Au Revoir and hello to 2012

I hate goodbyes, (au revoir is so much nicer) so, as 2011 draws to a close, The Artistic Stamper Creative Team is saying au revoir to Hels.
I first encountered Hels about 4 years ago when I joined a forum, and came across her work on her blog. This inspired me to start my own blog ( who'd have thought that blogging would become so big !) , and I, in turn asked her to create some artwork for us here at The Artistic Stamper. The rest they say is history!
Hels has been my Creative Co-ordinator for the past 4 years, and I will miss her , not only for her creative artwork, inspiration and ideas, but for her "behind the scenes" help, whenever I have needed it. She has organised all the Creativity that you see on the Team blog, and even designed her own stamps within The Artistic Stamper family... Stitchels. A BIG THANK YOU Hels for a great four years.

We also said au revoir to Nicky ( aka Minxy) who has always made me smile with her innovative artwork. Nicky had been with The Artistic Stamper for about 3 years , and will be missed for her gorgeous innovative artwork, and her inspiration using our stamps.

Finally Tina has decided to leave the team, and her artwork using Mabel Lucie Attwell has never failed to inspire!

A BIG THANK YOU to all my team.
To see more of our wonderful artists pop over and browse through our wonderfully creative artwork on The Creative Team blog.

Happy New Year! I will be back next year!!
Hugs
Jennie

O Christmas tree....

Merry Christmas to you! This is a little open book for you made with a Tim Holtz rosette tree, and lots of glitter!

I hope you have a very merry ( hic) Christmas with your families and loved ones, and that you spend the holiday thinking warm and inky thoughts! LOL
Hugs xx

Christmas wrapped up!

Hi, and I hope that by the time you read this, you will have made those mince pies, decorated your tree, wrapped those presents, and be sitting comfortably with a large glass of something potent! I do hope so, as I am still wrapping, decorating, and baking! Nothing new in that..LOL
I thought I would show you a configurations box I made last week at a workshop...and as  I now have two of them, so I think that counts as a tradition!



I will be back tomorrow with my final Christmas piece, but in the meantime I am off to start rolling out that pastry...( now seriously, you really think I make pastry?!!) LOL... all ready rolled and cut.. mince pies and a sherry methinks are in order!
Have a creative day
xx

woyww...rocking around the Christmas Tree

Now it is the week before Christmas, which gives me a great opportunity to say A BIG THANK YOU to Julia and all her wonderful What's On Your Workdesk Wednesdayers. Without fail every Wednesday, more than one person comes to look at my desk.. OK admittedly, I am lax in returning the favour..it always seems by the middle of the week, I am playing catch up with everything, including commenting, but I always appreciate everyone who stops by. So, a big Christmas Tree Merry Christmas from my desk today!

I must admit it was push it, shove it back scenario to get this little baby on my desk, but it has made my workspace so Christmassy, and given me an opportunity to hang the baubles I made for a class ( added a couple of Tim tags too :)) By the way do you decorate the back of your tree even if you can't see it? hands up those who don't! My hand is up!! LOL

I hope you have a great time, eat too much, drink too much and enjoy the time with your family.
Happy Christmas to all woywwers!
Hugs
 

Blue Christmas...

I always spend the run up to Christmas  making cards in the vain hope I might actually get them in the post, or in the case of friends through their letterboxes! I often make the same ones, get a production line going, and in this case, die cutting galore! I used sticky back foil, Tim's bauble die , some very unchristmassy paper from the Shabby Chic Vintage Paper stack, and lots of glue! I cut out the baubles in the sticky back foil layered onto glossy card, and ran it through a snowflake embossing folder..Add some alcohol ink to the die cut bauble, matted and layered the card ( my matting is far from straight ( will anyone notice? LOL) and my production line is ready... only trouble is I have far too many to make to catch the last first class post by tomorrow...:((

I expect you are far more organised than me.. I mean I still have Christmas presents to buy...
Have a very creative day
Hugs

It's a Christmas birthday!

Good morning on this very cold and frosty morning. Can you believe it now a week to Christmas, and I am STILL making cards! As for the Christmas present shopping, well that is for later in the week..LOL Mind you I have got all the ingredients, almost, for a slap up Christmas meal, my sherry filled chocolates, and my homemade mince pies! Love making goodies for Christmas... Now do you have a birthday around Christmas? I do , and often it goes uncelebrated, just because people are worn out and broke after Christmas.. do I sound like a bah humbug.. yep! However, Friday was my step daughter Lorraine's birthday, and I made her this tag ( in true Tim Holtz style) to go with her present.. A bit of Christmas with a birthday combined! Ever wondered why we never use tinsel except at Christmas?

Hope you have a very creative day!

12 Tags of Christmas- Day 12

I cannot believe how fast 12 days go! I even managed to finish each tag before Tim published the next one. Absolutely chuffed with myself! I still am not sure how I did it, but I did!:))) Thank you Tim for your brilliant ideas, and hard work, not forgetting Mario behind the scenes on twitter..brilliantly funny goings on! Every tag had something magical on it, and this one has that gorgeous tissue paper flower on it...feel a lot of flowers coming on..lol! Have to say I only have one alphabet die from Mr Holtz, and it was the wrong one, so I used the Kraft Resist Chipboard alphas instead and silver dabbered them, and edged them in black. Don't have the houses die  either, so hand cut that too! Loved this tag! Now which was your favourite? Mine is all of them. I mean how could you choose? LOL
Don't forget our special offer for any orders this week until Sunday...( a massive 20% off- code 13tags) why am I whispering this ? LOL just don't tell everyone, they will all want it!
Have a very creative day
Hugs
 

12 Tags of Christmas- Tag 11

A very good morning to you, and here I am wide awake..not, writing my post for Tim's 12 Tags at 6.30 in the morning! Yawn! But I am determined to beat my own record, and hope I don't fall at the last post! Sadly only one more to go, and then back to normality, and the business of everyday life..LOL I loved the little elements of this tag.. my favourite, UTEE and Shrink Plastic! oh and a ribbon! LOL The random blog candy went to Artbyvic.... Congratulations! She was the first to notice it..lol
Have a very creative day
Hugs
 

12 Tags of Christmas- Tag 10

Hi, and welcome to a Sunday morning, 13 days from Christmas..eek.. not made all my cards, bought many presents, although we did buy the Tree yesterday, and ended up in our town having coffee with some friends ( a lovely welcome break :) cappuccino and  a toasted teacake.

Now onto the tag of the day!  I found my Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearl mist which had decided to jump drawers and be amongst his friends from another line of Ranger's! I am wondering if I rubbed a little too hard on the back of the tape as my pictures are quite pale....and again I cut my tattered banner, but I made it... tag 10 done! I photographed it this morning at a silly hour, and loaded it up on the blog, only to discover I hadn't quite finished it.. doh!... a random prize goes the first person to tell me what is missing from my tag:)) To check look at the original from Mr Holtz.

Two more tags to go, and then what do I do with my days?...it has become a way of life..LOL

Have a great and creative day

Hugs 



12 Tags of Christmas-Tag 9

Good Morning to you from an even chillier Kent this morning. Not quite Jack Frost weather yet, but how would I know, it is a little dark out there...one of the horrid nuisances of getting up at silly o'clock! Anyway, I am on track to beat my own record, of posting every tag before the next one, and today I followed Ted Cutts of Stampers Anonymous and used the lamppost. ( Do I have the candelabra...no :( ) So lamppost it is! Love the background technique of this one, but one of the tags curled up, and I couldn't flatten it. I used The Artistic Stamper background stamps for both of them.. well technically one of them..I used the Baroque background and  the other is our snowflake  FREE stamp this month with all orders! Love that you can twist it around to create a background.

Did you know you can get 10% off all orders until 13th December.. just use the code 12tags, and get the snowflake stamp too into the bargain!
Have a creative Saturday.. see you tomorrow
Hugs

12tags of Christmas- Day 8

A very chilly morning to you, and here I am with Christmas Tag 8, and only by the skin of my teeth! LOL. My personal aim is to do all 12 tags and blog them before Tim blogs the new one! So far, so good, I think. This one was more tricky, and needed to be left to dry overnight, as the stickles do stay wet for a while. personally i like this one, and even though I don't have the weathered clock die ( you can get it from the shop!) I used the cogs die instead...alternatives are the name of the game :)
Anyway, I have waffled far too much, here is my Tag of the day!

Thank you to Mr Holtz for Christmas inspiration!
Have a creative day

12 Tags of Christmas-Tag 7

Good Morning to you, and I am back with Tag no 7 of the tag making marathon that is gripping the world! OK, well maybe not the world, but certainly the world of tag making! Tim made a gorgeous tag for the 7th day, and I have replicated it as I do, as best as I can. Admittedly I didn't have quite enough colours of the stains.. for some reason I don't have Pumice Stone or Forest Moss in my collection... must be an oversight, and I used a little bit too much gold in my leaves...must practice harder, and they were the 2nd set I made as the first blew away in the wind! really!! I was carrying all the elements to my car , after making most of it at Pickleberry Papercrafts yesterday, I slipped off the step ( I am so clumsy) and whoosh, Holly leaves whipped away in the wind! Doh! Anyway here is my finished tag. May be late tomorrow , as am out today, and may not have time to do one.

Have a creative day
 

woyww-for Sarah

 I know today is What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday, and I should be showing a picture of my desk, but as I learnt yesterday of the sudden and untimely passing of Sarah Lawrence from Craftynotions, I thought I would dedicate today's post to her.
Sarah and I had a working relationship, which always involved lots of long phone calls ( she loved to talk!) and from time to time we would see each other at shows. I had the pleasure of having her demonstrate for me on one or two occasions, and her banter and dedication to her craft was infectious! She had a heart of gold, and loved to impart knowledge and to give.. a girl after my own heart. I will miss her terribly, as will hundreds of other people, and my heart goes out to David, Tom and Fran.
Sarah, may your desk stay messy and forever creative. I shall miss you ... "toodle-pip" my friend.

Halfway through... Tag no 6

Today I have finished Tag no 6 of Mr Holtz's marathon tag making for Christmas a little earlier than normal, so here it is! Have to say wasn't totally sure about this one, but actually the making of it was quite therapeutic, and not at all stressful- just what I needed :) LOL

Have a very creative evening
 

Right Tag Right Day... number 5!

After yesterday's faux pas..spotted by a twitterer, I am now back on track, and wishing I really was psychic,! as it would be lovely to know what Mr Holtz had planned for today's tag!. I love this one, and I know lots of people didn't have the Seasonal Reflections, but it was still simple to do without them. You can use a regular stamp and just keep it the right way up, or use a picture stamp and then turn it around. I used the packaging, instead of plastic sheet,  and loved the effect the removing of the black Archival has, but then I love anything with Alcohol inks :)) Tried out a round Fragment charm too :))
Must admit failed to read the instructions, and used Core'dinations instead of grungepaper.. and only used one set of leaves! Always pays to read instructions if you are making like for like!

I have a busy day today watching Hels on Create and Craft TV, and wishing her the best of luck....
Have a creative day

Tag 4 - 12 Tags of Christmas

It is far to cold to be sittng here at 6am to be typing a blog post,( no snow here, but cold nonetheless)  but here I am with Tag no 4 of Lord Tim of Holtz's 12 tags of Christmas! I am loving all the tag and the techniques he is showing us. Not seen them, then pop over here and be amazed :)
Here is my version, and in true time honoured fashion as close as I could get to his version.

If like me you haven't got all the supplies ( Joanne pointed this out to me yesterday! LOL) you could shop at The Artistic Stamper and pick them up.. we even have a 10% off ( code 12tags)
Have a very Creative day
Hugs

Sunday Morning Tag 3

Hi, After yesterday's workshop, I did think I might not make this tag in time, but I did! I have to say I didn't have the gold heirloom Perfect Pearl Mist, so used copper instead, and my berries look at little undernourished....might spend a bit of time re making this one!

How are you doing with yours? Off now to do tag 4.. well start it anyway ( might be a little while...lol)
Have a Creative Sunday
 

Christmas Tag 2

Hello to you this morning! Well I managed today's tag, and I loved the background technique, ..didn't have the On The Edge die ( not sure why??!) so used another one...and had no greenery either... but quite like what I made...I mean no glitter.. thank heavens, my entire studio is covered in it. I know I am messy but it is even in the air! Have had to put the tag in a bag to stop the shedding... silly stuff!

I will be back tomorrow with tag 3 if I get time.. off to teach a class later today, mince pies and carols! oh, and lots of chocolate!
Have a creative day

Christmas Tag 1.....

Now , if you haven't heard or have been in outer Mongolia for the past month, Lord Tim of Holtz has started his 12 days of Tags, and like the past 3 years, I am playing along.. bit like a game.. will I keep up or will I flag, and fall at the last hurdle?
My aim is to make as similar tag as Tim's , and if I haven't got the product use an alternative.
Today I managed to make all of it , but didn't have the Tattered banner, so cut my own . But I can tell you now, I HATE glitter, it is everywhere... in my fingernails, down my top (oops glittery to bed, I think), on the floor, everywhere! Yuck! But I am so pleased with the end result, that I will forgive the person who invented the stuff!

Now if you would like to join in the marathon, and need stash, The Artistic Stamper has a brilliant offer for you...10% off all orders for the 12 Days of Tim's Tags.. code in the discount box-12tags- simple! AND we are giving away FREE Stamps too!

Have a very non glittery day!
Hugs
 

It's looking a lot like Christmas.....

A pinch and a punch for the 1st of the month... my goodness December has arrived quick this year! , and  it certainly has started with a cracker! Not only do we have The Creative Team challenge, but Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas start later this morning.. about 8am UK time, and I will be hoping to make each one every day...if I don't run out of steam!
I have made a tag in Tim style over on the Creative Team blog.  Loving all the gorgeous Christmassy creations!
Here is a sneak peek of mine.....

Don't forget to join in our challenge, and if you are creating the 12 tags, then please add every one you make...more chances to win :))
As a little extra to my wonderfully creative customers, this month we have a FREE stamp for every order placed, AND even more too... watch out for my next post.....
Happy Creating!

WOYWW- clean sweep

Now I could say that I have made a clean sweep of my work desk, but I am sorry to disappoint you, but no I haven't! It is still the same, and sadly not much on it, as I am still working on secret projects and gearing my mind up for Tim's Tags on 1st December. I have done them for the past 2 years, and always have a special offer during the 12 days, so do check back on Thursday. Instead the clean sweep refers to my blog, which I have cleaned up, and will be doing more housekeeping soon...just wish I could do it to the surrounding areas of my desk, and even the desk itself! Not much hope of that!
Still it is Wednesday, I am waffling, and it is the day we show the world, our desks courtesy of Queen Julia , who has decreed we do so!  here is mine in all it regal glory! There is a little show of one of the decorations that I am teaching on Saturday.. a sort of sneaky peek :)

Have a great What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday!

Covering the Page...

Hi, Today is my turn over on The Creative Team Blog, where I hope I have done some altered pages for you, and a little tutorial :)) This is a very sneaky peek....

I would love to hear what you think, so please do comment over there, and let me know what you think :)
Hoping you have a creative day
Hugs