I've made another collage card, using up some off cuts of patterned papers from two Funky Fossil Designs paper packs "Textures" and "Patina.
I've also used three MDF shapes. I used a white Posca Pen to paint the arrow.
Considering these are all scraps of paper, it makes quite an impact!
This morning, I took delivery of a small order from Funky Fossil Designs, in it was a "Skeleton Leaf stencil" which I loved the look of, so had to try it out immediately, making this card.
To make this card, I lay the new Funky Fossil "Skeleton Leaf Stencil" over a piece of white card and used three shades of Ranger Archival ink through the stencil. Starting with "Seagrass", then moving out to "Paradise Teal" and then finally on the very edge of the leaf I used "Night Sky".
Lifting the stencil, I then used the "Sea Grass" and "Paradise Teal" to colour the card between the leaf and the edge of the card.
Next, using Versafine Clair "Arctic" blue ink, I multi stamped some text from the Funky Fossil "Musings Stamp set" around the edge of the leaf. I then inked the edges of the card using Versafine Clair "Medieaval Blue" ink.
I used the flowers from the Funky Fossil "In The Meadow" stamp set, stamped in first and second generation stamping with Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink. I then used the same ink to stamp the sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Stripped Back Sentiment" stamp set.
I added a touch of colour to the butterflies, also part of the "In the meadow" stamp set, using a Derwent Inktense pencil. Finally adding some white splatters of Posca Pen.
For the last couple of years, our friends, who were once our neighbours and are greatly missed, have been building their own house. This week they eventually moved in, so this is a card I have made for them.
In the background I used "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil Designs "In the neighbourhood stencil.'
Then using the Funky Fossil Designs "Honeycomb Heart Die Set" I cut one layer in green, with the leaves. I then used the same die in white, cut off the leaves and glued over the green heart, leaving the leaves exposed.
Using the same die set, I then cut the inner honeycomb area in yellow card and glued into position over the white area. I then glued the whole heart into position overthe stencilled background. Mounted the card on to grey card and then on to a white card blank.
I then die cut the house and the word home in grey card, using another Funky Fossil die set. Sorry, I don't know what it's called and I can't locate it on their web site either, so likely retired and glued into position.
I returned to the "Honeycomb Heart die set" and die cut a couple of bees in yellow card. I used a black Posca Pen to add stripes and a gold shimmer gel pen on the wing area, then glued into position on the card using a wet glue.
Our pets mean so much to most of us and it is heart breaking when you eventually have to make the decision to say that last goodbye, but it's the one final kindness we can offer them, to ease their pain, when our pain at losing them goes on for what seems forever.
Sadly, my friend has booked the vet to have her old dog and loyal friend put to sleep tomorrow. He was a rescue dog and has had such a lovely life with my friends. Today, I am invited to go to visit Marco for the final time, to see his tail wag, to sit on the floor with him and show him I care. I will miss that boy so much.
Anyway, I made this card for my friends. I used Archival Ink left on my blending brushes through the Funky Fossil Designs "Pawprint Background" stencil.
I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the "Sending Hugs" sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Stripped Back Sentiments" stamp set.
When you can't sleep, craft! That's me at the moment, it's not yet 3am and I've been awake for hours, so decided to come down and play with some ink, stamps and stencils.
For this card, I've used three stencils by Funky Fossil Designs and a couple of their stamp sets.
I started with two shades of Ranger Archival Inks (Sea Grass and Garden Patina), through the Funky Fossil "In the flow" stencil.
Next I used "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil "Large Polka Dot" stencil.
I then used "Fern Green" Ranger Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil "Leaves in the breeze" stencil, keeping the main design in the bottom left hand corner and fading out towards the right.
I then used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the flowers, which are part of the Funky Fossil "In the meadow" stamp set and also the friendship sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Small Print 2" stamp set.
Finally, after mounting the card on to a piece of navy coloured paper and then on to a card blank, I added some silver glitter gel pen to areas of the flowers and background dots.
As usual, when I get back from the caravan, I have to have a play with stamps and inks. Today I made this Christmas gift tag.
I started with a blank tag and added horizontal strips of washi tape in a plaid design. The tape is from the Funky Fossil set called "Timeless Traditions Trio Washi Tape". I then sanded the surface to dull it.
Next, I went around the edge of the tag and drew vertical lines (on the left hand side), using a gold gel pen. I then used the Funky Fossil "A7 Face the music" stamp set to stamp music notes, stamped in "Jet Black" Archival Ink.
On an off cut of white card, I used a Wow! Clear Embossing Pad to stamp the ornament shapes. The ornaments are part of the Funky Fossil "Classic Trimmings" stamp set. I then coated the stamped image in Wow! Rich Gold Embossing Powder and heat set. I coloured the ornaments and then fussy cut them, gluing them into position on the tag.
Finally, using Versafine Clair 'Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Christmas Small Print" stamp set, cut it down and edged it in a gold gel pen.
When I'm away in the caravan I am still doing my zentangle/doodles in my Arteza book. So far I have filled 38 of 88 pages in my book, so still a long way to go. I can't wait to see the book full of patterns.
This photo shows four of my recent completed pages.
The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2024:
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 30 is "Embossing"
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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 30. I've opted for embossing folders to create the texture on this tag.
Starting with a piece of cream card, I put through the Big Shot using the Crafters Companion "Scandi Christmas" embossing folder for the background cream design.
I cut three sqaures of dark blue card and put each through a different Apple Blossom embossing folder two with stripes of different sizes and the third with dots. I used wet glue to stick them to the tag.
I die cut the flower and the word "hope" both are part of the Stampin' Up / Sizzix thinlits set called "Sunshine Wishes" and glued into position, finally using a gold gel pen on the die cuts and splattering gold paint across the surface of the tag.
The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2024:
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 29 is "Modes of transport"
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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 29, it's a clean and simple design after the rather busy tag from Week 28.
Using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, I stamped the boat/liner off the edge of the tag. The stamp was part of a set that came free with Issue 54 of "Creative Stamping Magazine". I then stamped it again on a post-it note, fussy cut it and used it as a mask.
With the mask in place and another post-it note across the tag to create a horizon line, I coloured the sea are around the boat, using "Forget Me Knot" blue Ranger Archival Ink.
I used three shades of Distress Oxide Ink, applied with a paint brush to create the mottled sky, uisng Tumbled Glass, Speckled Egg and Weathered Wood colours.
Using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink again, I stamped the "Bon Voyage" sentiment and also the compass. Finally I added some touches of white gel pen to the water around the boat and then mounted the tag on a teal coloured card.
A very quick card to make. I used a stitched edge rectangle die to cut a piece of patterned paper from the Funky Fossil Designs "Patina" paper pad. I stuck it to the middle of a white card blank.
Then using an off cut of white card, I used one of the dies from the Funky Fossil Designs "Fern Die Set" and cut the fern using the Sizzix Big Shot. I used a wet glue to secure the die over the patterned paper rectangle.
I used a gold coloured Signo Unibal pen to add dots on the patterned paper and I also drew around the edge of the rectangle.
Finally, I use Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the "Celebrate" sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Small Print" stamp set.
More Lavinia Stamps play, making this tag, featuring one of the new "Hummingbird" stamps.
I used a cream coloured tag as the base. Stamping the new "Small Hummingbird" stamp in Versafine Clair "Blue Belle" ink. I then stamped it again on a post-it note and fussy cut the shape, so that I could use it as a mask later.
I stamped the new "Shadow Bloom" floral stamp in Versafine Clair "Very Peri" ink.
Using A Lavinia Stamps 'Moon Mask" I created the spot light circle behind the hummingbird using "Violet Chalk" Element inks. With the Hummingbird mask in position, I used the same ink to colour the edges of the tag, with the colour getting lighter in the middle. I then lay the Lavinia Stamps "Elegance" stencil over the tag and added colour to the central area, using "Confetti" pink Elements ink and for the outer area added some "Violet Chalk" Element ink.
Next, using Versafine Clair "Very Peri" ink I multi stamped the Lavinia "Forbidden Secrets" verse down the left hand side of the tag. I then inked the edges of the tag using Versafine clair "Blue Belle" ink.
I mounted the tag on to dark blue card and then coloured the flowers and bird using blue and green shades of Derwent Inktense pencils, applied with a paint brush. I used a yellow Posca Pen for the centres of the flowers.
I used a white gel pen for highlights and a white Posca Pen for little dots around the bird.
While I was away this past week, my order of the new stamps from Lavinia arrived. They're lovely and I of course had to have an immediate play.
For this card, I used Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" to stamp the "Flower Divine 1 & 2", as if they were hanging from the top righ of the page. I then covered the stamped image with "Pebeo Masking Fluid" and set aside to dry.
I then used the butterfly from the Lavinia "Sticker Stencil 4 set" with a stripe stencil by Clarity stamps and added some stripes around the butterflies using two shades of Ranger Archival Ink (Garden Patina and Prickly Pear) colours.
I then used the other piece of the sticker stencil and filled in the butterfly shape using a very fine covering of "Shadow Grey" Archival ink. I then added more colour to the edges using "Aquamarine" Archival Ink before returning to the "Shadow Grey" ink which I used through the Lavinia "Feather Leaf Stencil".
In the top and bottom corner, using second generation stamping, I stamped the Lavinia "Words of spring" in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.
Then using a white Posca pen and the Lavinia "White Orbs" stencil, I added some white dots. They seemed to disappear in the background, so I decided to go round each one with a fine liner pen.
After removing the masking fluid, I used a couple of Derwent Inktense coloured pencils to add colour to the flowers and added touches of "A wink of stella", white gel pen, a 2b pencil and a gold shimmer pen.
The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2024:
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 28 is "Insects"
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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 28. There were lots of stages making this tag and several times it was going in the bin, but I kept going with it and the end result isn't too bad.
I used two Distress Oxide Ink sprays: Scorched Timber and Mowed Lawn. I then gave the surface some water splatters.
Down the vertical central area of the tag I used "Scorched Timber" Distress Oxide ink pad with the Tim Holtz "Strings - THS004 stencil".
Next I used "Night Sky" Ranger Archival Ink throught the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Shifter Layering Stencil - THS127". I used the same "Night Sky" ink through the Tim Holtz "THM101 dots" stencil.
I then used "Jet Black" Ranger Archival Ink through the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Grime Stencil - THs130".
Next I stamped the script from the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous stamp set called "Entomology - CMS328" over the surface of the tag. I then stamped the insects down the middle of the tag. The insects are also from the "Entomology" stamp set, stamped in "Night Sky" Ranger Archival Ink. I stamped the insects again on white card in the same ink and again in Versafine Clair "Golden Meadow" ink. I die cut the insects using the matching Sizzix/ Tim Holtz Framelits die set - 663068.
Around the edge of the tag, I used Tim Holtz "Matte Texture Paste" through the Tim Holtz "String Stencil - THS103", creating the horizontal lines. Once dry, I used the paste again through the "Dots - THMM101 stencil.
Once the paste was dry, I mounted the tag on to some co-ordinating card.
I added the die cut insects to the middle of the tag, mounted on foam pads. On the wings, I added a few brush strokes of "A Wink Of Stella" to give a shimmery look to the wings. I then coated the bodies of the insects with Ranger "Glossy Accents".
Finally, I added a small word sticker saying "Stay Curious", which is part of the Tim Holtz / Idea-ology "Small Talk" sticker set. I added colour using Versafine Clair "Golden Meadow" ink, I decided I wanted to break up the dark colours a bit, so added some dots of white Ranger "Enamel Accents" to some of the dotted paste areas.
While tidying my patterned papers, I came across a Lavinia Stamps "Scenescape" paper, which I think is called "Live the dream". So made this the base for my next project. I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the Lavinia "Wild Life Corner" stamp four times.
I then stamped "Goddess Luna" in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink. I needed to extend the tree branch she sat on as it was a little too short. I then added a couple of extra branches and the dangling foliage, both are part of the Lavinia "Foliage" stamp set..
I used Derwent Inktense pencils to add more depth of colour to the landscape. I used a gold gel pen and a lilac Posca Pen for extra detail on the corners and a white gel pen for hightlights, finally adding some shimmer to the wings of Luna by adding "A wink of stella".
I have continued my stash busting from last night, by making this collage today.
I've used off-cuts of a Funky Fossil Designs paper pack for the background. I've then used a couple of their A7 stamps (Vintage Script and Face the music", stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink and "Verdant" a lime green ink.
I've added a strip of Washi tape and some dashes of white Posca Pen.
Using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, I stamped the flowers and the bird on to white card and the little sentiment over the lime green script, on the card itself. If I remember correctly, the stamps came free with a magazine and were designed by Paper Artsy. I've had them for years. I used
I fussy cut the bird and flowers and stuck them on to the card, adding some yellow and orange Posca Pen to the bird.
There's not a lot to say about this card. It's another one of my stash busting collage cards, using bits and pieces of card and off-cuts of patterned papers that have been hanging around in my stash for far too long.
I have even used the "Sail Away" banner from the front cover of the paper pad for the sentiment. That really is stashbusting to the max!
Today, I've been playing with the Sizzix / Tim Holtz Vault Pillow Box Thinlit die set, making this gift pouch.
I used an off cut from a Lavinia Stamps patterned paper pad to make the pillow box. Cutting two pieces, and using double sided sticky tape to secure the two pieces together. The ends are kind of scored in the cutting process so fold over easily.
I tied a piece of organza ribbon round the pillow, with a die cut label saying "With Love", stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink. The "With Love" stamp is part of a Lavinia Stamps set called "Heartfelt sentiments".
In my head I am thinking these little pillows will be really handy come halloween or even making 24 as an alternative advent calendar.
The other day, I attempted to make a tag and towards the end, I managed to drop an ink pad face down on to my pretty tag. I attempted to rescue it, but it just wasn't what I had in my head. Today, I had another attempt at it.
Starting with a white tag, I lay the Funky Fossil Designs "Urchins" stencil over the top and added Ranger Opaque Texture Paste through areas of the stencil. I then set it aside to dry.
Once dry, I used a Funky Fossil blending brush to apply colour to the tag, using "Rose Madder" Ranger Archival Ink, which is a pretty coral/rose colour. Then, using a black Posca Pen, I tapped paint across the surface of the tag.
On a separate piece of white card, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the vase, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Beauty's Garden" stamp set. For placement, I also stamped the vase on the tag. I then stamped the flower, which is also part of the same stamp set.
I shaded the vase stamped on the piece of white card using Derwent Charcoal Pencils and a white gel pen. I then fussy cut the vase, sticking foam pads on the back and then placed in position.
Finally, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the word "Miss You" which is part of the Funky Fossil "Small Print" stamp set.
***As a matter of interest, here is the tag that I first made, where I attempted to recover half of the original inky tag after I had dropped an ink pad on it.
I enjoyed the gel plate technique Eileen Godwin shared on her "Live" last night that I decided to make another card using the same principles.
I used Versafine Clair "Avocado" green ink and a brayer to put a thin base layer of ink on the gel plate.
Then I used two shades of Ranger Archival Inks to stamp the Lavinia Stamps "Berry Leaves" multiple times in first and second generation stamping using "Periwinkle" blue innk and "Paradise Teal" a green coloured ink, direct on to the gel plate. I then placed a piece of card over the top of the gel plate and took the impression.
Round the top and bottom, I added extra foliage using the Lavinia Stamps "Arctic" blue ink with the "Wild Vines" stamp.
Next, I stamped the Lavinia "Dancing till dawn" ladies, using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink. I used the same ink to stamp the "Vine Branch" at the top of the card, also to ink the edges of the card too.
Using Versafine Clair "Arctic" blue ink and a Lavinia Stamps "Hill Mask" I created the landscape behind the dancing ladies.
I then used a large Lavinia "Moon Mask" with "Rose Madder" Ranger Archival ink to create the impression of the pink dawn sun. I used the same ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Feather Leaf Stencil" too, within the sun area.
I used a 2B pencil to add shadows and a white and a gold gel pen for highlights. I used a white and coral coloured Posca Pen for the dots to create the impression of flowers.
Finally, I added the "Have an amazing day" greeting, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Stripped Back Sentiments" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink.
It's been a while since I opened my Zentangle book, but this weekend I did and made this page. This is page 33 completed of 88 blank pages in the book, so It's going to take some time to get all the pages filled.
Last night, I watched the super talented Eileen Godwin do a live tutorial. I was up early this morning, so decided to have a go myself. I didn't take any notes, so this is made by memory. I've used a couple of different stamps to Eileen too.
I used a brayer to put Versafine Clair "Sand Dune" ink on to a gel plate. Then I used the Lavinia "Maple Leaf" stamp to stamp leaves around the edge, using two shades of Ranger Archival Inks. The colours I used were "Cornflower Blue" and "Rose Madder". I then took a print from the gel plate.
Using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, I stamped the Lavinia fairy called "Mae" and also the "Small Lily Flourish".
I used "Rose Madder" Ranger Archival Ink with a Lavinia "Moon Mask" edging the moon with the pink colour. I then used the same coloured ink through the Lavinia "Laurel" stencil".
Next I stamped the Lavinia "Luna Lights" that hang on the top right of the card, in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink. I used the same ink to edge the card too.
I used the Lavinia "Bubbles" stamp set, using the smallest bubble for the crystal ball, stamped in Versafine Clair "Arctic" and then given touches of 2B pencil and white gel pen.
I coloured the flowers using "Malibu" coloured Derwent Inktense pencil. I used a gold pen to colour in the "Luna Lights" and a gold shimmer pen to outline some of the leaves. I added "A Wink of Stella" to the wings of the fairy and then finally added some dots of white Ranger Enamel Accents round the moon.
The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2024:
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 27 is "Summer"
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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 27. I decided to go with a bee, as nothing sums up summer to me, than the sound of the low hum of a bee in the distance.
I used Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink, coated in Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set for the Funky Fossil "Hello Gorgeous" flowers and sentiment.
I coloured the flowers by painting the flowers with different shades of Distress Oxide Inks. I also used Posca Pens and gel pens.
The bumble bee is part of the Funky Fossil "Queen Bee" stamp set, I stamped the bee on to the tag and then on to an off-cut of white card, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I then coated the stamped image in Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set the image.
I fussy cut the bee, inking the edges of it in black ink, then coloured the body using Posca Pens, using "A Wink of Stella" on the wings. I used wet glue on the underside of the head of the bee, but for the rear end added some black foam pads to stick the bee into position, this gave it a more 3D look.
I've been playing with Ranger 'Opaque Matte Texture Paste" through the "Petal Burst" stencil from Funky Fossil Designs to make the background of this card.
Once dry, I used Ranger "Paradise Teal" Ranger Archival Ink to give the raised area a blue tint, circling the blending brush from the centre of the raised design outwards.
I then used "Jet Black" Ranger Archival Ink to stamp the surf figure, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs stamp set called "Surf's Up". There were a few lower gaps between the raised areas that did not get any ink, so I used a black pen for those, to get a more solid image. Finally adding some dots of white Ranger "Enamel Accents".
This evening I've made a card featuring a selection of products by Funky Fossil Designs.
Starting with a five inch sqaure of white card, I used three shades of Ranger Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil "Leaf Trio Stencil". The colours I used were Chrome Yellow, Tiger Lily and Carnation Red.
I then used black Ranger Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil "Falling Leaves stencil".
I added some touches of text over the surface using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink with the Funky Fossil "A7 Vintage Script" stamp. I then inked the edges of the card using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink and mounted on to black paper and then onto a white card blank.
I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the greeting, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Stripped Back Sentiments" stamp set. I then die cut the sentiment into a banner, fixing with foam pads on to the card.
Finally, using a gold glitter pen, I went around the edges of the black leaves. I then used a gold gel pen to add little dots in the remaining white background area. Then added some white and black Funky Fossil Enamel dots from the "Monochrome Set".
My Hubby celebrates his 60th birthday in a week or so and I have been absolutely stumped on what card to make him. Time was running out as I knew he would be around the house for the next few days, so I had to make it while he was out. I ended up with this card which I really like.
With no real idea in mind, I used a Brusho background from my stash, which dictated the colour scheme I have used.
I then used "Watering Can" grey Ranger Archival ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Dynamic" stencil. I inked the edges of the card in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink and then mounted it on to grey card and then on to an 8x8" white card blank.
Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the two sentiments. Both are part of the Simon Says Stamp set called "Tiny Words - Birthday".
I put the card aside and then concentrated on the central section. I used "Cobalt" Ranger Archival Ink to colour the Lavinia Stamps "Greyboard Clocks 1" and "Greyboard Cogs 2" and set aside to dry.
I then used Dr PH Martin's bleed proof white paint on the Lavinia Stamps "Greyboard Number Embellishments" and set aside to fully dry.
As the greyboard is quite a fussy shape to glue, I used spray adhesive to stick the embellishments on to the card.
Another card ticked of my list of "to be made" cards.
I used a four and a half inch square piece of white card and ran an antistatic chalk pad over the surface. I then stamped the flower, which is part of the Hobby Art Stamps "Abstract Flowers CS175D" stamp set, stamped in Wow! Clear Embossing Ink, which I then coated in Wow! "Rich Gold" Embossing Powder and heat set.
I then coloured the white card with two colours of Derwent Inktense Pencils, applied with a paint brush. Using "Burnt Orange" for the flowers and "Neutral Grey" for the background. Once dry, I then added dots of white and gold gel pen. I used a black fine line pen to fill the central dots of the flowers, then mounted the card on to a piece of black paper and then on to a white card blank.
Finally, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the "Happy Anniversary" greeting, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Stripped Back Sentiments" stamp set. I then die cut the stamped sentiment in to a banner shape, using sticky foam pads to elevate the greeting off the surface of the card.
I've had to push myself to craft ,as I have several occasions where I need to make and send cards coming up. This one is needed next week.
From a previous project I was planning, I had stuck a square of patterned paper on to a 7x7" white card blank, so I decided to use that as my base. A bit risky as I wasn't sure of the quality of the paper and how stamping the ink on to it would be: would it bleed etc? Fortunately it took the ink fine.
I used the new Visible Image "Lilies with love" stamp set for the central image, adding extra circles from the Visible Image "You are not alone" stamp set, all stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.
I then added the "Happy Birthday" sentiment, which is part of the Hobby Art Ltd stamp set called "Greetings for friends CS158D", also stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink.
I used three shades of Derwent Inktense pencils (Spring Green, Fern and Fucshia) applied with a paint brush to colour the image. I added some touches of orange Posca Pen to the middle of the lilies and finally added some white dots of Ranger "Enamel Accents".
The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2024:
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 26 is "Butterflies"
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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 26. I started with a white tag. Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the jug with the lavender in it. The stamp is by Penny Black and is called "Farm Fresh - 40-834", I created a mask using a post it note and covered the jug and flowers, then using the same ink stamped the butterfly background, which is also a stamp by Penny Black, called "Butterfly Charmer - 40/422".
I used Distress Oxide Inks to paint the scene, using "Mermaid Lagoon" for the background between the butterflies and "Pumice Stone" for the ground the jug stands on.
I used Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet and Bundled Sage for the lavender and Dried Marigold and Saltwater Taffy for the jug itself.
I didn't make a note of the colours I painted the butterflies.
I inked the edges of the tag using Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink, then mounted the tag on to a piece of navy blue coloured card.
I seem to be on a roll, my third card for the day. I'm amazed considering how I was feeling about crafting earlier on this morning.This card is made using a selection of inks and Lavinia stamps.
Starting with the Lavinia "Swing Bed" stamped in Versafine Clair "Spruce" green ink, I then added colour within the swing bed area using the remains of "Paradise Teal" Ranger Archival Ink on my blending brush. I then created the green landscape using "Leaf Green" Archival Ink with a Lavinia Stamps "Hill Mask".
Around the "Swing Bed" I used "Majestic Violet" and Cobalt" Ranger Archival Ink, using the darker shade around the edges of the card. I then inked the edges with Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink. I used the Lavinia Stamps "Background Script" stamp with Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink to get the slight impression of text, filling the blank areas.
I then used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink to stamp the black flowers and leaves, which are Lavinia Stamps "Vine Set" and "Mini Lucky Clover" stamps. I then stamped the two hares in the same ink, which are part of the "Wild Hare Set" of stamps.
Finally, I used a white gel pen for highlights and various coloured Posca pens to add flowers.
Trying to find my crafting mojo by making very simple cards.
For this card, I found a little dress card topper in my stash, so decided to use it for this card, mounting the white card on to pink and then on to a white card blank.
I used a stamp from a Personal Impressions stamp set (sorry no idea what the name or reference of the stamp set it) for the "A little bundle of joy" sentiment, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.
Well my crafting mojo is missing at the moment, hence there being so few crafting posts.
A friend recently gifted mea box of crafting goodies, including fabrics, ribbons, laces and various trims. This is the card I have made using some of the lace and a lace butterfly from the box of crafting items I received.
I used Kraft card and a Lawn Fawn stamp from their "Simply Sentiments" stamp set for the "Thank You" which I heat embossed using Wow! Opaque Vanilla White embossing powder, which I heat set.
The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2024:
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 25 is "Mosaic"
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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 25, starting with a plain white tag, I used two Ranger Archival Inks (Buttercup and Sunflower) through the Funky Fossil Designs stencil called "Broken Mosaic".
Using Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" and a stamp from the Funky Fossil "Musings" stamp set, I stamped some text in second generation stamping.
I then used Versafine Clair "Blue Belle" mid blue ink to ink the edges of the tag using a finger dabber.
I splattered a white and a dark blue Posca Pen over the surface of the tag to create more backround detail.
On a white piece of card, I stamped the floral image, which is part of the Funky Fossil stamp set called "Funky Florals", again using Versafine Clair "Blue Belle Ink".
I coloured the stamped floral image using Derwent inktense Pencils (applied with a paint brush) and Posca Pens. I then fussy cut the image and stuck on to the tag using wet glue.
Finally, I mounted the tag on to a piece of navy blue card and cut it to size. Then added a few dots of white Ranger Enamel Accents.
This background has been in my "Ditch or Do" box for at least a year, as I was trying out a texture pastes. Today I decided to use it for a birthday card.
Sadly, I didn't write on the back of it what I used, so this is a bit of guess work regarding the inks. For the colour, I used "Twisted Citron" and "Mowed Lawn" Distress Oxide Inks through the Funky Fossil Designs "Micro Dots" stencil. I then used a metallic silver texture paste through the Funky Fossil Designs "Between the cracks stencil". This ended up quite raised, maybe I should have used a little less, but it's called "texture paste" for a reason !
I used "Monarch Orange" Ranger Archival ink through areas of the Funky Fossil Designs "Brick Wall 2" stencil. Then I used wet glue to add the die cut "Happy Birthday" sentiment. After mounting the piece on black card and then on to a white card blank, I added some dots of black "Ranger Enamel Accents", to add a bit more texture to the card.
Continuing my stash busting efforts, I found a small off cut of a gel plate background in my box of "ditch or do" goodies. It only measured 11 x 7 cm, but I had fortunately had the foresight to jot down on the back what I had used to create the background. I'd used "Mulberry" Element Ink, brayered on then splattered with white, lemon and purple Brusho paints.
I decided to break up the colour a little more by adding splatters of purple, black, lemon and white Posca Pens.
Using a wet glue, I added some white die cuts which I had never got round to colouring, if I remember correctly they're from a Sizzix/Tim Holtz thinlits die set called "Wildflowers" or something similar. Finally, I added a few dots of white Ranger "Enamael Accents".
I've made a dent in my box of odds and ends which I call my "Ditch of Do" box. Making this card.
I've used off cuts of patterned paper, cardstock die cuts, Posca Pens and Liquid Pearls too.
This is a very busy collage. My eye doesn't know where to settle so maybe less is more!
The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2024:
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 24 is "Die Cuts"
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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 24, I started with a cream coloured tag, covering it with scraps and off-cuts of gel plate printing and inked book page projects that I had kept - just in case I could use them!
I used Range Archival Ink in the "Red Geranium" shade of ink to stamp the Funky Fossil Designs "Bubble Wrap stamp" in the bottom left and top right of the tag. I then went around some of the circles using a black fine liner pen.
I used white Gesso through the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Horizontal String Layering Stencil - THS103" in various areas of the tag, then set aside to dry.
While the Gesso was drying, I cracked on with die cutting, using three Memory Box dies:
This morning I've made a quick card using three shades of Distress Oxide Inks to create the coloured background. The colours I have used are Twisted Citron, Mermaid Lagoon and Picked Raspberry.
Once the background was fully dry, I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the figure and blossom. Both are from the new Visible Image stamp set called "Calm Over Chaos".
I stamped the lower part of the figure again on a piece of white card, then fussy vut it and stuck it on over the coloured area of clothing.
Finally, I used a white and orange Posca Pen to colour the blossom.
Another stashbusting collage, using bits and bobs lurking in my "ditch or do" box of goodies.
I've used a piece of a torn book page, patterned paper, die cuts, a gel plate background and a piece of cardboard and Posca Pen splatters
Today, I have been playing with Visible Image products to make this card.
I started with a piece of white card measuring 4" x 5.5". I used the Visible Image stencil set called "Art spheres #2" with three shades of blue Ranger Archival Inks, using Sky Blue, Paradise Teal and Cobalt colours. I went round the lower edge with a 2b pencil to darken it a little and added some dots of white Posca Pen to areas above the wave to replicate water spray.
I used Versafine Clair "Blue Belle" ink to stamp the wording which is part of the Visible Image stamp set called "Equality, Hope & Love". Finally, adding a few Nuvo "Aqua Aurora" sequins across the surface of the card.
This was one of those projects that started off as one thing, sat at the back of my desk for about a year, but then today I decided it was "do or ditch "day. It turned out to be a "do" day, resulting in this finished tag.
My original idea was that it would go in my diet journal as a tracker tag, the whole diet thing is now a thing of the past, which was why the tag had been left unfinished. If I remember correctly I used a coupld of shades of Distress Oxide Inks for the pink/coral colour and the green, I'd already drawn the pattern outline, so it was really just filling in the areas with various pens. As I'm in Zentangle mode it seemed natural to use some of those designs to fill in the spaces.
The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2024:
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 23 is "Weddings"
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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 23, I started with a piece of white card, cut into a tag shape.
Using "Finger Dabbers" and three shades of Distress Oxide Inks: Spun Sugar, Tumbled Glass and Shaded Lilac. I added lots of dots across the surface of the white card. Some over lapped, in places I left some white space.
I then cut a strip of Vellum, wider and longer than the tag by about an inch each way. Along the bottom of the narrow edge, I used a punch to create a scalloped edge to the vellum.
Then, using a stamping platform, with Wow! Clear Embossing Ink, I stamped the image of the bride on to the vellum, using a Stampin' Up stamp set, called "Wonderful Moments". I coated the stamped image with Wow! Opaque Bright White Embossing Powder and then heat set using a low heat setting in case the heat distorted the vellum.
I added a strip of double sided sticky tape to the top of the back of the tag and folded the top of the vellum from the front over to the back, so that the sticky tape held it into position. I then mounted the tag on to a piece of lilac coloured card.
Next, I stamped the sentiment, using the same Wow! ink and embossing powder as I used earlier, with a Penny Black sentiment saying "Love is all around". The sentiment is part of their set called "Only You 30-666", I then heat set the stamped sentiment.
Returning to the vellum, the decorative edge, kept lifting, so I added a touch of glue to keep it in place. I then added a handful of sticky backed pearl gems across the surface of the tag.
Today, I've played with my Lavinia Stamps to create this tag.
I started by using "Sundance" and "Lime Punch" Elements inks randomly across the tag, I then used the same coloured inks through the Lavinia "Berry" Stencil to create the patterned background.
