Sunday 24 July 2011

Lino cut stamps

I have been making handmade stamps all weekend!

I needed some wheat and poppy stamps for my August page of the calendar challenge and couldn't find any I liked anywhere so decided to make my own. Luckily the one and only art supply shop on the Island had the tools and the lino, which was excellent as once I've made my mind up to do something I have to do it right NOW!!

I had done lino cutting before, many years ago at school, so I refreshed myself by watching a couple of youtube videos,( picked up some good tips such as heat the lino first as it makes it softer and turn the lino rather than the tool) and got started.

Here are the results.



Test stamping on printer paper


I am really pleased with how well they have turned out!

Now I am after some STAEDTLER MASTERCARVE CARVING BLOCK which apparently is a lot easier and smoother to cut. I have only found one UK site (Lawrences) that stocks it and they were going to charge me £14.99 for delivery because I live on the Isle of Wight...hello, we are still part of the UK and Royal mail and parcel force charge no extra to post here!!
So if anyone knows where else I can get it from in the UK please let me know!

TFL,

Sami x


Sunday 17 July 2011

Handmade art journal


I bought this old bird book a little while ago to turn into an art journal. I finally completed it last saturday at the Wight Craft Circles monthly crop.

I removed the pages of the book then made 4 folders, each with 6 pages, to stitch back inside. I used different types of paper, fabric, lace, old text, music sheets, maps, pages from an old stamp collectors book, old patterns, digi download images and stamps to create each page. I used lots of sewing on the pages for more texture.

I aim to paint and draw and write over each of the pre made pages. I don't know yet whether I will have a theme for the book...I am thinking inspirational quotes or just using it to write down day to day stuff.

Here are the photos.


Front and back

(I was going to decorate the outside but have decided I prefer to keep the original look of the book)


The pages


A maya road envelope stuck to the back inside cover


Ledger paper, tissue tape, downloaded images (from Ceremony) and stamps



Downloaded image and TH glassine paper



An old pattern


A pull out section, butterfly printed on tissue paper, string and old music paper



Tabs made with a tab punch from Stampin up (I think!)


Front cover



Thanks for looking,

Sam x













Sunday 10 July 2011

July Calender

Hello! Just wanted to share a couple of art journal pages and my (late) July calender page for the challenge over at Kates blog. I had done it on time but had not had a chance to post it yet.


On this page I have used a download from Ceremony on the left hand side. On the other side I layered up some book print then stamped an image on to a single sheet of tissue paper. I used gel medium to stick it down and also over the top of it to make it see through so you can see the text underneath, mirroring the download. I used acrylic paint, distress inks and more stamps.


This page was acrylic paint, spray inks, TH masks and distress inks and stamps. The dressmaking dummy was again from ceremony. I printed butterfly wings onto blue tissue paper so they came out translucent when stuck down.



Here is my July calander page. Not as happy with it as some of my others as I didn't really have a theme for this month, still I am pleased I have kept up with it even if I always seem to be late posting!


The Wight Craft Circles 5th retreat is coming up soon and we have decided to open up a few places this year.

The dates are Fri 23rd Sept to Sun 25th Sept

Totland Bay youth hostel on the Isle of Wight

Tickets are £45 (non refundable £10 deposit required)

Arrival and check in on the Friday at 3pm, check out 2pm on Sunday.

This is a self catering event, there is use of a big kitchen and lots of take away places nearby. Because it is a youth hostel we ask that you tidy and hoover your room before departure.

Tea/coffee/ juice provided.


There are no classes at this retreat, it is just an opportunity to craft away with friendly like minded people all weekend. We normally all go for a walk on the Sat afternoon to get some group photos (weather permitting!) either to the beach or up the downs.

This will be the 5th retreat we have run and may be our last as the youth hostel is due to close next year.

To find out more please go our blog.

You can see photos of the venue and shots of previous retreats.

You can also leave a comment for me if you are intrested.


TFL

Sami x