The Stamp Man Giveaway

Check out the giveaway from The Stamp Man - gorgeous Frantage goodies up for grabs...Mmm, actually don't because I want to win them! :)

http://thestampmanuk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/the-stamp-manstampendous-giveaway.html

Good luck and thanks to Jill for this amazing blog candy

Mani x

Decoupaged Stamp

Today's card is another example of mixing traditional watercolours (sky and skin) with Luminarte Twinkling H20s (fan and clothing).  Again I used just one shade of each colour and letting the water do the shading for me.  I stamped the image several times to create my own decoupage and kept the card quite simple as I thought the stamp was so striking, too much would ruin its impact.

Thanks for popping by,

Mani x

King of the Dads

Lovely and sunny here again today - of course it is now the kids have all gone back to school.
Today's card is one I made for Alastair for Father's Day.  Again, I chose it to blog because everything started out as blank white card (apart from the background dark brown)  It was coloured and stamped with Distress Inks.  I think my favourite part is how the playing cards look like wood.  I got that effect by dragging the cut n dry foam down the card, after embossing, rather than swirling it on.

Materials Used: White Card, white tag, Tim Holtz embossing folder, Inkylicous stamps, Distress Inks, Copper Wow Embossing Powder


Mani x

Fabric Inspiration

I think I've already posted this on my Facebook page but not yet on my blog.  I made this card for my eldest daughter's 16th birthday. She is very much into Burlesque Goth and Victoriana and we all clubbed together to buy her a special outfit.  The card was inspired by the skirt of the outfit.

I like this card because it shows the versatility of stamping.  The background was created by repeat stamping in versamark and embossing with a clear WOW embossing paper, to echo the fabric of the skirt.

The main image was stamped with black Archival and painted with Luminarte Twinkling H20s.  I would say I do 90% of my painting with these paints as once you have been hit with that shimmer, you never go back.  I used normal watercolours for her hair and skin (one colour for each) and just one colour of H20 for the red dress.  One of the beauties of watercolour is that you can change the hue and tone simply by adding/reducing the water added.

The topper was inked around the edges with Black Soot Distress Ink.  You need to go carefully as it is such a strong colour but the light it creates is worth the effort.

Here's the card (it's an 8x8 ins)  hope you like it.

This is the back of the skirt that inspired the card.

Mani x

Just Distressed

This one is for Mags and her request yesterday that I blog more often...see,  I do listen sometimes.  I like this card because it shows the versatility of Distress Inks.  They are the only medium used on this card and allow the stamp to be the main focus.  I do like a bit of clean and simple, hope you like it too.

Mani x

Angels

It's been a busy ole summer, with extra fairs and kids at home - one off to college tomorrow, eek!.  But I did  get some crafting done, including these angels.  I'm always being asked to do angel cards but wanted to hold off until I could find an image that really "spoke" to me (at the risk of sounding very arty and pretentious).  I love these stamps and I am always blown away that a card with such colour can start off as all white card.  So pleased the pic shows off the gold embossing powder and all the mica.  I hope you like them as much as I do.

Mani x

Materials Used: White card stock, Shabby Angel stamp range, Distress Inks, Mica spray, Adirondak Ink Pad, Versamark pad, WOW gold EP

Make Your Own Sun :)

Just to prove I can, on occasion, do bright cards here is a little summer to brighten these dreary rainy days...

Sometimes, you've just got to make your own sun

Mani x

P.S. Apologies for having to stop anonymous comments - blame those darn spammers with their Viagra ads grr