Matchbox houses and Lynne Perella stamps

I saw a lovely project by Teresa Abajo on her blog at the Tamarisk and on Crafters Cupboard blog. I love Lynne Perrella stamps and have a few sets. Inspired by Teresa I made my own version of these as gifts for two of my friends.

I chose different colour schemes that suited each of them.

Art blocks

Seahorses and Alcohol Ink

I love Tim Holtz crackle paint and it looks amazing with alcohol ink on top. The sea is obviously one of my recurring themes.

Upcycled Board book in 7 Gypsies paper

Graphic 45 birthday card

Who doesnt love these papers. I used the By the Sea Collection to make a birthday card for my Mum.

Graphic 45 Album

Album using Graphic 45 papers from the Artisan Style and By the Sea paper collections. This album was made for keeping pictures of my Dad who we lost recently. I made the album for my Mum. As she gets a bit confused I have kept to a very simple clear structure for the pages with just a few flaps and easy to spot pockets.

I think my favorite part of the album is this little book which holds some of his old passport photos.

I have tried to use papers that have meaning for my mum and Dad. As they live by the sea I have added some paper from the “By the Sea” collection.

My parents have lived in Spain for years, the houses on this paper remind me of Barcelona they look bright and sunny and very European.

I love that graphic45 make coordinating stamps for the paper. The sets for this collection (Artisan Style) are gorgeous and I have used lots of stamping on plain coloured cardstock to make photo mats and decorate the pages.

I could not resist turning the doors into a little photo spot. I have also used stamps to add paint brushes and music as Dad played the Guitar and painted all his life. He also wrote and loved books so pens and books appear throughout. He was a colourful character who lived a full and creative life and the bright rich colours of G45 paper reflect this. I am entering this in the Mini Album Makers Challenge for March. https://minialbummakers.blogspot.co.uk/

Fairies and Christmas crackers 2016

Still lots of catching up to post. Another advantage to working at home is time at Christmas. I made my own crackers and fairies for our tree.

My first Paperartsy Challenge Nautical Colours2018 #5

I am excited to be entering in the PaperArtsy challenge 2018 #5 Nautical Colours.

Ive used: PaperArtsy crackle glaze, acrylic paint, distress ink, distress crackle paint, distress oxide ink, seambinding, thread, watercolour paper for the tag and stamps from; G45, Prima and some old unknown ones. I love the effect of the crackle from the PaperArtsy glaze.

Its flat enough to stamp over but gives great texture, with a really aged look after I sanded the edges and inked them with distress.

Daily inspiration

Made this for the new studio. Bright and warm distress ink on watercolour paper. Then Venice stamps by Darkroom door and alphabet stamps

Something we should all do more of. Saying no and stamping!

Returning to blogging

Its been nearly 5 years since my last blog. Ive moved back to Ireland. I have been crafting since then but not posting. I was in a studio outside the house for a couple of years but I am back home in a lovely attic studio so I can craft anytime day or night and even in my pjs! I can also have the company of my cats again. I got a new kitten for my birthday last year who loves to sleep in the studio. the one who was hit by a car in Oz returned with us and sometimes visits me in the attic too.

My new cat "Sweetie" is the small fluffy one who actually fits into the basket! I have neglected my blog for the last few years but I am going to put some life back in my blog by posting images of the things I have been making since I moved into my new studio.

This is the image Ive used in my new banner. Made while playing with distress inks and paperartsy infusions making cards. I love Graphic 45 stamps but they seem to have given up on them. This mermaid is one of my favorite stamps.