Limor Circles ATB

Hi all, another blog post from me today. I created this a while ago and realised I haven't blogged it yet, ooopppsss. So here it is... This is a ATB - or Artist Trading Block. Similar to ATC's (Artist Trading Card) but a 3D version. I have played with ATC's before and have done a few swaps with other artists and have always loved what I have received. 

But.... I'm an 8 x 8 girl!! I love a big square surface to work on. So the size of the ATC took a bit of getting used to. So I though an ATB with bigger surfaces to work on was a fab idea. 

I decided to used the Limor Circles stamp set from IndigoBlu for this project as there are loads of different designs of circles to choose from and in different sizes. 

I first cute my cube base from a piece of linen A3 cardstock. I then cut 6 squares approx 3" for each face of the cube. 

I chose a selection of blue distress inks to play with ranging from faded jeans to peacock feathers. And started stamping.....

I lined all the 6 square pieces up and as randomly as possible, started stamping. I wanted to create a similar design for each square but in a random style. So each square had all the same stamps but not necessarily in the same place.

I then used the large and medium target stamp on each square and added white and black embossing powder. 

On the cube base, I stamped the net circle from the Limor Circles down each folded edge with FlitterGlu and added IndigoBlu Mega Flakes.

I then stuck each square to each side of the cube and then constructed it in to a 3D cube. 

Thanks for popping by.... 

Leave me a crafty comment if you wish.

Toodles for now.... 

It's a blue christmas

Hi folks, thanks for tuning in.... another christmas card from me this week courtesy of those gorgeous christmasy stamps from IndigoBlu. 

For this creation I decide to use the stunning 'Winter Wonderland' stamp. This is a gorgeous silhouette image of a beautiful wintery scene but included the most intricate details.

I'm still in my "blue period" which worked perfect with this stamp. 

I started by spraying Sleeping Beauty and Aladdin IndigoBlu English Cottage Artist Acrylic paints on to IndigoBlu Perfect Stamping card.
I did this with two pieces of card, one to stamp on and one for the background. This is fast becoming my favourite technique with the paints as the outcome is different every time. 

I stamped the Winter Wonderland at the bottom of the smaller piece of sprayed card with FlitterGlu and used the stunning Morris Dance Mega Flakes to create a gorgeous shimmery scene. I then stamped offset over the top of it with Stazon Midnight Blue ink to create a shadow. I stamped Snowflake Lace with the same ink at the top of the card. 

I used a piece of black card as a mat which I edged with the Chocolate Box Mega Flakes then layered it on to the second piece of sprayed card. I distressed the edges of the base card to create some texture then finally matted on to a black card blank. 

You can find all of the products I've used here or use the link at the top of my blog to go direct to the IndigoBlu website.

You can also check out the IndigoBlu blog for more fabulous inspiration and join in with the current IndigoBlu challenge blog. Links for both are at the top of my blog. 

Thanks for popping by.... toodles for now. 

My New Tool Caddy.....

Hi folks, well jumping sticks.... It's all done, finally.... Finished.....

I've been working on a lovely new project for a few days now and I have to say.... I'm quite pleased with the results. In fact - I'm chuffed!!!!

I wanted a new tool carrier for a while. I've bought a few different ones in the past but have always fell out with them after a couple of weeks. For some reason, I never seemed to be able to find anything that I put in there!!! 

Which when you are holding on to something which needs sticking down with one hand and rummaging about with the other hand looking for the thing you knew you put in that specific pocket but now seems to have done a flit..... It gets a bit frustrating. 

So I thought about it and thought about what I really wanted.... an old style wooden tool box. Similar to the old milk bottle carriers. So off on the hunt I went. Which was so unsuccessful!!!! I did find a few... that were too big, too small, to long, too heavy, didn't hold enough weight.... I mean come on!!!!

Finally after a few hours of internet searching I came across one that carried bottles. YES!!! so it will take on the weight of my crafty tools. Size? YES perfect. Made of wood? YES perfect.... It was all coming in to play. Until I looked at it in finer detail. It wasn't pretty looking at all!!!
Here is the before....

Well that was such a shame (insert sarcasm here) - as that was the perfect opportunity to get the crafty stash out and start playing. 

I decide I wanted my new tool caddy to be a fabulous creation so picked out some of my fave IndigoBlu stamps. I thought it would be a great advertisement for IndigoBlu products too when I am out and about doing my IndigoBlu demos and workshops. 


So.... here is my finished creation...

After a good sanding and couple of coats of IndigoBlu White Gee-Soo Good! I went with the luscious IndigoBlu English Cottage Artist's Acrylic Paint using the stunning Townhouse Teal and Park Lane colours from the Summer collection. 
I still can't decide which one is my favourite in the Summer Collection but I went with these two as I think I'm still going through my blue/turquoise/teal phase. 


I used Park Lane on the inside of the caddy and Townhouse Teal on the outside. 

The IndigoBlu stamps I chose to work with were:  Elizabeth Bennet, Nature 1, Jane, Crackleglaze Background, Honeycomb Background, Bubbles Background, Rose Blush, Butterfly, Harlequin.


I stamped each of the stamps several times on to one ply of white cosmetic tissue with Versafine Vintage Sepia ink. After tearing the tissue around the edge of the stamped images I decided where to put them on the caddy. 

To adhere the stamped images on to the caddy I used IndigoBlu Slap It On Matte. This is THE most AMAZING stuff!!! And its so easy to use, just do what it says on the bottle!!! Literally.... SLAP IT ON!!! 

I placed the stamped tissue on to the caddy and used a large brush to apply the Slap It On until the tissue had adhered to the wood. 

I worked my way around the caddy until all the images I wanted were adhered in suitable areas.  

The next step involved one of my favourites. MEGA FLAKES!!! IndigoBlu Mega Flakes are just MEGA. They are huge! I chose a selection of the stamps, Yorkshire Dale Mega Flakes and along with IndigoBlu trusty FlitterGlu, got gilding. 

On both of the caddy ends, I wanted to add some more, different techniques. On the Elizabeth Bennet/Rose Blush side I chose to stamp the images on to acetate with FlitterGlu and add Mega Flakes. I painted on the reverse, over the flowers on both stamps with the Park Lane Acrylic Paint. I then adhered them over the top of the original stamped image. 

On the opposite side of the caddy, I wanted to add something around Jane. I chose to add some IndigoBlu Altered Ego's to create some 3D art and chose the Florals collection to work with. 

I arranged the Altered Ego's in quite a random way, layering, adding and changing each piece until I was happy. I gave them a coat of white Gee-Soo Good! and mixed up the paint with water in spray bottles. I sprayed alternate colours until I was happy with the colour. 

To finish, I wrapped some jute string around each end of the handle to create a more rustic look. 

I am so chuffed with this project. I love how each little element has come together and created something that original was so boring to look at, is now something that is worth carrying around. 

This is definitely my new handbag!!!



Bits and Bobs I used...

* IndigoBlu English Cottage Artist's Acrylic Paint - Townhouse Teal, Park Lane.
* IndigoBlu white Gee-Soo Good!
* IndigoBlu FlitterGlu.
* IndigoBlu Stamps: Bubbles Background, Elizabeth Bennet, Nature 1, Jane, Crackleglaze Background, Honeycomb Background, Rose Blush, Butterfly, Harlequin. 
* IndigoBlu Slap It On Matte.
* IndigoBlu Mega flakes - Yorkshire Dales.
* Versafine Vintage Sepia.

All these products can be found on the 
IndigoBlu Website.


I would like to enter this project in to the following challenges:

Rhedd's Creative Spirit - altered art August challenge. 
Altered Eclectics - August challenge.