I bought the original red Keep Calm poster from Barter Books in Alnwick back in about 2002, long before it became a global phenomenon. I had it on my office wall for many years and still have the poster now. Many times I have glanced up at the poster and taken a deep breath, absorbed the words and repeated them, mantra-like, while dealing with some petty crisis or other. I think it stood me in good stead for when the major crises came our way – by then the motto was ingrained and automatic.
The phrase has been so over-used, commercialised and parodied in the last few years that it’s hard to remember its original purpose (to keep the British upper lip as stiff as possible during WW2) and see the soothing common sense of the message. It’s great life advice for anyone, anytime really. Having said that, I think my favourite parody is “GET EXCITED AND STAMP SOMETHING”.
Anyway, philosophizing aside (is that a word?), this card is made with the latest stamps from Crafty Individuals which we have just got onto the website today. There’s a great mix of vintage and retro Britannia – perfect for all things celebratory with the Jubilee and Olypmics here this year. I stamped the patchwork Union Jack onto a selection of papers from the Essence of Nature CD and cut and pieced the flag together. I wanted a very simple, faded vintage look. The card edge is sponged with Stormy Sky distress ink.
We have also launched a new stamp set of our own today too – this one is going to be a well used set, it’s called Artistic Expressions and it’s the little black dress of stamping – it goes with anything!
It’s so new, I don’t have any finished artwork with it yet (lots of stamped and die cut words and sentiments), but the Design Team do and if you check out the DT blog, they’ll be showing it off soon. I’m also giving away a free set on the Design Team blog, so pop over and leave a comment to be in with a chance to win. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, so it’s just for this weekend.
I managed to get some better photos of the tags I made last weekend, so thought I’d show you them in more detail. I’ve angled them so you can see the embossing.
Stencils used were Pomegranate and Circle Explosion
Stencils used were Spring Fling and Circle Grid
This uses the two part stencil Poppies.
Have a great weekend, we’re off to Cumbria to visit St Oswald’s church in Grasmere. A sentimental journey to visit the place where Adrian and I were married fifteen years ago. Nothing to do with the Grasmere Gingerbread shop in the corner of the churchyard. No, not at all. Honest.
PS – if you are a Guild member, log in to your account and go to the Guild Offers department for special prices on the new stamps.
