Musical House Mouse

Cute House Mouse designs are addictive, there are so many stamps to choose from, these will look great with musical note backing papers or a tag with a verse from a favourite song

This design is called Musical Mice, I have coloured them with pencils but chalk works beautifully.

If you can cut around the second layer using a small craft knife a jagged edge around the mice makes them look more realistic. 

A quick card

Hope the Sakura Glaze pens used here on acetate dries quickly, I need this card tonight!

I think it will look pretty when mounted ....

Collage stamps

Collage stamps are a great purchase to add to your collection because they are so versatile. This is my latest purchase from http://www.amom.co.uk/

With Valentines Day not too far away the design would look nice as a subtle background silhouette, you could add a heart or wind wire round a little key dangled from a heart. Play with your colours too, Valentines Day doesn't have to be the traditional red!

I have started my next art journaling page using the image stamped on tissue then torn in pieces.

My blog photo is quite small but I have washed shades of blue, purple and lime in stripes down the page using acrylic paint and gesso. The edges are crackled and when dry old text is stuck over the top using matt medium. My new stamp is stamped onto white tissue paper then once dry it is torn into sections and using matt medium stuck over the base page and left to dry.

Check back and I will post a picture when it's finished.

Treasures

When it comes to crafting I admit to being a bit of a hoarder and I have a nice old tin with some real treasures from my crafting history. Just looking through the bits and bobs not only reminds me of days out, workshops and lovely moments but they inspire me.

Firstly isn't the tin fabulous! Bet you are curious to see whats inside.

Little samples of Friendly Plastic, Shrink Plastic, name badges from workshops, little pieces of beading, a clip board book....

I am quite proud of the tags I have collected from shows I have visited. Most of these were demonstrated during trade shows or trips to AliPali. Designers include Lin Brown, Linda Elbourne, Tim Holtz and one from my lovely sister.

 

These always bring a smile, they are pieces that I made for a table sale. These few didn't sell and I have been known to wear an odd one on a night out.

The images were stamped on little glass slides using stazon ink, the back grounds are distress ink and some have glitter. Minature patterns look very pretty and the background can be co-ordinated with an outfit.

Grab your Bind It All

My bind it all machine has come out to play for for the New Year, I have been fortunate to have it for a few years now, it's handy when you want to make inexpensive but personal gifts. I wouldn't be without the kit which includes a handy set of wire cutters.

Starting with a few easy books I have made a fun note book, a photo keepsake and a couple more ready to be decorated for gifts.

Tearing the edge of the pages and using chalk in different colours to decorate looks pretty and coordinates the pages with the cover and the ribbons. From the front there is no idea of what hides inside but I may add a label, character or message at some stage.

The pages are alternated inside, some are plain, others are decorated with Penny Black stickers that have a clear edge so they look printed on the page.

Other pages have been stamped so writing can be added. 

The swirl design on this cover had little flowers in the centres so I covered several with different gems to make it sparkle. Inside I used 6"x4" photos so I have trimmed them and only decorated sparingly.

One of the photos taken several years ago reminds me of a lovely meal out with mum and dad. I could have stamped the background, added a caption or die-cut a few swirls but I have kept the page simple and will journal the page on the left, perhaps adding a little colour.

Personalise the covers, coordinate the ribbons on the binding, decorate inside and out and have fun.

If you would like a Bind I All Machine or any accessories please contact one of the lovely ladies at A Maze of Memories http://www.amom.co.uk/