Say Hello to Georgie!!

Hi everyone,

Today I am VERY excited because at last I can share with you a project I've been working on for quite a while - in fact, I'm SO excited that I want to run about squealing like a piglet wooHOO wooHOO!!!

So, without further ado, please allow me to introduce "Georgie" - my brand new stamp set ...


Georgie is the first in a series of Arty Farty Annie "Mix It Up" stamp sets - so called because in each set, the central character is made up of separate components, which are designed to be put together to create different poses and gestures. They can also be combined with components from other sets in the series to give endless creative possibilities.


As well as the whimsical character which is the main focus of the stamp set, I've squeezed lots of fun images into every spare inch of space! I wanted to make these stamps as useful and versatile as possible, so I've included design elements and motifs which will lend themselves to all kinds of projects such as art journalling, scrapping, cardmaking and other papercrafts.


The inspiration for this first stamp set was my lovely niece - the pretty girl, butterflies, hearts, happy daisy, musical notes and the glasses are all things which remind me of the real-life Georgie - then I threw in the photo corners and the faux stitching just because they are things I will use a lot myself :o)


As you can see, I've had so much fun with my Georgie stamp set already. One of my favourite things is to stamp a simple whimsical scene and then enjoy a bit of colouring in. The samples I've included here all started as a simple scene stamped in black archival ink onto white card, then coloured with various media such as Distress Inks, felt pens, coloured pencils, acrylic paints and Gelatos to create very different results.


In the one below I've added a bit of decoupage to add depth to the hair and I've heat embossed the glasses to make them shiny ...


I wonder if you can guess which one of these looks the most like the real Georgie?! :o)

If you would like to see how easy it is to create one of these whimsical scenes, check out the You Tube videos below. Here's Part One which shows how to assemble the figure ...


... and here's Part Two, where I'm adding the background details ...


Apart from a bit of colouring in therapy as in the examples above, there are so many ways to use this stamp set - for art journals, mixed media canvases, scrapbook pages, art dolls, cards, tags, pocket pages and all kinds of papercraft projects. I'm so excited about the idea of other people experimenting with these stamps and can't wait to see what they come up with.

If you would like a "Georgie" Mix It Up stamp set, please pop into the Arty Farty Annie Etsy Shop.

New ideas for using the stamps will be posted here and on the ArtyFartyAnnie FaceBook page every week. Please subscribe/follow to make sure you don't miss anything.

The next two stamp sets in the series are already in the pipeline. They will be called "Bex" and "Alice" (two more nieces) and should be ready to go not too long after Christmas.

This is a completely new venture for me and I would love to know what you think - please leave a comment below (with any advice/suggestion/question/request/constructive criticism) before the end of November to be in with a chance of winning a "Georgie" Mix It Up stamp set - including free postage to anywhere in the world.

Thanks for popping in today, see you again soon :o)

Annie xxx

Comments

Lisca said…
Am I the first to comment? Wow! These stamps are so cute!What does the real Georgie say about your creation? I love it and am seriously thinking of buying it (you seem to have only one left, so congratulations, that's going well).
I like the idea of the glasses. So many people/children have glasses nowadays....
xx
Lisca
Looking forward to the others so I can combine. Have you got a nephew in the pipeline too?
Lizzy Hill said…
The videos were fabulous! Loved seeing HOW you used the set & I really, REALLY like that they will all mix and match....the stitching stamps & Flourish look VERY useful:) You are SOOO talented!!!
Annie Claxton said…
Thanks Lisca - the real Georgie loves the stamp version of herself I'm delighted to say! I'm planning to do my three nieces, then perhaps move on to great niece and nephew - not sure how my sons would feel about being immortalised as stamp sets hehehe!then there's the cat, and I have some ideas about buildings ... sssh! I will pop you in the drawer to win a free set, but if do decide to buy one in the meantime and you win, I'll send you one of the next design instead xxx
Annie Claxton said…
Hi Lizzy, thanks so much for the encouraging words, it's all very exciting but quite nerve-racking putting it out there at last when it's been in my head for so long! Glad you like the stitching, that's my favourite bit! And as for the video - that was a VERY steep learning curve, but I hope I will get better. I'll pop you in the draw as well xxx
Val-Belle said…
You are freaking amazing. How cool is that. I am not really into cutesy stamps but I really really love these funky ones and I love that you can change them up... way to go Annie... I can't wait to get some :D
Unknown said…
I absolutely love them!!!! Perfect for someone like me who can't draw. Well done!
Annie Claxton said…
Hey Val, thanks so much for your enthusiastic comments - would love to see what you do with them if only you can make a bit of time in your very busy life! Your name is in the hat xxx
Annie Claxton said…
Thanks so much Jennifer, it really means a lot to me that you like them and I will add your name to the draw to wind a free set :o)xx
Ella Swan said…
Wow Annie well I do think this is a fantastic venture & ever so exciting!! Congratulations!! Personally I don't do this type of stamping - I only really use background stamps - but I do love the interesting doodles & stitching that are for the edges. I'm sure in the UK where cardmaking is so popular that these will be a huge hit & I love the versatility of them :)
Annie Claxton said…
HI Helen, thanks so much - I'm chuffed to bits to get such a positive response already! I'll be posting a couple more projects this week showing how the stamps can be used for other stuff as well - I've been having lots of fun trying things out :o)
Kristin said…
I am so so SOOOOO happy for you!! WHAT a wonderful idea and execution - and the fact that you have other sets planned - so amazing. I'd LOVE to play with them! I am really so happy for you - and will watch the vids of them asap. Just subscribed to your channel! xoxo
Annie Claxton said…
Hey Kristin, thankyoooooo!! I would LOVE to see what you would do with Georgie - I will pop your name in the hat forthwith!! :o)
I love your stamp set Annie! Have you thought of selling it to Hobby Craft? I'm not sure what the process is but they must have buyers who would be interested in carrying your line, I'm sure! It looks nothing short of professional! I really look forward to seeing the next two sets and seriously consider buying one!
Annie Claxton said…
Thanks Zsuzsa, it's all been quite exciting and lots of new stuff to learn! At the moment I just have 40 sets (the minimum order) - thought I would see how they go, but you're right, I should find out how to contact the buyers at HobbyCraft and such like. Thought I might try a couple of smaller local independent shops first ... bit scary all that! I'm currently working on the next two designs, lots of ideas in the pipeline! I will put your name in the hat to win a set - if you decide to buy one in the meantime and then you win, I will send you one of the next design instead :o)
sheila 77 said…
Love all the variations you have shown on the basic set. Wonderful artwork.