Manuscript found in a bottle, Poe style for gingersnaps,second post today!!

Hey there bloggers,
Well I have to say, despite not being sure, I am LOVING the go Poe month of challenges at gingersnap, this using alcohol inks, @ http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/  ,make sure you hop across and see the fab dt work, and entries.
This was not something I had turned my hand to before and I can honestly say I have loved all four of the challenges and will be sad to see the month end...I will even miss Poe!!!
Anyway, enough waffling..here is my piece:

The challenge at gingersnaps this time was using alcohol inks, which I definitely don't use enough!!!
I started by making a background piece using alcohol inks, I also applied them to a fragment and then removed the colour from centre using blending solution.The alcohol inks were also applied to a stampbord tile.
Once the background was dry I added strips of tissue tape,.....,
The other half of the card was covered with text from a book kindly given to me for this by my sister.

I chose manuscript found on a bottle... I made a scroll from a piece of the text and added some inside a bottle...which I dripped alcohol inks down the outside of.

The stampbord tile was over stamped with pen nibs and Poe added.

The tile had a picture of Poe added. To complete the card the pieces were assembled and then a pen nib added.
I am entering this for the following challenges:
alcohol inks @ http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/
anything goes @ http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/
anything goes @ http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.com/
anything goes @ http://www.comeandgetitchallenges.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by and taking time to look , it means a lot!
leave a comment and let me know what you think!!

ta trace x
have an inky day!!!

night skies for the stampman..

Hey there bloggers,
I want to say a huge welcome to my new followers and also a huge thanks to all my followers and for the lovely comments I have received, they make my day and I appreciate the time you all take to stop by and look around, thanks I am loving being part of blogland!!!
Onwards, the challenge at stampman challenges @  http://thestampmanchallenges.blogspot.com/  is night skies, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to do and then did this instead..and am really pleased..I love the way inkyness evolves and you suddenly find all this things long forgotten, play and end up with a pleasing result!!!! even if my room looked like a hurricane had just passed through, I used to be such a neat crafter!!!
So, here she is :

I started by making the background using DI, I used the variations of : tumbled glass, stormy skies,pumice stone,chipped sapphire and black soot.The dark colours were using sparingly.I then stamped the birds on a wire and the collage image and clock on paper coloured in the same way, the one and only TIM stamps from lost and found, lifes possibilities and ornate collages.

The elements were then all layered up using pinflair glue.

I am entering this for the following competitions:
night skies @ http://thestampmanchallenges.blogspot.com/
anything goes @ http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

thanks for stopping bay, if you have time stay a while,
have an inky day!!
hugs trace x

B is for boo!!!!

hey there bloggers,
Well here is another little canvas today, my last Halloween piece of the year I should think!??but who knows??..i know it isn't now as there is a Halloween challenge over at the Sunday stampers!! http://pinkleart.blogspot.com/, pop over and see Hels inspiration, it is fab!!
Anyway here he is:

i made this canvas for the Halloween challenge at the Octopode factory..@ http://toffchallenge.blogspot.com/
I made the background by covering in orange paint and then brushing corners with black soot DI. I then stamped cobwebs in black and pearl paint dabber. Once dry I added the bats and the letters.The cute little ghosties are Lilys.

I am entering this for the following competitions:
Halloween @ http://toffchallenge.blogspot.com/
b is for boo @ http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com/
Thanks for stopping by,
Ta trace x
Have a great inky day!!

WOYWW, second go I am hooked!...third post today..like buses my posts!!!

Well hey there bloggers,
I entered for the first time last week and officially hooked!! I may not get much crafting done today as the children are on half term but have projects afoot, that lay on my desk awaiting attention!!!!
So here is my desk today...

Then I thought you might like to see what hides above bagpuss and my crafty efforts!!

and one more for luck!!

I cannot wait to hop around and look at other peoples!Why don't you hop over to Julias and have a look and put your desk in the mix at http://stamping-ground.blogspot.com/
My crafting  today will be helping my children with crafty projects as James (8) wants to make a mosaic box, Oliver (6) has some air dry clay to play with and Lucy (2), well,she will just get messy I guess, but hopefully a great time will be had by all!!!
have a great day!
ta trace x

Horror stories for gingersnap...second post today

Hey the bloggers,
Well this challenge was horror stories and Edgar Alan Poe inspired...I thought and thought and then went for it!!!

I started with a tag and covered half using Edgar text from his book, which felt a bit naughty but looked good!!! I over stamped the other side of the tag in text inked with pumice stone.
I inked the tag using distress inks in pumice stone, black soot and aged mahogany to create an eerie feel, I hope!!!!
Then I waited for the ink to dry (well blasted it again actually, patience is not my strong point when I am on a roll!!!).When dry I heat embossed the Tim pen nibs, which I just love, and embossed using detail embossing powder.I love the detail and shine in contrast to the eerie smudgy background.
finally I added a splat stamp using aged mahogany DI.

I added staples down edge of text, pen nibs, a heart cut from grungepaper and half covered in tissue tape with text and finally a treatment with. Picture of Poe himself.
To add to the stories and writing element, I stamped pen nibs onto the ribbon.
My favourite piece is the dolls house books which I added some text and blood to one of the pages.

I love the feel of this tag and how it all came together, let me know what you think, gently!!!
I am entering this for the following challenges:
Horror stories @ http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/
Emboss it @ http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/
Books @ http://drunkenstampers.wordpress.com/
Emboss it @ http://onestitchatatimechallenge.blogspot.com/
spooky/scary @ http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.com/
no designer paper @ http://craftysentiments.blogspot.com/
spooky @ http://stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.com/
Thanks  for stopping by, it makes my day!
Have a good one !
Ta trace x

let it snow, vintage style..

Hey there bloggers,
My first post today is vintage and wintery inspired..so here she is:

I started by craeting the background using some fantastic creative expressions stamps, which I was so lucky to win...and my oh so favoruite distress ink from the one and only TIM!!
I created the background in two halves, I know how predictable!!?! The left hand side was coloured with antique linen. and then over stamped with snowflakes in antique linen and tea dye DI.
The right hand side was stmped with tress, over coloured with DI to soften them, spritzed and dabbed off and then when dry more trees added to create depth and detail....i hope?!!

Vintage ribbon and paper string coloured with tea dye were added to left hand side. The main image was stamped and the edges gently inked, with same colours..although to add a bit more definition I added some walnut stain,very gently...which has to be said is not always my forte!!!

The swirls, and flowers use Tim dies and the flowers were cut from an old book and coloured with DI.

 I am not usually a pearl person, but they seemed to suit this, oh and a bit of glitter for snowy trim and tress. The sentiment is again creative expressions.

I am entering this for the following competitions:

let it snow @ http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.com/

one colour only @ http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/

winter sentiment @ http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/

layer upon layer @ http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com/

vintage christmas @ http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.com/

distress it @ http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.com/

card competition @ http://www.creative-expressions.uk.com/aboutus/promotions/index.php?pid=3

recipie @ http://papersundaes.blogspot.com/

thanks for looking, hope you have a fab inky day!

ta trace x

Home is where the heart is....second post today!

Hey there bloggers,
Well my second offering today has amazed me!! It started life as a very cheap canvas and I am thrilled with the results!! So here she is:

I wanted to enter the houses challenge over at The Octopode factory @  http://toffchallenge.blogspot.com/ but didn't really know where I was going to end up...quite often I have a firm idea of where I am heading at least, but this time I went with it and loved where I ended up!!! I may even hang it up !!!!!
I started with my scrummy dylusions paints and added colour to the canvas board, then when dry I added some white through sequin waste, dried (yes I blasted it with my heat gun!!!) I added some of the rusty red colour using sponge dabber to soften some of the white. I added some aged mahogany distress ink around the edges when dry..( I couldn't not, if you read my previous post I didn't use any DI and was still shaking!!!).

Onwards, I took Lilys house Digi and just added colour to the heart, using DI.I also added some grass, a Lily rubber stamp.
The font was from the computer and I cut a heart to put 'heart' onto using Tim movers and shapers die, coloured using DI.
The small hearts were made using the same die, I cut them from clear shrink plastic (forgotten how much I love this stuff,) then I made the whole. They were coloured using alcohol inks.... which I then remembered were flammable!!!, so wondered if that and heat was such a cool idea?
I heated the pieces with some trepidation, but was ok...phew!!!!
I added two as smoke from chimney and the rest to the wire to hang the piece up.

I am entering this for:
houses @ http://toffchallenge.blogspot.com/
new beginnings i.e new house @ http://ceschallenges.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by, let me know what you think?
I am really pleased and can see a few more hangings coming on !!!!
Have a happy inky day
Ta Trace x

Autumn leaves..

Well hey there bloggers,
I am going to try and do a short and sweet post, which if you have stopped by before you will know is hard for me!!! So here is my offering today:

I have done this card using a simple style background and guess what? NO DISTRESS INKS!!! Yes, I am shaking at the thought!?I managed to do this all without those fab favourite, crafty staple!
The background was made using big n juicy, spice ink pad overstamping with a Tim script.The image is a tiddlyinks one bought from my winnings, thanks to everyone at tiddlyinks or picking me!!She is flower girl but I though would suit autumn colours too, I added a little glitter just to flowers.
I added some pre bought fabric leaves, that I added ink to deepen colours and a couple of Tim flourishes.
I am entering this into the fall cards @
tiddly inks fall card @ http://tiddlyinks.blogspot.com/
autumn @ http://wagsnwhiskersrubberstamps.blogspot.com/
autumn @ http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
fall @ http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
There I managed a short and sweet post!!sort of? I will be back soon and yes there will be more crafty ramblings I am sure!
Have a great day
Ta trace x

Nevermore quoth the raven! fourth and final post today!!!promise!!!

Hey there bloggers,
Well gingersnap are having some spooky Edgar Alan Poe inspired competitions and this one is ravens.
http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/

I started with a copy of the raven that my sister had kindly given to me for this!!!
I tore the pages out of the book , which felt very naughty!
I covered the card with the poem and then coloured using my seasonal Tim Holtz inks that had just arrived and just couldn't wait to be used!!!
I chose seedless preserves and gosh is it gorgeous!!!, and black soot.I then had to add a torn strip, be rude not too, and I coloured this using same DI and overstamped with script using black soot.Then I added some mini staples!!!!
The right hand half was stamped with barbed wire stamp and then a shadowy raven added, I love the way the text peeks through although I still feel slightly guilty about the book!

The tile of Poe was made using an Internet image ,glossy accents and a TIM fragment.
I added a fence using pen nibs, embossed in silver..hope that idea translates from my head to the card?!!!

Finally I finished with the ravens quote...nevermore,using scrabble letters coloured with ink
I am entering this for gc123- Ravens @ http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/
embossing @ http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/  (I used heat embossing on the fence)

I didn't know how this would turn out but I am thrilled and suprised at the finished result, let me know what you think..be gentle!!

Thanks for stopping by
Hugs trace x

Happy Halloween....third post today!

Well hey there bloggers
third post today!!!I am making the most of having a minute to myself to catch up on posting!!
Gosh it has turned so cold, might have to put my flip flops away for good!
Anyway, here is another orange looking card for Halloween, promise I will do different colour next time!!!

Those of you who happen here often will be shocked to find that this card has one background, not split into two halves!!!I know I had to question myself but managed not to add another part!!!The background was made using DI and then dripping large drips of water onto the colours and blotting off...I adore the effect this gives..very time it looks different and works with all colours and most size drips!!
Then to darken the drip splits in added DI in pumice stone and gently with some black soot!
The background was then overstamped with bats, swirls and cobwebs.

The main image and sentiment are from chocolate baroque.I painted the main image using DI and then added some black glaze pen to add detail.

I am entering this for the following competitions:
Halloween @ http://drunkenstampers.wordpress.com/
spooky fun @ http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/
S for soon to be Halloween @ http://alphabetchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Halloween@ http://challengeupyourlife.blogspot.com/
Halloween@ http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.com/
Halloween@ http://craftybootschallenges.blogspot.com/
Flying things @ http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/
Halloween@ http://ibrakeforchallenges.blogspot.com/
spooky hues....@ http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
Thanks for stopping by
Have a happy inky day
Share the love and leave a comment, they make my day!
Hugs trace x

Just batty about bats!!! 2nd post today!!!

Well hey there bloggers!!!
second post today!!!
Today I have been playing with paint and ink and having a very messy and fairly productive time!
It makes me realise that these paints are nowhere near as good as the dylusions ones and I need the other colours,still the background is great for this card as I was overstamping and stuff!
Anyway here is my offering today..

I started with my painty background and then added stripes from Lily at the octopode factory and bats form the one and only TIM!!The image is from tiddly inks a range of digis that I am growing very fond of, and me the girl who was NEVER NEVER EVER going to do digi! Anyway here she is batty, just batty about bats and I am rather fond of the little fellas myself!
The images are all coloured in monochrome and the flowers are cut on stripy paper which I have darkened with black soot distress ink.

And yes I did have to add a few , only a few mini staples..couldn't help myself!!!
I am entering this for the following challenges:
monochromatic @ http://thecraftypad.blogspot.com/
no patterned paper @ http://blingitonchallenges.blogspot.com/
Halloween @ http://tiddlyinkschallenge.blogspot.com/
stripes @ http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/
balck and white image @ http://someoddgirl.blogspot.com/

thanks for stopping by and for all the lovely comments , it means a lot!
have a happy inky day!
ta trace x