52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge

Wednesday 30 November 2022

Crafty Individuals "Home Sweet Home Tree CI-280" New Home Card



Another new home card from me today, this time using a Crafty Indivduals "Home Sweet Home Tree CI-280" red rubber cling stamp.

I stamped the Crafty Individuals Stamp using Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink.  I used the same ink to lightly blend the edges of the central card area.  

I used a Crafters Companion "Scandinavian Xmas" Embossing Folder to create the textured mount.

Tuesday 29 November 2022

Crafty Individuals "Quirky Birds - CI265" Heat Embossed Card



An early start from me today.  While tidying my cardstock, I came across a box of Crafty Individuals red rubber stamps that I've not used since I don't know when!  I keep my stamps in boxes.  Each box is for a different manufacturer.  Some makes have several boxes, where as others just have the one.  This one was pushed right to the back of the cupboard, so it was nice to delve in and remind myself of what I have.

I decided to heat emboss the Crafty Individuals "Quirly Birds - CI265" stamp on to kraft card.  I used a Wow! Clear embossing ink and their "Angel Eyes" embossing powder, then heat set.  I cut down the kraft card to a square, mounted it on to white card, then mounted it on to another kraft layer.

I used the "Happy Birthday" Lawn Fawn clear "Simply Sentiments" stamp and heat embossed the sentiment, using the same products.  I then cut down the kraft card and mounted it on to a white card blank.

This colour combo is one of my favourites, white and kraft always works well, but I love the added turquoise/green touch, it just lifts it beautifully.

Monday 28 November 2022

Lavinia Stamps "Astrid and the Wild Vines" Card



Today I have played with a Lavinia Stamp which I rarely use "Astrid".  I think it is because it is such a stand alone stamp which tends to get pushed to the end of the box.  Today she saw the light of day!

I used two shades of Versafine Clair Ink to stamp the "Wild Vines" and "Astrid", they were "Warm Breeze" and "Twilight".  I used Posca Pens and Van Goch Pastel Pencils to colour "Astrid".  I also added touches of silver glitter to her hair using a Signo pen and also to some of the vines.  Unfortunately, it doesn't show very well.

I used Wow! super fine silver embossing powder and their clear ink pad to stamp the "Just for you" sentiment, which is part of the "Heartfelt Verse" stamp set.  I then heat set the sentiment, die cut it and adhered to the card.

Penny Black Inc "Calla Lilies 282K (1995)" Card



Today I have been using a wood mounted stamp by Penny Black inc.  It's an old stamp, dated 1995 and is called "Calla Lilies - 282K".  

I stamped the image using a fade our ink and then coloured it using Derwent Inktense water colour pencils, applied with a brush.  I added some pencil detail and also used a white gel pen to highlight areas.

The sentiment, is part of a Simon Says Stamp set called "Tiny Words - Encouragement", stamped in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink.  Around the edge of the card, I used a blending brush with "Bundled Sage" Distress Oxide Ink.

Sunday 27 November 2022

Lavinia Stamps "Nadolig Llawen" Birds and Berries card



I've been playing with my Lavinia Stamps and stencils this afternoon, making this Welsh Christmas card.

I started by masking off the edges of the card.  I then coloured the central area using "Lime Punch" Element Ink.  I lay the Lavinia Stamps "Elegance Stencil" over the top and applied more Lime Punch ink.  I then added some "Pine" and then finally some "Bermuda" Elegance ink so that that the middle of the card was lighter than the edges.



I then started stamping.  First I stamped the Lavinia "Fern Branch" in first and second generation stamping, using Versafine Clair "Rain Forest" dark green ink.

I then stamped the Lavinia "Wild Berry" using Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink.

I then returned to the Versafine Clair "Rain Forest" and stamped the "Holly" in the top corner.

Next, I stamped the two birds, from the Lavinia "Birds Collection" in Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink.  Using the same ink, I stamped the "Nadolig Llawen" sentiment, which is part of the Lavinia Stamps "Welsh Words" stamp set.

I coloured the berries and the chests of the birds using a red Posca Pen.  I added some white detail to the berries and then used a white Posca Pen, tapped over the surface to create the impression of snow flakes, finally removing the masking tape from the edges of the card.


Saturday 26 November 2022

Visible Image "Blow out the candles" gift tag



This morning I've had a play with a new to me stamp set by Visible Image, they actually have a huge Black Friday sale on at the moment, so it's a good time to stock up on stamps and stencils you've thought about purchasing in the past. 

I've used the "Blow out the candles" stamp set.  I coloured the cup cake using Derwent Inktense water colour pencils, applied with a brush.  In the background, I used the Viible Image "Fibres" stencil with three shades of Ranger Archival inks:  Pink Peony, Cornflower Blue and Tea Rose.  

The sentiment is part of the same stamp set, which I stamped in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

Friday 25 November 2022

Frenchic "Hornblower" refreshing a picture frame






In my spare bedroom, I have all sorts of stuff just waiting to be used. Including an assortment of pictures in frames.  The one above is by a local North Wales artist called Leslie Jones, who has used oil paints on slate to make the image.  It's the snowcapped mountains and is so like some of the Snowdonia mountain range we can see from our village.

Anyway, the wooden white washed frame was looking a bit worse for wear.  There were signs it had been knocked and it was also a little grubby looking, so I decided to paint it.

In my cupboard I had the the left over paint from a previous project where I had painted a small side table in Frenchic "Hornblower" which is a navy blue colour.  So I decided to paint the frame.  I'm really happy with the way it has turned out.  I just need Hubby to hang it on the wall now!

Lavinia Stamps "Replenish with Wild Poppies" Card



Back to a CAS card today, with this one using a Lavinia Stamps stencil, element inks and stamps. 

Using low tack masking tape, I held the Lavinia circle mask in place over the card.  Over the top, I then used more masking tape to hold the Lavinia Stamp "Replenish" stencil in place.

Through the "Replenish" stencil, I first used "Lime Punch" and then "Blue Atoll" ink, which are both Lavinia Elements inks.

Removing the stencil, I then stamped the Lavinia "Wild Poppies" in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I used the same ink to stamp the "Just For You" sentiment, which is part of the Lavinia Stamps "Heartfelt Verse" stamp set.

Lavinia Stamps "Zelith's Tail" under water scene



This morning I've been having a play with Lavinia goodies, making this under water scene.

I started off with a small section of a gel plate background, I had made some months ago.  This dictated the small size, it's 7cm x 12cm.

I used the Lavinia Stamps "Blue Atoll" Element ink through a Sticker Stencil leaf, part of set 3 of the sticker stencils.

Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I multi stamped the "Shoal of Fish".   I then used the dangly tenticles from "Jalandhar" the jelly fish to replicate sea weed, stamping it in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink.

I dusted over the surface using an anti-static pad and then stamped the tail of  "Zelith" the meremaid in Wow! clear embossing ink.  I then coated it with Wow! Super Fine Metallic Silver embossing powder and heat set.

I used lots of droplets of water from a wet paint brush to create the mottled background. Once dry, I then used Derwent Inktense water colour pencils to enhance the colour of the mermaid and also the sea weed.

I used Charming Pink Versafine Clair ink around the edge of the card.  I then used a white gel pen and a silver glitter Signo pen to add extra detail.  Finally sticking three clear domed dots to replicate bubbles.


Thursday 24 November 2022

Penny Black "Jubilance 40-436" Birthday Card



Another CAS card using a Penny Black Inc. stamp.  This time using the Penny Black "Jubilance 40-436" red rubber cling stamp.  I stamped in fade out ink and coloured the image with Derwent Inktense water colour pencils applied with a brush.  I added touches of pencil and also some gold shimmer using a gel pen.

The sentiment is from a Penny Black clear stamp set called "Sprinkles and Smiles 30-297" stamped in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

Tuesday 22 November 2022

Lavinia Stamps "Winter Scene" using Elements Inks and a "Whimsical Hare"


This afternoon, I played with my Lavinia Stamps and inks creating this card.
 

I used four shades of Lavinia Elements Inks (Sundance, Russet Orange, Emperor Red and Merlot) to create the dramatic sky colour.  For the snow area, I used Van Goch Pastel Pencils in  pink, orange and black colours.

I stamped the "Birch Tree", the "Small Trees", the "Small Pixie Houses" and one of the "Whimsical Hares" in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  

I added touches of yellow Posca Pen to the windows of the houses and a white gel pen to add snow to the branches of the trees and also to create the stars.

The "Just for you" sentiment is part of a Simon Says Stamp set called "Tiny Words - Christmas".


Monday 21 November 2022

Sew Over It "Pussy Bow Blouse" a me-made



For the past few days, I have been in the process of making a blouse for myself.  Using the "Sew Over It' "Pussy Bow Blouse pattern".  You can buy this pattern as a PDF or as a paper pattern.  I prefer to purchase a paper pattern and then transfer all the lines and markings on to alternative paper so that the original paper is in tact for future use and sewing of other sizes should I want to make the garment again.

I have some fabric in my stash that I wanted to use, however as I have never used a Sew Over It pattern previously, I was a little apprehensive to how it would turn out.  Instead of my good fabric, I used a cheap Asda reversible duvet cover to use as a toile.  There's loads of fabric left for another project too.

After reading through the pattern, before I started sewing, I decided that there were a few areas that I wasn't sure about.  I looked on line and found a youtube  by Sewing Lab using the exact same pattern.  This helped tremendously as I was able to watch the areas I was uncertain about.

On the whole I'm happy with the finished item.  If I do make it in the other fabric, I will likely do a couple of things differently, making the sleeves slightly shorter and maybe adding a little extra to allow for my ample hip/tummy area.  But other wise I thought the pattern was great.

 

Sunday 20 November 2022

Lavinia Stamps "Autumn Fall" Tag



A late night play for me, playing with the Lavinia Stamps "Leaf Sticker Stencil" from set 1 along with a selection of Lavinia Stamps.

 On a plain white tag, I covered the surface with "Sundance" Element Ink.

From the Sticker Stencil pack 1 set, I separated the inner and outer leaf and used the square area with a leaf shaped aperture, laying it in multiple places on the tag and colouring in the area with a deeper shade of Sundance Element Ink.  I then added areas of "Russet Orange" and "Olive" Elements Inks to create an autumnal leaf appearance.  I spritzed some water onto my fingers and clapped my hands over the tag to get large splotches of water.  I then removed the surplus water with a piece of kitchen roll and then used the heat gun to fully dry the tag.

Using second generation stamping and Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink, I stamped sections of the "Winter Spice" verse in different areas.  I then stamped the Lavinia "Maple Leaf" in first and second generation stamping using Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink.

I multi stamped the Lavinia "Small Branch" in second generation stamping using Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the fairy, called "Autumn Fall Large".  I used the same ink to stamp the sycamore seeds and also the sentiment called "Don't forget to fly..."

Finally, I used a gold shimmer gel pen to add highlights to the fairy and to the maple leaves.  Giving the edges of the tag a slight dusting of "Chiante" Versafine Clair ink.

Saturday 19 November 2022

Penny Black Inc. "Love Life 40-434" Birthday Card



Another card from me today, this time a birthday card. 



I've used a Penny Black Inc. rubber cling stamp called "Love Life 40-434", stamped in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink for the main image.  I used the same ink for the "Happy Birthday" which is part of a Simon Says Stamp set called "Tiny words - Birthday".

I used Derwent Inktense water colour pencils, applied with a paint brush to colour the image.

Funky Fossil "In the neighbourhood stencil" new home card



We sadly said goodbye to our neighbours, who as the tv tune suggest "become good friends" and they did.  They're staying local, so we will still see them, but I will miss seeing them daily, especially their two gorgeous girls, who we have been lucky enough to know since they were born (they're 11 and 9 now).

Fortunately, we now have lovely new/old neighbours moving in to their house.  I don't mean "old' as in age, but a couple who used to live three doors up from us.  They moved to a nearby town, but missed the village and have returned and have moved in to the bungalow opposite our house.

I made this card for the incoming new/old neighbours.  I've masked off the edges of the card, then used two shades of Archival Inks (Pink Peony and Violet) through the Funky Fossil "In the neighbourhood stencil".

I removed the masking tape and then used Versafine Clair "Purple Delight" ink to stamp the word "home" the sentiment and the house shape with a heart, which are part of the Funky Fossil Designs "A7 Home Stamp Set".

Thursday 17 November 2022

Lavinia Stamps "Pods Stencil" Card



Having had about a week away from paper crafts, I decided to ease myself gently back in to it by making this card. 

I masked off an area of the card, then blended two shades of Archival Inks (Chrome Yellow and Sunflower) using the lighter shade at the top, the darker at the bottom.

I then used the "Sunflower" Archival ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Pods" stencil to create the patterned background.

Next I stamped the sentiment, called "Time to reflect" which I think is now a retired Lavinia stamp, stamping in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

I decided I needed to lift the background a little, so I outflines and filled in areas of the pods using a "Clear Star" Gelly Roll Pen, which adds just the right amount of shimmer.

Tuesday 15 November 2022

Dalston Mill Fabrics - Cushion Panels



I purchased some Dalston Mill Fabric cushion panels a couple of months ago, with a view to making them up in time for Christmas.  The day here in Anglesey started off grey and rainy, so it seemed an ideal time to bring out the sewing machine and overlocker and make the cushion covers up.



The fabric is a loosed woven  type, so I overlocked all the edges before construction so that there was less fraying. I bought the back panels at the same time I purchased the fronts.  I used zips from my sewing stash as they were a good match.

Wednesday 9 November 2022

Lavinia Stamps "New Home" Card



It seems that several people that I know are moving house, so here is another card on that theme that I have made. 

I've used shades of yellow green and blue through the Lavinia Stamps "Splendour" stencil to create the background design.  

I masked the moon area off and used Pan Pastels to colour the inner area and Versafine Clair to edge the moon.

Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the "Spring Trees"  the "Dwellings" and the "Small Pixie Houses" by Lavinia Stamps.

I used the Lavinia Stamps "Hill Mask" to create the landscape with Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

I added extra detail using a pencil, a white gel pen and a Posca Pen.  

I edged the card in Versafine Clair ""Shady Lane" and then "Warm Breeze" inks before mounting on to a card blank.

I stamped the Hobby Art Ltd sentiment, part of their "General Greetings" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink.

Monday 7 November 2022

Lavinia Stamps "Green Man" Tag



This evening I have been playing with the Lavinia Stamps "Green Man" stamp to create this tag. 

To create the base colour, I used five shades of Archival Inks:  Buttercup, Sunflower, Tea Rose, Orange Blossom and Monarch Orange. Using the lightest in the middle, gradually blending to the darker shade around the edge of the tag.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Small Green Man".

Around the edge of the stamped image, I used various shades of Pan Pastels through the "White Orbs" stencil to create a bokeh look.

I then added detail to the stamped image, using white and gold Signo pens and a gold shimmer gel pen.

Funky Fossil Designs "Ring of Hearts" stencilled card



Here's a quick anniversary card.  I've used the Funky Fossil Designs "Ring of hearts" stencil with Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink.  I've used the same ink to stamp the Hobby Art Ltd "Happy Anniversary" stamp, part of their "General Greetings CS016D" set, which I have die cut into a banner shape.  I've added touches of gold shimmer using a gel pen.

Lavinia Stamps "Bron" with a fairy in her hand card



A quick card from me this morning using Lavinia Stamps again. Today features Bron with a fairy in her hand. 

I masked off the edges of the card, to ensure I didn't get ink on the edges.  I then used four Archival Inks (Chrome Yellow, Bright Tangelo, Leaf Green and Cornflower Blue) through the Lavinia Stamps "Ambiance" stencil.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink for all the stamping, starting with "Bron" the seated fairy.  I then used one of the tiny fairies from the "Fairy Foragers" stamp set, placing her on Bron's finger tips.

I then stamped the Lavinia verse, which is called "Forest So Green".  Finally stamping the birthday sentiment on the bottom right of the card, using a sentiment from the Simon Says Stamp set called "Tiny Words - Birthday".

Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" I created the land Bron sits on, using  a pencil to ground below the bottom and her feet.

I used a pink Signo gel pen to colour the wings and hair.  I then used a Uni-bal Signo Silver glitter pen to add touches of sparkle around the fairies.

Sunday 6 November 2022

Lavinia Stamps "Heart Sticker Stencil" play



I've had a few days off using Lavinia products, but this morning I decided to play with the new "Heart Sticker Stencil" which is part of a set of four you can purchase from Lavinia Stamps.

I positioned the aperture/heart outline onto my card base and then started filling in the heart detail.  Starting with the background shades, using five shades of Distress Oxide Inks applied with a blending brush (Speckled Egg, Tumbled Glass, Victorian Velvet, Chipped Sapphire and Tea Dye).

Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the Lavinia "Stargazing" couple.  Using the removing the sticker stencil and placing the mask over the heart, I then stamped the tex, in second generation stamping, using the same ink with the Lavinia"Background Script" stamp.  Once dry, I coloured the area from the edge to the heart using two shades of Distress Oxide Inks:  Speckled Egg and Victorian Velvet.

Again using "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the word "Love" which is from a Lavinia stamp set called "Live the life"  which is a five word sentiment set. I edged the card in the same ink.

I added a little detail to the sky and the fairy wings using Derwent Inktense water colour pens.  I added touches of gold shimmer to the image using the "Clear Star" Gelly Roll pen.

Saturday 5 November 2022

Funky Fossil Designs "Pine Cones" Christmas Card



Here's a card I made this evening using a selection of Funky Fossil Designs goodies. 


We're back home after a couple of days away at the caravan, really just checking it out after the awful wind and rain of earlier this week.  Fortunately all was well! 

I received a package while I was away of a rolling drawer unit I'd ordered from Hobbycraft.  I've organised my inks into it, as the selection I used seems to be growing rapidly. I had been using a three tier trolley, but it just wasn't working for me any longer.


Anyway, back to how I made this card I started off with a square piece of white card.  I used the Funky Fossil "Pine Cones" stencil with two shades of Archival Inks "Fern Green" and "Potting Soil". Using a paint brush, I added colour between the cones using "Tea Dye" Distress Oxide Ink.

In the background, I used "Antique Linen" Distress Oxide Ink with a blending brush to lightly cover the card, using "Tea Dye" Distress Oxide Ink closer to the edges.

Using "Morning Mist" Versafine Clair grey ink I stamped the Funky Fossil A7 Vintage Script in second generation stamping.

I splattered white paint by tapping a Posca Pen over the surface and left to dry for a couple of minutes.

Finally, I stamped a sentiment from the Funky Fossil "Christmas Small Print" stamp set using Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink. I inked the edges of the card using the same coloured ink using a finger dabber.



Thursday 3 November 2022

Stampers Anonymous "Mini Holidays 4 CMS142" Christmas Tags



Today, I've been using up bits and bobs that I found floating around my odds and ends drawer, so decided to make some Christmas gift tags. In each instance, I have used stamps from the Stampers Anonymous "Mini Holidays 4 CMS142" red rubber/ching stamp set.

Starting from the left, I remember finding the kraft brown tag in a parcel I received. Obviously too good to ditch so I popped it in a drawer.  A couple of years later, I have eventually used it!  I used the Poinsettia stamp with the new "Lumberjack Plaid" Distress Oxide ink, adding touches of yellow Posca Pen to the middle of each flower.  In the background I used the music script stamp, stamped in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

For the central tag, I found a background I had made last year and never used.  If I remember correctly I used "Twisted Citron" and "Festive Berries" Distress Oxide Ink through a stencil.  Over the top, I stamped the Poinsettia stamp in the new "Lumberjack Plaid" Distress Oxide ink.

For the tag on the left, again I'd started it some time ago.  I think the background colour is "Antique Linen" and "Aged Mahogany" Distress Oxide ink.  I stamped the angel using Versafine Clair "Pinecone" brown ink.  I coloured the angel using four shades of Distress Oxide Inks.  Using "Weathered Wood" and "Squeezed Lemonade" for the wings, and a mix of "Mustard Seed" and "Rusty Hinge", for the skin tone, I used "Tattered Rose" Distress Oxide Inks, all applied with a paint brush.  Creating a mask for the angel, I stamped the cracked backgound  using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink. I splattered gold Posca Pen across the surface and edged the tag in "Aged Mahogany" Disress Oxide Ink.

Wednesday 2 November 2022

Funky Fossil "Birdsong" card


 

I've been using stamps and stencil from Funky Fossil Designs to create this card.

I used a stamp from the Funky Fossil Designs "Bird Song" stamp set.  I stamped it in the bottom left corner of the card, using Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink, then stamped it again on a post it note, cut it out and popped it over the stamped image on the card blank to create a mask. While the ink was out, I stamped the sentiment "soar" whick is from the same stamp set.

I positioned the Funky Fossil "Scribbles Stencil" over the card and very lightly, using a Funky Fossil Design Stencil Brush to apply three shades of Archival Ink.  I used Pink Peony, Garden Patina and Shadow Grey. I lifted the stencil then splattered "Slate Grey" coloured Posca Pen to give a bit more interest.

Once the splatters were dry, I gave them a burst from my heat gun, I removed the mask and started to colour in the bird image.  I used four shades of Distress Oxide Inks:  Salvaged Patina, Weathered Wood, Stormy Sky and Faded Jeans colours.

Stampers Anonymous "Cozy Christmas Card



Today, I decided to play with one of my Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous stamp sets which I've not used for some time.  

I used one of the stamps from the Stampers Anonymous "Cozy Christmas CMS444" which is a red rubber cling stamp.  I stamped the image using "Ink on 3" Fade Out" ink pad. I coloured the image using a selection of products including Derwent Inktense water colour pencils, Van Goch pastel pencils and fine point pens.

In the background I used the Stampers Anonymous "Gingham Layering Stencil THS134" with "Tea Dye" Distress Oxide Ink.

The sentiment is part of another Stampers Anonymous stamp set called "Mini Holidays 4 -CMS142" stamped in Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink.

Tuesday 1 November 2022

Funky Fossil Designs "Autumn Glory" Card



I've been playing with a stencil by Funky Fossil Designs called "Autumn Glory" to create this card. 

I've had this stencil a while and just hadn't got round to using it.  I wish I had, I think it has William Morris vibes!

I lay the stencil over the top of a piece of card, securing with low tack masking tape. I created a mask of the central pumpkin and covered the area.  I then used three shades of Archival Ink (Prickly Pear, Leaf Green and Fern Green), with a blending brush to fill in the foliage area.

I removed the stencil and the mask and then coloured the pumpkin, using Derwent Inktense water colour pencils applied with a brush.  I also used a white and black Van Goch pastel pencils.  I coloured the dots with a copper glitter pen.

Finally, I filled in the edges of the card.  First I used "Wild Honey" and the "Rusty Hinge" Distress Oxide Inks.