2 More ATCs

I did these ATCs last week, but I had a tummy bug that wiped me out for a couple of days! After feeling better from that, I had to catch up on all of my housework etc, so this is my first opportunity to post these pictures. As you can see, I'm still inspired by my new Paperartsy stamps, and I also had some fun with shrink plastic and heat embossing.
All details as previous post.

Love ATC

I love these new Paperartsy stamps sooooooo much! I am inspired by them at the moment, and I'm trying to make all of the things I can see in my head before I forget them! My DH is in Penzance at the moment, so that's helping. The house is tidy, the baby is asleep, and I'm just about to go do some more stamping now! Daytime stamping, how decadent!
This ATC is for UK Stampers January swap, which is an open theme. I have prepared the backgrounds for the other two I need to make. Hopefully I'll be able to post them tomorrow- day and night stamping!
Stamps: Paperartsy
Background: H20s
Inks: Brilliance
Other: White embossing powder, Polyshrink shrink plastic, and wire, ribbon, and letters from my stash.

Ismaki Challenge Card- Happy Birthday Mum!

I'm feeling strange and confused, as I show my next Ismaki challenge card, as I almost don't recognise it as mine! Using a sketch is very exciting, as it does make you think in a very different way to how you normally do. To me, this seems quite cluttered, as I have lots of different elements on the card, but actually, now I see the photo, I see how there is a balance to the design. Here is the sketch this card is based on- see what you think!
Inks: Brilliance Pearlescent Lavender, Purple and Crimson (also used to watercolour)
Stamps: Paperartsy, Personal Impressions, Tanda and MSE
Paper: English Paper Company
Other: Zoomz from Stamp Galaxy and ribbon from my stash
My husband is away for part of this week, so I am really hoping that I will get a lot of stamping done after Dan is in bed. I am really inspired by my new Paperartsy stamps so have some plans for those. All I need to do now is persuade my lovely cat to get off my lap...wish me luck!

Update.

I have finally been a good blogger and updated my links. As well as the new Ismaki button to take you straight to the site, I have corrected the addresses of all of the craft blogs on my list. I'm not going to say which ones, though, if you have the time then click and see for yourself- everyone loves to have visitors!

Challenge Card- Ismaki

More info later- gotta go and swim! (Card challenge here!)

Right, I have finally got 5 minutes spare! Yesterday was so busy, tomorrow will be the same, today I may have to go and have a nap when Dan does! About yesterday's card: the stamps are all Cherry Pie. The centre panel was stamped in Versafine, then watercoloured using Distress Inks and highlighted with Sakura Stardust pens. The background to that panel was stamped using Brilliance Graphite Black (wow, that is black! It's very juicy though, so not good for detail work) and the other two sections stamped in Brilliance Lightning Black. The stars and heart were gold embossed, then I added the ribbon which had the words stamped on it. I may change this as it looked like the right colour at night, but changed completely in the daylight.
It was fun using the sketch, I feel it's a good way to experiment and learn about good placement and balanced design. This week's sketch is now up, and it's another good one!

New Challenge Site.

This week has seen the launch of 'Ismaki', a new challenge blog for us stampers and card makers. It is the baby of Isabelle Norris and two of her friends (both members of the Magnolia design team), and involves using a sketch each week as the basis for your creation. Anything goes except scrapbook pages, as long as you use the sketch. Then there is also an extra option, which you can choose to include if you wish. The challenges are posted on a Monday, and this week's is on the site!
I actually did some stamping this evening, with this in mind, but unfortunately only had 10 minutes to spare, so have nothing to show yet. It depends on my little 13 month old as to whether or not I get to stamp, if all goes well we eat as a family then put him to bed, leaving me with the evening free. Other evenings (like tonight) we sit with him whilst he eats his own meal, then cook and eat after he is in bed. On nights like this we try to cook something quick, so I really only have the cooking time for me. (Yes, my husband is the main chef in our house, and he is sooooo good- tonight we had chicken in tarragon and cream sauce with lemon and basil courgettes. Delicious!) Hopefully tomorrow will be better (I'm cooking, so it's a Provencal-type salad) and I will have some photos to show!
Enjoy your food :-)
PS So many of my favourite blogs have upped-sticks and moved this Christmas so please bear with me until I have sorted out all of my links. Hey, I might even change some of my colours and do a new banner! My treat to me after spending so much (lovely) time with my family this Christmas!

Happy New Year, everyone!

I have no photos to share, nor have I done anything creative through this holiday season, but I had such a great time, and I hope everyone else did too. I was lucky to spend the whole time with my husband and 13 month old son, plus I got to spend time with other members of our extended family. The house is a mess, I'm a mess, but it's all worth it to see Dan 'reading' his new books and playing with his new (and mostly noisy!) toys.
I did get around to re-organising my craft space- again- and re-doing the storage of my unmounted stamps. My next task is to be realistic about my stash, and to get rid of any items I really can't see myself using. Luckily, my Mum makes a lot of cards to sell for her church, so is always grateful for new stuff to use! I will take some pictures soon, and will start to do some challenges again- gotta use what I decide to keep!