A Vintage Journey {it inspired me to blog!!!!!}

Yesterday saw the launch of a brand new challenge blog

A Vintage Journey

It's a vintage and shabby chic style Tim Holtz inspired challenge blog run by the ever so wonderful Brenda Brown and supported by a whole host of wonderfully talented gals. You must go check it out.

The first theme as you would imagine was 'Anything Tim' though mine turned into everything Tim lol

I started by making a hidden book stack from envelopes, I then inked um all up with distress, I used papers from the French Industrial pad, along with some of the new ephemera pack pieces to decorate the front. I also used a Tim stamp {from the shabby french set} for the postmark , and some pearl beads for the feet.

I chucked in a few alteration die-cuts and some copper idea-ology bits and bobs.

The inside I keep a little lighter, a bit more shabby, using more of the papers, ephemera and die-cuts, along with some lace, rose ribbon and tag.

I pretty much spent all of yesterday happily making this, I hope you like it too.
{oh and wish me good luck, i've applied for the last DT spot!}
Stay Inky

There goes another week!

WOW Tuesday again already and another week passes with no art.. sorry bout that.
A mix of uber hot weather, niggly lung pain and shabby play... the altered stuff just isn't getting a look in.
Well that is not till today over on the Creative Studios DT blog
here is your peek to entice you over
{the problems with commenting from last week have now been sorted too}

Yeah it's shabby but it's also something altered!!!
Stay Inky

Anything Goes!

This is very cheeky last minute entry for this weeks
Simon Says Stamp'n'Show Anything Goes challenge
{technically last weeks but I got in with 4 hours to spare!!}

I made a little name plate for my craft room.

Just before christmas I found a lovely vintage scrabble set in the local charity shop, I snapped it up so quick I can tell ya!! But I wasn't sure what I was going to do with the lovely letter holders till I saw a friend with a name plate on her desk, I loved the idea so had to make a few.

The one above is obviously mine, using Tim Holtz mini gear die-cuts and some metal gears.

I also made one for my friend Lily {nickname Queen} again using some of Tim's dies and some spellbinders too.

And i'm working on a third for my mate Gillian but that's still a work in progress and will have to be shared another time.

***

I'll be back later in the week to share a PaperArtsy project i've been working on for the challenge they have going to welcome Michelle Webb as the first of many new guest designers.

***

Till Then Stay Inky

♥ HUGZ ♥

Something Fishy About That Bird!

Hi Inky Visitors
Today I have another challenge piece for you.
This time The Stamp Man
with an 'Alter It' theme,  and seeing as it has been a while since I did any real altering I was right on the case..

In case you cant guess from the title,  I altered 2 sardine tins {washed and cleaned out first obviously} Which I coated with a rust paint effect that i've been learning from the Andy Skinners 'Timeworn Techniques' online workshop.  Your missing out if you haven't signed up, It's a great workshop.
Now my rust isn't up to par as I don't have the right sand paste stuff so it's not as textured as i'd like but overall it still gives the piece a nice grungy look. And one can only get better with practice.
I gave the bird a bit of a makeover too

The sprays and ink used didn't cover properly so I ended up with a very mottled look, but I didn't mind, it makes her kinda quirky.

To add a bit of interest in between the tins I used some vintage scrabble tiles, back and front.
Not only did it make it more visually pleasing, but was great for the stability of the piece.
 I was going to add something to the back but didn't know what so I left it.
To finish I just made it nice & homely for the wee bird with lots of lichen and twigs.
***
I hope you have enjoyed today's challenge piece.. Who knows, you may see me again this week with yet another one!
Till then..
Stay Inky

♥ HUGZ ♥

Outside The Box!

Over at the Stampotique Designers Challenge their theme this week is to 'Think Outside The Box' which is quite handy as I have been doing just that with my attempts to make things for the DT call they have at the moment.
This is one of the pieces I felt just didn't quite make the grade for submission, but for this challenge it's perfect.

It was certainly out of my comfort zone, I've never embossed onto a thick acrylic b4 and boy did I have fun with it warping and twisting, which I kinda knew would happen, just not as much as it did!
The hanger has been alcohol inked and stamped from behind with angel boy, and then the wording embossed on the front and edges, with a a paper glimmering hope stuck to the front, and for a little added something I used mini bottle top alphabet which reads 'no angel' on the handle.

Right I can't stay here all day, I've Snazzy DT pieces to make!!
Till next time
Stay Inky

♥ HUGZ ♥

Let's Get Shabby

Although I am grungy girl at heart I do have a rather shabby side, and when I saw it was the 'Let's Get Shabby' challenge blogs 3rd Birthday I knew it was time to finish a certain project that I had started over a year ago and had sat waiting for inspiration to strike and finish it off.
The theme was to take one of the previous challenges:
I picked Sewing Box Challenge (Oct 10)

Using items from your sewing box

Must see at least 3 sewing box treasures in your creation and one of them must be pins

The piece was already painted and crackled with Fresco vintage lace paint, and I had used some of the TH sewing pattern paper to back the recesses, and a little TH diecut bunting.

I found an old dolls house singer machine at the local charity shop which started off the sewing theme. But that's where I had stopped.
So to finish it off I raided my sewing box and slowly found elements to fill up the rest of the spaces, The top spools were made from the mini TH die then inked and wrapped with cotton. I still had 3 very blank spaces at the bottom, and then I had a light bulb moment and decided to make draws, that way it could house sewing ephemera.
The draws were made with kraft card and then fronted with mountboard, I then stamped using some of the TH mini stamps, and edged with some rose trim.
The last touch was one of the WV blossom bucket embellishments and the piece was finished.

I'm really pleased to have finished this project, it sat unloved for so long, now it will be treasured for sure. Thanks LGS for the push I needed to finish it.
***
Stay Inky

♥ HUGZ ♥

Mousing Around!

Hay peeps, Sorry for the lack of blogging,
I was frantically trying to get my mum's present finished and posted and then the past few days I needed a little break, I crafted myself out I think lol
But i'm back now and wanting to show you my creation for the
Compendium II Challenge
This week it's Technique 5: Shattered Stains Tim Holtz A Compendium of Curiosities, Volume 2, page 48 Sponsored by Simon Says Stamp

 My inspiration for the project came from the very talented Shelly Hickox who altered some mouse traps back in April after being inspired herself by a pin on pin interest by Suzy.
As soon as I saw both creations I just knew I wanted to play too.

But when they came my mind went a blank till now when I decided to try the shattered stains on it.
I used a grunge heart, and some alpha parts, as well as die-cutting letters with the wordplate die.
I also coloured the metal with alcohol ink. I applied a small strong magnet to the back so it can sit on my fridge or metal noticeboard.
I'm quite pleased how it turned out, be prepared to see more over the upcoming weeks lol
Right I best be off, the sofa is calling me.
Catch ya in blogland x

Stay Inky

♥ HUGZ ♥

Random Art!

As you can see from the following bit of random art my mojo has been somewhat hit and miss lately.. This being a mega miss but hay I thought i'd share it anyway just so you have something to look at.

Today see's my first project of the month over on the Snazzy's DT Blog
It's definitely a hit compared to the above piece lol
Please pop over and show some love,
here's a peek

Stay Inky

♥ HUGZ ♥

The Time Traveller.

Today I have something a little different to share..

It's my entry for this weeks Simon Says Stamp'n'Show Challenge

Their theme is 'Bottle It'

I made this, which I aptly named 'The Time Traveller'

   I found a cool alarm clock in the charity shop, got it home and proceeded to gut it.. I now have lots of cool gears for another project.
 Then I set about filling it, As the name suggests I've gone for a travel theme,

 with a map background, compass and of course some messages in bottles, I also rusted up a mini birdcage as it's nice to have a travel companion lol
I had an absolute blast making this and will defo be on the lookout for more clocks to alter.. Watch this space.
Till Next Time
Stay Inky

♥ HUGZ ♥

Oh Sew Good!

Over @ Tuesday Throwdown their theme is 'Anything but a card'

And this project definitely fits the bill..

I altered a plain paper mache collage box, Into my own mini configuration piece.

I used a textured paste on the frame, then painted over it in white and accented with fancy metal corners and old vintage buttons,
The inside was covered with old book pages and old dress pattern paper

I embellished with some mini 'rolls' of fabric, chipboard props and a friendly plastic mannequin.
This has to be the first project i've done in a long while that has absolutely no stamping on it!!!
Have a great week!
♥ HUGZ ♥

WOYWW 92

Oops late this morning, had a bit of a lay in.
The sun is shining, The birds are tweeting, and my desk is a mess.
Well sort of, i'm in the middle of fiddling with trinkets, and making bag charms

There is also a half finished dress form shadow box and another altered pocket watch, the first one i did can be seen HERE.
Right i best get on, got the boring stuff like washing and shopping to do,
I'll be by later to have nosey round your desks.
If you want to nosey round some desks too, head over to queen bee Julias blog to begin your surf!
Stay Inky
♥ HUGZ ♥

Metal Medallion!

Ok not so much medallion as altered pocket watch, 

but it's kinda similar, in a not so much kinda way lol

Simon Says Stamp'n'Show wanted to see some 'Metal' and i'd had these old watch cases for months sitting waiting for inspiration to strike. 

Well it finally did with a Tim rosette and some metal flowers and butterflies.

And this is what it turned into...

Think this has enough metal to qualify don't you!

Thanks for hopping by.
Stay Inky
♥ HUGZ ♥

Alter It Monthly!

Well i got there in the end, I managed to finish the challenge piece i was going to blog yesterday.
And as you can see from the title it's for the Alter It Monthly challenge which makes it's return to blogland after a little break.
This month the theme is
Shrines, Nichos, Alters and Dream Boxes
I started off with this...

Added some matt gel medium
and a canvas to the mix and got this...

Then with a bit of green and blue patina eco paint,
some cutting, sticking and fiddling, oh and some trusty dymo tape.
I ended up with this...

I had several people ask what the little winged thing on my desk a week ago would become
and at the time i really didn't know, but as you can see she evolved into what i'm calling a
'CYBER PUNK' angel

She's made from hearty clay, old watch parts and hardware findings.

To be honest i'm not really up on what nichos and dream boxes are so I hope this fits the bill for the challenge..
Thanks for stopping by x
♥ HUGZ ♥

Oops.. where did the day go!

Ok so i know i said i'd be back today with another challenge, and that was my every intention..
but alas, I had a lay in this morning, the first in many weeks, and then i faffed a bit, hopped round some more OWOH blogs, totally forgot it was wednesday so didn't even snap a pic of my desk to show..
I am however in the middle of the fore mentioned challenge piece and hopefully it will be ready to show tomorrow.
So instead here is a little brooch i made some weeks ago and i just hadn't got round to blogging.

It's a piece of stampboard, I used a paper artsy stamp, coloured and etched and then finished with a top coat of glossy accents, I added some puffy wings and a hand made angel charm dangle.
TTFN
♥ HUGZ ♥

Love Configuration!

Good morning Stampers
Well here we are at the start of Feb already and a new month means new challenges!
The first being The Artistic Stamper Creative Team challenge
This month it's a 'LOVE' theme
I created my very own configuration box

I started by off by using one of the already cool papier mache collage frames, but i added some cardboard segments to make my own cooler configuration, I painted the outside of the frame with a 'dash of red' Studio paint, Once this was dry i covered the cardboard inside with patterned paper and stuck it in place. I used tissue tape {made by myself as i had run out of the proper stuff!} just like Tim did in his configuration video to make the front look all neat and tidy.
I stamped the pretty flourish from the stampers anonymous 'Rockstar' plate along the bottom of the frame and added some tiny metal flowers from my stash.

I got a whole bunch of fragments and stuck them to pages from the seasonal paper stack, some of which i had stamped first using the stampers anonymous 'lovestruck' and 'urban chic' stamps, and some i stamped on top after i had cut then all out to give a different effect.

I found some acrylic letters that i treated in the same way i did the fragments.

I found a selection of items to fill my configuration gaps such as some maya road bingo chips and a love key for Tim idea-ology range. I also made a little love note using a punched out envelope from more seasonal stack paper and stamped the little rhyme from the roses are red plate.

Finally to balance the frame as there was a big gap at the top,  I filled it with a TSS metal rose that i cut using the tattered florals die, i used the second smallest of the set. I was going to use the beautiful red metal, but then realized I didn't have any!!! {mental note to go visit the artistic stamper and stock up lol} so i used black instead, and before i assembled it i placed it into an embossing folder and just rubber it with my hand to get a less defined emboss. I lightly sanded it and then put it all together.
And there you have it.
One Love configuration.
And speaking of love, why not hop over to the Team blog and show your love to all the other creative members and there great artwork xx
***
I'll be back tomorrow with the other challenge piece, but which challenge i wonder!!
♥ HUGZ ♥

ONE WORLD ONE HEART 2011

Hello Blogland.
The time has finally come to once again enjoy a giant blog hop around the globe hosted by the very talented Lisa of A Whimical Bohemian for the 5th and sadly final year of the
The One World One Heart Event 
{Click the link for all the details on how you can be part of the fun}

I would like to take this opportunity to say a BIG Thank You to Lisa for all of the hard work over the past 5 years, I wish you well for the future on the journey that is life.

Last year was my very first OWOH event and i loved it so much i just had to take part again this year.

*****

So on to the Event...

'Its open to all active bloggers worldwide'

*****

Hi my name is Nicky but everyone calls me Minxy.
I am a self confessed craft-a-holic and have been making things for as long as i can remember. I am a dabbler in all crafts but master of none, but my passion is mixed media {coz that pretty much covers everything lol}
 I like nothing better than getting inky, painty and generally messy in my craft room. I love all things Tim Holtz, He was the one who made me believe i could do altered art, or at least try it!
 I also like to dabble in Jewelry making, photography and love dancing round my flat to all sorts of music!!
It gives me so much pleasure to think that maybe i can inspire just one person out there with my arty creations
 So please feel free to have a good old nosey round my blog!
But before you do make sure you leave me a comment on this post so i can enter you in my 'door prize' giveaway.
Please leave a way for me to contact you and also a link to your blog so i can come visit you.
.....
So to the PRIZES!

Up for grabs first is a large handmade matchbox in a vintage style stuffed with goodies

Next i have a handmade US style postbox also in a vintage style and also stuffed full of goodies

And then lastly i have a little grungy mini canvas art hanging

And who knows if i have time i may just add a few more!!!

***

Thank you for visiting me and if you are also taking part in this wonderful event i salute you x

If you have any questions there is an email linky in my sidebar.

So for now i shall say a fond fair well, 

Have a lovely few days of hopping fun and i shall be back to pick and announce the winners on the 17th Feb.

I will list the winner here on the blog and contact the winners by mail.. {so don't forget to leave a way to contact you!}

Until then let the hopping fun begin!

♥ HUGZ ♥