Hels Workshop

Today was the day I was at the Dawn Bibby Studio for a full day of crafting with the lovely Hels Sheridan of 'Ink on my Fingers' Blog fame

and boy did we get inky fingers!!! Hels is so much fun and it felt like we were old friends as I follow her blog everyday. Her work is amazing and her tags are legendary. Here is the lady herself in full flow.
 

I was introduced to Freckles who travels more than I do - he went with Hels to the Ranger University last year and was introduced to Lord Tim. Freckles was a great hit with our American cousins and I was delighted he agreed to pose for a qhick photo.

 

Here is the first project we made it a tag holder with a matching tag. We used Distress Stains, Distress Ink, Sizzix Die Cuts, Tim's Stamps and losts of Ideaology bits and pieces. I was very taken with the Cog Wheels and the fastening on the outside of the holder. They are made out of Grunge Paper, something I have never used before but I will be using again, and we used the inks to colour them, They looked like rusty iron when we had finished,

 

A view of the inside of the holder.

 

Finally a picture of the matching tag. We grunged up the ribbon with ink to match the tag colour. I would like to enter this in Die-Ing for a Challenge - Blue and Brown and Saturday Challenge - Shabby Chic Vintage and Sugar Creek Hollow - No 4 Steampunk

 

Finally, in the afternoon we covered techniques using Distress Stains and Inks and made a Sampler Ring to use as a reminder. Hels will be up again at Dawn's Studio on 26th & 27th May and I have already booked my place on the Saturday - Sunday is a no go for me as I fly off to the USA on holiday.

 

 

 

My Version of Steampunk ATC and Holder

I'm never sure if my Steampunk ideas are along the right lines but what the heck - is there a right or wrong?

I have made an ATC Holder and an ATC to sit inside it. The background acrlic paint that I applied with a baby wipe and dried with my heat gun. I stenciled the white leaves using one of the Dylusions new stencils and the doodled over them with a black pen

 

Here is the holder minus the ATC - I just love the flying cat stamp

 

The ATC is using the same background and leaves to add continuity with the holder but the stamps are Tim Holtz

 

I would like to enter this in the following challenges:-

ATC with Attitude - Steam Punk/Anything Goes
Sarah Hurley Challenges - No 62 Steam Punk

A Grand Day Out

I wish I lived closer to Harrogate - I just love the Art From the Heart Studio with the wonderful Dyan and her eclectic style - I would love to be able to attend more classes there but I can't as it's just too far to go more than a couple of times a year. Well yesterday was one of those visits as Dyan was having a workshop taster day and I had signed up to a couple of worshops. First one was with Sandra Hall, unfortunately all I got was a picture of her back - sorry Sandra. We made an ATC Holder and a matching ATC (pictures to follow later as it is getting late) but needless to say I got very inky/painty hands and we got to play with Dyan's new stamps and stencils.

 

Here's a picutre of the wonderful Dyan with her singing Deer's head, she couldn't wait to get home to put it up in her 50's lounge.

 

On to the second workshop with the lovely Kaz Hall and we made a hanging tag with 3 stamped hanging attachements (I still have to attach my hangers so I will post it when finished)- again we used the New Dylusion Sprays (note to self - must put on my birthday wish list)and Dyans new stamps. We were in great company as the super Katie Crane was also in the workshop.

 

Here's a picture of Kaz helping the two ladies seated opposite me (I'm sorry I'm rubbish at remembering names) Kaz also unveil a hidden talent in keeping a malteaser in the air by blowing and then catching and eating it. I was very impressed in fact I was so impressed I forgot to take a photo!!!

 

Finally a photo of Katie and her piece unfortunately she had attached one of the hangers back to front - it just goes to show it can happen to the best of us. We had a great laugh and the conversation was hilarious. I had a very enjoyable day at AFTH and met some lovely ladies now I just have to decide which workshop to go on later in the year

 

Treat for Tomorrow

I have taken Thursday and Friday off work and have been so looking forward to this long weekend. I have a treat in store for tomorrow I'm off to Harrogate - not to the Great Paper Show that is on this weekend but to Art From The Heart Studio for the Workshop Taster Open Day that Dyan is running. I have booked two of the workshop tasters for the afternoon which I'm so looking forward to, it is always so inspirational and it makes my brain go into overdrive and I drive Barry insane on the journey home by babbling on and on and on about the afternoon. LOL Will post again later this weekend to let you know what we got up to.

The bad news is I have a hospital appointment (an old gyni problem has flared up) in the morning before we can set off - I was really shocked when the hospital rang yesterday and said they want to see me and could I come in at 9.30am on Saturday morning - I didn't even think they had consultations over the weekend! Wish me luck I've got my fingers crossed and hope everything is ok.

Distress Butterflies

I had a bit of an inky afternoon yesterday and played with my distress inks and a few ideas I had. A couple of weeks ago I spent a great morning at Inspirations in Preston where the wonderful Hels Sheridan was demonstrating her fantastic distress techniques - check out her amazing blog here. Hels is also running a couple of classes at Dawn Bibby Studio in Oswaldtwistle on Sat and Sunday 24 & 25th March and I'm going to the Sunday Class and I'm so excited - I can't wait.

I really enjoyed making this card. I used TH Distress inks in Barn Door, Wild Honey, Marigold and Black Soot. I cut several Movers & Shakers butterfly die and TH Butterfly Stamps. The expression rubber stamp is one I have had so long I can't remember where it came from!

I would like to enter this in the following challenges:-

The Stamp Man - Vintage
Papercrafting Journey - Anything goes
Totally Papercraft 107 - My Favourite Things
Bunny Zoe Challenge - Shabby Chic
Simon Says Stamp & Go - Anything Goes
CAS-ual Fridays - Sentiment as Focal Point

 

 

Zentangle ATC

Thought I'd show what I have been playing with just recently - I have been trying my hand at Zentangling - is that a word!!! I have had a great time just doodling away it is sooo relaxing the time just flies past. I've got a lot to learn yet but I will just keep practising until I can draw a neat line or a round circle.