Sepia travel themed mini suitcase for Tuesday Taggers

The Stamp Man is sponsoring the Tuesday Taggers Challenge this week and I couldn't pass the chance of joining in with this theme, it had my name on it!! SEPIA!

It gave me a good excuse to get my suitcase out... no I'm not going anywhere... it's one of those mini ones I posted about previously.

Apart from decorating the suitcase with lots of travel stickers, I made a double-sided mini concertina book to go inside. There are 11 panels each side, 22 atc(ish) sized pages. I left a blank page on each side for notes or a greeting. I had intended it to have 10 panels but thought it would be nice to have somewhere to write in it too. I have just shown a selection of the pages here, I don't want you nodding off half way through the photos!! I will post more photo's in a separate post that will be at the end of this one so I don't bore you with too much detail here. I also have one of the pink cases that I will do a similiar idea with another time, but with a different theme. I have really enjoyed this project....

The main colouring is from using various pieces of card/paper I have made with Moonshadow inks. I used rubber stamps, stickers, rub-ons, mini postcards, printed word papers, brass charms, and even managed to fit in a bit of Cuttlebugging too.

I made the actual base concertina from the paper we have in our concertina card packs which starts as a metre long piece. I didn't want to leave it white so I used Ranger's Tea Dye Distress ink for a sepia look. I made all the separate panels then laid them all out on the paper before deciding the order I wanted to place them, so that similiar panels were not next to each other.

I made some tags to adorn the handle that are attached with gold jump rings, one is a suitcase brass charm, another is a tiny tag decorated with a cigar label and a TH discover word bubble. The 3 metal dog tags have a separate word on each, saying 'pick a place'. As these were silver metal and I wanted gold/copper, I used alcohol inks on them which toned them down alot.

If you'd like to join in the challenge too, I know you will be most welcome, so visit the Tuesday Taggers blog for the info.

Jill

More sepia/travel themed suitcase photos

I bought these suitcases for the shop a while ago, I thought they would be good for presents where you could make something to go inside, my thoughts were a mini concertina book, jewellery you have made or even as they are for use as travel jewellery cases.

Some of the inside panels.

The suitcases had sat in a box under a table in the shop for a while then blow me, T!m Holtz blogged about a class he took where they made mini books to go inside. It inspire me to get them out to at least show we had them in stock.

I was delighted when Janet told me about the sepia challenge for the Tuesday Taggers, it got me all fired up to actually get on with it.

Thanks for looking!

Jill

Jumbo Snowman

Well, I guess I have to accept that Christmas is on its way and make some sort of a start on it!

I have just added this jumbo snowman to the website, it was originally on our Snowy Christmas sheet but we decided to make him an individual design. He is approx. 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" and costs £2.99.

For the card... I painted a wash for the background with the blue/gold from the Icicle Creek Starburst Stain set, then Cuttlebug'd it with the Swiss dots folder when dry. The main background is fusible film, 3 sheets with some shreads inside that I ironed and fused together first then stamped on with brown Stazon ink. He is coloured in with Sakura Souffle pens which dry raised and have a lovely pastel soft matt finish.

Butterfly Beauties & Icicle Creek Starburst Stains (2)

Here's another card made with the new Butterfly Beauties stamp sheet. This time I have embossed in gold again onto an Icicle Creek Starburst Stain background. The card is cream hammered which gives a lovely textured shimmery finish and as it is on cream rather than white card, it has a warmer tone than yesterday's card. I added more bling (self-adhesive gems and pearls). You could also use dots of liquid pearls or glitter glue.

Butterfly Beauties with Icicle Creek Starburst Stains

The background for this card was made by mopping up some Icicle Creek Starburst Stain spillages from my non-stick sheet. I swiped the card across and blotted to create the distressed look. It has a golden shimmery effect that unfortunately you cannot see in the photo.

I embossed using Stamp 'n Stuff Stardust embossing powder over black pigment ink. The EP has a clear base with added glitter which adds a nice sparkle. I added sticky back gems for extra bling! Looking at the photo now, I can see a missing gem, lost since I made the card, well it was handled a lot at Harrogate so I'm surprised more aren't missing!

I meant to mention the other day when I showed the first card with this image that also on the sheet is a stamp that can be used as a border, I took some of the smaller flowers from Tracey's design to make the neckline. They are separate stamps so you don't have to use it but I think it adds a pretty touch. I also made a matching rectangle stamp that can be used as a border when stamped a few times as well as for a general background stamp.

The ribbon border is a mesh type ribbon by Magenta, they do this in a few colours and I love it! It has a goldy glittery finish that isn't too over the top and works well with the gold shimmer in the stains. I added another of the gems to the centre of the paper flower.

Blog Candy prize now claimed!

Just popped on briefly to let you know that Maureen has claimed her prize. Thank you for the lovely email Maureen, you may have never won anything before, but I bet you are glad you entered now!!

Thanks again to all who entered, we'll be having another giveaway soon so do pop back to join in.

Jill

Classical Instruments and mica pigments

Here's another of the cards I made for the Harrogate show. I used the Outback Moonglow Mica Pigment Powders for the main image, if you would like some instructions for this technique, please click HERE.

The base card has been sprayed with Moonshadow Mist. The side gold panel is a background made with one of the gold Moonshadow Inks which I Cuttlebug'd with the swirl folder. The words are on the same stamp sheet, I just cut them up and mounted them on copper mirri card.

BLOG CANDY WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Thank you to all who have entered our latest blog candy giveaway, and to those that also joined during this time as followers, it's very much appreciated!

I have used a random number generator to select the winner, who is....

Maureen Lewtas - (No 59)

Congratulations Maureen!!

To claim your prize, please email us at The Stamp Man or phone 01756 797048. We will need your address by midday on Friday 18th September 2009, we can then get your prize in the post for you.

If the prize is unclaimed by then we will need to pick a new winner.

Thank you again to all that entered! We will be starting another giveaway soon so please call back to enter the next one.

I hope you will continue to visit our blog!

Jill

Continuing on from this morning

I haven't been home too long, just enough time for dinner, so as it's getting on and I'm shattered, I'll keep it shortish for tonight.

Debbie, Helen and I have had an absolutely fabulous day!! I will tell you more about it tomorrow and will show you what we made in due course.

I wanted to explain about the Butterfly Beauties card I posted earlier (shown below this post). I ran some bazzil card through the Cuttlebug with Swiss dots for the background.

The image has been embossed with black pigment ink and Kaleidoscope embossing powder, the EP is heat sensitive and changes colour as you heat it, you can just about see it in the photo, it changes more as you continue heating it. I've found the last colour you get is amber, so alway stop there otherwise you will overheat the powder. As the colours change, through green, blue and purple (not necesarily in that order) you are left with a multicoloured glittery effect. This powder works best with dark coloured pigment inks so it doesn't have to be black and is worth trying, dark blue, brown etc.

I didn't add extra bling to this card, but it would look good if you did, a mixture of the glitter and gems is very effective. I'll show another card I did with another powder tomorrow that has lots of added bling!!

Well that's probably all I can say about this card.

Will be back tomorrow, it has been a long but wonderful day, I haven't fully recovered from Harrogate yet so I'm going to flop on the sofa now:)

Thanks again for your comments.

Oh, meant to say that I will announce the winner of the blog candy soonish, definitely by tomorrow.

Jill

A play day today

The shop is closed today so Debbie, Helen and I are off to play at the Woodware Retailer Open Day where we will attend workshops held by Fran from Stampendous, Helene from Magenta, Francoise Read, and others.

Will be back later to tell you more but wanted to show one of the cards I made for the Harrogate show.

Have good day!

Jill

The Stamp Man's Summer Blog Candy Giveaway

*** NOW CLOSED ***

THIS POST WILL REMAIN AT THE TOP OF OUR BLOG UNTILTHE WINNER IS ANNOUNCED AND THE PRIZE HAS BEEN CLAIMED.
FOR MORE RECENT POSTS PLEASE SCROLL DOWN.

I've been nattering on about the French Country Starburst Stains for quite a while and had lots of enjoyment using them myself so I've decided to treat a lucky winner to this set. I've included some white blanks to stain, such as doilies, paper lace and a chippie album etc to get the winner started and also included some co-ordinating card, yarn and ribbon. The picture doesn't show it but I will be including a DVD I made about the basics of Moonglow products, it will help with techniques to try with them. The DVD mainly shows the techniques with Moonshadow inks, but they are the same techniques for Starburst Stains. The candy contains:-

Set of French Country Starburst Stains

Four rolls (2 metres each) of Paper Lace

Various sizes of doilies

Pack of tags

Square Tab Chippie Album

Luxury pack of mixed yarns and ribbons

Variety of ribbons

15 sheets of card

Card of various yarns

Moonglow DVD for techniques

For those with blogs - to enter all you need to do is leave a comment below this post and spread the word on your blog by putting a picture of this blog candy onto your blog linking it back to this post. If you would like to sign up to become a follower that would be great, as we'd really love you to follow our blog, but is not a requirement.

For those without blogs - please leave a comment below this post. Please note that you will need to leave your full name within the comment to be entered, otherwise anonymous entries cannot be accepted.

One entry only, duplicate entries will not be counted.

Unfortunately due to postal costs, this time, the candy is only open to UK residents.

This candy will run from today until midnight on Monday 14th September. The winner will be selected at random and announced by Wednesday 16th September. We will not contact you direct so you will need to check back then to see if you have won. Further details will then be posted on how to claim your candy! If the prize has not been claimed by midday Friday 18th September a new winner will be drawn.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!

Please continue to our latest post below...

Something silly...World Record - Cream Cracker Eating

We usually hide treats around the living room for Hamish to find in the evening but, as we were in a silly kind of mood after getting home from the Harrogate show, Ian decided to do something different.

The (human) world record was set at 49.15 seconds on 29 October 2002 by Ambrose Mendy.

Hamish did it last night in 45 seconds!! Crumbs included:) Could this be a world record for a dog?

Blog candy ends at midnight!

Have you entered to win the blog candy yet?

If not do so NOW, as it ends at midnight today!

Please don't be shy, join in for a chance to win,
you don't need to have a blog to enter.


* * * *

Don't forget to call back on Wednesday to see if you have won!

* * * *

A new blog candy giveaway will be announced soon, so do call back to join in

Home again from the Harrogate show

We packed up the stand and got home in record time, and we are now enjoying a slump on the sofas! It was a lovely day again today too, meeting lots of people, and having lots more hugs!! Especially nice was the unexpected visit from Jo, and also Batty Barbara visiting from France:)

Thanks for visiting us and for your custom and support over the weekend, it was much appreciated. I hope everyone enjoys using their new purchases. Sorry to those that missed out on the Butterfly Beauties that sold out, we'll get the orders out as soon as more stock arrives. It wasn't as busy or hot today so a much easier day apart from packing up the stand, which was the usual crazy frenzy!!

Have you entered to win the blog candy yet? One more day to do it, go on do it NOW, if you haven't...I'll give you a final nag tomorrow and that's your last chance!!

Thanks for your lovely comments, they too are appreciated and were a nice welcome home.

A shattered but happy me:)


PS: A question for you, does anyone know what the world record is for eating 3 cream crackers?

Home from the Harrogate show

A short post tonight just to say thank you to everyone who called to see us today at the show, it was lovely to meet new people and catch up with old... um sorry should I say familiar faces again! As it is fairly local to us it seems to be a bit of a social occasion as well, it is always nice to see customers who have been crafting for years and that they are all still enjoying their cardmaking.

It was very busy and hot but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. If you are at the show tomorrow please come and say hello we'd love to meet you, I'll be the one with the messy hands!!

Also, thanks to everyone that is visiting our blog, joined as a follower and entered to win the blog candy.

The blog candy finishes on Monday so if you haven't already entered, do it soon!! You've got to be in it to win it:)

Jill

PS: I've added the Funky Flowers/Frames display board photo especially for Sally:) Not that you can see the cards very well but if you visit Kay and Debbie's blogs, as well as click on the labels for that sheet on this blog, you should find the individual cards a lot clearer/closer up. Hope it helps Sally, have fun using your new stamps!

Harrogate show

Just a quick post, we're all set up for the show and are ready to go! If you are able to attend the show, please come and introduce yourself, we'd love to meet you!! Tomorrow Debbie and Caroline will be with me and on Sunday, Caroline and Ian, (The Stamp Man).

We have the new stamps of course, plus some really good offers including a limited number of grab bags, (these include Hero Arts stamps sets as well as individual stamps).

Debbie and I have been making cards with the new stamps, and I'll be demonstrating different things over the two days if you want to come and have a look.

I just popped over to Debbie's blog and she is showing 3 of the cards she has made with the Butterfly beauties sheet, they are gorgeous!! If you can't attend the Harrogate show to see them in real life, then do visit Debbie's blog for a look, they are stunning!

Hope to see you there!!

Jill

Aspects of Design 61 Butterfly Beauties

Here is the first peek of the 3rd sheet, Butterfly Beauties, equally as lovely as the first 2 sheets I think. The intricate butterfly is a smaller version from Tracey's other sheet, and the lady with flowers and butterflies in her hair has been named by me as the bling maiden! I spent hours last night sticking tiny gems in her hair!! The things we do... The swirl at the bottom makes an equally gorgeous matching neckline.

The smaller images can be used for the backs of your cards with the handmade wording or used for a gift tag, the words are included for gifts as well as I am often asked for a stamp with 'a gift for you' rather than 'just for you'.

I may be back later with a card or two but have to finish some paperwork and other daily stuff today. So no playing with them 'till later I'm afraid.

I did start a canvas with this sheet last night, needs a bit more work before I show it but I'm sure that we'll have loads of cards to show you in due course!

Thanks for looking!

Jill

Been away with the fairies!

Playing with the new fairies stamps actually, lol, have also been playing with the new musical instruments and also the 3rd sheet Butterfly Beauties that you haven't seen yet. I promise to stop playing for long enough tomorrow to show you that sheet too along with a finished card.

So many stamps, so little time, it is so true, I want to use them all NOW, one minute I'm stamping the fairies, next the musical instruments. The irons been on the go with fusible film and fibres, starburst stains and moonshadow inks are all out, cuttlebug, ink pads, moonglow ep's, pens you name it, it's out on my desk, or on the floor or well EVERYWHERE!! I currently have a little gap in front of me so I thought time to stop, put Sarah out of her misery and show the fairy sheet (lol), and have a general tidy up before I start again....

I hope you like this sheet... I'm LOVIN' it, especially the large fairy and the frame!!

All the stock arrived today, umm have we got enough, eeek, I hope so! Anyway, as I mentioned last night, I've put them on website here but no pictures there until tomorrow.

Thanks for looking, and also for all the comments and entries for the blog candy!!

Jill

Gone stamping.... will be back tomorrow...

I could be sometime... If I'm gone long.... please tell Ian to come and dig me out from under the pile of stash, preferbly with food and more card:) See, I'm definitely away with the fairies!!!

A Trumpet Blast... The first look at the new stamp sheets!

Sorry, couldn't resist the trumpet blast to announce the first showing of the new stamp sheets! It seemed appropriate!! The background of this card is made with one of the Mardi Gras Starburst Stains, it is a lovely olive green/brassy antique gold, and as usual, the camera doesn't show it well at all. I gave the card a background wash then lifted some of the colour off with kitchen towel to add shading.

OK......so....now to the new sheets! I was intending to show the fairy sheet tonight as I know that Sarah and Lisa are itching to see it but I haven't got it finished and it's getting late so just the Classical Instrument sheet tonight. The fairies will come tomorrow!

Tracey sent me her designs about a year and a half ago, in fact, before we launched Kay's Japanese collection. I'm afraid to say I've been sitting on them on this time and nattering about them but have only just got them finished as stamp sheets. Tracey has been VERY patient!!

As you know we usually make themed stamp sheets these days and I wanted to keep to this but didn't have quite enough to fill our normal sized sheets, hence this lastest collection is on a smaller sheet (A5), why didn't we think to do this before!! Never mind, better late than never! Worth the wait I feel. There are 3 new sheets now and I am working on another 3 sheets, again in an A5 format. I hope you like them!! More tomorrow!!

Jill

PS: I've added the new sheets to the website tonight too, but without the pictures, I'll be adding them another time. HERE is the link to the new stamps sheet on our website

Another sneak peek - this time the Classical Instruments

Here is the first card from the new Classical Instruments unmounted stamp sheet designed by Tracey Coates. I love this sheet too, I think it is really elegant and ideal for music lovers whether they play the instruments or not.

Before I explain the card I want to tell you that our new sheets are different from our usual in that they are now A5 size and will be £14.99. I will start loading up the actual sheet designs from tomorrow. We are hoping to have stock from Thursday so as soon as they are on the website you are welcome to start ordering them. We will of course be taking some with us to the Harrogate show next weekend.

For today's sneak peek I have used black, white and red card, with red organza ribbon running across the centre of the panel. I've used the swiss dots Cuttlebug folder for the top black panel and the swirl folder for the bottom half. The centre panel has red brads and is raised for dimension. The wording is also on the stamp sheet.

Another Starburst Fairy card

I was going to move straight onto a Classical Music card today but have decided to show this one too from Tracey's new Starburst Fairy unmounted stamp sheet.

While I had my Cuttlebug out I've used the swiss dot folder for the black mount which you probably cannot see in the photo. I've also raised the main panel for dimension. There's glitter glue on their wings as before.

Another sneak peek of the Starburst Fairies stamp sheet

Well, here's another sneak peek at the new designs by Tracey Coates.

Today's card is much more pink in real life than shown in the photo, really bright pink, so definitely a Debbie card!

It was a quick card to make. I used a wash of Starburst Stains for the background, it is the magenta/gold from the May Day Meadows set, just perfect for the fairies. I added glitter glue to the wings as before. The glitter paper is from the pads we have in the shop, I know they aren't on the website as yet, but I will add them through the week.

New stamp sheets - a sneak peek!

OK, 4th and final post, then I promise no more for today...

I made some cards today with new stamp designs by talented artist Tracey Coates. We should have all 3 new sheets in time for the Harrogate show next weekend, I will spill the beans on them all through the coming week, sooooooooo exciting!!

This card features designs from the Starburst Fairies collection, I just LOVE them. I've kept to monochromatic for this card but have added plenty of splashes of diamond glitter glue. Of course, you cannot see them in the photo but it really lifts the detail.

TIP: I used a paint brush to apply the glitter glue where I wanted it as I never trust those bottles, they always splurt too much out, and using a brush just adds a small amount which looks much nicer. I brushed the glitter glue over the entire length of the wording, which seemed appropriate. Remember to wash the brush out quickly after applying. I didn't once, it's glue, and a good one, I had nicely glued bristles, well actually one thick bristle when I next went to use the brush!! For more liberal spreading of glitter glue a finger is an ideal spreader as in this case a brush would be wasteful as it can hold too much!

I cannot wait to try this same card idea with Moonglow two-tone embossing powders, (yum!) I've already tried them with Starburst Stains (double yum!!), and I'm sure that with a combination of both is definitely worthy of a triple yum award!!! Too exciting....

Shame about the photos!

Another sneak peek coming tomorrow:)

Jill

Craft Stamper Oct 09

A 3rd post today! Boy they are coming like buses!!

I wanted to mention that Kay has a project in the October issue with her stamps and it's featured on the front page!

Kay has used the Dainty Dragonfly unmounted stamp sheet with shrink plastic in a 4 page feature and gives step by step instructions using the intaglio technique. As Kay mentions in the article, it is a very addictive technique which involves stamping into the shrink plastic to create dimension. I LOVE doing this, it's very satisfying. You need to use proper red or grey rubber stamps, as the plastic needs to be VERY hot, so don't attempt it with your clear stamps or you could be using the stamp as an added embellishment!! Kay also uses Tombow brush marker pens that can be found here and other items we stock. We do have the background papers that Kay has used in stock too but they are not on the website, so you may need to phone about these.

Oh, I also wanted to mention that the dragonfly on this sheet co-ordinates with the free dragonfly stamp Kay designed for the August issue of Craft Stamper magazine and, if you'd like to see more ideas using the Dainty Dragonfly sheet, do visit our gallery. If you have time to look around the gallery you will find over 1,300 photos of card ideas using Aspects of Design unmounted stamps. There is an album for nearly all of our stamp sheets plus some other bits and pieces there.

Will be back later with a sneak peek for you of something new!

Jill

Anne's 2nd mini puzzle

Here is another of the mini puzzles that we have been showing, Anne completed this one too and told me it didn't take as long to finish as the first one she did. Still I'm sure a lot of patience was required Anne! Thanks for sending it for us to see.

As I mentioned before, there are no pictures on the packets that show how the finished puzzle will look and it's a bit pot luck as to which puzzle you get. They are ideal for altering, if you have the patience!!

If you wish to read more about them or see the other designs we've found so far please click on mini albums in the label list on the RHS. They can be purchased from our website HERE.

HURRAY! Website has been fixed!!!

If you have visited our website recently you'll know that it was running REALLY slowly, well, it is now fixed and running like a dream!!

As it turned out it was all connected to the special offers section I added, well I have reduced the price of 900 items now so it just kept magnifying the problem. It was a technical problem that had nothing to do with anything I had done, probably wouldn't have come up at all though if I hadn't made so many offers.

So all's well AND we get to keep all 900 special offers AND all the product pictures!! I'm relieved that it is over now as I didn't fancy a repeat of last week if I had to remove any images again, remember what happened then, I lost the lot!!! So, my apologies for any inconvenience or frustration it has caused recently.

PHEW!!!!

Anyway, I will be back later with another post, off for now to make some cards:)

See you later!

Jill

Happy 40th Birthday to Kay!

Happy 40th Birthday Kay!!


Hope you have a wonderful day!!!

New - Mini Suitcases

These mini suitcases were used in a workshop held by Tim Holtz this weekend at the Creative Escape 2009. Tim's project included a 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" mini book that was made in the workshop to fit inside the suitcases. I think they will be good for mini concertina books, little travel jewellery boxes or for handmade gifts you have made too. They all have an inner pocket in the lid. They are swede/leather effect with press studs to fasten and available in a number colours.

I have added the mini suitcases to our website HERE. They are £3.99 each. I haven't put the pictures on the website yet, but I've shown plenty of pictures here so you can see what they are like.

If you would like to see how Tim has used the suitcases, visit his blog HERE.

KAY CARLEY'S 40TH BIRTHDAY!!
As Kay has had a countdown to her birthday gadget on her blog for quite a while, you may have noticed that it is fast approaching, well, it's on Friday! If you have the time and opportunity to join in, how about we all bombard Kay with Happy Birthday comments on her blog! The link to Kay's blog is over on the RHS.

Mini Suitcase photos

We may have some other colours to add another time, but these are the cases I have taken photos so far.

You could decorate the outsides with travel labels and as Tim as done, add a luggage label/tag.

HERE is the link to the cases on our website http://www.thestampman.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=448_635