Funky Fossil "Cellular Stencil" Get Well Soon Card

One of our best friends has been waiting to have an operation on his brain for over eighteen months.  Due to various reasons, the operation has been cancelled and postponed but yesterday he was operated on.

We heard today, that the operation went well and that he should be out of hospital in a day or so once the drain has been removed - such a huge relief as he has known about the cyst on his brain for about four years and it has obviously been weighing heavy on the whole family.

He is a big fan of the lemon cake that I make, so this evening I made him a cake, I also bought him his favourite biscuits:  Fig Rolls and Chocolate Hobnobs, so the card was the last thing to make ready to give him when he gets home.  Hubby will be collecting him from Liverpool tomorrow/Thursday.

It's a simple card.  I used Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink, coated in Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set the Waffle Flower sentiment.

I used a circle mask and over the top lay the Funky Fossil Designs "Cellular Stencil" over the top, then applied three shades of Distress Oxide Inks through the stencil:  Peacock Feathers, Tumbled Glass and Cracked Pistachio.

Finally, I added three Funky Fossil Enamel Dots to the bottom edge of the inked area.

Lavinia Stamps "Rose Wreath" Card

I'm still playing with the new Lavinia Stamps.  I seem to be swinging from one busy card, to a quieter design.  With this card, I have used a selection of old and new stamps. 

To make this card, I started by stamping the wreath, using Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink to stamp the left and right "Wreath Flourish Stamps". I then coloured the leaves, by painting with Derwent Inktense water colour pencils.

I then filled in the cetral wreath area using "Coffee" Archival Ink through the new Lavinia "Waffle Stencil" with a very small stencil brush.

Next I used the new Lavinia "Rose Set" for the roses, stamping in Versafine Clair "Chianti" which is a dark red ink.  I then coloured the roses using Derwent Inktense Water Colour Pencils, applied with a brush.

I decided more foliage was needed, so added some using the Lavinia "Flower Collection" and "Foliage Set" stamped in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" and "Acorn" ink. I added touches of gel pen to replicate tiny flowers.

Finally, I stamped the "Just For You" sentiment, which is part of the Lavinia "Heartfelt Verse" stamp set, stamping in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

Lavinia Stamps "Tick and The Crows" Card

I'm still playing with my new Lavinia goodies, this time just stamping on a Brusho background. 

I rummaged through my stash of prepared backgrounds and came across a Brusho piece.  I've no idea what powders I used or when I made it, so it seemed a good time to use it for this background.

I stamped the Lavinia Stamps new "Tick" time piece in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, then stamped it again on a Post it note.  I fussy cut the post it and placed the mask over the top of the clock on the Brusho background.

I then stamped the new "Texture 1" and "Texture 2" stamps in Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink.

Next, I stamped the text using Versafine Clair "Blue Belle" a mid blue coloured ink to stamp the "Steampunk Script". Then removed the mask.

I decided an older Lavinia stamp set called "The Crow Set" would be an ideal pairing for this, so stamped two of the crows, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

I wasn't happy with the feet of the lower crow, so added three roses using the new Lavinia "Rose Set", stamped in two shades of Versafine Clair ink:  Tulip Red and Morning Mist.

Now I started the finer detail.  I used a metallic gold pen for the edge of the time piece.  I used Derwent Inktense red pencil for the roses, adding touches of red Posca Pen and then further detail on the roses with a white gel pen. I used the same pen to add detail to the crows too.

Finally, in the bottom right hand corner, I added "Time Flies" which is the name of a new Lavinia sentiment stamp set, stamped in Versaine Clair "Twilight".  I then inked the edges of the card in Twilight ink and mounted the card on to dark blue card and a white card blank.

Lavinia Stamps "Tock" Retirement Card

A clean and simple card featuring the timepiece from the new Lavinia Stamps steampunk collection and two of their new stencils to make this retirement card.

I started by dusting the card with an anti-static bag, then using Wow! Clear embossing ink to stamp "Tock" the pocket watch.  I coated the stamped image in Wow! Rich Gold Super Fine embossing powder then heat set.

While the watch was cooling, I stamped another pocket watch on to a post it note, fussy cutting the image to create a mask.

I positioned the mask over the heat embossed pocket watch image, then secured the new Lavinia Stamps "Filigree Stencil" over the card using a piece of low tack tape.  I then applied "Garden Patina" Archival Ink through the stencil lightly, keeping relatively close to the bottom right hand corner of the card.

I removed the Filigree stencil then positioned the Lavinia "Red Brick Stencil" in the same way.  This time using "Shadow Grey" Archival Ink through the stencil.

Removind the stencil and the mask, I coloured the face of the pocket watch using "Antique Linen" Distress Oxide Ink to give it a more vintage look.  Using a black pastel pencil, I created a slight shadow on the bottom right of the card.

I couldn't fine a suitable Lavinia retirement sentiment in my stash, so chose one by Clarity Stamps, which is part of their "Entwined Sentiments" stamp set.  I used Wow! Clear Embossing Ink and once again the Wow! Rich Gold Embossing powder and heat set the sentiment.

I decided the card needed something else, so I dug out some metallic paint, popped a blob onto my mat and added a littel water, this was enough to make the consistency right to splatter droplents of the gold paint from a fan shaped paint brush on to the card.  Once the paint was dry, I mounted the card on to a piece of gold card then on to a kraft card blank.

Lavinia Stamps "Winged Heart" Steampunk card

Today, I received delivery of my new Lavinia Stamps goodies.  A few days ago, they released eleven new stencils and twenty-three new stamp sets.  The stamps are on a steampunk theme.  The stencil designs are fabulous and I'm sure they will be appearing in lots of my future makes.

Here's a short video clip of the card, as the photograph doesn't really show the clear embossing of the cogs to the side of the wings.

On a gel plate, I brayered Lime Punch and Bermuda Elements Inks.  Using a fan paint brush, I splattered some water on to the plate.  I then added some "Confetti" elements inks to my glass mat, added a little water then used the fan paint brush to splatter coloured droplets of water on to the plate.  I popped a piece of white card on to the gel plate, smoothing the surface of the card so that it had full contact with the gel plate, then lifted the card to reveal the image.

I used the heat gun to dry the surface of the card, then cut the piece of card down to size as it was an odd shape.

I stamped the text in the middle of the card using the Lavinia Stamps "Steampunk Script" stamp with Versafine Clair "Charming Pink' ink.

I used the new Lavinia Stamps "Honeycomb Stencil" with "Pink Peony" Archival Ink in a few areas around the text. I then used another new stencil called "Waffle" with "Vibrant Fuchsia" and "Plum" Archival Ink in other areas.

Next I stamped the central "Small Heart" over the text using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, to get my placement for the wings.  I then coated an off-cut of card in "Peat Moss" Archival ink, ran an antistatic bag across the surface, then stamped the heart using Wow! Clear Embossing Ink Pad, I then coated the image with "Wow! Rich Gold Super Fine" embossing powder and heat set.  Once cooled, I fussy cut the heart, edging the heart with Versafine Clair "Charming Pink" ink and set to one side.

Returning to the card itself, I used Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink to stamp the "Angel Wings Large", I quickly coated the stamped wings with Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set.

I dusted the surface of the card with an anti-static bag again then usine Wow! Clear Embossing Ink and Wow! Clear Embossing Powder I stamped and heat set the cogs, from the "Cog Set 2" stamp set.

Using Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink, I stamped the numer 4, which is part of the Lavinia "Numbers" stamp set.

I edged the card with Versafine Clair "Charming Pink" ink then a very thin edge of Versafine Clair "Glarmorous" pink ink.  I then adhered on to pink card and then on to a white card blank.

I added some touches of metallic gold to the wings using a gel pen. then added a few dots of glue to stick the chain in to position.  Returning to the heat embossed heart, I added some foam pads to the background and adhered over the grey stamped image of the heart.

Lavinia Stamps Dancing Mice Birthday Card

This morning I made a card for a young lady that used to live across the road from us, but moved house recently.  She would be out in the garden in the summer dancing and singing like nobody was listening, she also attends dance school, so I thought these dancing mice would appeal to her.

In the background of this card, I have used the Lavinia Stamps "Dynamic Stencil" with three shades of Archival Inks:  Pink Peony, Violet and Watering Can.

I used the Lavinia Stamps "Hill Mask" with Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to create the ground that the mice dance upon.

I used two of the Lavinia Stamps mice stamp sets, the "Minnie and Moo" set and the "Tilly and Tango" stamp set, both stamped in Versafine Clair "Monarch" Purple ink.

The sentiment by Hobby Art Ltd, part of their "General Greetings CS016D" is also stamped in Monarch.

Finally, I used a 2B pencil to draw in grass and added some flowers using a pink and a silver gel pen.

Clarity Stamp "Leafy Swirl" Stencilled Card

Another quieter card, this time using Clarity Stamp products.

This card was a really quick make.  I used two shades of Clarity "Artistry Inks":  Wedgewood Green and "Fancy Fuchsia" through the Clarity "Leafy Swirls" stencil.

I used Wow! Clear Embossing Ink to stamp the anniversary sentiment, which is part of the Clarity "Entwined Sentiments" stamp set, coated in Wow! Silver Embossing Powder and heat set.  I then mounted the piece on white and then on a green card blank.

Funky Fossil Designs "Queen Bee" mixed media card

I've gone from a clean and simple card to a very busy mixed media style card in one day! 

I found a spray ink background in yellows and greens in my stash, so decided to use it as it's been in the file for ages.  I cut it to size then used a selection of products from Funky Fossil Designs to create this random piece of work.

I started with the Funky Fossil "Tie Dye Stencil" with two shades of Archival Inks:  Garden Patina and Blue Bird, fading the colours out to the edges.

Next, I used the Funky Fossil "Slimline Brick Wall Upright Stencil" with "Shadow Grey" Archival Ink around the edges of the card.

I then used the Funky Fossil "Vintage Script" stamp with "Warm Breeze" Versafine Clair ink over the brick wall stencilled area.

I then used another stencil called "Radius" with "Violet" Archival Ink, in several areas going off the edge.

I rubbed an anti-static bag over the surface of the card, then using Wow! Clear embossing ink I stamped the foliage wreath, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Queen Bee" stamp set.  I coated the ink with Wow! Opaque, Bright White Embossing Powder and then heat set.

I then stamped the crown (also part of the Queen Bee stamp set) in Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink, coated it with Wow! Clear embossing powder and heat set.I repeated the process with the sentiment in the middle of the card.

I inked the edges of the card using Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink.  Added a few white dots of Posca Pen around the wreath then mounted the card onto a white piece of card.  Finally, adding dots of Ranger Glossy Accents and sticky pearl gems to the crown.

Lavinia Stamps "Midnight Meandering" Easter Card

Today I've played with one of my older Lavinia Stamps to make this Easter card. 

I didn't have an oval stencil, so made one myself by die cutting an oval in a piece of card to use as a stencil.

I used a selection of colours of Archival Inks (Pink Peony, Vivid Chartreuse, Chrome Yellow, Shadow Grey and Cornflower Blue) through the stencil to create the impression of Easter Eggs.

I stamped the bunnies, a Lavinia Stamp called "Midnight Meandering" with Versafine Clair "Acorn" Brown ink.

I stamped the foliage in the background using the Lavinia Stamps "Foliage Set" with two shades of Versafine Clair ink:  Shady Lane and Verdant.

I used a Derwent Inktense pencil to add extra green below the bunnies and used a gel and Posca pen to add extra deail like the flowers.

Clarity Stamps "Wild Flower Spray Stencil" card

A softer more feminine looking card from me this time using a stencil. 

I found a background in my stash that I'd made some months ago using a selection of colours of Distress Oxide inks.  I'd splattered water from a fan paint brush to ge the bleached dots look and the background was just waiting to be used.

I decided to pair the background with a Clarity Stamps stencil called "Wild Flower Spray". I used low tack tape to secure the stencil over the background then used three shades of Versafine Clair inks (Charming Pink, Shady Lane and Warm Breeze) through the stencil.  I then moved the stencil and filled in a few empty spaces with more detail.

After lifting the stencil, I added extra detail to the flowers and foliage by using Van Goch Pastel Pencils, gel pens and a 2B pencil.

I stamped the sentiment by Simon Says Stamp (part of their "Tiny Words - Birthday" stamp set) using Versafine Clair "Charming Pink" ink.  I used the same ink to edge the card using a finger dabber.

Darkroom Door "African Trees" Birthday Card

Once again, I am back after a few days away and decided I needed to get a wiggle on and get a card made for next Monday. As you can see from the photo below, the first attempt didn't go to plan as I forgot to use acetate to stamp the reflections, so had to start again! 

It just goes to show that it doesn't matter how experienced you are, mistakes are still made.  I did try to rescue the top half of the card, by cutting it in half.  It didn't look right so it got binned.

So to make this card, I used the Sweet Poppy "Aperture Circle Stencil" over a piece of square white card, held into place with a piece of low tack tape.

Within the circle I used the following Element Inks in the order typed (so lighter first, finishing in the darker shade):  Sundance, Russet Orange, Confetti, Emperor Red and Mulberry.

Keeping the stencil in position, I lay a piece of low tack tape slightly about the central line.

Using the tree and giraffe from the Backroom Door "African Trees" stamp set, I stamped the tree image in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink on to a piece of acetate.  I then pressed the inked image on the acetate below the line of tape.  I repeated the process for the other tree and for the giraffe.

Removing the tape along the middle of the card, I then stamped the trees and the giraffe slightly higher than where the central line of tape had been, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink.

Using a torn piece of copy paper and a finger dabber with Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I created the landscape, making the area at the bottom lighter (where the land would be reflected).

I added a touch of extra pink and yellow to the sky using Van Goch Pastel Pencils.

Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink and a sentiment from the Lawn Fawn "Simply Sentiments" stamp set, I stamped the Happy Birthday, then mounted the card on to red card and then a white card blank.

Clarity Crafts "Leafy Strip" Stencil Card

I made another card this evening, using a Clarity Stamps stencil called "Leafy Strip".

I masked off the edges of a card, then used Elements Inks from the bottom right hand corner gradually fading out around the middle of the card.  The shades of ink I used were Bermuda and Greensleeves.

Through the Clarity "Leafy Strip Stencil" I used Elements Pine and Mermaid.

I used a gold metallic pen to add extra detail then a Star Dust Gelly Roll Pen around the foliage.  Finally, attaching a Tim Holtz word sticker for the sentiment.

Sweet Poppy Stencil "Maple Leaf" Card

I was about to start sewing some shorts, when I had an urge to make a card.  This card emerged really quickly without any thinking.  It rarely happens like this for me! 

I used a 6" square piece of white card and lay the Sweet Poppy Stencil "Aperture Circle" over the top, securing in position with a piece of low tack tape.

I used a selection of Elements Inks to blend within the circle, starting with Sundance, followed by Sahara, Russet Orange and then Truffle.  I only used the Truffle, which is the darkest of the inks used at the bottom edge of the circle.  I deliberately left the middle of the circle almost bare of ink.

I removed the stencil, then positioned the Sweet Poppy Stencil called "Maple Leaf" over the circle, using a different Element Ink "Mulberry" through the stencil.  I repositioned the stencil and repeated the process.

Using a "Star Dust" Gelly Roll Pen, I coloured in the veins of the leaves, sadly this subtle shimmer doesn't show on the photograph.

I didn't fancy stamping a sentiment, so rummaged through my stash and found a Tim Holtz Idea-ology word sticker book, so stuck the "Happiness" sticker on to the card and edged it in the same Gelly Roll Pen. Finally, I used Ranger Enamel Accents in white in three areas of the card.

Visible Image "Hope" Card

Sharing another card, this time featuring Visible Image stencils and stamps. 

I started this card using three shades of Elements Inks (Sahara, Greensleeves and Bermuda) on a glass mat, spritzing with water then swooshing a piece of white card through the ink.  I added extra colour in a few areas to make it a little stronger, by repeating the process.  I then used a heat gun to dry the surface.

Once dry, I used the Visible Image "Strobes" stencil with "Peat Moss" Archival Ink. I then used "Library Green" Archival Ink through the Visible Image "Super Nova" stencil.  I used "Cornflower Blue" Archival Ink through the "Halftone" stencil ina couple of areas around the edge of the card.

Using Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink, I stamped the Visible Image "Fibonacci" image.

I ran an anti-static bag over the surface of the card, before stamping the word "Hope" (from the Visible Image Peace, Love and Hope stamp set) in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.  I then coated the stamped word in Wow! clear embossing powder and heat set.

Using the same ink and the edge of the large stamp from the Visible Image "Stay Wild" stamp set, I repeated the process around the edge of the card.

I used a white pastel pencil to lighten a couple of areas.  Addeing touches of yellow Posca Pen, White Gel Pen and a shimmer of gold using a gel pen.  I then mounted it on to a piece of white card.

Funky Fossil Designs "Honey Bees" stencil card

After making the "busy" previous card, I wanted to make something with lots of white space, so made this card. 

I masked off a diamond section of the Funky Fossil "Honey Bees" stencil, then positioned the stencil over a piece of white card, held in place with a small piece of low tack tape.

Through the diamond shaped masked area, I applied "Shadow Grey" Archival Ink.  Once the stencil was lifted, I added a touch of colour using a Derwent Inktense pencil.

Using the Funky Fossil "Small Print #2" stamp set for the sentiment, stamped in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

I added touches of shimmer to the wings of the bees using a "Clear Star" Gelly Roll pen.  Then mounted the card onto a piece of yellow card then on to a card blank.

An inky Clarity stencil play session

I was recently reminded that I have a few Clarity Stencils which have not seen the light of day for at least a couple of years.  As I have been away for a few days, I was keen to get inky again, making this card.   The still photo doesn't really do it justice, so I've taken a little video too.

Because some of my Clarity crafting stuff has been around for a while, I didn't write the name of the stencils on the packs, so that will be a little job for tomorrow, so for now, you'll just have to enjoy the card without description.

Funky Fossil "Queen Bee" Birthday Card

Today, I've been playing with my Funky Fossil goodies to create this card. 

To start, I put three shades of Element's Inks on to my glass mat, I used Sundance, Confetti and Mulberry.  I then spritzed the ink and lay a piece of card over the ink.  I picked the card up and moved the diluted ink around on the card, till I was happy with the colour coverage. I used my heat gun to fully dry the inked card.

Once dry, I rubbed an anti-static bag over the surface of the card and lay the Funky Fossil "Geometric Circles Stencil" over the top, securing with a bit of low tack tape.  Using a finger dabber and Wow! Clear embossing ink pad, I coated the gaps in the stencil.  Removing the stencil, I then coated the inked image with Wow! "White Puff Twinkle" embossing powder and heat set.  

Next I positioned the Funky Fossil "Honeycomb Background Stencil" and used "Orange Blossom" Archival ink around the heat embossed area.

I then positioned another Funky Fossil stencil, called "Hex Dots" and applied "Vibrant Fuchsia" Archival Ink through the stencil to create a dotty design.

I inked the edges of the card with Versafine Clair "Charming Pink" ink.

In the middle of the heat embossed flower, I have used two shades of Paper Artsy Fresco Finish Acrylic chalk paint (Cerise and Candy Floss) applied with a dotting tool.  Once the middle was dry, I used white Ranger Enamel dots to creats the centre of the flower.

While everything was drying, I turned my attention to the bee, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Queen Bee" stamp set.  I stamped the bee in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, then quickly coated it with Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set.

I coloured the Bee with a mixture of Posca Pens and Derwent Intense Water colour Pencils and then fussy cut it.  To elevate the Bee from the card, I cut a slim strip of card and adhered it to the underside of the bee.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment which is part of the Funky Fossil "Happy Words" stamp set.  I layered the card on to a card base and then glued the Bee into position over the flower.

Visible Image "Butterfly Effect"

A couple of days ago, I watched an Eileen Godwin live demo on a Facebook group.  As I had most of the items she used, I decided to do a "lift" of her work and this is a result.  The demo was an hour long.  I'm not going to go into detail how I made it, but have listed some of the items used below:

Visible Image Butterfly Effect stamp set

Visible Image Peace, Love and Hope stamp set

Funky Fossil Designs Vintage Script stamp

Visible Image Butterfly Ink stencil

Visible Image Breakout stencil 

Visible Image Supernova stencil 

Visible Image Strobes stencil

Wow! Clear Embossing ink pad

Wow! Rich Gold Embossing Powder

Archival Ink Thistle

Archival Ink Orange Blossom

Archival Ink Library Green

Archival Ink Cornflower Blue

Archival Ink Red Geranium

Archival Ink Bluebird

Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink

Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink

Ranger Glossy Accents

Ranger Enamel Dots

Van Goch Pastel Pencils

Colouring Pencils

Gel Pen

Funky Fossil Designs "Queen Bee" Card

 Funky Fossil Designs recently released a new stamp set, which I knew I had to have.  It's called "Queen Bee" and is designed bu "Mo's Art UK".  It features a big fat bumble bee which I fell in love with.  Strangely, when the stamp set arrived the first card I made using the set, didn't feature the Bee!

To make this card, I used a circle mask with two shades of Distress Oxide Inks:  Lost Shadow and Iced Spruce, only using the Iced Spruce colour at the lower section of the circle.

I then stamped the foliage and the crown from the "Queen Bee" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" using second generation stamping.

Using the same ink, but in first generation stamping for the wording in the middle of the circle.

Around the edge of the stamped area I used the same shades of Distress Oxide inks (Lost Shadow and Iced Spruce), but used the Funky Fossil "Hex Dots Stencil" to add some extra interest to the border.

I coloured the foliage wreath and the crown using Derwent Inktense water colour pencils.  I added touches of gold shimmer pen to areas and then topped the berries in the foliage with dots of Ranger Glossy Accents

Lavinia Stamps "Indra the Moth" on an archival ink background

Inspired by a demo by Eileen Godwin, I created this card.  For the base colour, I used three shades of Elements Inks:  Sundance, Confetti and Della Blue.

Here's a short video clip which shows the glittery surface of Indra.

I used Wow! "Mistletoe Magic" embossing powder and their clear ink pad to stamp the moth image and then heat set.

I used Archival Inks through several Lavinia Stamps stencils:  Dynamic, Elegance and Posy.  Using White Pan Pastel through "White Orbs" stencil.

Using "Purple Delight" Versafine Clair ink, I stamped the "See a fairy make a wish" verse.

I stamped the "Inspire" word, part of the Lavinia "Inspire Me" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

I inked the edges of the card twice.  The first time using "Twilight" dark blue ink creating a broader coloured edge, then on the very edge, I used "Nocturne" to make the whole thing stand out a bit more.

I used a white Signo gel pen on the moth to highlight some of the design on the moth. 

I then used white and black enamel accents for extra detail, finally mounting the card on to a white card blank.

 

Wow! Embossed Heart Valentine's Card

It's hard to believe that Valentine's Day is next week, it seems to have come round so quickly, so I thought I'd better get crafting, making a card for my Hubby.

I die cut three hearts from a sheet of card,  I glued two together and set aside for later.  With the remaining one, I had a play with several colour of Wow! Embossing Powders getting a lovely melted mingle of colours.  I used "Love is the drug", "Earthtone Blueberry", "Rich Gold" and "Silent Night" (which has some glitter in with the embossing powder.  

Between each colour, I heat set then once cool, applied more embossing ink before applying the next colour. The more times I did it, the longer the powder would take to become liquid, but when it did, the heat gun was able to move the colour around the heart.

For the final coat, I used Wow! Clear embossing powder to give an extra glossy finish to the heart.  Once it was dry, I glued it to the other heart(s) so that it had a strong base, then added foam pads to the base of the heart.

I then moved on to the card base, creating a card blank measuring four inches square.  Using the same white card, I die cut two squares one with a plain edge and one with a stitched edge.  

I adhered the plain square on to the prepared card blank. I then put the stitched edged square through a Cuttlebug embossing folder with a small dot designs and ran it through the Big Shot. I then adhered the embossed square over the plain one on the card base.

In my craft stash, I found some white die cut leaves using the Sizzix/Stampin' Up "Pretty Pines Thinlits Die Set", so I used those and glued them into position on the card.  

Before I added the heat embossed heart, I stamped the words  "Love You" using the Simon Says Stamp "Tiny Words - Encouragement" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

Finally, I popped the heat embossed heart in the middle of the card and added some sticky backed gems to some of the foliage.

Lavinia Stamps "Mideela" Birthday Card

Like many paper crafters, I strunggle to make cards suitable for males, when you add to that the pressure of creating for a close family member and the need to get the card in the post, my stress levels get high. This was the situation I was in this morning, resulting in this clean looking card using Lavinia Stamps.

I used the Lavinia "Circle mask" blending four colours of elements inks (Sundance, Russet Orange, Paprika and Graphite) to create the central coloured image

I stamped the small Lavinia dragon called "Mideela" and the sentiment from the "Welsh Words" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I added small dots of a gold shimmer gel pen to areas of the card too.

Funky Fossil "Shellebrate" postage stamp card

I've had a few days of no crafting but lots of reading, which has been lovely, but this afternoon I had the urge to make something, so created this card using a selection of Funky Fossil Design goodies.

I started by die cutting the inner and outer edge of the postage shape stamp, using the Funky Fossil "Happy Mail Die Set" with white card.

Using the inner piece (the one with the straight edges), I stamped the snail from the Funky Fossil "Shellebrate" stamp set, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink. I then stamped the same image on a post-it note, fussy cutting the shape to create a mask for the snail, which I lay over the stamped image on the white card.

Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink I stamped the Funky Fossil "Wonky Candles".  I then lifted started to colour in the background, using a mix of "Tumbled Glass" and "Twisted Citron" Distress Oxide inks.  

Next, I lifted the mask and started colouring in the snail, using a mix of Distress Oxide inks (Pumice Stone, Weathered Wood, Hickory Smoke, Mowed Lawn and Blueprint Sketch) and an assortment of Posca Pens.

I coloured the candles using various colours of Posca Pens, then outlined the snail using a fine point marker pen.  I grounded the snail using a pastel pencil and added some white highlights to various areas.

I used "Blueprint Sketch" Distress Oxide Ink to edge both the inner and outer areas of the two die cut pieces of card.  I then mounted the coloured image on to the perforated edge and stuck it on to a white card blank.  

The sentiment is part of the Funky Fossil "Small Print" stamp set, which was stamped in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink. 

Finally, I added Ranger "Glossy Accents" to the eyes and the shell of the snail and set aside to dry.  This created a more three dimensional look to the card.

A sparkly Lavinia Stamps "Darcy" card

I have made a super sparkly card and the photograph just doesn't do it justice, so I've made a little video clip to share its full beauty.

I started this card by heat embossing the Lavinia Stamps "Star Cluster" using Wow! clear embossing powder.

Using a clending brush and "Blueprint Sketch" Distress Oxide Ink, I gently blended the colour from the edges towards the middle, going very lightly over the heat embossed stars so that the colour was hardly visible.  I then gave the stars a light rub with a soft cloth to remove any ink that may have settled on the surface.

Using a fan shaped paint brush and a little bit of water, I added splatters to the area around the star cluster, then blotted with a piece of kitchen roll.  This gives a lovely delicate detail to the background, without it being too obvious.  I then gave it a quick blast with the heat gun to ensure the surface was dry.

I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Darcy" figure in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.

I then used the Lavinia "See a fairy, make a wish" verse with Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink, stamped in second generation to add text to the area around Darcy and the Star Cluster.

I used a piece of torn copy paper and Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink with a finger dabber to ground Darcy and to create the impression of the landscape behind her.

I used a gold shimmer gel pen to outline Darcy.  I then used a silver glitter gel pen and a white Signo pento add a few dots of white and silver to the star cluster and to the wing area of Darcy.

I edged the card using "Chipped Sapphire" Distress Oxide Ink and then mounted on to a dark blue card then on to a white card blank.

Using a Quickie glue pen, I added a few dots of glue then added a very light sprinkle of Lavinia Holographic silver glitter.  Finally adding a few holographic silver stars I've had in my stash forever.

Funky Fossil "Shellebrate" Birthday Card

I've had a few days away at the caravan, it's nice to have a break from crafting and great to get back to it once home. I have a few birthday cards to make for February.  This one needs to go in the post, so was the first on my list to make.

Using two sets of Funky Fossil Design Stamps:  "Shellebrate" and "Flowery Felines" both designed by the super talented "Donna Gray". I started by stamping the three main images in to position on a piece of white card, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  

I then stamped the same images on another piece of white card using the same ink, but this time not over lapping the images. The reason for me doing this was should my colouring go wrong, I'm not ruining all the work I have done, only one section, which I could then stamp and colour again.  

I coloured these stand alone images using a mixture of products:  Derwent Inktense Water Colour Pencils, Gel Pens, Posca Pens and a 2B Pencil too.

Returning to the other card with the stamped images over lapping, I created the background, using "Twisted Citron" and "Mowed Lawn" Distress Oxide Inks for the lower section and "Tumbled Glass" Distress Oxide ink for the sky.  I then inked the edges of the card using "Blueprint Sketch" Distress Oxide Ink.

Using the bunting image from another stamp set designed by Donna Gray for Funky Fossil called "Let's Party" with "Morning Mist" Versafine Clair ink I stamped the bunting a couple of times to meet in the top middle of the card. I used Posca Pens to colour in the bunting.

I then added the "Happy Birthday" sentiment, part of a Lawn Fawn set called "Simply Sentiments", stamped in Versafine Clair Blue Belle" mid blue coloured ink.

Returning to the sheet of coloured in stamped images, I fussy cut all the shapes then adhered into position on to the card. I outlined a lot of the images with a silver glitter Signo Pen, in some instances smudging the pen line to get a more subtle shimmer look.

I added flowers using Posca Pens to the grass area at the foreground and then added Ranger "Glossy Accents" to the eyes and to the shell of the snail shell to provid a more three dimensional look and set aside to dry over night.

Lavinia Stamps "Bell Flower Vine" Birthday Card

I made a quick birthday card this morning, using water colour card as the base.  I spritzed it both sides so that it would lay flat, then used a wash (on the top two thirds) of three shades of Lavinia Stamps Elements Inks, using Blue Lagoon, Blue Atoll and Della Blue.

I ueds a heat gun to dry the surface then stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Bell Flower Vine" in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink.  I then stamped the birthday sentiment, which is part of the "Heartfelt Verse" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink

Finally, I coloured the vine using Derwent Inktense water colour pencils applied with a brush, adding a few dots of metallic silver glitter Signo Pen around the vine.

Lavinia Stamps "Reindeer" Snow Scene Card

 

With the recent cold snap, I decided to make a snowy forest scene using Lavinia Stamps.

Because I wanted to start this piece with a wash of colour, I spritzed the back and the front of a piece of water colour paper.  (Spritzing the back of the paper means that it doesn't curl as much). I opted to use the smoother side of the card.

With a very wet paint brush, I brushed three shades of Elements Inks over the top two thirds of the card.  I used Blue Lagoon, Mulberry and Merlot.  Before I intensified the colour, I placed a small moon mask into position to keep that area slightly lighter.

I gave the card a very quick blast of the heat gun to take the excess moisture away, but leaving the surface still damp.  I positioned the torn edge of a piece of copy paper, then stamped the two sizes of Lavinia "Red Pines". First I stamped in "Iced Spruce" Distress Oxide Ink, then in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink. Removing the piece of copy paper, I then stamped more of the grey trees and then used Versafine Clair "Fantasia" for the mid trees and "Medieval Blue" for the trees in the foreground.

Using "Tumbled Glass" Distress Oxide Ink with a finger dabber, I dabbed along the edge between the sky/tree trunks and the snow.  I then used a torn edge of copy paper to add some landscape to the snow area, also using "Iced Spruce" Distress Oxide Ink.

I stamped the Lavinai "Stag" and "Reindeer" in Versafine Clair "Pinecone" and "Morning Mist" so that the colour wasn't a solid black.

I then added some foliage poking through the snow, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to stamp, using the "Foliage Set" and the top of one ot the "Skeleton Tree Scene set".

I removed the moon mask and using Van Goch Pastel Pencils I added extra contrast to the sky and colour to the moon.  I did the same to the snowy area.

I used a white acrylic paint to add snow detail to the trees, the stag and the reindeer. I then used the same paint and a fan shaped paint brush to create splatters to replicate snow.

Finally, I edged the card in Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink before mounting it on dark blue card and then on to a white card blank.

Lavinia Stamps "Logan the hare" Card

I had a play with the alcohol lift technique using a green and butterscotch colour ink to create the background.

I stamped Lavinia Stamps "Locan the hare" in Versafine Clair "Pinecone" dark brown ink.  I stamped him again on a large post-it note and cut around the shape and placed over logan on the card to create a mask.

Using a sheet of copy paper and Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink, I created the landscape that Logan runs on.

Using Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink I stamped the "Leafy Spray" stamp in various positions, using first and second generation stamping.

I then used Versafine Clair "Pine Cone" to ink up the very top of the Lavinia ""Small Branch" stamp to create foliage in the background.

Lifting the mask off Logan, I coloured him using Derwent Inktense pencils.  I then added colour to the foliage using Posca Pens and gel pens, finally adding white highlights to Logan using a Signo Pen.

Lavinia Stamps "Just For You" Maple Leaf Gift Card

You know when you need to write a little bit more on a gift card, but you don't want a full size card and a standard gift card is too small?  That was the situation I was in, so I made this in-between size card which is ideal for the job. 

I started by lining up three rows of masking tape and then lifting the middle strip to reveal a line of white card.

I used three shades of archival inks, starting on the left hand side using "Shadow Grey".  In the middle I used "Sky Blue" and on the right hand side "Leaf Green", ensuring each colour blended seamlessly into the next.  I then removed the two remaining strips of masking tape.

Using Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink in first and second generation stamping, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Maple Leaf" and the "Mini Maple Leaf".

I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to stamp the "Just For You" sentiment which is part of the Lavinia Stamps "Heartfelt Verse" stamp set.

Finally, using a gold shimmer type gel pen  and a white gel pen, I added details to the leaves and dots around the foliage.

Lavinia Stamps "Lupin the hare" Kraft Card

A few weeks before Christmas, I watched a live demonstration by Lavinia Stamps "Amanda Branston".  I was very taken with the way she created the halo around a hare on her card, so decided to give it a go this morning, making this card. 

On a kraft card base, I stamped Lavinia Stamps "Lupin" the hare, using Versafine Clair "Pinecone" dark brown ink.

Using a roll of sticky tape and a white water colour pencil, I drew round the inner and the outer circles, shading in the circle towards the hare and making the outer circle a little thicker.

Using Derwent Inktense Water Colour Pencils, I coloured the hare (I didn't apply water, just used the pencils), building up the colour, using a white, a pink for the ears and t wo shades of brown for the coat of the hare.  I used a dark grey colour to ground the hare.

Finally, I added the Lavinia sentiment, stamped in Versafine Clair "Pinecone" ink and mounted the kraft card on to a white card blank.

Lavinia Stamps "Indra" on a spray ink background

Today, I have been using my Lavinia Stamps again to create this card.

 I used Wow! Clear embossing ink and the Lavinia Stamps "Indra" the moth stamp on white card, coating the stamped image with "Wow! Angel Eyes Embossing Powder and heat set.

Over the stamped image I brushed on Pabeo Drawing Gum.  This provides a protective coating to what ever is being covered, which once dry can be rubbed off at a later date.

I then put the piece of card in my spray box and spritzed three shades of Dylusion Spray inks on to the surface.  The colours I used were London Blue, Crushed Grape and Fresh Lime.  Any ink left on the surface, I puffed away using a Tim Holtz hand puffer thing sending the ink to the edges of the card.  I set the card to one side for a couple of hours to dry while I took the dog for a walk.

Once dry, I was able to rub off the drawing gum using my finger.  This revealed the original white card base and the turquoise embossed image.

Using the same Wow! ink pad and embossing powder, I added the heat embossed Lavinia Stamps sentiment, which is called "let your spirit take flight".

In the bottom right hand corner and up part way of the right hand side, I stamped the "Vine Flourish" using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I used the same ink to edge the card too.

Next, I used the Lavinia Stamps "White Orbs stencil" with white Pan Pastels to create the idea of movement.  I dotted a white Posca Pen and a silver glitter Signo Pen for added detail to Indra and to the background.  Then mounting the card on to a piece of black card and then a white card blank.

Funky Fossil Designs "Free Spirit" on a gel plate background

I'm still in "stash busting" mode and found a gel plate background I'd made months ago, so decided to create something with it today.

If I remember correctly, I used Pan Pastels on the circular gel plate with the Funky Fossil "In the groove" stencil, which made this wonderful print.  I liked it so much, I had been putting off using it, but hey the deed is done now!

I paired the background with the horse head in the Funky Fossil Designs "Free Spirit Stamp Set", stamping the image in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink then coating it with Wow! clear embossing powder and heat setting.

I coloured the image with a green Van Goch pastel pencil.  Mounting it onto black card and then on to a card blank.  Finally adding a few black gems to the surface.

Lavinia Stamps "Summer Meadow" Card

This evening I've made a "Summer Meadow" card using Lavinia Stamps.

I started by using two shades of Archival Inks (Prickly Pear and Vivid Chartreuse) through the Lavinia Stamps "Elegance Stencil" in the bottom right hand corner of the card.

Then using first and second generation stamping I stamped the "Leafy Spray" and :Meadow Grass" in Versafine Clair "Verdant" and "Shady Lane" green inks

I then stamped the "Tall Dandelions" and one of the "Open Dandelions" in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink and "Morning Mist" grey inks.

Next, using Versafine Clair "Green Oasis" I stamped some foliage from the "Foliage Set".

I used a selection of Posca Pens and Gel Pens to add colour to the dandelions and the foliage.

I decided I wanted to make the line between stamping and the card softer, so using a blending brush and Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" I added a touch of soft green colour to the bottom right hand corner of the card.  Finally stamping the "Just For You" sentiment, which is part of the Lavinia "Heartfelt Verse" stamp set.

  

Funky Fossil Designs "Free Spirit" Card

Funky Fossil Designs recently released a stamp set that I was really taken with, so of course I had to order it.  It's the "Free Spirit Stamp Set" designs by Ankit Kumar, which arrived with me yesterday. I obviously had to play with it as soon as I could, making this card.

Still "stash busting" I found a sheet of patterned paper that I had had at a craft crop/group. It was a big battered around the edges, but I was able to use the central area of it.  I stamped the horse in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink and then covered it in Wow! clear embossing powder and heat set.

Using Derwent Inktense Water Colour Pencils, I coloured the horse.  I then used a gold metallic pen to add extra details.

I created the landscape using a torn piece of copy paper and Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink then added extra colour and details using Van Goch Pastel Pencils.

Funky Fossil "You Are My Happy Place" Card

I've been playing with the new "Heartfelt" stamp by Funky Fossil Designs, pairing it with a couple of stencils and a sentiment stamp to create this card. 

For 2023, I am attempting to use up some of the crafting bits and bobs that I have hoarded for years.  Today, I found a small piece of card with yellow spray ink on it, so decided that this would be the canvas for the card I made.

I used "Mowed Lawn" Distress Oxide Ink through the Funky Fossil Designs "Striped Circle Mask".

Next,  I used "Blueprint Sketch" Distress Oxide Ink through the Funky Fossil Designs "Wonky Hearts Stencil".

I then used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink with the Funky Fossil Designs "Heartfelt" stamp over the top of the stencilled background.

Not finished with stamping, I used the Funky Fossil Designs "Vintage Script" stamp with Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" turquoise/teal coloured ink, stamped in second generation, so there is just a hint of it in the background.

I decided it was looking a bit dark, so splattered some white paint (Dr. Ph Martin's Bleed Proof white paint), across the surface and gave it a quick blast of the heat gun.

I Inked the edges of the card using Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink, then mounted it on to a card blank.  

Finally, I stamped the "You are my happy place" sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Small Print 2" stamp set, using Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink.

Funky Fossil Designs "Heartfelt" Card

When I was planning my previous cards using the Funky Fossil Designs "Brushed Roses" stencil, I tried the three Distress Oxide Inks combination of colours of Dried Marigold, Saltweater Taffy and Picked Raspberry through the stencil on a small off cut of card first, to see if I was happy with the way it looked.

This piece of card lay on my desk when my order from Funky Fossil arrived this afternoon, so I decided I would use the piece of card, rather than it hanging about and ending up in the bin.

I cut it to 3" square and then used the Funky Fossil "Heartfelt by Art Journal Love" stamp, stamped in Versafine Clair "Purple Delight" ink.  I then edged the square in the same ink.  I layered the image on to a pink piece of card and stuck it to a card blank.

Using Versafine Clair "Purple Delight" ink, I stamped the sentiment which is part of the Funky Fossil "Small Print 2" stamp set.  Finally, I added some sticky backed gems to the central area between the hearts.

Funky Fossil Designs "Brushed Roses" Card Tutorial

Earlier today, I was playing with the Funky Fossil Designs "Brushed Roses" stencil, creating these three cards.

Because I enjoyed the process.  I decided to do a little video tutorial which you can see here.

For these cards, I used the following items:

Funky Fossil "Brushed Roses" stencil

Funky Fossil "Hello Sentiment Die"

Sweet Poppy Stencils "Low Tack Tape"

Distress Oxide Inks:  Dried Marigold, Saltwater Taffy and Picked Raspberry