My 1st Andy Skinner Stamp Card!

Above. So here I am clutching my parcel of Andy Skinner which just arrived this morning! They weren't due until late Wednesday, but here it is Monday, so I am not complaining! It was a very exciting moment!

Above is the VERY sturdy binder that came with the stamps. It's really solid so I will decorate it eventually.

Here are photos of the stamps I got. They measure about 4 inches by 2-3 inches, and each stamp comes with a sentiment stamp.

Above shows the stamp inside the Binder, and below is the card I made using the stamp. I also used the sentiment which says, "Let the adventure begin." The card I made may look 'ordinary,' nothing special. Here's how I created it. I stamped it on to SU Soft Suede cardstock using Versafine Clair Nocturne ink. I used my stamp positioner.  I left the stamp on the stamp positioner. (Very important to leave the stamp where it is for now.) I removed the card and using some Matt White Chalk Home Decor paint, I carefully painted over the boys shirt. I completely covered the shirt with white paint. (I forgot to take a photo...)I also painted the tummy white on the Teddy Bear. Once the paint was dry I re-inked the stamp using the same black ink as before, put the stamped card back in the stamp positioner and stamped over the shirt. This puts the details (in black) back on the shirt. The shirt has lots of tiny details on it, and I would never have been able to paint the white around it as the details are so tiny and close together. This is one of the techniques Andy Skinner uses in colouring his images. I just had to try it! It isn't perfect. If you're looking for 'perfection', leave now and find another blog 'cause this isn't it! I did a couple if things wrong, and I am ok with that. This is the first time I have ever used this technique. The main things is, I had fun! Each stamp is on a piece of plastic and has the stamped image on a piece of card. The stamps are all deeply etched red rubber. So this is what I have created so far today! There are other techniques to colour the images, and I hope I can master them all as time goes by! Of course, you can mix and match the sentiment stamps as you like. I used the one that came with this stamp. Hopefully my instructions are easy enough to follow. Check out Andy Skinner and his awesome stamps on you tube to see more of his work. I am totally hooked!

Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!

 

I Am NOT A Pincushion! I'm Going Home!

 I don't have anything to post here, I have a card half finished, but run out of energy and ended up having to go back to bed to sleep. I will finish the card maybe tomorrow. I had to go and have blood tests done this morning. I was supposed to go yesterday but had a sore throat and didn't feel like going out. What a waste if energy, none of the nurses could get blood because my veins are stuffed. Having been in hospital 4 times in the last month, I have bruises on bruises on bruises, on both arms. I am NOT a pin cushion, and I am SO fed up with nurses being gung ho and thinking THEY can find a vein, and failing, leaving me bruised and annoyed. It's happened SOO many time and I am fed up. While I was in hospital recently, they ended up getting and Anesthetist Technician to come and put a needle in my arm. She was brilliant! She put some anesthetic in my arm using a very fine needle, then she used the Ultra Sound to scan my arm for a viable vein, and then  put the needle in. NO pain, NO stress No bruise, and NO grumpy Sunshine! She said  to ask for an Anesthetist Technician next time they have issues. So I left the blood lab mumbling that I am NOT going back again and the hospital will have to do without my blood. They wanted to see how low my Haemoglobin levels were, as they were very low when I was in hospital. So I got home (exhausted) and my phone rang. It was the hospital saying they think my levels are ok (due to other tests they did) and that I don't need to have any more blood tests!! Best news I've had all day! I am so glad I don't need to go back for more needles. They all want to "Practice" on me, and they all 'think' THEY are the one who will get blood from my vein. I am learning to say 'no', please find someone who has experience, and please use the Ultra Sound. This 'ain't my first rodeo and I am not a pin cushion! I have nothing against nurses, I support you and know how hard you work, and you are often understaffed, but still do a great job. It's just that...I'm not a pin cushion and I've had enough.

So, I have recently discovered some new stamps, and a new (to me) Artist. His name is Andy Skinner. Have you seen his stamps? Have you seen him create with them/ And do you have any of his stamps?! I ordered some the other day and I am super excited to get them! They'll be a short while as they are coming from the UK. A local craft store her in NZ has them, but they're out of stock. They take for ever to get stock in and I want my stamps 'now'! Gosh Andy is super talented with how he colours the stamped images, and I've watched several of his videos. Let me know if you have used his stamps, and I would love to see what you created! I first saw some videos that Amanda Branston did using his stamps, and I was intrigued. You can find Amanda on FB under Amanda Jane Crafts. She was with Lavinia Stamps, but now has her own channel and does some awesome art work. Ok, that's it for now. Thanks for dropping by! Have a SUNSHINE day! Remember to always be your authentic self, and shine bright each and every day!