Tuesday 31 January 2012
February Hump Day Hop Theme: Leap into Action!
Monday 30 January 2012
Love Tokens BombShell Style
Shakespeare's Othello has been labelled (aka blamed) as the one responsible for making Handkerchiefs into love tokens to be given between couples, often resulting in the token being used to prove love or infidelity. Before then, they were used for knights to carry the colors or crest of a lady for Luck or loyalty in a joust or battle.
and in this age of re-usability and Eco-friendliness, handkerchiefs are making a big comeback, especially for my family due to their sensitive skin - i find paper tissues just rub the skin raw in this weather. So I thought I would personalize some with my Bombshell stamps.
Stamp your images as desired - i used a selection of Bombshell Stamps with stazon inks - you could use other fabric ink-pads but I had these to hand, remember to iron them afterwards to set the ink. Use a light coating of ink on the stamp as it may bleed a little on the fabric. As I used white handkerchiefs, I used a bleach pen to get rid of any unwanted marks before I ironed them.
you could embroider the outline and colour them in that way but I honestly suck at that beautiful skill so I coloured mine with some fabric markers (remember to iron them to heat set them). a note about using markers on fabrics - expect a bit of bleed to try and allow for that when coloring.
I think a set of each would be a great gift for that person in your life that doesn't fit into the "Hallmark" stereotypes :)
I also made a Love Token wall hanging using an embroidery hoop and the awesome Koi Bombshell stamps. This would be perfect for a wedding present as Koi symbolize perseverance in adversity and strength of purpose - perfect sentiments for a marriage.
I did though manage to stitch a very basic outline with some gold thread for this Hoop Token for my hubby. It has our wedding date on it so maybe it will help him remember next time ;)
I stamped the two images and then used Gold embroidery thread to highlight some of the lights. I then marked in pencil the words I wanted and stitched over the line. I used half the thread thickness for the line and the full thickness for the word "soulmates" so it stood out more.
I finished it off with some Ribbons at the hoop bolt and now it hangs in our living room. I am considering spraying the outer hoop with gold paint to match but we'll see.
So I hope you have been inspired to use your stamps to create a love token for the special person in your life - just in time for Valentine's day.
Thanks for sharing in the Bombshell love,
Anam
Saturday 28 January 2012
Old Fashioned Valentine
Friday 27 January 2012
Vellum Butterflies Tutorial
You will need vellum, any weight
alcohol inks and felt stamper
embossing pad
gold pigment pad
gold embossing powder
heat gun
gold stickles
gold wire
Glossy accents
sharp scissors
Begin by choosing your alcohol colors and placing a few drops onto your felt pad. I used three colors.Tamp the colors over the vellum. They will dry very quickly.
Now, ink up your butterfly stamp. I used the large butterfly from the butterfly dreams set. First ink the stamp with embossing ink, followed by pigment ink. I know that you don't actually need both, but I find both work better for a gold emboss.
Stamp your butterfly onto the inked vellum add your embossing powder and emboss. Be sure to keep a close eye on your embossing, to much heat will girl your vellum. (Ask me how I know).
As soon as the embossing is cool, cover the entire stamped area with Glossy Accents. Do not worry about the anteannas you will be cutting those off.
Allow to dry. This will take several hours. I usually do this early in the morning and wait until evening to work on the butterflies or vice-versa getting to this point and finishing in the morning.
Once the butterfly is dry, fussy cut along your embossed edges being sure to cut on the outside of the embossing.
Next cut a short piece of gold wire and fold it in half. I like to wrap the upper edges around the tip of skewer to create a curl in the antenna.
Flip the butterfly over and glue the antenna to the back of the butterfly.
Voila - You have now created a gorgeous jeweled butterfly.
Tea Box Tutorial with Kelli
Wednesday 25 January 2012
January Hump Day Hop: Ring in the New!
So what was this month's challenge? Ring in the New. What's that mean? I wanted all of our participants to create a project with something that was new to them. In other words, a new technique, using a new product, a new style....anything! Dare to experiment! I'm sure you are at the edge of your seat now, just itching to see what we've all come up with. I won't keep you here any longer. Here is the full hop list. Please be sure to visit everyone and leave 'em some love! And perhaps next month, YOUR bloggy will be listed here too!
Alison: http://alisonsrandomthoughts.blogspot.com
Laura: http://craftylittlewoman.blogspot.com/
Alaine: http://missalaineousmosaics.blogspot.com/
Sparkly Mary: http://sparkly-train.blogspot.com
Meredith: www.papercanteen.com
Cheryl: http://inktrap.blogspot.com
Paula: http://heyheypaula-heyheypaula.blogspot.com/
Kelli: http://www.cajunstampingqueen.blogspot.com
Stempelientje: http://stempelientje.blogspot.com/
Glittery Katie: http://ferrishyn-frontier.blogspot.com
Kathi: http://kathstales.blogspot.com
Sunday 22 January 2012
Kathi's Sketches for your Inspiration!
Saturday 21 January 2012
Sassy Sayonara
December's Random Winner!
This month's winner is a former Guest Designer. Put your hands together for Celina Anthony! Celina's number came up and she is the lucky recipient of a $20 gift certificate to spend in the Bombshell Stamps Shop! Congratulations, Celina! Please email me at cvaladez@comcast.net and I will tell you how to collect your prize ;D
Take a look at Celina's winning entry and then pay her a visit at her blog to check out her other wonderful creations!
Friday 20 January 2012
Tutorial – Mini Notebook Cover
Hi! Ms. January here. Today I just wanted to share a quick and easy tutorial with you.
I recently bought some little scratch pads/notebooks to have handy in my desk drawer. But they were completely plain, so I decided to make covers for them. Here’s what I did…
The notebook measures 3”x5”(7.6cm x 12.7cm), so I cut a piece of cardstock 3”x12”(7.6cm x 30.5cm). Then I scored the cardstock at 5”, 5 1/4”, 10 1/4”, and 10 1/2”(12.7cm, 13.3cm, 26cm, and 26.7cm).
(the stars mark the inner score lines on the cardstock)
You can choose whether you want to decorate the cover before or after you attach your notebook. The notebook should be adhered to the cardstock in between the inner score lines.
Then you can finish any decorating of your cover, and choose what kind of closure you want. I chose to use magnets for my closure. I put a piece of magnet under the paper on the front…
And on the inside of the flap…
And here is the finished notebook…
I used Harley Bikes to decorate my cover.
Thanks for looking!
Wednesday 18 January 2012
Ms. January's Challenge - Let's Play Tag!
Alaine used Alter Skulls to tag it.
Stempelientje using Bombshell Angel
Please play along for a chance to win BOMBSHELL goodies- we wanna see your tags!!
Details HERE!!!
Tuesday 17 January 2012
Meet Ms. January -- Laura Boyd!!!
So without further ado...
Laura Boyd is our talented Ms. January, who shows a definite flair for design and coloring.
Get to know her better by reading her interview!
1. Brief info about yourself, including your name, where you live, your family (if you want), etc.
Hi, I'm Laura. I live in rural Ohio with my wonderful husband of almost ten years and our two children, ages 7 and 3. I'm a stay-at-home-mom and I homeschool my daughter, so I'm kept pretty busy!
2. How long have you been stamping and/or crafting?
Well, I've been playing with stamps since I was a little girl. My mom taught me how to cross stitch when I was really young, so I've been crafting for a long time. I've only really been making cards and scrapbook layouts for the last few years.
3. What are your favorite Bombshell sets and why?
I love all of the Bombshell sets I have! But I love Bombshell Angel for the versatility that it offers and I love Rose's Portrait for her classic beauty.
4. What kind of projects do you like to do?
I primarily make cards, but I also love altered art, canvases, bookmarks, tags, ATCs, the list keeps going...
5. What are your favorite coloring mediums?
I love my Copics. I also love Distress ink. I'm also really starting to like paints (both acrylic and watercolor).
6. Describe your crafting "style".
Eclectic. My style ranges from cutesy to macabre and most places in between.
7. Describe your crafting process. Do you start with a stamp set? A sketch? A technique you want to use?
Unless it is for a sketch challenge I usually start with the stamp or image and then I just go from there.
8. Do you have any other hobbies?
Reading, writing(fiction and poetry), video games, cooking, baking, sewing, genealogy, and I love music!
9. Free for all including little facts, etc. about you.
• I'm short(only 5' 1”).
• I love Greek food.
• I'm a big Doctor Who? fan.
• I have a huge crush on the actor Bill Nighy.
• I'm a night owl.
• I have a decent size comic book collection.
• My secret dream is to open my own bakery. I guess it's not secret anymore. ;)
Now that you've learned more about Ms. January, here are some examples of her wonderful artwork!
Now that you've seen some of Laura's lovely artwork, I know that you'll want to see more! Here are links to her Bombshell Gallery and her blog!