Circles - Sweet Stampin'

Morning all,

New challenge time at Sweet Stampin' this morning, and this week we're looking for circles.

Now most of you probably don't know this, but I have a degree in film studies, and I don't think the film student in me will ever fully go away.

So, when I was at the craft retreat I mentioned in my previous ATC post and I saw a fabulous stamp set from AALL and Create that featured a moon very reminiscent of  the one featured in several early turn-of-the-century films by Georges Melies, I simply had to have it!

And because 9-10 hours of crafting each day obviously wasn't enough, I spent the evening (after a lovely swim in the hotel pool of course) in my hotel room making this:

For those interested, this link will take you to "Voyage to the moon". One of Melies best works (in my opinion anyway), and what is widely regarded as the first ever science fiction film!
While other directors were busying themselves making "films" that consisted of a train chugging by, or a woman hanging clothes on a washing line, Melies showed incredible forward thinking and creativity. without him, filmmaking would likely not have progressed as well and as quickly as it did.

Ok, sorry, I'll stop there, lol.

Please do come and play with us this week, and do check out what delights my fellow sweeties have whipped up. I promise they won't bore you with lectures on early cinema!

Have a fantabulous weekend!

Sammy-x

Rusty ATCs

Hello all,

Just wanted to pop in and share some ATCs I made for a recent swap at a craft retreat. We didn't have a theme, so I just grabbed my rust pastes and had fun!

These are only half of them, as I forgot to take a picture of the second batch! (there were 10 of us in the swap).

The retreat itself was fantastic! With a vibrant colour theme on the first day courtesy of the always fabulous Kassa Hayselden and an amazing mixed media affair on the second day taught by none other than the amazing Finnabair, it could only have been more perfect if there'd been a third day with Tim Holtz (hey, a girl can dream, no?), lol.

The workshop/retreat itself was hands down, no contest the best arranged and executed workshop I have ever been on. No others have been even close to the same league.. Do yourselves a favour and book yourself on a workshop with Art Workshops next time you fancy going on one. You can thank me after... ;)

I will share photos just as soon as I've managed to take a decent picture of the HUGE project we did with Finnabair!

In the meantime, it would be rude not to share my ATCs with A Vintage Journey for their Rusty Crusty challenge, now wouldn't it?

Have a fantabulous day everyone!

Sammy-x

Animals - Sweet Stampin'

Morning all,

It's Saturday again, and we have another fun challenge for you over at Sweet Stampin'.  This week, we'd like to see animals on your creations.

I usually struggle a little with animals, except for James the Bear from LotV of course, but after a rummage through my stamp collection, I came across a stunning tiger stamp from Inkylicious, and obviously had no choice but to use it!

Just take a peek and you'll understand...

Isn't that just a gorgeous beast? My mum adores tigers, so that's her birthday card sorted for July!

I spent two hours turning my stash upside down in search of the gorgeous G45 papers that go with the tiger so beautifully. a little ribbon and some letter stickers and it's all done, leaving the stamp to soak up all the attention.

Now it's your turn. We'd love to see your animal creations (it's going to be so much fun to see how many different animals we'll be able to spot!), and don't forget to go take a peek at what my fellow Sweeties have prepared for you!

Have a fantabulous day!

Sammy-x

April challenge - Rhedd's Creative Spirit

Hello again,

Back with my second mini album of the day, this time for the monthly challenge over at Rhedd's Creative Spirit.

If possible, this one is even girlier!

For this album I used some gorgeous papers from Anne Marie Designs. I also used rather a LOT of WOC flowers...

I also used lots of embellishments from Tim Holtz and from Craft Box

I added photo mats and tags for journaling.

And there you have it, mini album number 2 for today. These are so much fun to make!
I hope you'll come and play with us this month. Just remember anything altered art goes (no cards please!), and don't forget to go take a peek at the team's gorgeous inspiration waiting for you on the challenge blog!

Have a fantabulous day!

Sammy-x

April challenge - Altered Eclectics

Good morning everyone,

It's April, and Easter, and though it may be the day for pranks and silliness, I'm not joking when I tell you there's some gorgeous inspiration waiting for you over on the Altered Eclectics blog, where our new April challenge has just gone live.

I took a greyboard mini album, and had lots of fun making it all flowery and girly. I've been making quite a few of these, as we'll be having another craft fair for our charity before too lone, and these mini albums have proved super popular, so I'm making as many as I can!

I went for a girly travel theme for this one. lots of pretty colours and florals... I also used a few real postage stamps in complimentary colours for added interest. The Eiffel tower is a Snipart, painted with Distress paints.

I also included lots of Prima journalling notecards in the pockets...

And little envelopes are great for keepsakes and mementos...

 The papers are Dovecraft

 And I got the stickers in a Craft Box.

 I love creating all the different pockets for photos and other mementos to go inside.

And that's mini album number one! I'll be right back with another, but in the meantime, don't forget to go take a peek at the challenge blog to see what other delights are waiting for you there!

Sammy-x