Inspiration Post ~ Stamp and Emboss Metal Embellishments

Hi everybody I hope my post today will encourage you to try something that is maybe a little different. I've been playing with my favourite recycled tomato paste tubes, to create some fun metal embellishments . If you can't get hold of one of these then don't worry, as small pieces of thin, pliable craft metal will also work. I  have two different looks for you, one is smart and somewhat sophisticated using thin copper sheet........

The other using a tomato paste tube is just pure crazy fun !

For both projects, I used Tim Holtz's Entomology set of stamps. This is how I got started.......

Firstly, I gathered together my supplies....

I then cut some pieces from the tomato paste tube, as well as some small rectangles of  thin copper sheet. As the tomato paste tubes are heavily printed on the outside, I lightly sanded some the paint away so that I would be able to see the stamped image more clearly.......

After placing the stamped metal onto a piece of grey board, I traced over the image using the small end of an embossing tool. This is how it looked on the reverse side.....

I didn't try to trace over all of the very small detail as it becomes quite difficult as the metal stretches. I continued to use the embossing tool refining the image until I was satisfied. I then used a small pair of scissors and cut around the shape. I then applied drops of alcohol inks to the surface, allowing the colours to mingle.....

I repeated this technique and made several other insect embellishments as well as a couple of leafy flourishes.....

I also embossed the copper sheet in the same way, but instead of adding alcohol ink, I heated it with a cook's blow torch and once it had cooled added some patinating fluid...

In order to show how these embellishments could be used, I created the two different  tags. The heart tag was simply constructed by covering an MDF heart with book paper. A touch of distress ink and a little stamping around the edges completed the base. I then added a circular MDF circle, which had been coloured with Inca Gold paste. I buffed the surface and then adhered the embossed moth, using Cosmic shimmer glue.....

The insect tag, was firstly stencilled with embossing paste, then coloured with  Deco Art Media paints. I also used, Deco Art Antiquing fluid,  and wiped it back, in order to create the cobble stone surface. The Insects were then adhered with Cosmic Shimmer glue.....

I really enjoyed making these little metal insects and can see lots of possibilities for using the same technique with different stamps, I think flowers and leaves would work very well. If you give it a try  I'm sure you'll have as much fun as I've had. Let me know as I'd love to see your results, better still, why not use it to rustle up a project for our current 'Industrial/Grungy' challenge. After all Cec did say she'd like to see some metal! x

Winners - Ombre

Hello and welcome back ! We're back to announce the winner and top 3 for the Ombre challenge.
Please congratulate..

Jo

Congratulations Jo ! We loved the delicate style of your wedding card and the ombre effect is beautiful! Please email carringtons22@yahoo.co.uk for your winners badge and details of your guest post.

Now on to the top 3:

Mimi

Helen

Judy

Congratulations everyone ! Please email carringtons22@yahoo.co.uk for your top 3 badge.

The current challenge is Grungy/Industrial and you still have lots of time to join in with us.

Industrial/Grungy

It is Cec here and I am the hostess for the new challenge starting today.  I am calling this one Industrial/Grungy and here is what I have to say about it:

Create a mixed media project with some stamping and/or stenciling that puts off a very industrial and grungy vibe - be sure to include lots of metal and texture.

Our designers have made some fabulous inspiration for you. To get the details on their creations, just click on their name and you will be taken directly to their blog.

Rachel

Sue

Cec

Toni

Ruth

Now that you have checked out all the details for these fabulous creations, we would love to see your Industrial/Grungy projects..

An InLinkz Link-up

Double Ombre !

Hello and welcome back ! It's Sue here with you today sharing an inspirational post on the current challenge of Ombre. Shading from light to dark is a favourite technique of mine but I had no idea it had it's own title !

I also love working with shades of one colour so that's where the thought process started.

I've used Fresco Finish Acrylics, gathering a selection all of varying shades. I started with a piece of white grey board which I gave a coat of matt medium to so it was protected against the liquid I was about to use.

I started with Snowflake working on a diagonal and adding the next shade while the paint was still wet.

While the board was drying I used the same technique on 4 small canvases that I taped together while they were painted.

While the canvases were still taped together I stencilled over 2 of them, still keeping to the Ombre technique of starting with a light colour and working towards a darker colour.

Now the white board was dry I stencilled across the bottom half, again using the Ombre technique but through the stencil. A little bumping also highlighted the stencilling.

Once everything was dry the canvases were mounted onto the board.

The text is another one from an Alison Bomber set, stamped in Watering Can Archival ink. I prefer the grey against more delicate colours.

Using Snowflake as the base for the stencilling allowed the colours that followed to have a subtle shade difference.

Adding just a small 'bump' when stencilling really makes it stand out from the background.

I hope you've enjoyed today's post and you still have time to share your Ombre projects with us.

Welcome to today's Guest Designer, Anne !

Hello and welcome back ! Today we are joined by another lady who is very well known in blogland. Anne Redfern was the winner of the Let's Fake it challenge and was therefore invited to join us for a day. We asked Anne a few questions and also asked her to share her 3 favourite projects:

Hello, my name is Anne Redfern, aka Redanne.  I live close to the countryside in the beautiful County of Cheshire, England.  I have been crafting in some form or other since I was a child.  I love mixed media, vintage and 3D crafting. My style is eclectic and I love trying out new things and if it is messy, so much the better! 

I am so thrilled to have been asked to share some of my projects here, as Guest at Stamps & Stencils.  I have huge admiration for the Design Team and love the mix of projects they bring to us for inspiration!

How long have you been crafting for ?

 

I have been crafting in some form or other all my life but only seriously for about 6 or 7 years.

Who or what inspired you to start crafting ?

 

I went to a local craft shop, just out of interest, and saw a man demonstrating a Big Shot machine and doing some stamping.  Within minutes I was hooked, bought the machine and some stamps and have never looked back since.

What is your favourite technique ?

 

My favourite technique, at the moment, is brayering with paint and ink.  I love that it turns out differently each time and creates wonderful texture.

What excites you most about crafting ?

 

I think what excites me most about crafting is the huge diversity of products (and techniques) available.  Just when you think no-one can possibly come up with anything different, they do just that...

What is your 'go to' craft product and why?

 

Tough question but I think my go to craft product is Multi Matte Medium and although it does not dry very quickly, it will stick just about anything to anything!  It is so versatile.

Who would you most like to take a class with ?

 

I am very lucky to have taken craft classes with a few of my crafting heroes but I would love to take a craft class with Richele Christensen who works with Tim Holtz, I just love her vintage style.

What's your favourite style of crafting i.e. journalling, altered items etc..

 

My favourite style of crafting is most definitely 3D, I just love dimension!

Where do you find inspiration?

 

I find inspiration from many sources, Pinterest, other crafter's blogs, Craft Stamper Magazine, nature and also YouTube.

Thank you so much Anne for sharing this insight into your crafting journey. 

If you would like to join us for a day the current challenge is Ombre and there is still plenty of time to join in.

Super quick cards using ombre!

Hello there! Rachel here today with an inspirational post using ombre to make super quick cards - ideal when you have a few to make!

All made using water colour card, a 0.75 inch brush, water and distress ink... Starting at the top of the card add colour with a wet brush - blend down the page and add more colour at the top if needed.

using peeled paint d.i.

using iced spruce d.i.

using wilted violet d.i.

Finally, cut down, stamp, mount and voila! 4 quick cards!

Thanks for visiting today!

Hugs

Rachel xx

Winners of Do judge a book by its cover

Hello and welcome back! Today we are announcing the winner and top 3 of the Do judge a book by its cover challenge. Congratulations go to :

Nikki

Congratulations Nikki ! We loved the neutral tones, painty splatters and crackled border. Please email carringtons22@yahoo.co.uk for your winners badge and details of your Guest post. 

Now onto the top 3:

Jo

Jannet

Lorraine's Loft

Congratulations everyone ! Please email carringtons22@yahoo.co.uk for your top 3 badges.

There's still plenty of time to join in with the current challenge Ombre.

Ombré!

Hi everyone Ruth here with this months challenge of  'Ombré' .... here's what I want you to do.

Ombré has been in fashion for a while now and not just in art...or even hair! It's a french word meaning 'a colour that is shaded or graduated in tone'...so for this challenge we want to see projects or part of your project that has one (or more) colour that graduates from it's lightest pastel tint to its darkest shade...got that?? simple...ooh and with a little stamping or stenciling of course! Let's have some inspiration from the talented team to get you started! 

Ruth

Rachel

Cec

Sue

Toni

An InLinkz Link-up

A few of my favourite things..

Hi, Ruth here to tell you a little bit more about my creative self and share some of my favourite projects. I can't remember a time where I haven't created in some way, any talents I have came from my very creative mum. Although I dabbled in sugarcraft for many years and frequently touch bases with sewing, knitting etc my enduring love for many years now has been inky, painty, mixed media messing!

I'm quite eclectic in my tastes, never sticking to one style, at home as much with vintage, shabby chic, grungy or modern and a soft neutral palette or eye popping colour and not forgetting my love of clean lines and white space.

The first piece I'm sharing is my hands down favourite piece, this is the piece I will rescue if there is a fire! I made it a few years ago in 2015 now when I was lucky enough to get to do a '3UP' post for PaperArtsy; you'll have to read the post to find out what '3UP' means but it has clean lines, white space, a limited colour palette and working in miniature....it just came together and I think it still looks fresh....maybe in another few years something else will take its place but so far it's stood the test of time for me.

Dinky Dominoes

Next we're going back a little further to 2014, the wooden mannequin was picked up in a jumble sale. I think it can be so rewarding to repurpose things and this is leaning towards vintage, uses metal, is 3D, has a sewing theme and used fabric...lots of favourite substrates and techniques here.

The Leftover Dress

 Sharing a tag and my love of foiling, the pressure is on when you're a 'wingie', the privilege of using new stamp designs and finding you're 'groove'. This leaf is still one of my favourite stamps.

Inspire Tag

Two more recent creations are an envelope journal and bobbin book, using my favourite Fresco paints, fab Seth Apter stamps and another  love...wonderful word plates from Alison Bomber.

Envelope Mini Album

Bobbin Book

Lastly before I sign off, I'm sharing a piece that holds a very special place in my heart. Vintage neutrals for people that know me is probably my favourite colour palette. My creative journey began with my mum and this was a piece I created at the beginning of my blogging journey.

I hope you've enjoyed revisiting or even seeing anew these pieces and in the process maybe they have inspired you to have a look back on your own creative journey. Ruth x