Gawthorpe Coal Race plus Sunday Stampers

I live in Gawthorpe, Ossett, West Yorkshire where, on Easter Mondays, they have a Coal Carrying Championship.  This year was the 48th and the first I'd watched.  My daughter's children took part in the 8-10 year olds races.  Lewis came 5th or 6th in his race while Robyn came 2nd in the girls.  The children carry a small plastic bag with sand in.   Both women and men run 1,108 yards, mostly uphill, the women carrying a 20kg sack of coal while the men carry 50kg.  (Apparantly there were approx 2,000 people watching the race).  Gawthorpe also still celebrates May Day with a procession and May Queen, this year is the 139th celebration.
Lewis is wearing the brightly coloured shorts

Robyn is on the left of the photo here; you can see how far ahead the girl is who won. The Maypole can be seen in this picture.

The theme for this week's Sunday Stampers is 'Wings'.  I've made what I call a puffy tag ;-) It's a canvas tag which has been stuffed.

Sunday Stampers -_Love

Finished my Sunday Stampers quite early for me - I did do last weeks but didn't get round to photographing it till the Saturday and then had spent long enough on the PC that day so didn't post it.  The theme this week is 'Love' and as it's Hels' 1000th blog post she's offering some candy for one lucky person.  For this special edition of Sunday Stampers Hels wants us to use our favourite technique and our favourite designer.  Well I really don't have a favourite designer, but as I do love Tim's stuff I've included a couple of his stamps.  ONe of my favourite techniques just now is using texture paste or gel medium with stencils to add texture which I've done at the bottom of the canvas.    I printed off a dictionary definition of 'love' and transferred it using gel medium.  The heart is made from Fimo airdry clay and stamped into, then coloured with Viva Gold Silver (I know! I didn't name it!) and some mica powder.

Sunday Stampers

To check out the Sunday Stampers weekly challenge, pop over to Hels' blog.  The theme for this week is 'Gold'.  I've triple embossed a die-cut house from Crafty Individuals and stamped into it using a text stamp.  Spot the deliberate mistake?  Well if you don't, I stamped the text the wrong way on the house - actually I had the stamp the right way up, it was the house that wasn't; but as I'd put everything away before I noticed, I've left it.  I've copied the TH rosette but mine's done by hand - you see you don't need to buy a die specially for this job ;-)  I know the dies make life easier but sometimes funds don't allow :-(

Sunday Stampers plus NEC Goodies

Firstly Sunday Stampers - hosted by Hels - the challenge this week was to use Texture Fades/Embossing folders/dry embossing.  Not necessarily all of them, but to include them along with some stamping.   The only thing I've stamped is the 'love' sentiment. I embossed my tag with one of Tim's folders.  I'd decided on using a crackle effect for the background but was actually aiming for much smaller cracks, but I'm happy with these.  I actually used a crackle glaze from Homebase, intended for use with emulsion paint and last time I used it I got much smaller cracks. (It does say the thicker the topcaot the coarser the cracks).  There are tiny shimmery sequins on the leaf but as often happens the shimmer doesn't show here.

Had a fantastic time at the NEC.  The lovely Pat drove ;-)  Though we went into 'Sewing for Pleasure' and 'Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch' and there was a supposed separate hall for Hobbycrafts, inside it was all in one!   Though there were separate areas.  We saw some fantastic stuff.  If  you ever go I'd recommend giving the sewing areas a looksee as lots of stuff crosses over into papercrafts and I'm sure you'd find something to delight you that you may not have seen before.  Lynda Monk was demoing a great technique using vilene, transfer foil and tissue paper which she'd used to make some wonderful books amongst other things.  Here's what I bought ;-)  I won't list it all but in case you're wondering what the thing is between the white spray and the mould, they are felting needles.

Sunday Stampers - Dies

The theme this week for the Sunday Stampers, hosted by Hels, is 'Dies'.  I've done a triptych using grungeboard panels.  I punched the holes with my much underused BIA and connected the panels using wire with some beads threaded on.  The bird is from the TH 'Caged Bird' die and the heart and crown are from the grungeboard 'Elements' pack.

Ooh am off to the NEC tomorrow with Pat, yippee! We're going for the 'Fashion, Embroidery + Stitch' and the 'Sewing For Pleasure' shows rather than the Hobbycrafts one.

365Journal, Sunday Stampers, Sneak Peek

I'm happy that my Feb pages are complete for this as I wasn't happy with the colours.  For March I've used Brusho to colour the pages and I'm much happier with the colours this month but they look a little dull here.  I've been really wanting to use different coloured daily squares after seeing others use them to great effect but always bottled out thinking they wouldn't work for me, so I've taken the plunge this month.  I've used Dylusions spray with my 'argyle' stencil and DIs with the picket fence (bottome of page) and flourish.  For info about the 365 journal pop over to Kate's.




Last minute again with my Sunday Stampers entry; the theme this week was Paris.  I've done a collage of different stamps and made a few organza flowers for embellishment.

Last sneak peek for PIF (Pay It Forward), though you're meant to make something for the first 5 comments regarding PIF on your blog one lady who left a comment isn't actually taking part herself and another only had one comment on her blog so I've asked her if she would like to do a swap instead but have yet to hear.  This little peek is about 11/2" square.
Overcast here today, though we have had some lovely sunny days recently.

Sunday Stampers -Numbers, oh, and another sneak peek ;-)

Last Sundays theme for the Sunday Stampers challenge was 'Numbers' pop over to Hels for more info about this challenge.  I've used texture paste with my new 'Argyle' style stencil.  The metal bird and cage I die-cut using TH's 'caged Bird' die.  I coloured the bird with alcohol inks but wanted to leave the cage as it was 'cos I thought the colour went well with purple.  The flourish is an Anna Griffin stamp, and the music (stamped onto tissue paper) is Artemio.

And another sneak peek for you.  This is another PIF/swap.
It's lovely and sunny here now after teeming with rain earlier
 :-)

The three Ss

Scavenging, Sunday Stampers and Sneak Peek ;-)

When I was in DDs the other day I found this foil container in the bin so retrieved it and washed it - its' red on the reverse.


The theme for Sunday Stampers challenge on Hels blog this week was 'Love'  I've done a tag which I painted and as a result thought it may not be so easy to stamp on, so stamped the Stampotique image onto tissue paper.  I cut the heart out of a metal sheet and embossed it but decided to leave it silver rather than colour it.  I've added some siver transfer foil to the tag.  The tape at the bottom is Scotch Magic Tape which I've stamped with 'love' (see prev post for how I've used it as a substitute for Washi/Tissue Tape) BTW the heart on the tag wasn't made using the salvaged foil.

I've nearly completed the first of my Pay It Forward items and thought I'd show a sneak peek - 'cos I know you love them hehe This bit is only about 11/2" square. Any guesses?

365 Journal for Feb plus Sunday Stampers

As always with my journal pages I'm happy with them till I see others :-/  These started life as a completely different colour - initially a creamy peach!  But after going over them several times I've settled on this.  Not too sure about the yellowy squares what do you think?  If anyone can suggest a better colour I'm happy to change them as I haven't written anything yet!  The stamps are Art Journey 'Writing'.  For more info on the 365 journal pop over to Kate's


The Sunday Stampers challenge this week is 'Sentiments'.  I've made a tag this week.  The sentiment is a Tim Holtz stamp as is the 'plant'.  A new challenge is set each Sunday by Hels and is open till 9pm the following Saturday.

Sneaky Peek revealed

The circle journal I had completed a double page in has now been returned so I can show the pages in full.  The tango dancers stamp is from Art Journey as it the Precious Moments.  As I said when I posted the sneaky peek the dark areas are transfer foil and is not black as it shows here.

What's going on with Blogger anyone know?  I clicked on a pic on someone else's blog that I've been visiting for a few years and got a message saying the site was unsafe and now when I clicked on my own pic to enlarge it the same message occurred :-/ Anyone else experienced this?

Sunday Stampers - Buttons

Over at Hels the theme for the Sunday Stampers challenge this week is 'Buttons'.  I've done another canvas board, but am not too happy with it, I think it's the colours I'm not sure about.  The strips at the top lefthand corner are Tyvek.  This is good material if you like texture as it can be heated with an iron (and baking parchment or greasproof paper) or a heatgun to distort it.  I painted it with a mix of acrylic paints as I kept going over it when I wasn't happy with the colour.  The bird stamp and grungy looking dots are Tim Holtz stamps.

Mouse pincushion and a sneaky peek

At the doll group yesterday (we meet monthly in York) we had a choice of making either a mouse pincushion or one with a row of owls.  I made the mouse and here she is.

I've also done a double page in Ann's circle journal but just showing a sneaky peek till it's been returned to her.  The journal is 5.75x8.25 inches.  This bit is roughly 1.5x3.5 inches.  The dark bit is actually transfer foil but the shine doesn't show here.

I said a few days ago that I'd put comment moderation on as I'd had quite a few adverts and some strange comments.  I say strange 'cos when you read them they seem to be proper sentences but don't make any sense at all - anyone else had those and can anyone explain them.  I was very surprised to notice just how many spam comments there were in the spam folder - I never knew where the spam was before I'd never noticed it and when I read some there were several variations on the nonsense ones, same vein similar sentiments if you will but different words.  Can anyone tell me how some of these work though as 'cos some seem to be just advertising but buried in old posts.  Why put them in old posts?  If they were viruses surely they'd infect your PC once they've posted them not just when you publish them :-/

Sunday Stampers Week 137 - How Does it Feel

This is my entry for the Sunday Stampers - pop over to Hels place for more info.  This week's theme is 'Texture' or 'Feelings' or both.  As is my wont I have used gel medium again with stencils for texture.  The central image was made using a brass stencil.  I tried stamping the sentiment 3 times on the canvas without success so stamped onto tissue paper.  After painting with acrylic paints I felt the paints looked dull so added 2 coats of Mod Podge gloss and a little mica powder over the stencilled areas to add a sheen :-)

Sunday Stampers 136 - Diamonds

Finally have an entry for the Sunday Stampers challenge over at Hels This is a belated Christmas present for someone.  I've used a 5x7" canvas board - 6 for £1.99 at The Works.  Firstly used gel medium with a Crafters Workshop stencil at the top of the board and also used the gel with some plastic mesh in a couple of places.  I then painted using Eco-Friendly (by EcoGreen Crafts) Peony with a little bit of Eco-Friendly Waterfall.  I love the colour of these paints :-)  The heart is made from Grungepaper, embossed with thick embossing powders and stamped into. Then stamped the background with a variety of stamps added a little strip of Sinamay wrapped some linen thread round and added the buttons. the 'diamonds' for the SS theme this week are at the top of the board; part of the stencil. I made the hanger out of wire that's a bit thinner than wire coat-hangers.
(Sinamay is the stiff fabric used in hat making.  It's very stiff but can be moulded into shape when wet. You can also get it in a variety of colours)

Sunday Stampers - Santa

Hels theme for the Sunday Stampers challenge this week is 'Santa'.  I've made 2 tags and used 2 different Santa stamps.  The first one is black card which I inked all over with Versamark, then covered it all over with mica powders.  I then inked the stamp with Versamark, this lifts off the mica powder where you have stamped; I've sprayed this with a clear acrylic spray but you should be able to use a cheap hairspray to set the mica powders.  The snowflakes on this one I've had for a few years, they are a clear material which I covered with Jones Tones Diamante glitter.  For the other tag I used Adirondak Butterscotch and Ginger inks for the background and also inked over a Craftynotions stencil.  Both the snowflake and Santa stamps are Tim Holtz stamps.
NB I've realised the last sentence is misleading, only the Santa stamp with 'Believe' on is by TH the other Santa stamp isn't - I said stamps 'cos I was referring to the snowflake and Santa stamps on that one tag.

Sunday Stampers - Winter

I'm early with my entry for the Sunday Stampers challenge this week.  Pop over to Hels for more info.  the theme this week is 'Winter'; I decided I'd just do another card to add to my Christmas card collection.  Just a bog-standard card.  The thing I'm most pleased about is the sentiment - my own homemade rub-on yay!! soooo easy :-)  Sorry I can't remember whose blog I saw the link on, but here is the link

Ask Erin

Sunday Stampers - String

To check out the Sunday Stampers challenge pop over to Hels Each Sunday Hels sets a new challenge based on song titles.  This week's song is Puppet On A String, but you only need to make something and include some string.  I cut a house out of thick card; had to coat it with gesso first then used Adirondak Wild Plum, Buttersotch and Stream inks.  I coated it with Mod Podge Gloss.  The butterfly stamp is an Anna Griffin one, stamped once onto acetate and once on paper.  I've used string for the 'smoke' and on the buttons.  Tried several things to stiffen the string for the smoke but had to resort to wrapping thin wire round to keep it's shape.

Dull day here today :-(

Sunday Stampers - Black plus 365 Journal

The Sunday Stampers; over at Hels theme for this week (ends today) was to use black in your piece.  I've cheated slightly as I'm using a card I made at a class during the week, nevertheless I did make it albeit not specifically for SS.  I did start something else but haven't had time to finish it.  I thought I'd show it in case anyone hasn't come across this technique before.

  I've used an old table mat from Ikea but you can use funky foam. As the table mat was less flixible than funky foam I had to stand on top of the stamp to get a decent impression.  I should have explained first that you need to heat the funky foam then press your stamp into it.  You don't need to ink the stamp first but if you're unsure then ink it.  I would only recommend rubber stamps. (there is some other material which is a bit more dense and thicker than funky foam that you can use but I can't remember what it's called).  I then rubbed some metallic rub-ons into the stamped piece.

Managed to complete my September pages on time, but waited till I'd prepared the October ones before posting.  But looking at it on here I've realised the right hand page is a bit wishy washy so will do a bti more work on it.  Haven't decided on what to use for the daily entries yet.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  Not too promising here today but at least it's not pouring down like yesterday ;-)

Sunday Stampers - Blue, Red or Blue + Red

Each Sunday Hels sets a new theme for the Sunday Stampers challenge.  This week it's to use Blue, Red or Blue + Red.  I've made a tag 'cos I find it's fairly easy to think of something for a tag when lacking inspiration.  Made a scrunchy flower out of tissue paper and popped a fabric covered button in the centre.  Not waffling too much 'cos I want to get my effort posted and am out later ;-)

Sunday Stampers - Whiskey In The Jar

Pop over to Hels if you'd like to join in with a challenge with very few specifics - in fact you can make anything you like so long as you include some stamping.  The theme for Sunday Stampers this week is Whiskey In The Jar; so you can include Whiskey or Jar somehow, and in fact Hels has stretched this to include bottles.  The only thing I had to fit were some bottles on acetate from Artchix (they have some lovely stuff)  I was making a card for my granddaughter last night and found these butterflies so hit on the idea of having them coming out of the bottle.  I coloured them with craftynotions Jaffalicious colour spray; though they do look rather gold here due to the shimmer; which I also used on some corrugated cardboard along with Lime Lustre.  The only stamping I've done is using Tim's flourish from his Reindeer Flight set onto transparent tape (think it's by Sellotape).
Ooh am off to the Festival of Quilts at the NEC on Sunday ;-)  It's not all about quilts, though they do have many many wonderful works of art on display, it's really about surface decoration on fabric.  So if you're interested in fabriccy/textiley stuff  it is so worth a visit; lots of fabby products to buy or just look at and feel plus demos and workshops, though the workshops get booked up quickly :-)