Stamps Ahead

 Yesterday, I had a play with sticky tape and alcohol inks....making tape that looks old! In the photo above you can see where I have used on a quick collage - look top left and up from bottom left. There are lots of videos on how to do this out in social media land, this how I created mine: You need to ensure you use in a well-ventilated area. 1. Layout your sticky tape (any size - I used regular sized) onto baking paper, either close together or apart as I have done. 2. Using alcohol ink - you can use one colour or 2 or even 3 if you want - I used 2 apply over the tape, several times if needed. 3. Allow to dry (remember it is alcohol ink so won't take long) 4. Use.  A hint if the sticky part of the tape is not so sticky when you use on a project just add some glue behind to stick down. 5. You can see what happened when I removed the tape to use on my collage - perfect to be used on other projects. Thank you for looking.  Margaret

Inspired by a You Tube video from Natasha at Treasure Books I decided to have a go at making some whimsical tags.  I had Christmas scrapbook paper and scraps sitting on my table They are all different sizes approximately 3" x 5" in size (7.5cm x 13cm). They did not take long to create.  Great to use in a junk journal as tags, journalling spots or attached with paper clips.  Why not for Christmas tags to add to gifts or hung on a tree. My sister chose the bottom one and she will add to her 2024 Christmas journal. Just how easy is it to get side-tracked I was clearing up my craft stash and came across these papers - of course had to stop and make these tags!  Cleaning up can wait!!!   Thank you, Treasure Books for the inspiration and thank you to my readers - Merry Christmas to you and yours. Margaret Whimsical (adjective) playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way.

 Here are the two other layouts I created whilst on the recent crop evening Inspired by a layout in a long ago Kaisercraft magazine and using up bits and pieces in my stash.  The photos are of Flatford Mill in Suffolk, UK.   John Constable painted his famous painting "The Hay Wain" here. A quick and easy layout - using strips of 6" x 6" (15cm x 15cm) strips of paper cut into random sizes  A great way to use up those paper pads in your stash - use the embellishments at rear of most of the pads for extra decoration.   Photo taken at Clacton-on-sea in UK, when we were visiting our 2nd cousin and we met up with her for dinner.  Thank you for looking.   Margaret

On Saturday 29th November, I went on a 24 hour crop with The Central Coast Croppers Group.  Here is what I created:  My sister and I at what became the start of our "scone journey" through England, Scotland and Wales in April/May this year.  Here we are Windsor Farm Shop, Windsor UK.  I have used Bee Arty "Full Circle" kit.  I did add some of my own stamps, stencil and modelling paste.  Inspired by a layout on Bee Arty Creative Group Facebook paper by Julie Schinkel.  I have used Bee Arty papers from their newest collection - Addicted to Grunge.   Tarrah McLean created this layout and included in our cost were the supplies to create it.  I followed instruction - no diversions!!!  As I type I see that the string of one of the decorations has fallen off - okay need to fix that NOW. We were also set 2 optional challenges - see above.  Now of course, I was prepared to do non-Christmas layouts - luckily there was a fellow cropper se...