Sunday 5 February 2017

February Challenge at Stamping Sensations, and a strange phenomenon

Since Christmas, my mojo seems to have disappeared. I reckon it's taken itself off to warmer, sunnier climes, given the cold, grey, wet and dreary weather we've been having here lately, and I can't say I blame it. However, I need it back, but how to attract it? One look at the state of my craft room was enough to suggest the answer!

A mega clear out was long overdue. The task was so daunting, I'd kept putting it off but I knew that a good tidy up would go a long way towards making me feel like crafting again. One of the main problems was not being able to find anything I needed without having to shift piles of stuff out of the way first. I store all my unmounted stamps in A5 ringbinders, and when I first set up my craft room, five years ago, they all fitted into a small bookcase. Not any more! As my collection grew, the extra binders had to be crammed into odd spaces here and there on other shelves, which was really annoying.

Then, a few weeks ago, my daughter announced that she had a large, tall bookcase that had become surplus to her requirements, and would I like it? Would I??! Of course, that meant I had to bite the bullet and start the grand clear out! To cut a long story short, what once looked like this



now looks like this!























So much tidier and more efficient, don't you think? Anyway, the clear out is just about finished, (as well as the stamp shelves I have two walls of built-in floor to ceiling shelves and drawers to store everything else) and I now know where everything is again.

But - and here's the strange thing - although I have removed a considerable amount of rubbish and stuff I didn't want to keep, and have gained more storage space with the new bookcase, there doesn't seem to be any more room on the other shelves than there was before! If anyone has an explanation for this odd phenomenon, I'd be very interested to hear it!

Fortunately I managed to clear enough space on my desk in time to make my sample for this month's challenge at Stamping Sensations, where our theme for February is

* * * * * ANIMAL MAGIC * * * * *

As usual, you may interpret this however you wish, as long as the main element of your design is hand stamped (or a hand coloured digital image) and reflects the theme. Please do check that your project fits our rules, otherwise it will not be eligible for the prize or top 3, and may not be commented on, in fairness to others who do follow the rules. And you will not want to miss out on this month's fabulous prize, kindly donated by our lovely sponsors Tattered Lace.


For my card I have used some of the latest new Lavinia Stamps, which are absolutely gorgeous. The range includes badgers, foxes, squirrel and snail, all perfect for our challenge theme, as well as some beautiful fairies.


All stamps on my card are by Lavinia Stamps. I stamped and masked the moon before creating a background with an Inkylicious mountain and valley stencil and pigment inks. The badger, fairy, flowers, foliage and distant trees were then stamped over the top, and a bit of sparkle added with some glitter glue to finish.

I'm entering this card in the Lavinia Stamps Creative Challenge for February, where the theme is "The Full Moon".

There's some stunning Animal Magic by my lovely teamies over on the Challenge Blog, so do go and take a look, and they would be delighted if you had time to visit their individual blogs too. I think this will be a popular theme, and am looking forward to seeing your entries.

10 comments:

brenda said...

Totally magical Lynne. And looks like a successful tidy up in your craft room as well, I find it always gives the mojo a nudge.

B x

pinky said...

Your make over certainly looks tidier but I'm with you Lynne no matter how much I get rid of there is NO MORE SPACE! Loving your magical card, such gorgeous stamping. You are a talent!

Marlies said...

A beautiful card Lynne! You've made a lovely fairytale scene. Gorgeous!
I have the same thing here too with clearing up, the more I tidy the less place I have haha. hugs, Marlies

Joan said...

A beautiful card Lynne, those Lavinia stamps are lovely . I know what you mean about Mojo, mine has been missing since Christmas too but I have so many family Birthdays in Feb and March I've been having to force myself to get on with it. I don't have the luxury of a proper craft room so everything had to be put away which just wastes so much time getting things out and then putting them away, I must admit it is looking more like a craft room than a dining room these days .

Viv said...

I cannot tell you how much I love this Lynn! The badger is awesome. A great card - and well done on the clear out... I will send you my addresss!!!

kiwimeskreations said...

Lynne, I think your mojo may have just been playing tricks with you as this is stunning - love your background and the ethereal look to this card.
I do know about that strange phenomona - I experienced it recently!!
Blessings
Maxine

Sally H said...

Totally gorgeous, Lynne! I love it! I know I told you off at the time for making me spend, lol. but they are such stunning stamps! Thanks for this gorgeous inspiration. Looking forward to finding some time to play over half term, and due a tidy too. The new bookcase looks amazing!

Tracy said...

Hi Lynne
Fabulous creation, great stamping and love the design.
Happy crafting
Tracy x

Craftychris said...

Your room looks so tidy and your card is absolutely magical! xxx

Dora said...

This is so beautiful. Great colours and stamping. I love the little scene.