Saturday 25 December 2010

Seasons Greetings

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!


Thanks for being there in 2010!

Hope your Christmas is full of warmth, joy and laughter!
TTFN
xoxo Sioux

Thursday 23 December 2010

Shooters!

Just popping in to share this ATC seeing as I've not posted anything I've made for a bit!
But that's because I haven't made anything for a bit apart from my DT work!
I'm looking forward to having a play when I finish work for Christmas! :)


I made this to give to Lindsay Mason when I did the workshop in September.
We started communicating when she first started her blog as we found out we both had posters on our bedroom walls of these two when we were younger!

The background is a stamped T!m script and I manipulated the images of Pete and Ben to get them to fit on the T!m die shape....they were printed onto some kraft coloured card which added to the time worn look I think.........Studio G word fragments to finish.
Thanks for looking
xoxo Sioux

EDIT: After reading some of your comments I did a bit of a google myself and cannot believe that it's nearly 39 years since Pete decided that life was too great a burden and took his own life. :( .....Life is too precious to contemplate such a thing yet tragically many people do.
....surround yourself with people you love......cultivate your friendships
....believe that tomorrow will be a better day!!! :)

Tuesday 21 December 2010

Christmas Tag for The Artistic Stamper

Would you believe I'm sharing a Tag today ;)
over on the The Artistic Stamper Creative Team Blog


Curious? Then just hop on over to The Creative Team Blog for all the details.
Thanks for looking and happy stamping
xoxo Sioux

Sunday 19 December 2010

Strictly A-May-Zing!

I missed Strictly last night! Shocking!
It's Christmas and a night out with friends can't be repeated at this time of year
...but Strictly can be viewed as many times as you like on BBC I Player!!! Yes! Yes! YES!
What a fabulous evening (both with friends and watching the show today).
So difficult to have to choose this year...all so good for so many different reasons.
But I think the very best couple won in the end
Kara is so graceful and the pairing of those two was a stroke of genius.
I have to say I do love a man who is not afraid to show his emotions and the chemistry all helps with the overall performance.
At a pinch I could forsake RA for Artem but Artem clearly adores Kara so there is not much point in going there is there?!!! HOL

Sort of makes me want to learn to dance but I'd like to learn to dance with a great dancer...and I bet that does not come cheap!
You see I've always had this dream....and it is a dream! To be in Vienna for New Year and dance the waltz at the main New Years Ball there in a fabulous gown
....but being only 5ft and half an inch (the half inch is really important! LOL)
the dress impact might not be what I have in my minds eye!!
Then in conjunction with that waking up on New Years Day to find I have tickets to the Concert at the Musikverein for the Strauss fest :)
(the tickets are like gold dust to get hold of
...I keep entering the draw each year but no luck so far)
Oh well you can but dream.........sigh
TTFN
xoxoSioux

Friday 17 December 2010

Thank You Till Next Year!

'Tis with a hint of sadness (and perhaps a touch of relief! LOL ;)) that we say goodbye to the 12 tags of Christmas for 2010!
But me being me.........bring on 2011 I say!!! YEH!
See you then.....that's a promise.....right?!

I really......really cannot believe that there were 541 different tags posted here.
...I know I've said it before but this has been amazing.....some of you will not know but I've been re-adjusting to the loss of my DH in May.
...I only wish he could have seen you all joining in....he was a very inclusive sort of person :)

You have been, sorry I'll say it again.................A-MAZE-ING!

Such inspiration...such joy in sharing.....what a fabulous thing to do is stamping :)
It's been a privilege to see all those tags.
(I've still yet to comment on quite a lot...but I get some days off at Christmas so I'll see you then ;)

Now let's cut to the chase....
You want to know if you have won the candy! ;)
And here it is....

1. Book "100 Great Ways to Rubber Stamp"
2. The Artistic Stamper Air Mail plate and Kling-on to mount it on
2. Set of 5 cards and envelopes printed with an oriental design to add your own decoration to
3. Rollergraph with "Dogwoods" roller and ink
4. Adirondack ink "Peach Bellini" and "Latte"
5. T!m Configuration box
6. Alcohol ink "Raisin"
7. Shaving brush for stippling inks (one of my favourite things to do)
6. A bag stuffed full of an assortment of little treats including Maya Road chipboard shapes and Idea-ology metal parts/acrylic shapes
7. Three large jingle bells because "IT'S CHRISTMAS!"
8. My "Cava Queen" ATC
9. Oh and some real chocolate candy only I forgot to put it in the pile!!!! ;)
Well...I put the numbers into the number random generator thingy (sorry but have still not got the hang of how to get the link up here!)
...and the Mr. (or Mrs.!) Random said
True Random Number Generator


Min: 1

Max: 541

Result: 27

Powered by RANDOM.ORG
So Gerrie (Queen of Grunge) please contact me as soon as you can via my e-mail and tell me your snail mail address so I can send out the goodies ASAP!

Now for
****The Artistic Stamper Prizes****

Jennie very kindly has donated 3 prizes of £15.00 of stamps along with a little surprise so the random picker says

Prize 1 goes to 515 - Becky Bailey (Becky's Blog)

Prize 2 goes to 380 - Neil (Neelz Expressionz)

Prize 3 goes to 96 - Alison (Craftytrog)

Please e-mail Jennie who will let you know the full deets for claiming your prize
 jennie@thestampconnection.co.uk

Don't forget that The Artistic Stamper monthly challenge is still ongoing and you can continue to post your stamped tags there to be in with another chance of winning a prize in the "IT'S CHRISTMAS" theme.
....also.....there is a tag withdrawal linky ;) on Jennie's personal blog
for yet another chance to win a prize!

Happy Stamping!
xoxo Sioux

Merry Christmas for SCD

Hi all! We are still making tags over at Something Completely Different and this prompt from Carol - "Merry Christmas" - had me singing this song....

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping at your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
They know that Santa's on his way -
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And ev'rymother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly.
and so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times,
Many ways:
"Merry Christmas to you".

All the various words were stamped in one of three colours...Impress chocolate....Archival sepia or coffee with a couple stamped in Adirondack lettuce for a little contrast.
The background colour is DI wild honey and brushed corduroy inked on a sheet and sprayed with Perfect Pearls Pearl spray.....that is such a yummy combination I just had to do it again after I used it on my 9th tag of Christmas with T!m! :)
....stamped the circular motif on a piece of Crafty Individuals paper and mounted this on some tissue paper that had been stamped with an Artistic Stamper script stamp.

Head over to Something Completely Different to see what the fabulous teamies on the DT have made this week.
Hope to see you there! ;)

Thanks for looking.....and Happy Stamping! :)
xoxo Sioux

P.S. This is the last challenge for this year........Wow! Just where did that year go!
Don't worry though....we will be back in the New Year with more fun stuff to challenge us all! :)
Be there...or be square! ;)

Thursday 16 December 2010

T!m's Splinter Group Linkie

This is a stickie post for everyone who wants to be in the Splinter Group ;)
to add their T!m tags to :)
Don't forget this is not a competition......it's just a bit of fun
Play along each day....or just when the mood takes you! LOL
Hopefully we will all be able to hop around and see all those tags that T!m has inspired us to make ;)
Don't worry...you don't have to play every day!......you don't even have to use all T!m's stuff.

It's all about being creative as T!m would say :)
Leave a new link to the specific blog post of your tag each time you wish to share it here then I and others can easily come along and share the joy with you :)
Jennie at The Artistic Stamper has some fabulous offers on all the way through the 12 Tags of Christmas...follow the link for the details........you would not want to miss it!

Keeeeeeeeep Stamping!

IMPORTANT EDIT!
Jennie The Artistic Stamper is going to give away a goody bag full of T!m stuff to a lucky person who shares a tag here using the linky.
..so the more tags you share the better your chances are :)
This will be drawn by random after the end of T!m's 12 Tags of Christmas.
....is that not super generous? :) Thanks Jennie!
While we are on the subject I'll add a separate prize too!
Don't know what it is yet but I'll try and make it extra special to thank you all for playing along ;)

Also....(dill weed that I am!...Erm just thought....this is my colloquialism for being a bit slow on the uptake folks!)...why not link your stamped tag to The Artistic Stamper monthly challenge because
"IT'S CHRISTMAS!"


xoxo Sioux
P.S. Please scroll down for newer posts ;)

Quick Reminder!

Sorry not been around much this week :(
Too busy by half...but good busy :)
Just to remind you all that the linky for the 12 Tags of Christmas will be closing in approx 5 hrs.
..but if you are reading this in 5 hrs time it has already closed...sorry!!! HOL
So get posting those tags 'cos tomorrow when I finish work I'll be posting who has won my candy....want to see what the candy is?

 


1. Book "100 Great Ways to Rubber Stamp"
2. The Artistic Stamper Air Mail plate and Kling-on to mount it on
2. Set of 5 cards and envelopes printed with an oriental design to add your own decoration to
3. Rollergraph with "Dogwoods" roller and ink
4. Adirondack ink "Peach Bellini" and "Latte"
5. T!m Configuration box
6. Alcohol ink "Raisin"
7. Shaving brush for stippling inks (one of my favourite things to do)
6. A bag stuffed full of an assortment of little treats including Maya Road chipboard shapes and Idea-ology metal parts/acrylic shapes
7. Three large jingle bells because "IT'S CHRISTMAS!"
8. My "Cava Queen" ATC
9. Oh and some real chocolate candy only I forgot to put it in the pile!!!! ;)

Good Luck!
See you tomorrow ;)
xoxo Sioux

Saturday 11 December 2010

Travel without Observation for The Artistic Stamper

I'm sharing an ATC today over on the The Artistic Stamper Creative Team Blog


Curious? Then just hop on over to The Creative Team Blog for all the details.
Thanks for looking and happy stamping
xoxo Sioux

Friday 10 December 2010

Christmas Character for SCD

I immediately thought Disney when I saw this prompt from Laura "Christmas Character" ;)
You know the sort of thing Mickey as Santa.....alas no Disney character stamps but I did go for the cute option this week.


Looks a bit Disneyish don't ya think? Well perhaps not!! LOL
Now please don't look at the copic colouring too much I'm still not good at it!
I used a Toodles and Binks stamp for the cutsie deer.....added red glitter for the nose.
...stamped T!m snowflakes and embossed with Ranger holographic ep
...masked the deer and stippled the background using DI broken china and Adirondack willow
...stamped the Papermania deer at the top in Versafine and the T!m flourishes with DI tea dye.

Head over to Something Completely Different to see what the fabulous teamies on the DT have designed for you ;)
Hope to see you there......hey you never know one of T!m's tags coming up today, Saturday or Sunday could just fit the bill! ;)

Thanks for looking.....and Happy Stamping! :)
xoxo Sioux

Thursday 9 December 2010

12 Tags of Christmas 2010 - Brief Interlude!

Sorry folks but for the rest of the 12 tags of Christmas I'm going to be AWOL!
Don't all shout at me at once!!!!!! ;)
Bad timing I know but you see I'm probably stuck on a train station as you read this on the way to visit friends.
It has been planned for some time as.....well....it 's my birthday and I could not face the thought of being at home this year :(
It's always been a special time of year having a December birthday..but all things must change.
(For those of you new here through the 12 tags....my husband passed away in May and I am still going through major readjustments in my life)

I'm sure you will continue to use this link to visit all the tags being posted in my absence and I will still be popping along to leave those comments....I am so thrilled to see everything that is being created......Internet connection willing of course ;)

Oh! Just an aside...........this has proved to be much bigger than I ever thought....although to be honest I did not think about it at all! I only wanted to make it easier for myself to hop around! LOL
....dill weed me....did not think there would be all these people wanting to do the same!
.....I WILL comment on each and every one.....eventually! I'm up to 260 at the minute....I do hope I have not missed anyone....unfortunately I have an awful feeling I might! Wowser!...and even if I have to continue commenting all through my Christmas break I'll come visit you all ;)

I will be absolutely champing at the bit to finish those tags when I return and to help me and no doubt the rest of you out there that still have tags to do....I'm leaving the linky open a little longer than the 12 days and posts will be allowed up until midnight Thursday 16th GMT.
I'll ask Mr Random to choose the lucky winner of my candy then.
....sorry still not sure what exactly is in that yet...but my pile keeps growing!!
So.......TTFN!
xoxo Sioux

P.S. If I can't get to an Internet connection the linky may be appearing beneath this post and a scheduled post tomorrow and Saturday......I can't seem to make it a permanent sticky unless I change the date on it every day!!! But who knows......the peculiarities of Blogger
Thanks!

Wednesday 8 December 2010

12 Tags of Christmas 2010 - Day 8

I've put a stickie post up with an attached thumbnail linky thingy for anyone who wants to play along with the Splinter Group again this year!
I thought we all could add a link to the specific blog post of each tag and then it will make it easier to hop around to share the joy LOL

Here is my tag for today ;)



Not a bit like Tim's........I have my reasons! Mainly 'cos I have not got the stuff!! LOL
...used the iron fence mask for this using frayed burlap and over stamped with brushed corduroy.....I did not really want the black like T!m's
....stamped the snowman using white paint dabber and masked
....stamped and masked all the other elements and then added the background colour
...the white dabber did not do a fabby job so I went over the snowman with a Sakura jelly roll white pen.....what a load of !$** that is.
..although I have to say the photo does not make it look that bad ;) !!!
....made the banners using Serif Draw Plus and printed off....adding white buttons with a bow made from red raffia...the snowman was looking decidedly ghostly so that's how come the banners say Christmas Spirit.......it's got nothing to do with my Cava drinking!!! HOL

Thanks for looking! ;)

....Keep having fun ;)
....and.........Keeeeeeeeep stamping!

To celebrate the amazing tags being shared from all over the world
Jennie The Artistic Stamper is going to add more prizes to the pot as well as the original goody bag full of T!m stuff to some lucky people who share a tag using the linky post.
..so the more tags you share the better your chances are :)
This will be drawn by random after the end of T!m's 12 Tags of Christmas.
....is that not super generous? :)
Thanks Jennie! More about that from Jennie herself over on her blog.

DON'T FORGET that during the 12 tags of Christmas she has a special offer on for everyone who orders at the web shop just type in the word "12 tags" in the coupon voucher box at checkout and you will get 12% off!
And that's not all you will also get 12 T!m tags free too! A-maze-ing!

xoxo Sioux

Tuesday 7 December 2010

12 Tags of Christmas 2010 - Day 7

I've put a stickie post up with an attached thumbnail linky thingy for anyone who wants to play along with the Splinter Group again this year!
I thought we all could add a link to the specific blog post of each tag and then it will make it easier to hop around to share the joy LOL

Here is my tag for today ;)


Today?...Today I  was not going to be defeated! LOL
...I had sticky canvas wooo hooo! :)
...used DI's to colour the canvas and Tattered Angels sprays topped off with the gorgeous Ranger Perfect Pearls Pearl spray....don't think the rock candy distress seems quite blingy enough might add something else later ;)
....because I don't have the embossing folder...or indeed an embossing machine to emboss it with!! I just used a ball embossing tool on the tag over a pricking mat to get the woodish look...not as eye popping as the T!m version...but it's my version!
...because of this the background took more colour than T!m's and I did not want the flourish to be as dark or it would have got lost so there is hardly any inking on it!
I used an Artistic Stamper mini calligraphic script stamp for the T!m letters that Joanne kindly gave me. :) Thanks

....Keep having fun ;)
....and.........Keeeeeeeeep stamping!

To celebrate the amazing tags being shared from all over the world
Jennie The Artistic Stamper is going to add more prizes to the pot as well as the original goody bag full of T!m stuff to some lucky people who share a tag using the linky post.
..so the more tags you share the better your chances are :)
This will be drawn by random after the end of T!m's 12 Tags of Christmas.
....is that not super generous? :)
Thanks Jennie! More about that from Jennie herself over on her blog.

DON'T FORGET that during the 12 tags of Christmas she has a special offer on for everyone who orders at the web shop just type in the word "12 tags" in the coupon voucher box at checkout and you will get 12% off!
And that's not all you will also get 12 T!m tags free too! A-maze-ing!

xoxo Sioux

Monday 6 December 2010

12 Tags of Christmas 2010 - Day 6

I've put a stickie post up with an attached thumbnail linky thingy for anyone who wants to play along with the Splinter Group again this year!
I thought we all could add a link to the specific blog post of each tag and then it will make it easier to hop around to share the joy LOL

Here is my tag for today ;)


Today?...Today I  held my hands up and admitted defeat! LOL
...Toooooo much I have not got.....toooooooo much that would take tooooo long to recreate in a round about way......so today I went with a completely stamped tag but still tried to capture the essence.
 ;) I just knew that darned reindeer would turn up!!! HOL

I had to use a smaller tag than I have been using up to now to keep the proportions looking o.k.
....stamped the trees from the mini set in DI's peeled paint and brushed sage and masked.
....stamped the Papermania deer in Archival black.
I'd already used the T!m sentiment on yesterdays tag...so changed it for the Artistic Stamper one from mini Christmas 1
...I decided to use a metal word that I've had in my stash for a long time...it was free with a magazine I seem to remember ;).
....Keep having fun ;)
....and.........Keeeeeeeeep stamping!

To celebrate the amazing tags being shared from all over the world
Jennie The Artistic Stamper is going to add more prizes to the pot as well as the original goody bag full of T!m stuff to some lucky people who share a tag using the linky post.
..so the more tags you share the better your chances are :)
This will be drawn by random after the end of T!m's 12 Tags of Christmas.
....is that not super generous? :)
Thanks Jennie! More about that later from Jennie herself over on her blog.

DON'T FORGET that during the 12 tags of Christmas she has a special offer on for everyone who orders at the web shop just type in the word "12 tags" in the coupon voucher box at checkout and you will get 12% off!
And that's not all you will also get 12 T!m tags free too! A-maze-ing!

xoxo Sioux

Sunday 5 December 2010

12 Tags of Christmas 2010 - Day 5

I've put a stickie post up with an attached thumbnail linky thingy for anyone who wants to play along with the Splinter Group again this year!
I thought we all could add a link to the specific blog post of each tag and then it will make it easier to hop around to share the joy LOL

Here is my tag for today ;)


Now don't look too closely at the crackle effect! 'Cos it's not crackled LOL
I liked the red and green combo on T!m's tag today but do I have green crackle?
Do I heck as like!
...I know....I thought.....I'll try colourising my white picket fence crackle with a bit of green Adirondack acrylic paint.......It does not work let me tell you....so don't bother trying it unless you want the effect I got which sort of looks like a piece of old wood! In the end I kind of liked it!!
Serendipity? ;)
....I did not have any white UTEE....I know can you believe it LOL! So used some pearl instead....not quite the effect of old fashioned French enamelled numbers!
I'd already used the only T!m Santa I have on yesterdays tag...so changed it for the Artistic Stamper one from mini Christmas 1
...T!m's holly had to be good old fashioned glue and glitter
...The metal flower parts I made from a tomato paste tube (washed of course!) thanks so much for that idea Laura ;)...no distress in green or red so used normal verdigris on the leaf and a pink distress I had on the flower.....I coloured it after with a bit of DI aged mahogany ;)
...Ooh! The music was a free download from The Craft Stamper web site....it's come to my rescue more than once....thanks for that :)
....so glad I was not at work again for that one! Still fun though ;)

Thanks to everyone who is sharing here and hope you are all having as much fun as I am....sorry if I'm a bit tardy in commenting on your tags but there are more to comment on than I ever imagined.
.....but I will get there!!

DON'T FORGET!
Jennie The Artistic Stamper is going to give away a goody bag full of T!m stuff to a lucky person who shares a tag using the linky post.
..so the more tags you share the better your chances are :)
This will be drawn by random after the end of T!m's 12 Tags of Christmas.
....is that not super generous? :) Thanks Jennie!
While we are on the subject I'm adding a separate prize too!
Don't know what it is yet but it I'll try and make it extra special to thank you all for playing along ;)
xoxo Sioux

Saturday 4 December 2010

12 Tags of Christmas 2010 - Day 4

I've put a stickie post up with an attached thumbnail linky thingy for anyone who wants to play along with the Splinter Group again this year!
I thought we all could add a link to the specific blog post of each tag and then it will make it easier to hop around to share the joy LOL

Here is my tag for today ;)


Today I decided to be a rebel!
..well....it's sort of expected of someone who sets up a splinter group don't you think? ! HOL

About the only thing the same as T!m's is the attempt at the facet and the bling at the bottom!
I did not have any blues that were dark enough for the technique..well I've only got one blue anyway and that's stonewash and I tried it but it did not look right!
So taking into consideration I only had a couple of things the same and that the tags are going to be displayed on my china dresser I changed the colour combo 'cos I felt like it!! LOL
I went with the glittery facet technique 'cos T!m did say it was all about the embellishment ;)

..put too much gunge on and it oooozed out all over the place ;)...had those facets a while and have not had the courage to do more than admire them so far..you know how it is? :)
Stamped the Santa and masked him and inked the background with DI antique linen and victorian velvet.
...added an Artistic Stamper holly image from mini Christmas 1 down one side in a combo of peeled paint and bundled sage and added glitter to the berries
...used the T!m stencil type metal letters for "It's Christmas" sponged in fired brick
...T!m corner scroll stamped in pumice stone and Santa lightly coloured with Di's using cut & dry pens
....so glad I was not at work today for that one! But fun all the same ;)
Am I forgiven? LOL

Also....while I'm here......I can't believe the number of people joining in.....it's amazing....it's unexpected.....it's Fab-U-lous as Craig would say (that's one of the judges on Strictly Come Dancing here in the UK at the minute for our overseas friends ;))
Thanks everyone and hope you are all having as much fun as I am....sorry if I'm a bit tardy in commenting on your tags but there are more to comment on than I ever imagined.
.....but I will get there!!
DON'T FORGET!
Jennie The Artistic Stamper is going to give away a goody bag full of T!m stuff to a lucky person who shares a tag using the linky post.
..so the more tags you share the better your chances are :)
This will be drawn by random after the end of T!m's 12 Tags of Christmas.
....is that not super generous? :) Thanks Jennie!
While we are on the subject I'm adding a separate prize too!
Don't know what it is yet but it I'll try and make it extra special to thank you all for playing along ;)
xoxo Sioux

Journey for The Artistic Stamper

I'm sharing a card today over on the The Artistic Stamper Creative Team Blog
...it's a card for a man....you know how tricky they can be!! LOL


Curious? Then just hop on over to The Creative Team Blog for all the details.
Thanks for looking and happy stamping
xoxo Sioux

Friday 3 December 2010

12 Tags of Christmas 2010 - Day 3

I've put a stickie post up with an attached thumbnail linky thingy for anyone who wants to play along with the Splinter Group again this year!
I thought we all could add a link to the specific blog post of each tag and then it will make it easier to hop around to share the joy LOL

Here is my tag for today ;)


I thought today might be easier seeing as Joanne had sent me a die cut of the bird.
..thanks so much!
How wrong can you be!!!!
I have been at this since I got home at 5...not even a break for a coffee and it's nearly 9 now!
However.........I'm very happy with this tag :)
Had to work through my lunch hour so not even a bit of prep possible today.

It all went pear shaped with the birdie.......I don't have the tissue tape so stamped T!m's music stamp from the mini set onto tissue paper and cut up in strips them fixed it to the bird with PVA glue......so far so good....waited for it to dry and added alcohol ink....so far so good....added the rock candy and something odd happened.....it just would not set and it went all runny and cloudy too....in the end I wiped it off put some glossy accents on and added a bit of glitter to it! That was a lot of wasted time!
Spent some time trying to find a tree and then this Paperartsy one jumped out at me LOL
No splatter stamp again so used my trusty piece of foam packaging....worked a treat ;)
....made the flower by stamping an Artistic Stamper script stamp on tissue paper and roughly tearing out in circles...scrunching and layering
....the old fashioned image is from The Graphics Fairy ssbfl...thanks Karen!
...not a big fan of tinsel so used some different ribbons across the bottom
....nearly gave up with the greenery under the birdie....I was stumped
...then Bing! why not cut up a bit of old dry foam cleaning cloth lingering under the sink!
...tore it in little bits and inked it with DI peeled paint
Wowser yet another marathon!

DON'T FORGET!
Jennie The Artistic Stamper is going to give away a goody bag full of T!m stuff to a lucky person who shares a tag using the linky post.
..so the more tags you share the better your chances are :)
This will be drawn by random after the end of T!m's 12 Tags of Christmas.
....is that not super generous? :) Thanks Jennie!
While we are on the subject I'm adding a separate prize too!
Don't know what it is yet but it I'll try and make it extra special to thank you all for playing along ;)
xoxo Sioux

Trees for SCD

Yes it's Friday folks! It's my choice at SCD this week and I've chosen "Trees" as the prompt to make those tags with ;)
Yes one of my most favourite things to make.....Tags! Yeh!

Seeing as it's December I thought you could use Christmas trees if you feel the need LOL.
....but of course any sort of trees are just fine :)
Here is my tag


I love those T!m trees so much I had to stop myself stamping!

Dragged DI's old paper - scattered straw and shabby shutters across the tag
...stamped the lamp post and coloured with black soot and masked it.
..stamped the trees in a mixture of DI's peeled paint - brushed sage - pine needles.
...some of them are second stampings.
..added some Dimensional pearls (opal) to the ground and some of the trees.
...Studio G letters coloured with Copics.
...added a metal charm at the top to hold the tartan ribbon in place.
...I'm off to stroll down the path through the trees and see what I can find.
....It's obviously in Austria ;) so perhaps I'll find an imbiss hütte (snack hut) selling Glühwein! :)
Don't forget that in December we are asking you to try your hand at making a TAG and each week a new theme will be chosen.

Do hope my "Tree" theme grabs you just as much as it has me ;) 
So looking forward to seeing your tag creations over at SCD this week.
Thanks for looking and happy stamping :)
xoxo Sioux

Thursday 2 December 2010

12 Tags of Christmas 2010 - Day 2

I've put a stickie post up with an attached thumbnail linky thingy for anyone who wants to play along with the Splinter Group again this year!
I thought we all could add a link to the specific blog post of each tag and then it will make it easier to hop around to share the joy LOL

Here is my tag for today ;)


I was relieved today when I saw the tag as yesterday was a bit of a marathon!

Still missing elements of course but I'm so much happier with this tag :)

The greenery on the fir cone is T!m but it does not have the cone on it on the mini version set so I used a stamp of a ........ fern!
Yep it turned out nicely as a double up for one of those long fir cones ;)
Again the music stamp on the mini set was a bit small for my liking on this design so I went for an Artistic Stamper one....mmmmmm.
No splatter stamp so mixed some walnut stain with water on the mat and loaded a paint brush and tapped it to get the little drops.....mmmmm love that too
....added a wooden star (Ikea ages ago)
....and would you believe the pearl droppy bit is an old earring.
.....oh dear! I'm going to get known for bad taste in a minute HOL!

DON'T FORGET!
Jennie The Artistic Stamper is going to give away a goody bag full of T!m stuff to a lucky person who shares a tag using the linky post.
..so the more tags you share the better your chances are :)
This will be drawn by random after the end of T!m's 12 Tags of Christmas.
....is that not super generous? :) Thanks Jennie!
While we are on the subject I'm adding a separate prize too!
Don't know what it is yet but it I'll try and make it extra special to thank you all for playing along ;)
xoxo Sioux

Wednesday 1 December 2010

12 Tags of Christmas 2010 - Day 1

OMG!
It's here at last.......yes T!m's 12 Tags of Christmas has started.....go take a look here first to see his thoughts on the tag frenzy......warms the heart :)
I'm putting a stickie post up with an attached thumbnail linky thingy for anyone who wants to play along with the Splinter Group again this year!
I thought we all could add a link to the specific blog post of each tag and then it will make it easier to hop around to share the joy LOL
Don't worry...you don't have to play every day!....I'm not even sure I can......but I will have fun how ever many tags I manage to make :)....you don't even have to use all T!m's stamps.
...I certainly don't have all the Christmas ones!!! (Although I do have quite a few of the others! ;))
It's all about being creative :)

Here is my tag for the first day ;)


Yikes!!! It doesn't seem to matter how much T!m stuff I have.......I still don't have the right stuff!! LOL
No haunted mansion die or fence for me so had to cut my own from textured card....no point trying to cut it out of grungeboard....just don't have the machine to do the embossing bit!
....but I'm getting the T!m one real soon I hope ;)
Embossed the lines with a ball tool and carried on regardless after that!
I have at last used that glittery wreath.....originally purchased as ear rings....I know! Don't ask!
HOL
Can't see many people having that stuff to make the tree! Had to make it by wrapping tissue paper round some thickish wire and then colouring with DI vintage photo!
What I did have that I actually used for the first time today was the pearl mica spray.
..well....I think I've died and gone to heaven 'cos that is just theee most gorgeous stuff :)
Did not have the T!m ticket stamps but spookily had bought a set of Inkadinkadoo stamps at the weekend that were ticket based.....phew! ;)
Personally I'm not happy with the colour the house has turned out not nearly dark enough for me.
Hey Ho!

Jennie at The Artistic Stamper has some fabulous offers on all the way through the 12 Tags of Christmas so make sure you pop along there too.....you would not want to miss it!
Thanks for looking and happy stamping
xoxo Sioux

WOYWW - Are You Ready?

Well.........are you ready?
Ready for what's on my desk this week?
I'm poised! Are you?


Ready for T!ms 12 Tags of Christmas of course!
The stamps are lined up.....I did not have any T!m Christmas stamps last year so it was a bit of trial and error and a lot of improvisation to get anything to look right!!

This year though I have this set of stamps........(and other non Christmas ones ;))
Not sure how many tags I'll get through but I'm going to have fun trying!!! LOL

I'll be back later....much later.......today (a girls got to work you know!) with the first tag and I'm going to try and get an image linky up as a stickie so that anyone can share their tags here and join in the Splinter Group I started up for last years tags......it's just for fun
(I always had a yearning to belong to a splinter group!
Sounds dangerous and out there! HOL).
....no membership number needed...and not necessarily using T!m stamps either! LOL

Have a little trip to the WOYWW head honcho Julia to see what other people around the world are ready for on their desks this week ;)
TTFN
xoxo Sioux

Tuesday 30 November 2010

T!m's 12 Days of Christmas!!!

Well as everyone must know T!m is being the generous guy he always comes across as and is sharing his talents to inspire us to make those tags again :) Starting 1st December.
I'm hoping to join in a few at least this year too! I managed to do a tag each and every day last year and on the same day amazingly!!!
It was a mammoth task though and often I worked way into the night to get them done as improvisation was the key ;)
.....I have to say it was worth it as I felt so elated doing them and it gave me a real high :)
Yep...even better than Cava!!! HOL
Here are my tags from last year.



Don't know how well I'll manage as I don't have my little helper this time around....you so need a little helper I find to keep you supplied with tea/coffee/meals and to do the dishes etc!!! LOL
xoxo Sioux


Monday 29 November 2010

That Was The Year That Was!

Yes....all good things must come to an end!
You may have noticed a subtle change in my side bar ;)

I had delivery of the new Craft Stamper magazine on Saturday (only just got round to opening it!)  and the newly crowned Craft Stamper of the Year is there!
Such a wonderful piece of work :)
My lips are sealed as the winner may not know yet....as I did not last year!!

Wishing all good things for the lucky winners and if they are half as pleased as I was they will be in orbit already! LOL
So..........I was thrilled....thrilled...thrilled.......to have been Craft Stamper of the Year :)

...I wanted to do so much more though during the past 12 months but life put a spanner in the works!
I hope I've lived up to the title with the pieces I've shown here.
...as my profile says "Constantly striving to improve"

Thanks for reading my babble again today ;)...and thank you for being there for me
....each and everyone of you who take the time to leave me a comment
.....and those who just come to take a look see too ;)
...you don't know how much it has meant and how much it still means to me.
See you soon with some inky stuff LOL.

..I'll leave you with one of my favourite T!m quotes "Enjoy the Journey"

xoxo Sioux

P.S. Get this.......I needed new black casual indoor jog type pants from M&S and yesterday I came away with a size 14!!!!!!!!!!
There is no accounting for sizing these days ;)

Sunday 28 November 2010

1st Advent Candle

You will notice my candles are not red!
Could I find red pillar candles that did not have a scent?
No I could not! So cream it is then!
Seasons Greetings!


Overlays held in computer stash for ages....have not got them labelled! They are possibly Designer Digitals (ssbfl) but not sure.....sorry!
Thanks for looking :)
xoxo Sioux

Saturday 27 November 2010

Fab Day!

It's turned out to be a fab day!
Don't know why  ....strike that!!! Actually I do know why it's turned into a fab day!
I had a bad week last week...seems like I'm always moaning but really I know it's a natural process and in a minute the good days will out weigh the bad.
Anyway...today I went to Totnes for a little light shopping...yes Joanne I went to the craft shop!
Did an errand for a friend and exchanged some damaged ear rings....had a smooch around...wanted to get 4 red pillar candles for Advent but strangely could not see any!
...no worries ;) might try M&S tomorrow 'cos I have some vouchers.

Found that there is a new (ish) Fat Face shop and went in to browse....not expecting to buy anything.......not my size you see but do like the stuff!
Well......there was theeeee most gorgeous red and white tartan pajama bottoms and they had them in size 18! Well.........I thought I'd try them on anyway as sizing these days leaves a lot to be desired don't you think ;) and what do you know? They were toooooo big! OMG I had to try on a size 16 instead........Yes..yes...yes they fit :) made me very happy I can tell you.

So.......nursey who took my blood etc. on Thursday and does not know me from Adam who said in a very condescending way....
" Your BMI is high do you know what that means?"
Yes I said.........I'm fat!
Geeeeeesssse I'm not thick...fat yes...thick NO! LOL
I carried on.....unlike me but she had got my back up!.....I should not worry about it....'cos I'm not! This is how much weight I've lost since my husband died in May I said...pointing out the large safety pin holding about 5 inches of extra waist band being held together so as I can get more wear out of my work trousers!
She went a tad quiet after that!!!

Ooooh! You don't know how happy it made me feel today :)

So I say SOD the BMI (sorry for the bad word) but it's all relative and for me this is heading in the right direction.....not that I'm dieting but it is what it is.

It made me mad because it could have made someone else be so upset that they turned to eating.....I mean some people!
Thanks for listening to my babble today ;)

Those who read this blog often, know my late Husband was the chef in this house and a darned good one too...hence the added reason for the loss of inches!
P.S. I'm wearing the jammies now...and gorgeous they are too! ;)

Friday 26 November 2010

Snow for SCD

It's the last Friday of the month over at SCD this week and sweetie Dawn has chosen "Snow" as the prompt.
...I wonder if that gal is psychic! LOL Hope you are warm and comfortable where ever you are :)
Don't forget that the November themes are there for you to make just about anything you like!
This week I'm sharing a scrapbook page....that's defo different for me!!! LOL

This is me when Pip and I celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary in Mayrhofen in Austria
oooh that's nearly 9 years ago now!
We had gone for a walk in the woods...the sleigh bells were jingling...and Pip thought is was a good idea to make some of the snow drift down from the trees...make it more atmospheric I seem to remember him saying ;)
.......up he threw a stone and
......wallop!!.....down came an avalanche of snow right on top of me!!!
He captured the moment on camera really well :) Cheers mate!
Happy Times :)


Stamped black Bazzill card with snowflakes (Royal and Langnickel) using Versamark. Made sure they were dry before stamping further images with white Versa Color.
...then randomly stamped more snowflakes and winter wonderland text using Versamark again
.....this time embossing with winter wonderland ep.
...printed Snow Joking using a font called “Basic”...cut out and embossed using winter wonderland again.....offset stamped snowflakes on each letter in black Staz One and edged all letters with black Sharpie pen.
...made my own postage type decal "Winter Wonderland Magic" using Serif Draw Plus X4 printing it onto Letraset Safmat film. Rubbed onto photo....keep forgetting to use this stuff!!
...for the ribbon pull on the journaling block I used a white permanent pen to draw the lettering for “Tirol” and printed off the journaling blocks saying all the things I love about Austria using photo's from that trip and others.
....yep...I'm lucky enough to have been more than once! I have to keep reminding myself of stuff like this when I've been feeling sorry for myself just lately! LOL :)
...if you click on the photo to enlarge I think it is readable.
...printed the words READY, STEADY and AVALANCHE onto vellum



It's been a fabulous month seeing all your creations on the themes.
I know it's going to be fun seeing your Snow creations over at SCD this week too. ;)
Thanks for looking and happy stamping :)
xoxo Sioux
P.S. Just clicked on it myself and can only just make it out and I wrote it!!! HOL
The second bit down says
"I love everything about the Tirol in Austria
and spending my
December birthday there
was a dream come true,
even the unexpected
avalanche of heavy snow
when having my picture
taken was fun."

P.P.S. Sorry for the long post!!

Wednesday 24 November 2010

Cava Queen Winner!!

OMG! Just had to pop by to post about my fab-u-lus win!!
Not only was I picked out as one of the fav's this week at The Stampotique Challenge for my Girlie Girl ATC.....praise enough hey?!
....but also I was lucky enough to win the $30 prize from the Stampotique web shop!!
Wow!! Believe me it's made me very happy :)
Such a lot of special designs this week and the inspiration from a lot of very talented people too
...Wow! Again!
Thanks for making my day.....no make that week!
xoxo Sioux

Sunday 21 November 2010

Bee Botanical for The Artistic Stamper

I'm sharing a card today over on the The Artistic Stamper Creative Team Blog


Curious? Then just hop on over to The Creative Team Blog for all the details.

Don't forget the monthly challenge which is "Something Hidden"
The rules are simple... all you need to do is make a piece of art, be it a card, ATC, wall art, altered art... just remember that it needs to include some rubber stamping and the theme... and... if you use Artistic Stamper stamps on your entry you will be entered into the draw twice! The prize is £15 worth of stamps from the Artistic Stamper shop... along with the KlingOn to mount them onto.
I hope you get chance to play at the challenge... it is open until November 30th and the winner will be chosen by Random.org shortly after :)


Thanks for looking and happy stamping
xoxo Sioux