Wednesday 10 February 2016

February's Forgotten Stash

Each month I'm choosing a piece of forgotten or never used stash to try out - for February I've chosen the Tim Holtz Artful Dwellings die.  I have no idea why I purchased it - the good idea that prompted me to buy it has long gone!

I was a bit stumped with this one, so after cutting several of the shapes out I left them on my desk until an idea struck!  Finally I decided to work on my current theme of the winter garden and this is how they turned out.



I used some copper and gold metallic leaf on some of the stamped images, although it's difficult to see in the photos.  Each little house has been attached to a bar at the back to make it into one piece of work.

Deciding to go for a completely different wintery feel I also did another set using some winter tree stamps.  I used Perfect Pearls, Micro beads and texture paste with glitter, and although it's hard tell the whole thing really twinkles like frost.  





I am linking up with Julia over at WOYWW this week.

34 comments:

  1. You are beyond brilliant. Using the vintage postage stamp made me gasp. I love, love, love this!! Have a great week. Sandy Leigh #54 (and I thought I was the end of the list!)

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  2. I'm with Sandy! This is glorious stuff, I love it all.....and I know how clever you are with the vintage stamps. I've still got my gorgeous Christmas card with the hare :-)
    Hugs, LLJ 13 xxx

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  3. Fabulous little "villages"!! I am so taken with your flake on the stamps.... almost looks like watercolor. And such perfect stamps for these little dwellings! The winter one is also a gem - I love your garden series, and these are a wonderful addition!! I've also not used this die, so thank you for the inspirational nudge! xxx Lynn

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  4. Diana, these are simply gorgeous. I love the way you use things in an unconventional way to fit your own theme and ideas. The shapes of these die-cuts are so lovely used in this way. Who says they have to be buildings anyway!

    I love the texture on the second one, and I know that in real life it will look even better. Such a shame that photos never pick up the sparkly stuff.

    Happy WOYWW,
    Shoshi #21

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  5. Simply beeeutiful!! (Is that a word? It should be.)

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  6. Simply beeeutiful!! (Is that a word? It should be.)

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  7. I really love what you have done here - I am not into the world of dies etc but this is super - will show my friend who is a 'die' person who's sure to be impressed. x Jackie 28

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  8. These are absolutely AMAZING, Diana! I love them all together in this way, how very beautiful and inspiring. What a winter fantasy!

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  9. Well I started off chuckling when I read you had no idea why you bought the die but then was stunned with what you achieved.
    You are a marvel Diana. Well done they ate stunning
    Lynn xxx

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  10. Beautiful! Your work is always stunning - so detailed! Thanks for sharing

    Sharon K #44

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  11. These must look even more stunning in real life! I've got some micro beads too, but never used them. They are a great addition to your project! zsuzsa #36

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  12. How beautiful! Absolutely stunning! I giggled when I read that yoou don't know why you bought them.... a senior moment we sometimes say. Those shapes are very easily cut out by hand. I don't think it needs a die. But hey, you have got it and you have made some utterly beautiful art!
    Thank you for you lovely comment,
    Have a good week,
    Lisca

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  13. Oh no. Now I'm going to lose sleep over the reason for you really buying the dies! I wonder if it was remotely house-y! Like everyone before me, I absolutely love what you've done here. Actually, words fail me!

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  14. You may have been stumped to begin with but you certainly didn't stay stumped they are absolutely stunning.
    I'm rushing round to visit as I'm very late - photo issues - again!!!!
    Anne x #65

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  15. Oh wow, totally stunning yet again Diana, what an innovative idea to use the houses like that!! Love the copper leafed ones, but the second set looks fantastic too! I think my absolute favourite is the dark one with the white tree, so, so striking!

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  16. It's official - you can take anything and make it beautiful!

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  17. Hi Diana, I started okay this morning but got tied up with a difficult project so only just getting round to starting my visits. I understand you trying to use forgotten stash. I have this die and I think I've used it once but I know somewhere lost in my memory I had a brilliant idea for it when I bought it Lol!Have a great woyww and happy crafting, Angela x 26

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  18. Thanks for your lovely comment, Diana. You made me laugh with your comment about the Turkish delight and cigars!! What a picture! I'm not sure if the sisal I got on Ebay is as thick as yours - I shall have to experiment with it a bit, I think. In addition to the stamps you recommended (thanks again - they are great!) I also succumbed to temptation and bought some gorgeous ones just out - looking forward to trying those! Glad you like my cats. Tonight I started a new art journal page and worked on a bright background for more cats, when I should have been making my hubby's Valentine card. Oh well, a few days to go yet!

    Shoshi

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  19. Love both examples of what you have done Diana. Love the crackle glaze effect on the first one.

    I think they'd look really good as an element on a Christmas card.

    Well done again this week :)

    Karen x

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  20. I'm playing catch up today visiting my blogging friends. It was just too long a day yesterday to feel up to visiting before bedtime. Thanks for calling by at mine and for your lovely comments.
    I love your show and tell today....you are so talented.
    Hugs,
    Annie x #10

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  21. Simply beautiful - what a wonderful collection of grasses and tree stamps you have - and they look just stunning with the subtle copper leafing. Both versions are gorgeous, but it's the first one which made my breath catch in my heart.
    Alison xx

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  22. Oh I just love your Winter garden theme - I had a go at one with needle felting and embroidery - I will try and remember to put it on WOYWW next time. x Jo

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  23. those are beautiful. I love visting your blog as there is always something gorgeous to see
    Jill

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  24. So beautiful. I love the bare trees and branches with the Winter colors.i am enjoying your idea of using forgotten stash. Diane 35

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  25. What a great way .to use that die! I love your wintery houses. The are really beautiful.

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  26. What really beautiful work as always Diana. I am constantly buying stash at a rate much faster than I can keep up with ideas, but one type of image I do love is houses. By the time I decided I needed this die though it had been discontinued. These projects are stunning. Sometimes I look at pictures of other people's projects and wish I could have been in the room as they built up their layers so I could see exactly what had been used and this was one of those times. I love tree images and what you have done here is lovely. The little touches of leafing, frost and the use of stamens in an unusual way again is exceptional. I bet your studio is a picture with work like this on display. Elaine x

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  27. Love them, great depth and layers and a beautiful smooth finish. Jo xx

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  28. Thanks for your return visit, Diana. I'm really behind with answering my blog comments because I've been mega busy getting my hubby's Valentine card finished (last night - talk about last minute!!) and also working on an art journal page on the same theme. Hopefully I'll have time to get to my new stash soon. I hope you got your hubby's Valentine card done in time!

    Shoshi

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  29. Thanks for your lovely enthusiastic comment on my "cat-heavy" post lol! So glad you like all my kitties. I am having fun with them. The doodle cat I drew to go on my hubby's Valentine card is less feisty and aggressive looking because the nmessage is different, but I still enjoyed drawing it as much! Glad you managed to get your hubby's card done in time even if it wasn't dry until this morning. There's nothing like a deadline for focusing the mind, is there. By the way, my hubby loved his! Hope yours did, too.

    Shoshi

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  30. Enjoyed January's takes but this is even more beautiful, love the colour palettes, just delightful houses and can't decide which is my favourite....perfect! Ruth x

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  31. OH such stunning and atmospheric creations Diana!!!
    I too have products here that leave me wondering WHY in the world I brought them home.
    oxo

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  32. This might be the best thing I've seen anyone do with that die. Stunning! They almost look like pickets from fences rather than houses.

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