Live Laugh Love

Hello everyone, I hope you are enjoying the weekend.   It's still hot here but the nights are more comfortable.  I'm so looking forward to Fall and cooler weather, it's my favorite time of year and after a record breaking hot summer, it will be even more welcomed.

I have a card to show today using whimsical stamps that I love, designed by by Marja for Kico Stamps.

The background was created using Distress Inks and stencils.   The whimsical faces from KiCo's Diverse Stamp Plate 73 were painted with Distress Paints, cut out and attached.  I drew the bodies first using a pigment pen.   Live Laugh Love is a freebie from the Craft Stamper magazine that I cut after stamping.

Thanks for stopping by,
Shirley

Smile and Be Yourself

Hello and Happy Weekend, I hope you are all doing well. 

I have a card and tag to show today which I created using whimsical stamp sets designed by Marja DeVissor for Kico Stamps.

I created the same background for both using Dylusion spray inks & over stamped with a tangled circle. Most stamped images are from Plate 51.   The girl on the tag is from Plate 73 -I extended her body using a pigment pen.

I coloured the stamped images with Distress Paints, white heavy Acrylic Paint and Distress Inks (using my craft mat with water and brush).

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week.
Shirley 

Whimsical Sisters

Hello everyone, I hope you are having a great weekend.   We are enjoying the great outdoors, it's beautiful, sunny with not too much humidity... love it :)   

I finally had a chance to use new stamps that were designed by Marja for Kico Stamps, I love her whimsical ladies, these two seem like sisters.  

The background is Dylusions Inks along with Distress paints using a stencil and some stamping.  I stamped the girls separately which I painted with Distress and Acrylic paints, cut them out and attached.  I added a gloss gel medium over the entire design and sprinkled glitter which you can't see in the photo.

I drew their bodies and extended their hair as I've seen Marja do in her designs.  I also cut the neck of the smaller girl to tilt her head at a different angle.  You can have great fun with these stamps.

Here is a look at the stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week,
Shirleyx

Whimsical Congratulations

Hello everyone,

I hope your week is going well.   I was in the middle of creating this card when I decided it would work well for one of my granddaughter's high school graduation. 

The background is Dylusions inks with lots of stamping and stenciling.  

The pretty lady and the flower circle behind her are Kico stamps (plate 65) designed by Marja. I have other sets designed by Marja that I'm looking forward to playing with.

The die cut flowers are by Heartfelt Creations (from the Vintage Floret set).

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend,
Shirleyx

A Creative Holiday

Hello everyone, I hope you are doing well.  Warning this is a much longer than normal post !

I haven't been visiting at your blogs much lately as I've been away in the Netherlands and also busy with family and other activities. 

During my vacation I was able to get together again with creative family members and friends.  We had a great day talking, eating and working with stamps and mixed media.

We started the day with stamping and painting on small wood tags, and below is the one I created.   I used stamps designed by Marja for Kico Stamps along with Gesso, Acrylic paints, stencils and a white pen and glitter.  I managed to purchase a set of her whimsical faces before they sold out at the Kico booth during the Event. 

You can see all six tags in the collage below.

We also created a tag using face images and below is mine.    I think the pretty face image is by Sweet Pea stamps.  I used a couple of stencils and also doodled some of the flowers to match the ones around her hair.

We also created a lot of backgrounds with mixed media, Miranda gave us a demo on using Ecoline inks, it was very much fun.   You'll see the backgrounds pop up later in designs.

And below is a collage from the creative day with talented friends and family.    Marja creates beautiful pendants and necklaces using her stamps and below you can see that she 'gifted' me with one.

I timed my vacation to attend the large Art Specially Event (art stamps and media).   I had a great time there with family and also seeing blog friends again and meeting some of my Design Teamies for the first time.  I also managed to buy more beautiful stamps and stencils to add to my growing collection :)  The selection was amazing.

I didn't make an announcement that I would be at the Event, so I missed seeing some of my Blog friends.   I actually thought it would be easy to bump into people there it was not, it's a huge show (paradise really) but very crowded at times.  

Below is a photo collage from the weekend.  My sister & I were lucky to take a workshop with Maria using shaving foam and ink re fillers. I was happy to meet up DT Teamies, Maria, Alie, Karin and  Miranda and also Marja at the Event.

Going clockwise, starting from the top left ... Maria & I, Alie & I , Karin & I , My Tante, cousins & I (along with a friend) my cousins & I, dutch windmill, Marja & I, and Miranda & I.

That's all for today, thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Shirleyx

Secrets in the Forest

Hello everyone, I hope you are doing well.

I created this page in my journal for  the Art Journal Journey for October Challenge which is "Deep in the Forest".   I almost didn't show it as it's such a quick make, but I wanted to participate and time is running out.  If you have a chance to visit their blog, you will see lots of wonderful artwork by the talented participants in the challenge.

I recently received a gift from my dear Tante in the Netherlands - a new stamp set designed by Marja for Kico Stamps.   In the set is a mysterious tree and I thought it would work well in a forest 'scene' and could be a little 'spooky' for this time of year.    

I also used Design by Ryn's Flowing Branches stencil and her Leafy Branch stamp. The tree and mushrooms are from the Kico Stamp Set Plate #60 (designed by Marja).

I wonder what other secrets are in the forests?

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day,
Shirleyx

Be Happy

Hello everyone, I hope you are doing well.   I would like to welcome the new followers and again thank you to everyone for your visits and kind comments, they are appreciated.

Also a big thank you to all of you that left me tips on stamping over alcohol inks & glossy papers, I'll be playing again with them :)

I recently had a chance to use a wonderful whimsical stamp set that was designed by Marja (of Marja's Stamp Addiction) for Kico Stamps in the Netherlands.      Even though we are well into the Fall Season, this makes me think of Spring :)

I'm joining the challenge over at Rhedd and Rosie Challenge Blog as the theme is "Anything Goes".  

Stamp set used:   Kico Stamps-  Diverse (2) Plate 51 (designed by Marja de Visser).

The background is with Dylusions inks.  I stamped the circle design with Distress Ink.   I stamped all images with black Stazon & coloured with Dylusions inks (I dab a little on my craft mat and use a brush & water).   I decoupaged as shown and highlighted a little with a white pen.

Have a great day... be happy !
Shirley

Be Happy

Hello everyone, I hope you are having a great day.

I recently returned from a wonderful & busy vacation in the Netherlands.   I'm jet lagged and trying to get caught up on work inside & outside.   I had a great time and will tell more about it in another post with a few photos.

I was able to pick up some special stamps while away, more beautiful designs that I can't wait to work with.    I wasn't able to sleep well this morning so I had a chance to make this card.  The background was created during a crafty day with a special group of ladies  :)

The background was created with Dylusions inks & a bit of stencilling.    I used images from the stamp set Marja's designs set No 51 for Kico Stamps.  I stamped the images with black Stazon and coloured with Tombows, water and highlighted with a white Gelly roll pen.   The pretty lady was stamped separately on another piece of the background, coloured and then cut out.    I love this whimsical set and can't wait to use the rest of the images. 


Thanks for your visit & enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Shirley