Happy Valentine's Day!

This fortnight's StampMan Challenge is Hearts, brought to you by the lovely Lisa Sparkle. 

I'd already made my textured grungepaper heart using Moonglow two toned embossing powder in Bougainvillea Red/Teal when I spotted my box of leftover tiles from the bathroom.

I added some collage elements after first embossing some flowers directly onto the tile from the Aspects of Design 'Butterfly Beauties' set.  I'd used the same set (the girl's hair) to add texture to my heart.

I'd like to wish all my bloggy friends a very 'Happy Valentine's Day'!  And also enter this piece into the Stampotique Designers' Challenge - Hearts :)

The StampMan Challenge # 15 Oriental

I love to challenge myself, and this theme did just that!  I rarely work to an 'oriental' theme, despite owning a few suitable stamps, but just LoVe the way this card turned out.

I made some red and gold paper using starburst stains and some plain copier paper then made a little folded pocket for the front of the card.  I wanted to include some origami in my piece.  The tiny book inside doesn't contain a message yet, that will be added when I send the card as this could be for a birthday, get well or just to say hello!  My good friend Sue (who swanned off to CHA this week ;)  gave me the japanese text a while back so thanks Sue :)  And enjoy CHA; I'm looking forward to your blog posts :)

Head on over to The StampMan Challenge blog to see more ideas for this theme, and to join us with this challenge :)  Happy Crafting!

a distressing StampMan challenge!

Brenda's challenged us to 'distress' in this fortnight's StampMan challenge so I had a very happy time (I'm glad to say!!!) playing in my journal with my Distress Inks!

After creating a background with Acrylic Paint Dabbers in shades of blue and brown, I added some distress ink by inking the lid of a clear box, spraying it with water, then laying it down on top of the journal.  Doing it this way means I can see where I am adding the ink!

I then placed a blob of 'Weathered Wood' Distress Ink [ from my re-inker bottle ] onto the page and blew it to create a flower like image.  The stem was made with a long drip of ink!

When I put this journal together I included various sizes of plastic pockets used for collecting coins and postcards.  I tore an Amazon box into small squares then collaged each square with images from Tim's 'Mini Muse' stamp set, tissue tape, stitching, words from an old book and scraps of paper.  I just LoVe decorating little tiny bits like this!

At some point I'll add some written journaling, probably in a grey ink, there's plenty of space!

Don't forget to head over to The StampMan Challenge Blog to see what the rest of the designers have been up too, and I'd just like to say an enormous THaNKYou to everyone who joined in the BLoG HoP celebrating your favourite project of 2010.  I'm still visiting people but thanks for all the lovely comments you guys left for me!