Piece de resistance.....

TATTY BUTTON STAMP PROJECTS II

My final dimensional project for the moment...and I thought it deserved a blog post of it's own. I've got to say this has been a labour of love, has taken me the best part of two weeks to complete inbetween working on the other projects....BUT I'M SOOOO PLEASED WITH HOW IT TURNED OUT!

THE TATTY BUTTON GRUNGE PAPER PATCHWORK BAG

Sadly I do have to say that this isn't my own design entirely. Credit must go to ANNELIESE BATES who did a wonderful project in the October 2009 edition of Craft Stamper magazine...I have been itching to do this one for a long time and now the Tatty Button stamps are available, decided to have a go using them. I have done a little adapting of Annalieses design mainly due to my limited materials available, but it does stay reasonably true to her original style.

The Patches are individual squares of Tim Holtz Grunge Paper that have been inked (Distress inks) and the either stamped with Tatty Button images (plus a couple of other pattern stamps) or embossed using various plates for texture. The patches were hand stiched together to form panels for the two main sides.

Unlike Annelieses bag, mine is much smaller, consisting of nine patches per panel, rather than fifteen. I also lined my bag with canvas fabric and edged the top with fabric. Anneliese lined her bag with extra panels of Grunge Paper and left the edges raw. The lining I left in it's original natural colour, and stamped over it using small Tatty Button embellishment stamps.

The end panels and base of the bag are single pieces of Grunge Paper, inked up with Distress inks and embossed. This one in the photo is a Creative Expressions embossing plate design by Sam Poole and goes very well with the Tatty Button range...and of course it's only right to use something of Creative Expressions...after all they are the company producing my stamp designs.

Anneliese used patterned 7 Gypsies Gaffer Tape and Tim Holtz Idea-ology metal componants for the handles and attachments...which I unfortunately didn't have to hand. I think those pieces lend a much more professional finish to her bag, but I had to make do with some simple brass eyelets and black fabric tape, hand sewn to match the patchwork stitching...I still think they work well though, and the black handles tie in with the black edging around the top of the bag and highlight the black ink of the stamped images. Looking at the photos now though, I think the brass is too new and shiny looking so will probably give them a wipe over with some inks to tone the 'brassyness' down.

Tatty Button Projects

Well, after the intial gazing happily at the lovely pristine new Tatty Button rubber stamps that arrived, not wanting to get them dirty (how sad is that...I'm usually chomping at the bit to work with new stamps!)...and getting over my slight nervousness that these are MY designs and I have to think of something to make with them that does them justice....

....I've finally come up with a small selection of projects that I think shows that the designs are very workable and have scope...from distressed effects to downright pretty and girly. I have a number still WIP and will upload photos once completed...but for now here are a few finished pieces.

'HEART HANGER' - This piece shows that the stamps can be used to create embossed metal projects. I used the 'Best Friends' image and stamped with black Stazon ink onto silver craft metal sheet, then used various metal embossing tools (TenSecondsStudio) and a foam mat to trace around and in the design to create depth and texture. The back was filled in with polyfiller (speckle) to stop the embossed areas from getting crushed or flattened and once dried, mounted into a chipboard heart frame which was completey covered in pink handmade mulberry paper to seal it all up securely. After setting eyelets and attaching a chain I set about making embellishments. The two flowers were created by stamping the plain Tatty Flower image three time (for each flower) onto metal sheet, cut out and shaped and layered to create dimensional petals. I felt the metal looked to bright and shiny, so toned it all down a bit by working black stazon ink into the metal. This, not only brought out the embossing but gave it a nice gunmetal colour finish.
'PONY PAL CARD' - The original Tatty Button drawings are sketchy graphite pencilwork in grey scale and when the images were adapted for the rubber stamps this look was sadly lost but I was determined to see if the stamps could actually be used to recreate that original pencil look again. I'm delighted to say it is possible...and this card shows it wonderfully. The stamp 'Pony Pal' was inked and stamped out in a pale grey then used as a guide to pencil and shade back in with HB graphite pencil. The completed image was then framed with cardstock, embossed (cuttlebug) and die cut (Spellbinders nesties) and embellished with co-ordinating ribbon and a small charm which is the 'Tatty Button' stamped on clear shrink plastic.

'PIP PENDANT' - I was keen to see how far I could go to create an 'ungirly' piece and although there are more stamp designs in the pipeline that I think would be more suited to this, rather than wait, I went for the small 'Pip Mouse' image that will be available in this first range. 'Pip' was stamped onto copper craft sheet and slightly distressed and hammered to create a bit of aging and texture. It was then mounted into a frame of embossed and silver inked Grunge Paper (Tim Holtz). The frame was assembled using cold connection technique (ie not soldered as it is fabric) by way of metal rivets (which can actually be removed so that the image can be replaced with something else) and then hung on heavy linked chain. I'm sitting on the fence over this piece at the moment as, I really like the idea, but not so keen on the choice of material used. I think I might rework this one at some point and perhaps used metal for the frame.'FAIRY SHOE' - And now for something really girly! I found the project and template for this shoe in an old CraftStamper magazine (I'll sort out links for this later and also give credit to the original designer of the piece once I find her name!) and is made out of Grunge Paper which I painted with white acrylic paint then stitched together using fluffy pink threads. It was given a spritz of Cosmic Shimmer Mist (Angel Mist) although this sadly doesn't show up very well in the photo and decorated with handrawn swirls. The 'Tatty Button' and 'small flowers' images were stamped and cut out of more grunge paper then attached and wings added with ironed and stamped fantasy fibres....and sections coloured pink with a Promarker. Further embellishments include silver glitter, gems and tiny silver bells.'CHARM BRACELET' - At some point I want to make pieces using all the individual stamps from this initial Tatty Button range but time is short at the moment so....I have made a 'showcase' charm bracelet using all the stamps on white frosted shrink plastic, with additional coloured and silver beads. I think the clean simple lines of the designs work well when shrunk down on this craft material...with no detail lost at all. I had fun making this bracelet and might have a go at making a coloured version at some point too.'PURPLE FLOWER TATTY CARD' - I wanted to concentrate more on the embellishment stamps in the range on this card, and so stamped out multiple 'flower' and 'leaves' images onto purple card and used them layered up to create a frame around a simple stamped 'Tatty Button' image. These flower stamps have a fair bit of scope and can be stamped out as outline only if desired and also cut out and shaped to create more dimensional paper flowers...more on that later!

'PIP MOUSE CARD' - The 'Pip' stamp comes in two sizes, one tiny stamp that is great for embellishments, and background papers etc and this one used in the card above, which is the larger version. This is just a simple stamped card showing the image stamped out in brown Tsukineko Memento ink and coloured in using ProMarkers. All the Stamp packages come with the images shown coloured in to help as guidence should you wish to create work in the original colours (as found in the cd) but obviously these stamps can also be coloured in any shade you wish!

'GREEN TATTY FLOWER CARD' - A card that shows the embellishment type stamps can stand alone from the main Tatty Button character images. Using co-ordinating patterned papers and cardstock, two 'flower' and 'leaf' stamps were stamped out and layered up multiple times to create depth. The stems were drawn in freehand using a black fineliner pen.

IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING!

Wow.....sooooo much to tell but sooooo much I can't tell (or show)....now isn't that frustrating!




But I will let you into a little bit of my news......



If you follow my blog you'll know that there's been a few things in the pipeline regarding my Tatty Button (hence why as precaution and protection I shut down my other blog and all Tatty artwork was removed from my web sites). Well, I think I can now tell you she's going to be entering into the craft world...very soon!



It's all felt a little surreal what with how it all came about...but that's a story for later on. For now, I'll tell you I've been very busy over Christmas working on adapting the pencil Tatty artwork into suitable images for rubber stamps which are being made and marketed by a very good British company. When we all first met up last year to discuss what the requirements and plans were, and a date for the launch of the products...it all seemed an age away. The company have been lovely in keeping me in the loop on how all has been going....but really the process has felt a little weird. This has been something very new to me and a huge learning curve too. My head has been down, furiously reworking images and then seeing them disappear off into the post...and that was it...all out of my hands...and out of my control...



...a bit unnerving really! I've felt a bit like a new mom, sending her child off to school for their first day...my baby was being handed over to someone else and I was left wondering what was going on...and feeling a bit strange and empty...waiting....just waiting for Tatty to come back home...



...be patient...be patient...be patient...


...that was what I kept telling myself! Christmas, family, rugby and other art commissions kept me busy in the meanwhile but time just seemed to be drag....


...when was I going to see Tatty again!



And then.....WOW! yesterday a lovely big brown parcel arrived on my doorstep and out spilled the first set of Tatty Button rubber stamps! OMG such lovely little things all pristine and new, all etched smartly in grey.
They're here....actually here...finally here...in my hands...the feeling was quite bizarre! And it hit me there and then...now I'd physically got something in my hands....IT WAS FINALLY HAPPENING!


Reality has kicked in now. I have designed rubber stamp images! They have been made into actual stamps...and for crafters to buy (hopefully LOL!)...ok, so lot's of people do this....but this is something I'd never ever considered myself to be able to do....


...and now and I'm feeling a tad nervous...time that was once dragging is now speeding up and in barely two weeks time she is GOING LIVE.


OH BOY YIKES!


'The World of Tatty Button' craft products are being launched at a trade show this month...and that's it...she's out there in the big wide craftin world! I might seem all calm and confident on the outside, but really inside I'm freaking out over how it's all going to go and how she is going to be recieved...


...be patient...be patient...be patient!

Hugbinders event and raffle prizes for Macmillan

In memory of John.....

A wonderful event is taking place in March, organized by some internet arty friends of mine, and in memory of a terrific man John Macrae, husband of Barbara 'Sparkles'.... and to help raise money for Macmillan.

Please take a look at the blog/website of 'Hugbinders' for all the details on a fabulous book workshop and raffle that is being held.

http://hugbinders.blogspot.com/

Macmillan is a cause dear to my heart. My own dad suffered from terminal cancer and during his last few months of life my mom, sister and I made the decision to care for him at home. He was bedridden, on an oxygen machine and semi comatose so it was a huge and stressful undertaking but we seriously could not have done it without the daily help from visiting Macmillan Nurses. These Nurses were a godsend and total rocks that not only gave assistance to my dad, but support and guidence to us all and often went above and beyond their duties to help us out....and do so for every cancer patient and their families across this country. To say the are angels is an understatement!

Dad is now gone but we have continued to show our gratitude to Macmillan by raising funds as and when possible, in particular by participating in the annual Big Coffee Morning and when I heard of the Hugbinders event I was also keen to play a part.

I sadly can't do the workshop but have agreed to donate a piece of artwork to the raffle.

'The Blue Balloon' is a one-off original Tatty Button pencil sketch incorporating a blue balloon to represent the Hugbinders own symbol. It will come with a mountboard frame but no actual picture hanging frame (to keep postage costs down and enable the winner to frame it to their own requirements) and is approx 16x20 inches in size. This picture is unique and will only be available as a prize by purchasing a Hugbinders raffle ticket. It will not be copied or be available at any future time for sale....and come with a signed certificate of authenticity.

This photo above doesn't really do the picture justice as the original is much darker in colour. Please also note that the above image is shown without the mountboard frame and the original will not have the copyright wording all over it :) !

(ivory mountboard frame to give overall size to fit a picture frame 20 x 16 inches!

There are many other wonderful prizes up for grabs for the art and craft enthusiast...and at just £1 a ticket you could win something to treasure, while helping a fantastic cause.

http://hugbinders.blogspot.com/

Spiced Roasted Parsnip Soup

The weather was lovely yesterday...which made a change from all the past week of grey drizzle and rain rain rain. Under blue clear skies and crisp sun I had fun checking over the veg plot and harvesting some parsnips. Got some beauties, large and perfectly formed...chuffed to bits with that...but also got a few hilarious misshapen ones that looked like mini octopuses. I think they must have hit stones or obstructions in the soil that forced them to send out multiple roots...but hey ho...they aint for show and as long as they taste great they can still be used. They may not look great and be good enough for roasting or crisps...but they are perfect for soups and mashes. Seeings as we were off for a late night game of rugby last night, and no time to sit down to eat tea, I made a parsnip soup to take instead. It's a recipe that was passed on to me some time back and has been tweaked a little over time...but the original version remains scrummily tasty and a firm hit with all that have tasted it...and it's a perfect hearty tummy warmer for cold nights on the pitch side!

I been asked so many times to write out the recipe so have decided to blog and share it with you all here...along with the variations I have tried with success and recommend. I did take photos...but have just discovered the batteries in my camera have run flat...so while they recharge, I'll post out the details and add the pictures later.

Easy to prepare and cook....ENJOY!

SPICED ROASTED PARSNIP SOUP (aka Angies misfit parsnip soup)

Feeds 4 ......or 2 very greedy hungry rugby supporters!

This healthy non-cream version freezes very well.

Prep time approx 15 mins Cook time approx 40 mins

Preheat oven to 220c / 200for fan / gas mark 7

INGREDIENTS
1 tsp CORIANDER SEEDS
1 tsp CUMIN SEEDS
1/2 tsp MUSTARD SEEDS
1/2 tsp GROUND TURMERIC
1 large ONION
2 GARLIC CLOVES
approx 675g PARSNIPS
2 plum sized TOMATOES
1.2litre good quality VEGETABLE STOCK
SALT & PEPPER to taste
1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)

Pre heat oven. Dry fry the coriander, cumin and mustard seeds in a heavy based pan until the aromas are released, then grind to a fine powder and stir in the turmeric. Set aside.

Prepare vegetables by peeling and cutting into large equal sized pieces. Quarter the tomatoes and place with the garlic cloves, onion and parsnips in a bowl. Coat evenly with the oil and a grinding of salt and pepper and tip into a large roasting tray. Roast for approx 30mins or until tender and golden, keeping an eye that they do not catch or burn (or the black bits will taint the final soup).

Spoon into a processor, liquidiser, or hand blend in a large pan with half the stock until smooth, stir in the ground spices and remaining liquid and cook on a gentle heat for another 10-15 mins. Check seasoning. Stir in the lemon juice just prior to serving with a sprinkle of additional roasted cumin seeds (optional), chunks of bread or naan.

VARIATIONS & TIPS
The original recipe calls for the whole spice seeds to be mixed into the oil and onto the vegetables prior to roasting but I found that they burnt easily and left a slight tinged taste to the soup, plus they were hard to liquidise down completely to give a smooth soup, leaving bits of gritty seeds which was unpleasant to eat. Dry frying off and grinding the spices, then adding to the liquidised soup afterwards and cooking on for a further 10 mins or so makes no difference to the taste of the soup.

If you've not got whole spice seeds to hand or the ability to dry fry and grind them from fresh...shop purchased curry powder can be used with relative success.

Take care with the seasoning if you use a vegetable stock cube as these can be high in salt.

For a real kick, add a couple of chillies. Either roast and liquidise with the vegetables, add flakes with the spice powder, or sprinkle over prior to serving.

A couple of carrots roasted with the parsnips adds a little extra special something to the taste...plus gives the soups a lovely mellow orange colour. Either include the carrots in the 675g weight of parsnips, or use as extra vegetable and increase the quantity of liquid to prevent the soup becoming too thick.

This soup is a healthy non fat version but if you'd prefer a richer creamier soup you can add some cream to the liquid veg stock measure...or just stir a spoonful in prior to serving. A more healthier option is to use natural yoghurt (and leave out the lemon juice). Take care when cooking with the creams or yoghurt so that it doesn't split.

Serving the soup sprinkled with roasted cumin seeds is optional and I actually prefer a grating of parmesan cheese.

For a truly filling dish....cook and stir in a handful of pasta before serving or chunks of boiled potatoes.

Not tried this yet, but have been assured that a couple of spoonfuls of left over soup, over a baked potato with cheese is delicious. Sounds weird but apparently it works!


Hope you try out this soup

Enjoy!