Take It Easy

Good morning and happy Thursday. We've recently had a few days away visiting my sister for our annual Christmas trip into London - we were late with last years, not mega early with this one, but Christmas is coming lol. It also coincinded with her last day at work. She's still my little (ok much taller than me) sister, but she's also done her 30 years and so she's retired, at least for the Summer.

I love this Carabelle stamp set, but as she's not going on holiday I changed the sentiment a little. Day 1 of her retirement and we helped to chop down a tree. They have a huge garden and it will now be given lots of TLC.

I'm entering this into the following challenges

Simon Says Stamp Monday - Use Stencils (my background is made with Clarity Stencils)

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Bright Colours - have you seen his shirt! 

Stamping Sensations - In an English Country Garden - every English garden needs a tortoise! and
Ink Art Designs mine's a Carabelle stamp.

The sun is shining here today, and it really feels like Summer is on the way, so have a lovely day, and thanks very much for looking x

A Carabelle Play Day

Good morning and happy Friday. Earlier in the week I had a play day, just for fun, except for the tidying up, and this is what I made. 

I'd watched Leonie on Hochanda using an A4 stamp, so decided that it was time to ink mine up.

Never before been inked, but I'll show you an after picture later!

I started by making a background with Deco Art Premium Acrylics, and some Carabelle (Kate Crane) stamping plates.

I put too much paint on this one but I did like it and will use parts of it.

I have lots of different brands of stamps, and they are all kept in their own storage boxes, so I decided to stick with Carabelle for my stamping. These are all going somewhere in the background.

Along with these, and many more that got chosen as I went along.

This is why I never throw the scraps away! 

I thought I had lots more photos, but THIS is what I used, and this is only my work table, you should see the other two! There's lots of stencilling with Kate's stencils, and Viva Decor and Izink texture pastes which I really like, and for the eagle eyed amongst you, yes, this is what happened to my huge stamp...

I admit it, my name's Sue, and I'm addicted to my stamping platform! Yup I looked at my stamp and there was a place where I could cut through  - I promise no butterflies were harmed, and both pieces can now go on my TH platform separately.

There's lots of texture and crackle going on that you can't really see here.

 I also got a bit carried away with the stitching!

We're still a little bit in between indoor and outdoor photographs here, but I do like it, and it fills an A4 page. I really enjoyed my play day (or 2 or 3) and it was good to finally ink some stamps.
I'm entering my page into the Stamping Sensations All Things Bright and Beautiful challenge.

Have a happy weekend, and thanks very much for looking x