam Squares (use 1 inch thick Foam).  Take 9 of the squares and cut out a center using a Circle Die.  Remove the inner circle (can be used for something else crafty) The foam will pop back into shape and if it doesn't give the edges a little flick and this will get it moving. Using a Glue Gun attach the WHOLE squares into each compartment..a single blob will do







Cut 9 Squares of White Satin. Attach the outer edges of the HOLED Square to the edge of the Satin with Glue Gun.  Then Glue the corners of the satin to the UNDERSIDE of the Sponge.  Turn over, Glue into place.  Gently poke the Satin in the middle.  Place the Chains for the Fob Watches (or whatever you want to collect) in middle and sit Watches on top.  And that's all Folks!  One Design Sample and one Present for my Husband for some of his watch collection! I will have to look out for a similar box for the rest of it!!

I hope you all like this and it gives you a bit of inspiration.  

I also hope you will take part in the Clarity Stamp Challenge and I look forward to seeing your wonderful entries

To Enter, See The Rules and to have a look at all the other Design Team Samples go to:

http://claritystampchallenge.blogspot.co.uk

Remember there is a £50 Clarity Stamp Gift Voucher up for grabs to the lucky winner.

Best of luck!!

Emma xx

Clarity Stamp Challenge April 2015

Clarity Stamp Challenge  26 

The theme of this months challenge is
WEE FOLK

Clarity Stamp has brought out 4 sets of Wee Folk stamps recently and Barbara Gray has very kindly given us ladies on the Challenge Design Team two of the Fairy Wee Folk Sets.  (Perfect Timing Barbara and thank you very much indeed) As soon as I had the stamps in my hand my first thought that came to mind was fairies at the bottom of the garden and the old photos that were taken by Elsie Wright and her cousin in 1917.  

So I decided to create a scene of my own using the FILM STRIP STENCIL and the Fairies to represent the photos.

Tree Branch,  

Word Chain #5, 

Fairies, Mushroom from Wee Folk #3, 

Flowers from Wee Folk # 4

The first thing  was to make a mask of the FILM STRIP.  I did this by inking up the STENCIL with Coffee Archival Ink Pad and a BRAYER, then putting it through an embossing machine, transferring the ink and the outline to a piece of paper. I cut out the holes for the sprockets with my craft knife before cutting around the outside of the mask.

inked stencil

stencil mask

I re-inked the STENCIL and placed it centred on an A4 sheet of  Super Smooth paper and put this through my BigShot. I cleaned the stencil using Nail Polish Remover.  I taped the FILM STRIP MASK over this 1st PRINT.  I re-inked the STENCIL again, placed it ink down OVER the MASK at an angle, Placed a piece of copy paper over the top and used a BRAYER to roll over adding pressure, thus transferring the ink to the 2nd PRINT.  I then repeated the process once again, leaving the FILM STRIP MASK in place and turning the actual STENCIL to a different angle to get a 3rd PRINT

The reason behind this - when you put the stencil through an embosser, it leaves the outline marks that you want,..but if you move it and put it back through the machine you would now have more outline marks but these would be crossing over what you have already embossed and that would ruin any scene that you want to create as you would end up with scored lines everywhere which would show up when stamping or brushing with ink.

Keeping the FILM STRIP MASK in place I set about stamping in my WEE FOLK.  As you can see from the picture I also made masks for them too. I used MOONLIGHT WHITE - ARCHIVAL BRILLIANCE INK to stamp my FAIRIES into place. (unfortunately the flash on my camera prevents you seeing the detail in the fairy wings). I lifted the FILM STRIP MASK, covered the FAIRIES with the post-it note MASKS, then taped the FILM STRIP MASK back in place over the center piece of FILM STRIP.

I used COFFEE ARCHIVAL INK, 1st and 2nd gen. Along with OLD PAPER and ANTIQUE LINEN - DISTRESS INKS to stamp the FLOWERS, TREE BRANCH and MUSHROOM also for the shading to give the 'aged' look.  I used more post-it notes to protect the other pieces of the  FILM STRIP.  I also made sure to stamp through the sprocket holes so that I would get the layered look.

All I did to create the 'photo's was just to simply move the STENCIL to the strip I was working on and protect the edges with the post-it notes and cover the next layer with a mask.

Once I had finished stamping and shading I then darkened the edges of each strip by using the edges of the Post-it notes either side of the straight lines and using a makeup sponge and the Coffee Archival I just dabbed until I got the effect I wanted.  (I used large Post-it notes from WH Smiths)

I used SLATE - ADIRONDACK to add shadow around the each of the FILM STRIPS. I also re-used the post-it notes once again to mask the strips so that I could stamp in the TREE BRANCH and the WORD STAMPS in the background.  Finally I used a CLARITY STENCIL BRUSH and COFFEE - ARCHIVAL INK to give a light shading to the background.

This piece will now be fixed onto the inside cover of an art journal that I have been asked to make for a Children's Illustrator. Mmmm, I think I will use the ELVES for the inside back cover!

Well I hope that you like it and that it gives you a little bit of inspiration. I also hope that it encourages you to take part in the Clarity Stamp Challenge this month too.  Pop in and check out all the lovely designs from the other ladies on the Design Team.

http://claritystampchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

Challenge 26

Wee Folk

Stamping and stencilling must be with Clarity Stamps and Stencils

£50 Clarity Stamp gift voucher for the Winner

Best of luck to everyone

Happy Crafting

Emma xxx

Clarity Stamp Challenge 25: Anything But A Card

Clarity Stamp Challenge

Design Team Sample for March

Anything But A Card!

Hi Folks! 1st March today.  Time for another Claritystamp Challenge.
This month the topic is Anything But a Card
As long as any stamping is done by using Clarity Stamps Only.

For my design piece I decided to share a project that I have made for myself.

I am going on a hike up Ben Nevis at the end of May and I know I am going to be surrounded by some breathtaking scenery and I would quite like to capture some of it on paper!

So I have made myself an A4 Art Travelling Book...What is that you ask?...

Well let me explain!
(Lots of pictures in this post!!!)

It has 3 hard outer Covers

Which I have decorated with Grunge Paste,  Acrylic Paint, Gilding Wax

Stamping, Stencilling

and  a few other bits n bobs

Why 3 Covers?

Well I needed a back to my book and I needed a front for my book

Which I have attached together using a Zutter Binder and Owire

What's the third one for?

(dragging this out)

Well the third Cover is to hold the things I will need to take with me when I go Up North!

Which I put together using a very practical bit of kit from my crafty stash!

Want to see?

After putting two of the boards through the Zutter Binder then the Inner Pages to create the holes required for binding later, I began to decorate.

Back Cover and Top Cover (Upside Down)

I have stencilled Grunge Paste directly onto the Boards.  But before I did that I attached a piece of NON-SLIP MATTING using BOOKBINDING GLUE.  When dry I then applied GRUNGE PASTE over the top.  I left a gap between the Boards so that I had a wide enough flexible HINGE.   I thought it was quite ingenious myself.  The MATTING only cost £2.00 and it is huge so I can use it for a lot more things, like stopping my pencils and pens from rolling off my work desk!

Want to see the Inside?

I think we should continue with the Outer Covers!
But before that a picture of SOME of the items I used to make the book

9 x 11 TRELLIS, 9 x 11 LEAFY SWIRL, 7 x 7 FLOWER POWER, 7 x 7 MAPLE LEAVES, GRUNGE PASTE, SYSTEM 3 ACRYLICS, ARCHIVAL INK, SPREADER, ADIRONDACK INKS are just some of the items used sourced from CLARITYSTAMP

Other items used were sourced from Drawright in Ayr and The Works

Top Cover

I'm  pleased with the CHAINMAIL effect of the Matting mixed with Grunge Paste and Acrylics.

For this I used the Maple Leaf and the Flower Power Stencils and Grunge Paste.  I then added a few layers of Acrylic paint - Gold, Bronze, Blue, Green and Black ( I wiped most of the Black off before it had dried)  I attached a selection of wooden frames, words and shapes (The Works). I added more Black Paint, wiped more off and then set to with my GILDING WAX - Golden Light, Deep Red Then buffed it all up using some kitchen roll.

I like to add a CLASP to close the books I make and I do this by finding a bit of old Jewellery (Charity Shop) that I can alter or simply take apart.  I measured to make sure the chain would reach the OWIRE ok and that I had enough to leave a bit hanging.  The rest of the chain is hidden behind my Initial (a Metal disk from an Alphabet Set - Drawright) As the Wooden Frame had a recess, I simply placed the excess chain into it and added some Grunge Paste - not too much, just enough to make it set the chain in place.  I left this to dry and added more Grunge Paste then placed my copper disk on top and ...Squished!  I used a small glue spreader to remove some of the excess and flatten the rest.  Once Dry I had to add more of the Acrylic paint and Gilding Wax.

NEXT!

Middle Cover

I have used the same treatment as the top.  Using the TRELLIS STENCIL along with the LEAFY SWIRL stamp (Cobalt Archival Ink).  I applied the stamp before I added BLACK ACRYLIC.  I used MOD PODGE to attach  a couple of Die Cut Swirls (made from the inner foil lid of a coffee can) and a Sizzix Strip Die.  This is where the Sharpie Bronze and Gold Pens came in handy to colour the Foil. More Black Acrylic, more wet wipes...definitely cuppa time now.  I had a bit of bother getting the colour to stay on the foil until I used a Sharpie pen, I was then able to add more colour with the acrylics and waxes.  (if I had sanded the foil a little bit I wouldn't have had any bother).

Back Cover

Same treatment with the LEAFY SWIRL and MAPLE LEAVES stencils with Grunge Paste, Acrylic Paint, Gilding Waxes.  I thought at first I had gone too far with the red wax at the top but I am liking it now.

So now we get to the inside (yup there's more!)

 Middle Cover and the Back Cover before binding.

I cut down a couple of 12 x 12 papers, put them through the binder to make the holes and used MOD PODGE to attach to the Boards. I used a scraper working from the middle outwards to smooth it all out.  I didn't do anything else to the Back Cover but I did add a little artwork to the Middle and Top Covers.

Inside Middle Cover

I created a mountainous landscape using a CLARITY STENCIL BRUSH, Makeup Sponge, my own Mountain Stencil (made from thick acetate) and Adirondack - Eggplant, Black, Pesto and Butterscotch Inks to create the brooding hills and skyline. I used Dovecraft - White Pigment Ink to create the snow capped mountain.  I added two lonely trees SMALL LARCH and PINE TREE  (I have added the link for the Pine Tree from the Scotland Set but the one I used here was from the mini collections - ATC Stamps).

Inside Top Cover

For this I used a Layer of CRAFT FOAM. 

(paper would have just shown where the elastic is fixed) 

I have stamped the LARGE and SMALL LEAFY SWIRL in Archival - Cobalt.  I attached two pieces of 2cm Elastic to the corners of the bare board. I then attached 1cm thick Elastic Strips through the FOAM and then coated the Board with BOOKBINDING GLUE and attached the FOAM and left to set. I then made a little Clear Plastic Pouch (salvaged from a bag)and attached to the board with Red Double Sided Tape.

This way I can take with me Water colouring Pencils, brushes and also Chalk, Graphite, Charcoal, Drawing Pencils, rubber, Pencil Sharpener in the other tin.  I can also interchange what kind of pencils or Pens to take with me, or even a small tin of paints.  I am quite pleased with the options that I have given myself...it will probably take me longer to decide what I take in this than what I take in my rucksack!

Once all the Covers were decorated I put my mix of different types of paper along with the boards and Owire through the Zutter Binder  to finish.

There you have it, one Art Travelling Book just for me!

Just a few more pics...I promise

My favourite bit

and there is one more!!!

I also managed to get a couple of background sheets to use at a later date.

These were simply made by taping a bit paper OVER the stencil and brushing all the excess acrylic paint from my brush as I went along.

Phew! I do hope you have managed to stay with me till the end!

Let me know what you think!

Happy Crafting!!

And to those of you out there entering the Claritystamp Challenge

(£50.00 Clarity Stamp Voucher to the Winner chosen at Random)

I wish you all the best of luck xx

Hope to see all your lovely artwork on the Blog

http://claritystampchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

P.S.  I just wanted to add that One of  the bare Covers was taken from a set of blanks I got at a craft show  (everything is a pound stall)  It is the ones that just have the two holes punched already, best bit is that  they come with A4 paper and the two metal rings...bargain.  I hid the holes with the grunge paste. You do NOT have to have a Binding Machine to make a book.