Tim Holtz Idea-ology Collage

While in America last week, I was able to pop in to Hobby Lobby and pick up a few crafting bits and pieces.  I of course headed to the Tim Holtz area, which wasn't huge, but I did get five packs of Idea-ology goodies, so decided to have a play with them.

I used a piece of kraft card for the base, using three Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous stencils with Versafine Clair inks. The stencils and inks I paired are: Bouquet Layering Stencil (THS143) with Rain Forest green ink.  String stencil (THS004) with Morning Mist grey ink and THMM101 with Nocturne black ink.

I used some patterned paper and matching card from my stash, along with a Tim Holtz "Layered Frame" and a couple of pieces from the "Layers" set with a male paperdoll.  I also used some word stickers from the Tim Holtz "Chit Chat" set.  

I added splatters of gold and white paint across the surface, finally adding three old buttons from my button jar.

Lavinia Stamps "Shadow Bloom" hope card

 

I made this card for a friend who is quite poorly at present. Starting with the Lavinia Stamps "Shadow Bloom" stamp, I stamped the image using Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink.  I then coated the stamped image in Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set.

I used "Sky Blue" Ranger Archival Ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Waffle Stencil" around the stamped image, fading the colour out towards the top and bottom.

Using Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink again, I added some foliage to the flower using one of the leaves from the Lavinia "Vine Set".  I used the same ink to stamp the word "Hope" which is part of the Lavinia "Blessings" word set.

Next, I used a paint brush to colour the flowers using "Spun Sugar" Distress Oxide Inks.  I added dots of yellow Posca Pen to the middle of the flowers, finally adding some dots of "White Opal" Liquid Pearls to the stencillled area.

Lavinia Stamps Castle in the arch card

I have used the Lavinia Stamps "Red Brick Stencil" and their "Sticker Stencil set 5" for the arch, with Ranger Archival Inks (Sky blue, Shadow Grey, Fern Green, Leaf Green, Acorn and Tea Rose).

I've used assorted Versafine Clair inks (Acorn, Fallen Leaves, Morning Mist, Shady Lane and Rain Forest) for the stamping of the Lavinia Stamps Cherry Blossom, Silhouette Castle, Tree Scene and Heartfelt Verse sentiment.  Finsihing with touches of 2B pencil, Posca Pens and Fine Liner pen.

Lavinia Stamps "Seasons Greetings" Christmas Card

I had a small window to play in the craft room last night, making this Christmas card.

I used the Lavinia Stamps "Block Print" stencil with two shades of Ranger Archival Inks (Library Green and Paradise Teal).  I used Fern Green and Shadow Grey Archival Ink with the Lavinia "Moon Mask" to make the moon in the background.

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the following Lavinia Stamps:  Small Pine Trees, Small Fairy Fir Tree, Winter Magic Verse and a sentiment from the Christmas Greetings Stamp set.

I splattered white paint over the surface to replicate snow, using the same paint with a brush to create the landscape.  Once dry, I added a few touches of "Crystal" stickles for a little sparkle.

Lavinia Stamps "Small Robins" at Christmas

I apologise for my absence.  I've been away on holiday to America to see the colours of the leaves in "New England in the fall".  I've had a fabulous time but I am equally glad to be home to see Rosie our dog and to do some crafting.

For this card, I used the new Lavinia Stamps "Snowflakes" stencil with blue and grey Archival ink left on my blending brushes from previous projects.

I have used the Lavina "Circle Mask" for the central stamped area, sying blue ink round the edge of the circle.  I then used Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink to stamp the Lavinia "Mystic Swirls" on the right hand side of the circle.

I used the fence post from the Lavinia "Pheasant" stamp with Versafine Clair "Portobello" brown ink, I used the same ink to stamp the two robins which are part of the Lavinia "Small Robins" stamp set.

I used a white Signo Pen and some Dr Ph. Martin's white bleed proof ink on a very thin paint brush to create the look of snow on the fence and ground.  I added colour to the robins using Derwent Inktense pencils, finally adding a touch of "Crystal" Stickles to my fingertip and smudging it on the snow areas for a little bit of sparkle, (sadly this doesn't really show up on the photo).

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the sentiment, which is part of the Lavinia "Christmas Greetings" stamp set, adding some touches of "White Opal" Liquid Pearls round the edge of the circle.

52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 41

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

This is a weekly challenge. I provide you with a prompt/theme each Sunday morning through out the year.  The challenge is very relaxed.  You can do as much or as little as you like.  You can create cards, tags, Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) or index cards, the choice is yours. You just go with what ever is in your head at the time.  You can stamp, get inky, use patterned papers, texture, embellish it is all down to you.

There is a dedicated private Facebook Group, with a lovely bunch of people who are already sharing their makes from previous challenges.  You can find the group by clicking this link.  I'd love you to join in.

The prompt for Week 41 "Teens"

For my Week 41 "Teens Tag" i've opted for a skate board dude.  Starting with a white tag and three shades of Distress Oxide Inks. Using Stormy Sky at the top, Chipped Sapphire in the middle and Unchartered Mariner on the lower third.  I then used a fan shaped paint brush, dipped in water to splatter water droplets over the surface of the tag, blotting it with kitchen paper to take up the excess then running the heat gun over the surface.  Once dry, I edged the tag in "Prize Ribbon" Distress Oxide Ink.

I moved on to stamping.  I had three sets of Sarah Davis "Just for men" stamp sets.  From the "Urban Graffiti set" I stamped the splatters, stars and circles using three shades of Versafine Clair Inks:  Warm Breeze, Paradise and Medieval Blue.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the skateboard figure, which is part of the "Street Wise" stamp set and the sentimetn which is part of the "Rock Star" stamp set.  

I inked the edges of the tag using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink and then added splatters of pink and white Posca Pen.  I used a white gel pen to outline the skate boarding figure, adding a "Wink of Stella" to the middle of the stars too.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 40

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

This is a weekly challenge. I provide you with a prompt/theme each Sunday morning through out the year.  The challenge is very relaxed.  You can do as much or as little as you like.  You can create cards, tags, Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) or index cards, the choice is yours. You just go with what ever is in your head at the time.  You can stamp, get inky, use patterned papers, texture, embellish it is all down to you.

There is a dedicated private Facebook Group, with a lovely bunch of people who are already sharing their makes from previous challenges.  You can find the group by clicking this link.  I'd love you to join in.

The prompt for Week 40 "Dogs"

I covered a white tag with "Wilted Violet" Distress Oxide Ink and then lay the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Shifter Layering Stencil - THS127" over the tag and applied "Villainous Potion" Distress Oxide Ink through the stencil.

Next, I lay the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Sparkle Layering Stencil" over the tag and applied white texture paste through the stencil.  The texture paste absorbed some of the background colour making the stars a lovely lilac colour.

On a plain white piece of card, I stamped the dog and bowl, both are part of the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Crazy Dogs - CMS271" stamp set using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I then coloured them using Derwent Inktense pencils applied with a paint brush, fussy cutting them and sticking them on to the tag.

I used "Platinum Pearl" Liquids to dot some of the middle of the stars.