3 Versions

These cards show how different the same image (in this case, a Marilyn image from the Stampsmith) can be, depending on the colouring and the presentation of the card. All were stamped with Memories black ink on glossy cardstock. This one has parts of the image coloured with waterbased markers used as paint and with chalks. It is mounted on a scrapbooking paper, a black cardstock layer, then on a purple card base, edged in black ink. The words are done with a dymo label maker (which is unfortunately reflecting the light . It really is smoother than it appears).



This image could have been considered a mistake. It was the first image stamped and the black areas of the dress were a little blotchy. By colouring those areas with marker applied by paintbrush, the dress appears to have a lace top. So before you pitch an imperfect image, play with it and see if colouring it brings a new dimension to it.



This image is very striking on its own and works well in black and white, with small shots of colour. The only areas coloured in the stamped image are the lips and I coloured them lightly. This one is mounted on white, then black with white embossed swirls, then burgundy and onto an off white card.

Supplies used: Marilyn stamp from the Stampsmith, Swirls by Inque Boutique, Memories black ink, waterbased markers, chalks, various papers and cardstocks, ribbon, brad, dymo label maker, distress inks

Lucy birthday card

This image is from the Stampsmith's Lucy plate. I just had to do this one for my girlfriend. Lucy is stamped with Memories black on glossy cardstock, coloured with water based markers and chalks and mounted on a textured paper. The word phrases were done using green vellum in a dymo label maker.

Supplies used- stamp from the Stampmith, green vellum, dymo label maker, paper, cardstock

Friends cards

Both of these Stampsmith images make great cards for those special girlfriends. The backgrounds on both cards use a variation of Tim Holtz's compressed air and alcohol ink backgrounds. I used Copic marker refills and the airbrush in my version. It is great fun and you never know exactly what you are going to get.

This stamp comes as a single in this size and there is also a smaller version. It is stamped with Memories black on glossy cardstock and coloured with waterbased markers applied with a paintbrush and with chalks. I outlined both the main image layer and the background one with copic markers. The embossed lines on the bottom of the card were done with a Scor-it and then accented with distress inks. I used a label maker for the phrase.

Additional background stamps are from Oxford Impressions, texture stamp Judikins

This stamp comes from the Those were the Days plate. It is stamped with Memories black on glossy cardstock, and coloured with waterbased markers and chalks. The blue layer is distressed and edged with distress inks. The label is made with green vellum run through a dymo label maker.

Mesh stamp is from Stampington and Co. Cardstock from SU

New silver clay pendants

I had this wonderful vision of how I could use these Fred Mullett stamps to make a underwater scene. I stamped into the metal clay and then trimmed around the stamps. I did a second layer on the big fish to make him more dimensional. The seaweed leaves form the base and the bail. I used liver of sulfur for the patina. I am pleased with the final product but really have to learn how to plan better. I did a lot more playing around and redoing things than was probably best for the clay. Hopefully the attachments are secure enough. I think learning how to rivet should be on my to do list. Although it isn't perfect, it was a great learning experience.






This pendant was based on one in Hadar Jacobson's book. Here again, I ran into some construction problems. I made the mistake of using a little too much water while it was on a playing card during construction. Some must have seeped underneath the pendant and when it was drying, some of the card stuck to the bottom of the pendant. The stuck on bits got burnt off in the kiln but it was a pain to try and peel the pendant off the card without damaging it too much. Another learning experience ( sigh) . It also has a liver of sulfur patina.

Supplies used: Art Clay Silver 650 slow dry, Fred Mullett stamps, Liver of sulfur, various texture stamps Judikins, other stamps dots SU, mesh Stampington

Child's Birthday Card

My granddaughter just turned two and she is an enormous fan of Elmo. So her birthday card had to feature the furry red guy. I used my Klik N Kut electronic diecutter to cut out the character and the words. I shaded the character using Art Stix and stamped red and green dots on the yellow birthday word. I used distress inks to outline the word shadow and the card itself. It was a real hit with my granddaughter.

Supplies used: KNK diecutter, distress inks, scrapbooking paper, cardstock, dots stamp SU, Prismacolor Art Stix

The Joy of Making

This card was inspired by a discussion on one of the groups I belong to. So many very talented and creative people have been made to feel second rate and that their work is somehow inferior by unkind comments or by the arbitrary use of labels. One of the group's members signs his name as Owen, Maker of Small Things. When asked about his signature line, he explained that it came out a discussion he had with a friend after a recognized person in his art world told him that he should not consider himself an artist, that he was an illustrator. "But a friend of mine in Wichita, KS gave me a hug, a smile, and some words of wisdom:"Hon, you're a Maker. You make things. It's other people that make them Art." Owen went on to say "She's a Maker, too. She has almost no money at all, so she makes beautiful things out of nearly nothing. Paper, glue, paint and Love. Twigs, autumn leaves, wire and dried flowers from her garden. Cast-offs no one else wants, she turns into beautiful things. She sends me drawings and brightens my world. She makes me proud to be a Maker.
Bottom line: I'm a Maker. I have a driving need to believe, to create, to do. I'll try anything. Who knows where it will lead?"

Owen Wolf - Maker of Small Things
(quotes used with permission from Owen Wolf)

I take great joy in making stuff. I can lose myself for hours during the process. For me, it may be more important than the finished product. That others enjoy what I create is an enormous blessing. I am proud to say that I am a Maker.

Card Details: The main image is from the Ooh Baby plate from The Stampsmith. It is stamped with Memories black on glossy cardstock and coloured with waterbased markers applied with a paint brush. The spin art background is made with acrylic paints , cut out with a Spellbinders die and edged with a Krylon gold pen. The mesh background stamp is from Stampington and was stamped on the base card using Versamark , the dots are SU and were stamped with green versafine. The white vinyl Joy sticker was made on my KNK electronic diecutter -font is PassionsConflictROB

Dragonfly pendant

This layered art clay silver pendant was made using molds made from buttons. The buttons are reproductions of antique ones and have marvelous details. I used Ranger Mold n Pour, a 2 part silcone mold material, to make the molds. This was my first time using my new kiln and after the almost instant gratification of torch firing, I found that I had to exercise some patience, waiting for the complete firing time. But I am pleased with the way this turned out. The pendant was antiqued using liver of sulphur. I still have difficulty in getting good photos of the silver, I will have to keep working at it.

Supplies used- Slow dry Art Clay Silver, liver of sulphur, Ranger Mold n Pour, buttons