Tuesday 31 December 2013

Maldives Memories

Hiya for the last time of 2013.

Well first of all a Happy New Year to  you all.

I thought I would end this year with a little old piece of wall art.  Since moving I so miss having all my wall art around me that I thought I know I will combine my love of crafting with my obsession The Maldives................... 

I have been lucky enough in my life to have been to this amazing place on earth a few times and would go back in a heart beat.  So I have created my little piece of Maldives Magic to hang up and make me smile and also to believe that the good times to come are just around the corner of 2014. Every time I look at it I am transported back to that particular beach, in that particular moment of time.

The majority of the products are Tim Holtz from rub on's, distress paint, ideaology to his material.  Gotta love a bit of Tim.  I did sneak in a wee bit of Wendy, the Heart is a Blossom Bucket wooden one.


So here we go .......

There are three different blues paints on the burlap panels

Bit of UTEE coming into the mix

A real Maldives Postage stamp

A little wish bone to help me on my way back to paradise.


Lots of different products being used on these three burlap panels.  My mantra for 2014 is going to be use it or lose it.  Having put 3 big boxes into storage and brought to many boxes to admit to on here to the new house I have to start using what I have........

Thank you for stopping by

Take Care and see you in 2014.

Sue

Sunday 22 December 2013

How many products???????????

Hiya

This week I finished my last Christmas home décor piece for this year. 

At the beginning of the year I was given as a present a Tim Holtz Printers Tray by the lovely Hels Sheridan.  My full intention was to create a Christmas decoration with it.  Each year I like to make something to put around my home that is not shop brought and massed produced.  This was the just the right size for what I wanted.  As it has to be my main feature this year as unfortunately all my other Christmas decorations are in a storage container somewhere in the North East.

I spent all of last weekend making it happen and I am really pleased with the result to be honest. 

I used the December Technique from 12 Tags Of 2013 again, but this time I coloured the CFA and not the FF as I only had white CFA.

I seriously cannot believe how many products went into the making of this piece of art. 



The Tray in it's full glory

Close up's

How cute is that little santa sack

Love my WV and TH flowers

Tiny music sheets

Thank you for looking and for staying with me this year and I hope you all have a fab Christmas and a wonderful 2014.

Take Care Sue



Products used That I can remember

Tim Holtz Printer tray
Festive Berries, Forest Moss, Picket Fence  Distress Paint
Brushed corduroy Distress ink
Merriment paper stash/Ribbon/Tissue Tape
Frosted Film
Glitter Tarnished Brass, Festive Berries, clear Rock candy
Festive Rub on's
Red Tinsel
Corked Domes & Vials
Christmas Muse Token
Wish bones and Jar
Ornate Plate
Woodlands Tree
Mini Holidays Stamp
Sizzixs - Tattered Pine Cone. Vintage Noel (25), Mini Old Jalopy and Pine Tree, Holiday lamppost
Crackle paint clear rock candy

Wendy Vecchi
Clearly for Art White
Archival Inks Fern Green and Red Geranium
Blossom Bucket Bingo Chip


Cosmic Shimmer
Burlap
Treasure Gold
Christmas baubles/clock/tassel/gold ball

Saturday 7 December 2013

Frosted Film and Clearly For Art Flowers

 
 
 
Hiya
 
I promised myself I would be a better blogger, so check me out, blogging again so soon.
 
 
My reason for starting to blog nearly 2 years ago was to enter more challenges and be more confident in my art.  Somehow life has got in the way of me keeping that promise.........................BUT I vow to change that and do better.
 
Tim Holtz and Wendy Vecchi, two of my favourite designers collaborated in combining two of their own products Frosted Film (TH) and Clearly for Art (WV)  and they both shared their results on the 1st December.  I was blown away with the results.  I needed to make a few festive art décor projects for our temporary home, as all of my Christmas décor is in storage along with 75 % of our belongs.
 
I knew I had some CFA and FF somewhere in the stash I brought with me to the new home.  So with a bit of hunting I tracked down both products.  Unfortunately I only have the white CFA so my take on Tim's  flowers has come out slightly different, but pretty stunning none the less. 
 
When I am in a creative block I always revert to paper blocking, I love it, there is no right or wrong, you just do it.
 
I am going to enter this art project in 12 Tags of 2013.  Now I know technically it isn't a tag, but I  did use a tag for the stamped verse, so not going to Freak my Freak, its creative and uses the technique, so it fits........................................
 
 
First up
 
The flowers ...................
I adore how they have shape and form
 Next up the small canvas on the canvas..........


How cute is this mini wonder
 
 
Next up the bundle of joy...................................


I so like how this little bundle came together
Finally the finished piece..........................

 
The finished piece. 
 


Products used
 
 
TH Merriment papers & ribbon
TH Grungeboard
TH Christmas rub on
TH Distress Paints
Gold Paint Dabber
Brushed Corduroy Distress ink
TH SA - Joyful song mini version
Sizzix: TH Cones, Noel, various greenery
WV Clearly For Art White
TH Frosted Film
TH Film strip/paper string
WV Archival Inks
Glue and Seal
TH Distress Glitter
TH Memo pin/ Brads/Christmas token/Bottle
Manila Tag
String
Various Pins
Canvas
Hessian


Thanks for stopping by Tuck Towers and I hope you have like what you have seen and may be it has given you the inspiration to try one of the techniques.............
 
Take Care Sue



Monday 25 November 2013

Seriously over two months since I blogged

Hiya

I cannot believe it has been over two months since I have last blogged.  That is way too long.

A lot has taken place over that time period

1 I have an art student  - she is 7 years old and a total dream to teach.
2. Hels and I held our second workshop in the Northeast.
3. I arranged my first Art Birthday for a group of 10 years old.
4.  The biggest heartbreak was moving from my home of 8 years.
5. I won a set of Wendy Vecchi stamps from the lady herself.

Guess not bad for two months worth of MIA

So lets get this photo heavy post started.  In no particular order.........

A group of wonderful artists who came to Hels Sheridan Melt Pot weekend.  We had a fun crazy time, just what I needed to be honest.  They all made some amazing creations using UTEE. Thank you ladies for making it a good weekend and hers to Jan and Feb where we will all meet up again.

These cool ladies rocked the weekend.




 
Lou in the corner - Enough said, if you know Lou then you know why she was in the corner.  Love this lady to bits




I made them all a little trick or treat bag using tims paper bag die and lost of Dyans yummy inks



Next up my adorable art student -  two of her amazing works of art - She is like a little sponge just soaks it all up and away she goes.  She has her own mind and WILL place where she wants, no matter what!

This lesson was about colour

This lesson was all about layers
 
 

Next up I made this little canvas for a new baby in our family.  Bit cutesy for me but I did manage to get some ink and paint on it. I had to cover his little face up for obvious reasons.  I have been reliably informed that it is going on his bedroom door.
 
 

What a fab name, way cute baby!
 

Next up was my first Art Birthday party that I hosted for five young ladies.  Four of them had never created art in a mixed media way and they sure had fun.  I had my friend Debbie alongside to help me through the madness.  Without her I would have definitely had a few more of natures highlights in my hair,  All paints,  inks and stamps by either Dyan or Tim..............ranger you rock to.

Check out the one and only blue project amid the sea of pink

As per normal most of the products used were Ranger, Tim's or Dyan's, too many to list in my usual way.

 
 
Thank you for stopping by, sorry I have been missing in action, promise to do better.

Take care

Sue


Saturday 31 August 2013

Three days = Three Plays

Hiya

I was on my own for most of thelong bank holiday in the UK.  So that could only mean CRAFT TIME..............

So first up............

I really like the crackle pain look of this little piece of art


A little old gift tag


Take three Ranger designers products and see what happens

I covered a Wendy Vechhi Art Part square with Studio 490 Embossing paste. Sprayed it to death with Dyan's inks and then stamped into the paste.  I just love stamping into paste the effect is just mega.  Once dried I used Tim's Distress Crackle paint to paint the outside frame, Distress paint to edge the frame, covered the sides and back with Tissue tape and finally stamped a birthday banner.  Attached a few flowers, idealogy numbers and it was finished -  a little Birthday Plaque.

Next up


Loving the black and white look


Little bunch of  cuteness


Splatter look, think it is here to stay


I really enjoyed the last canvas I made for a colleagues daughters birthday and another colleague wanted something similar for her niece.  I only had a smaller canvas at home, so I had to scale it down somewhat.  But again very happy with the result.  I have decided to use the splatter sides again as I love how it turns out. 

And finally


Layers and layers


A little Grunge Paste anyone?


Splatter going on


I tried to use a Hels technique on another canvass, but it went very horribly wrong.  So I covered the canvass with cream paint, bringing it back to a plain canvass and set about it with my fav paints of all time Distress..............

Unfortunately you cannot see all the layers as I only had Gloss glue and seal  left to cover the canvass and it give quite a shine.  I LOVE this so much it has such depth and layers it is just mega lush.

So all in all a fab crafting few days off.

Thanks for stopping by Tuck Towers, Until the next time.


Sue

Products Used

 Ranger and Co
Art Part square
Embossing paste
Dylusions inks London Blue - Calypso Teal
Distress Crackle Paint - Broken China
Distress Re-inker - Black Soot
Distress Paints - Picket Fence, Black Soot, Barn Door, Rusty Hinge, Wild Honey
Distress Inks Broken China, Salty Ocean, Chipped Sapphire, Brushed Corduroy
 Stamps - Happy Birthday stamp- Good Luck  - Simple Sayings Set,
Stamps - Saying and ticket for the Odds and Ends Set
Glue and Seal Matt and Gloss
Tissue Tape
Perfect Pearls - Perfect Pear - Heirloom Gold
Stencil Studio 490 - Sayings
Wish Bone, Ring, Memo pin, Clock winder, Film Strip
Tissue Wrap - Melange
Paper String

Other
Cosmic Shimmer
PaperArtsy Grunge paste
Canvasses
Paper Flowers
Pins
Metal Corners
Treasure Gold
Crystals/Pearls
Bird Cage



Friday 16 August 2013

Can you make me something!

Hiya,

Had to have a little down time following our weekend workshop.  Looking forward now to the Melt Pot weekend coming up in October and then two more workshops to plan and prep for in Jan and Feb.  All good stuff!!

One of my colleagues daughter is 16 in September and he asked me if I could "make Something".  Don't you just love them words, NOT.  Fills me with utter dread to make a commission, as the kind of stuff I like doing is definitely a bit out there at times for non crafty people. BUT never one to not take up a challenge I set about "making something".

There were a couple of pre-requisites

1 Must include the infinity symbol
2, Must include one of her favourite sayings (which just happens to be a Tim Holtz stamp)

So with an otherwise blank canvass I set about making the "something"!

Went a little crazy with the Idea-ology me thinks!

The sides were meant to be checker board but change my mind

Adore how this Grungeboard heart came out using Distress paints


Infinity Symbol

The favourite saying is I think from a Disney film." a dream is a wish your heart make".  The little bottle I have left empty so they can slip a little message in there for her.

When I finished it I was like OTT even for me, but it is growing on me................

Thanks for stopping by Tuck Towers, until the next time

Sue

Ranger/Tim Holtz
Tissue Wrap Paper - Melange
Label Letters
Ring Fasteners
Wish Bone
Tag Labels
Label Pulls
Grunge Board
Distress Paint  Picket Fence and Black Soot
Rose ribbon
Memo Pin
Numeral
Paper String
Word Band
Calendar Stamp
a dream is a wish your makes stamp

Other
Box Canvass
Paper Roses
Pins
Cosmic Shimmer Glue
Metal Corners
Black beads




















Sunday 28 July 2013

The weekend that was a.......................


Hiya,
Warning this is photo heavy..................

This time last weekend it was all over...................What was I hear you ask, the weekend workshop I organised for 16 lovely ladies with Hels Sheridan.

Everything went as planned, so I am more than happy, actually I am flippin ecstatic.  I have to be honest it really tired me out, but we had fun and that was the aim of the weekend for sure.  They must have all enjoyed it as there all coming back in Jan and quite a few of them are coming to the Melt Pot weekend workshop in Oct.

I had Hels, Katy and Lou all staying over at my house, which was a tad mad at times, but looking back very funny in others.  Lou is a complete scream and she had Hels and I literally crying with some of her stories.  She describes herself as the female Carl Pilkington and  to be honest she really is, love her too bits.

So a few pics from the weekend and then I will show you my latest make.

The calm before the arty madness begins


Saturday Shot



Sunday Shot

Happy Ladies with Hels

Very happy Ladies


Thanks to Michelle and Hels for the photos.

Check out these amazing blogs for close up photos and reviews of the weekend.

http://crafty-flossie.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/a-fun-weekend-getting-inky-and-painty.html
http://lou-withers.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/hels-up-north.html
http://thehobbyroomuk.blogspot.co.uk/
http://homecookedcards.blogspot.co.uk/
http://mytobyjug.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/what-incredible-2-days.html

As you can imagine I did not have time to join in the fun, so this weekend was my time.........   I created this 3 panel Burlap wall art.  This was one of the classes taught on the weekend.  I decided to use colours that I would not normally go for.................Not sure I am feeling the love, but I am sure it will grow on me.

All stuck together ready to go on the wall


Panel 1



Panel 2


Panel 3 


Thanks for stopping by Tuck Towers until the next time

Take Care

Sue

Products Used

TH Burlap Panels
TH Remnant Rub ons
Th Distress Paints and Distress Inks -  Seedless Preserves, Victorian velvet
Distress Inks  Black Soot, Brushed Corduroy
Archival Ink Black
Lots of Idea- ology
TH Stamps from various sets
TH Tissue Paper and Tissue Tape
Sizzixs dies
Wendy Vecchi Blossom Bucket Embellishments

Metal Flowers
Pearl
Cardstock
Cosmic Shimmer Glue

Sunday 14 July 2013

Altered Box

Hiya,

I am organising a workshop weekend with the wonderful Hels Sheridan.  We have 16 very talented ladies coming to play next weekend in Middlesbrough.  Very excited as this is the first time Hels has been this far up North teaching.  I had to meet up with her to pick up supplies last weekend and it seemed like a really good idea to meet at the Craft Den in Sheffield were Hels was teaching an Altered Box workshop.  The Craft Den is a wonderful crafting heaven owned by the lovely Lynn. Whilst I was there it would have been rude not to take the class at the same time, wouldn't it? Well that's my excuse.

Below is what we made, as per normal I didn't finish it in the class but at home and I love it.  I am going to enter this in the Simon says stamp and show challenge as this week it is all about green. http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.co.uk/



Love the colours ...










Next up............

One of my colleagues children is away at the moment in France on a School trip, so I have made her a little memory book for when she comes back. I love paper bag books they are so easy to make and can be made for any occasions for sure.




The little cards in the front hide away in the pockets.

Wish me luck for next weekend.

Until the next time, take care

Sue


Products used on both

Tim Holtz Config Box
Distress Ink Shabby Shutter, Mustard Seed, Frayed Burlap
Distress re-inkers Shabby Shutters, Mustard Seed
Black Paint Dabber
Perfect Pearls Heirloom Gold
Grunge Board Letters and numbers
Various different Tim Holtz stamps
Loads of Ideology
Word Play die
Tim Holtz Rub ons
Studio 490 Embossing paste
Blossom Bucket embellies
Destination Papers
Tim's Twine

Treasure Gold - Topaz Gold
3 paper bags
Cosmic Shimmer Glue
Little bottles and various bits and bobs


Sunday 30 June 2013

Raw Art

Hiya

Two blog posts from me in the same day, Wozza.

I finally had time to finish off a project yesterday that has been hanging around for a while, we all have them don't we!

When I am in a funk I revert back to Paper blocking, its like my safety net.

I absolutely adore Tim Holtz Destination papers, they make me smile and remember past holidays.  I really wanted a washed out background to not compete with the centre display.  I have had the Alpha cards from when they were released a few CHA's ago, but have never used them, so I set to put that right.  I am really happy with how this project worked out.




Thanks for stopping by, until the next time

Take Care

Sue. x
Products used

Tim Holtz Destinations papers
Tim Holtz Alpha cards
Tim Holtz Label letters
Tim Holtz label holder
Tim Holtz Rub Ons
Distress Ink Pine Needle, Brushed Cordroy 
Wendy Vecchi Blossom Bucket wooden heart
UTEE
Cosmic Shimmer glue
Paper Flowers
Metal leaves, clock, corners
Sizziix leaves
Golden Modeling paste
Gold embossing powder

Birthday cards that are not cards!!!!

Hiya

Again Life has been getting in the way of my crafting and posting to be honest.  But I have managed a few little nuggets........

First up

One of my very good friends is Katy Fox, some of you may know that she is the Editor of Craft Stamper.  Well I always find it very hard to make Katy a Birthday card for obvious reasons and I refuse to buy one.  So I set about making her a card with a difference.  I took a paper Substrate hanging thingy from Paper Artsy and this is what I made. I have to say I loved it, definately a different type of card for sure!




Products used

Distress paints- Broken China, Salty Ocean,Picket Fence, Mowed Lawn, Spun Sugar
Distress Inks - Chipped Saphire
 Tim Holtz 0 Rub ons
Tim Holts - Mixed Media and Uban TapersStdio
490 Embossing paste
Wendy Vecchi flower stencil
Button - Blossom Bucket
UTEE
Paper Artsy paper Substrate
Cosmic Shimmer Glue
Treasure Gold

Up Next

I was still  in the different Birthday card mood so up next was an Art Part Frame  for my sisters birthday.
This time I decided to stamp into Embossing Paste as per Wendy's technique I saw on You Tube. 

I really liked the stamping into Embossing paste technique and will definately will use this again.



Products used

Wendy Vecchi Art Part frame
490 Studio Embossing Paste White
Dylusions spray inks  Pure Sunshine, Fresh Lime
Tim Holtz rub ons
UTEE
Texture Mat
Pitch Black Paint Dabber
Brushed Condroy Distress Ink

Script Stamp
Flowers
Cosmic Shimmer Glue
Ket
Metal Corners
Metal Flowers


Thanks for stopping by Tuck Towers

Until the next time take care

Sue x