It's Official - I am/was the first.

The last time I was the 'first' at anything of 'significance' was when I used to come first in the Parents Race at my sons school Sports Days - 30+ years ago.  They used to be very proud of me winning the races - especially as it meant they got to share the winnings - a bag of sweets or lollipops.

Before that it was when I was at senior school - when I used to win the races, high jump, long jump and hurdles!  (I learned to run and jump and climb at a very early age - being skinny, shy, wearing glasses and 'blessed' with titian hair,and freckles, it was of the utmost importance for 'survival' LOL)

So you can imagine my delight, that yesterday at the ripe old age of 60+ to learn that I was the first person in the United Kingdom to receive my Jo Capper Sandon designed stamps, and to blog them.

Just a bit of silliness to make you smile - as  I have visitors this weekend - and won't be able to have time to use the rest of them or to blog them.

Gosh - I was the first - fancy that - can you see my silly grin - it'll last all day?

It's a giant schroom

I just couldn't wait to use my new stamps from Jo's Stampotique collection - which I bought from Moira's Happy Daze.    They didn't arrive until this afternoon - and I really should not have spent any time in my studio - but I just HAD  too.

On Jo's blog she has used this large schroom stamp - and it looks absolutely delightful on her project  - go and have a look.

I was on 'borrowed' time when I made this tag - I should have been making our tea.

I couldn't reproduce her fantastic double tag card - but I could just play to get the feel of the stamp.

I used a tag with K&Co paper on top.  As usual  it looks much better in real life.

I also used the free stamp from this months Craft Stamper magazine, and the mini bee from Jo's collection.

(I only made the one tag - but cos the light was so bad, I tried taking a photo on two different backgrounds.)

I will spend more time next week playing with them - I just need to get an ink pad or two.  The stamps are lovely to use as they are mounted on lovely thick and rounded wood.  They stamp really clearly too.  Most of my stamps are unmounted, and I do struggle at times to get a clear stamped image - usually resorting to standing on them (on the floor, I'm too old to do that on my craft table - in case some of you have over active imaginations!)  But these stamps are a joy to use - and I will definitely be getting some more of them.

Even Silence Speaks

My Jo Capper - Sandon designed stamps from Happy Daze arrived this afternoon!  They are the very first Stampotique stamps I have bought - and I am so thrilled that I did.

I would love to have bought the whole set - well who wouldn't huh?  But the ones I don't have will have to wait for a month or two.

I bought the quote as it is very special to me, as I am sure it will be for  many others.  It speaks volumes and can be used for many occasions.

So is Jo's other quote - that's on my 'wish list'

Please don't compare this with Jo's - there is no comparison (I can only dream!)

The colours are more vibrant in real life.  I painted with inks directly onto the card,  which gives the effect of layers of grass, rather than a solid block of greens.  The sky was done the same way.   I forgot to do the sun - doh - never mind, I am sure that I will be using these stamps a lot.

I would love to have made mine as professional looking as Jo's - with layers of card matting etc - but I am no way near that standard, nor have the selection of stash to do it justice.

For now, I am just so happy to be the beautiful young girl, daydreaming in a meadow, surrounded by daisies, with a beautiful honey bee collecting pollen.

Thank you Jo for the inspriration you have given me with these stamps - even if I did 'copy' in part your layout!

And thank you to Moira of Happy Daze for sending out the stamps, carefully packaged.

More creations will follow next week.  We have family staying this weekend.

Butterflies - oh how I just love butterflies

When I went into the EACH charity shop last Wednesday as I usually do, I was looking around and the lady there said, 'Oh hello, you're the bag lady aren't you.'  It really made me smile.  She meant of course that I am the lady who decorates bags - rather than one who lives out of bags!

I have made two like this - not identical.  The image comes from a greetings card, painted by a lady in our Lipreading class - who paints stunning watercolours and has them printed onto cards.

Our tutor is retiring at the end of the summer term, and I suggested a bag as one of her presents - using Dawn's artwork.   I used a different method of image transfer - and it took a bit of getting used too.  The image didn't turn out as bright as I would have liked - so not true to her painting - so  I spent a couple of hours painting over it with acrylic paints and alcohol inks.

It positively glows now, and close up you can see, and feel the textures of the paints.

I will get everyone to sign the butterfly card and pop it in the bag

I hope that she will like it!

I may be a bit quiet ......

I might be a tad bit quiet on the arty crafty side of life for a little while we are tackling a makeover in the garden, plus keeping everything ship shape on the allotment - and now I have a vast amount of pricking out and potting up seedlings galore.

All you which you can keep track on here 

Or look at the posts in my side bar under Allotment Lady

I can't keep my eyes open - had a tiring day.

Yes you've guessed - another bird on a newspaper page

Yes - we get chaffinchs too in our garden

Close up of the layers of paint and the paint stamping

The page in situ - copied print on white paper, torn, and painted with water colours to make it look a bit more original

This is the last one for now - but I do intend to add lots more to this book

Thank  you for looking at this so far and for your very encouraging comments

You either love them or hate them - but you have to admit they are stunning

Yes it is the Starling.

He's coloured with copics over watercolours

So, are they thieving thugs in your garden?  Or gorgeous shimmery irridescent rainbow works of art?  I do have a love/hate relationship with starlings.  I marvel at their gorgeous colours in the sunshine, and their sharp brain - but now and again I do despair when they arrive in 'gangs' and 'hog' all the seeds!

Another newspaper page - painted with acrylics in layers.  Image printed onto white paper and painted with the hope that I have captured his colours.

I rather like him anyway

Off to make another

Have you guessed yet which book the images came from?

I'll tell you tomorrow