Coming to a Store near you soon !!

I kid you not ... Ink pad racks ...

This is just a demo model, the rest will be available soon in 12, 24, 36, 48 - all the way up to 100+ versions , they will be in horizontal and vertical versions and can be desk or wall mounted.

In the meantime I'm gonna paint and decorate this one ...

Vintage Rose & Tag for Moira

Just a couple of quickies ...

First Vintage Rose .... Warm Pinks toned with chocolate ...... reminds me of Hot chocolate with pink marshmallows !!! oh how my mind works or am I hungry ???

ABOVE:

Background: The main background was made using a ivory cardstock. Using Anna Griffin Ink pads - Cream and Shell - the flourish from the 'Graphicus Guild' members stamp pack ( month to follow ) was randomly used to create the flourish back ground.
Over this I used one of the Anna Griffin single row Harlequin stamps in her Chocolate ink colour - after inking the stamp I first did a pre stamp on a rough piece of paper to give the real stamped image some distress to it.

The 'Roses' word is from Elusive images 'Rose Stem Script' . Using my Ink dusters I randomly dusted some Shell ink and also some Memento Angel Pink, the edges were dusted with the Chocolate . The background then matted on to some pink card stock and then on to a larger
chocolate cardstock with the same 'Guild' flourish stamped over the cardstock in the Chocolate ( Tone on Tone ). On the left I added some stitching detail and also some wooden floral buttons - coloured to match - to add some dimension. On the right a larger button with some grossgrain ribbon (coloured with the Shell ink pad ) and some Rafia.

The sentiment is from Stampin-Up - in the Chocolate ink, again dusted over with the Memento and Shell ink and matted on to chocolate card stock.

ABOVE:

Rose Topper: The Rose is from Elusive Images new themeplate 'Harlequin Rose' and was stamped in the Shell ink. I used a matching colour pencil to add a little extra depth to the shading of the petals. The edges were dusted with Shell ink and also some of the Chocolate Ink, matted on to some pink then chocolate card stock. Again this was sewn around for extra effect.

ABOVE:

Bit closer detail of the card.

Now on to Moiras' Tag

MOIRAS TAG: I just love those Alcohol Inks but big problem is when they come out I spend hours just creating Tags !!! This one below was just one of those that evolved as I was making it, no set plan.
I decided to send it to Moira - ( hope you don't see this before you get it ! ) but I'm sure that she'll agree that these pictures don't do it justice !

Please don't ask which colours I used as I just grab a few I think might work together and off I go. What I can tell you is what I did and what stamps were used:

Firstly I used the stamps as a clear resist with clear embossing powder - ( my preference when using Alcohol inks with resist ) - the watch is from Elusive images - 'Scripts and Timepieces' themeplate, the lower resist is from Elusive Images - ' Damask Squares ' themeplate. After applying the alcohol inks I then ironed off the clear embossing powder.

Using an Archival black inkpad I inked just the edging of the main rose stamp from the Elusive Images new themeplate 'Harlequin Rose' , now using a flourish from the 7 Gypsies NottingHillset I stamped around some of the edges. The Memories stamp is from the same set and even though it is supposed to be straight - the great thing with clear stamps is they are flexible enough to arch them !

The lady is from one of Joanna Sheens plates which were in her sale but I haven't seen them on again. In the lower corner I just added a few beads and an eyelet, at the top a gromet ready for a ribbon.

BELOW:

Just to show the shimmer of the mixatives - you really need to see this effect for real as it just can't be seen right on photographs.

It's in the post to you Moira x

I'm Back .....

Well what a whirlwind since the New Year ... By the way if I haven't had chance to say it to you ... Happy New Year !!!

OK so what's been happening ???

Well Egypt was unbelievable .... just a few pics below to show some of the AMAZING sea life and scenery ... now I have been good and only put a few of my favourites on here but to be honest there is so many I'm going to have to do a separate blog for the bulk of my photos.

Upon returning from Egypt on the 25th we were then given 5 days notice that our house move was being brought forward from mid Feb to the 30th Jan .. so a mad rush then ensued to pack everything we have accumulated over 17 years in our beloved home. Lots of boxes still to unpack and a new dedicated craft room to design and I may then be back to a bit of normality !

I've alot happening during 2009 ... I'm so excited about it but more about that when the time is ready !

In the pics below you'll notice I took my copy of Craft Stamper with me, I was very good as I got it the day before we flew out and even though I was severely tempted to peek through it, I quickly packed it at the bottom of my suitcase. Whenever I wasn't diving you'd find me on the sun lounger reading avidly ! Hey I wonder if we could start a 'Where do you read yours ?'

Anyhow on to some of my photos of Egypt and the Red sea ..... If you find you are missing any pictures then try refreshing the page ( my server seems a tad slow tonight ! )

Below: Take one stunning region - Sinai Mountains, Sharm El Sheikh, Red Sea

Below: Sinai Mountains

Below: Add one Beach by Day

Below: Or by Dusk

Below: Or by Night

Below: Add a Craft Stamper magazine

And you have a perfect fantastic holiday .... but to make this a colourful holiday we need these .........

Now if these don't get those creative juices flowing ..........

Below: Giant Clams - these are almost 50cm wide each one

Below: Free Diving - Yet unidentified rare male species ... Ok it's my other half !

Below: Even the flora didn't go unnoticed .....

Well as they say in the cartoons ... That's all folks ....

Only for now .... back soon xxxx