52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 52

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 52 is "Christmas"

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For my Week 52 "Christmas" tag, I covered a plain tag with off cuts of some Christmas paper with lines on it from the Funky Fossil Designs 6x6" paper pad called "Snow Merry". Positioning the top paper vertically and the lower stripes horizontally.

I lay the Funky Fossil "Snow Storm" stencil over the top and applied some white texture paste by Daler-Rowney through the stencil and set to one side to dry.

I used an off cut of white card and cut a wavy line across the middle of it, sticking the card to the lower area of the tag to create a snow scape.

I used Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" to stamp the snowman figure on to the tag, the snowman is part of the Funky Fossil Designs stamp set called "Snow Folk".  I then stamped the same shape on to a piece of white card, fussy cut the main areas and stuck it over the top of the already stamped image on the tag, using foam pads to elevate the figure, whcih provides a 3D look.

I used "Spun Sugar" Distress Oxide Ink to add a rosy glow to the cheeks of the snowman.  I then used "Tumbled Glass" Distress Oxide Ink to colour the hat and scarf of the snowman, adding some colour to the snow area too for shadowing. I added a touch of orange felt pen for the flower on the hat and the carrot nose.

Using Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink again, I stamped the sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Timeless Tidings" stamp set.

Finally, I added some icy sparkle to the snowflakes by using "Crystal" Stickles.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 51

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 51 is "Monochrome"

For my Week 51 "Monochrome" tag, I started with a plain white tag as the base, using "Sky Blue" Ranger Archival Ink to lightly cover the surface using a blending brush.

I then lay the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Bubbles Layering Stencil - THS138" over the top of the tag and applied the same ink through the stencil.

Next I used a branch from a Papertrey Ink stamp set called "Out on a limb" which I multi stamped over the surface using Versafine Clair "Bali Blue" ink.  I used a small leaf from the same stamp set adding the odd leaf to the branches.

For the sentiment, I used a stamp from another Papertrey Ink stamp set called "Birthday Stylish Sentiments Vol.7 No.11", stamped in Versafine Clair "Paradise" blue ink.

I used the same ink to stamp the bird, which is part of a Hero Arts stamp set, which I think was called "Happiness". I then stamped it on a piece of white card and fussy cut the body and head, sticking it to the tag using foam pads.  I inked the edges of the tag using "Paradise" again and then mounted it on to a piece of blue card.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 45

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 45 is "Metallic"

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For my Week 45 "Metallic", I scrunched up some sticky backed silver foil then coated a plain tag, smoothing the surface till it was flat but still had texture.

I used a piece of copper coloured foil sticky backed foil tape, stuck to a piece of card then die cut it into a circle shape.  I used double sided sticky tape to stick the disc on to the silver foil tag.

Next, using a piece of black card, I die cut the woodland scene using a die from Funky Fossil Designs called "Forest Glade Die". on the reverse around the cut out area, I added some strips of double sided sticky tape then stuck the black die cut card on to the silver tag.  I then trimmed the edged down.  Then mounted the tag on to a piece of black card and cut, leaving an equal sized edge to each side.

Using another piece of the same black card, I die cut two black cats using the "Large Sitting Car Die - style 871" by Poppy Stamps Inc.  I used foam pads to sandwich the two layers of cat shaped card together.  Then added more foam pads to the underside and stuck the cat on to the tag.

Finally, I added some white highlight lines using a white Signo gel pen and then added a sentiment, which is part of the Lavinia Stamps "Sentiment Stickers 6" set. 

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 44

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 44 is "Knitting and Stitching"

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For my Week 44 "Knitting & Stitching", I used a cream coloured tag for the base.  Using "Chrome Yellow" Ranger Archival ink through the "Knitted Background Stencil" by Funky Fossil Designs.

I used Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink to stamp the thread and sentiment, sorry I don't recall who makes the stamp, I've had it for some years.

I used a "Red Wine" coloured Posca Pen to add the stitchec detail around the edge of the tag.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 43

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 43 is "Leaves"

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For my Week 43 "Leaves' tag, I used a cream coloured tag for the base.  I then used Ranger Archival "Peat Moss" ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Leaf Trail stencil", blending the colour darker at the base and getting lighter towards the top of the tag.

I used one of the Lavinia Stamps "Moon Masks" with Ranger "Tea Rose" Archival Ink to make the spot light/moon area.  I then stamped the Lavinia Stamps fairy called "Rue" in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

For the leaves around the base I used the Lavinia "Vine" Stamp with Versafine Clair "Portobello" ink and then used the large and mini Lavinia "Maple Leaf" stamps with Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink.  Finally, adding touches of "Clear Star" Gelly Roll pen to add a little sparkle and highlight areas of the leaves.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 42

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 42 is "Wax Relief"

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For my Week 42 "Wax Relief' tag, I started by using a cream coloured tag as the base.  I then used a Brusho "Wax Relief Crayon" through the Funky Fossil Designs "Stylish Stencil".

Lifting off the stencil and brushing the small fragments of wax off the surface using a decorators paint brush.

On my glass mat, I added two shades of blue of Ranger Distress Oxide Ink, using "Mermaid Lagoon" and "Prize Ribbon".  I spritzed both inks and the surface of the tag, before swooshing the tag through the colour.  I used a heat gun to dry the surface.

Once dry, I used a 2B pencil to add the shape of the face and eyes as it had got a little lost in the making process.  I used black and white Posca Pens to add dots and dashes over the background.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 40

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 40 is "Autumn"

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This is my Week 40 "Autumn" tag, using a cream coloured tag for the base, I used the Funky Fossil Designs "Slimline Windy Day Stencil" with four shades of Ranger Archival Inks, using Coffeem Red Geranium, Tea Rose and Fern Green colours of inks.

I used a Sweet Poppy Stamps "A6 Seasons stamp" for the sentiment, stamped in Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink.

I edged the tag with two colours, first using "Red Geranium" Ranger Archival Ink and then on the very edge using Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown" ink.

Finally I mounted the tag on to a piece of brown card and added dots of metallic gold Signo Pen for extra detail.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 39

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 39 is "White on white"

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We're now three quarters of the way through the challenge - the end is in sight!

For my Week 39 - "White on white", I started with a piece of white Papermill Direct 300gsm super smooth card, cut into a tag shape.

I then used the scroll die from the Sizzix / Tim Holtz thinlit die set called "Mixed Media #2 - ref 661185" to cut the pattern on the right hand side of the tag.

I then mounted the patterned tag on to a piece of plain white card and cut around it, using a border.

Next I used two different die cut sets to add the foliage.  The first was a Sizzix / Tim Holtz thinlits die set called "Garden Greens - ref 661206".  The second was a Sizzix / Stampin' Up thinlits set called "Pretty Pine ref 141851".

I glued the components together, using wet glue and foam pads to elevate areas of the tag.  Finally, adding a few dots of white Ranger "Enamel Accents" for extra interest.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 37

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 37 is "Rays of light"

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For my Week 37 - "Rays of light", I started by stamping Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to stamp the Penny Black  wood mounted "Cala Lillies 282K" stamp" image.

I placed the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Rays Stencil THS003" over the top of the tag and used two shades of Ranger Archival Inks, using "Shadow Grey" and "Sky Blue" colours.

I coloured the stamped image in using Derwent Inktense Pencils, applied with a paint brush.  The colours that I used were Lemon, Spring Green, Applie Greenm and Malibu.

I added extra detail using a 2B pencil, a Gelly Roll pen called "Clear Star" to give a subtle shimmer and a few dots of white Ranger Enamel Accents.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 35

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 35 is "Underwater"

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For my Week 35 - "Underwater", I started with a white tag, I added stripes of diferent Washi Tape till the surface was covered.  I then popped it in a Crafters Companion embossing folder with a water/wave design, sorry I have no idea of the name of the folder.  

Over the ridges of the waves, I rubbed Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" turquoise coloured ink pad, which created a textured background.

Then on white card, I stamped the fish.  I used Versafine Clair "Chariming Pink" ink on the Lavinia stamps fish called "Arlo".  I used Versafine Clair "Summertime" orange ink for the Lavinia Stamps fish called "Flo" and for one of the fish in their "Fish Set".

I fussy cut the fish, adding Posca Pen and a "Wink of Stella" to give a lovely gold shimmer. I used wet glue to fix them on to the tag, but put a foam pad behind the tail of the pink fish to make it appear more 3D.

On a piece of white card, I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the "Deeper than the oceans" sentiment by Lavinia Stamps.  Once dry, I cut the sentiment up in to separate words.  Adding a rough black outline around each word using a black Fine Line pen, then stuck into position.

Finally, I added pearls, sequins, clear beads and touches of Range "Glossy Accents" to add extra detail and sparkle to the surface of the tag.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 34

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 34 is "Hot Colours"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 34, with a prompt of "Hot Colours". Starting with a white tag, I secured the Clarity Stamps "Squiggly Round Stencil" over to the left side of the tag using low tack tape.

Then I graduated four shades of Ranger Archival Inks, using blending brushes from left to right.  The colours I have used are Carnation Red, Cactus Flower, Tiger Lily and Buttercup.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the Clarity Stamps sentiment (part of their "Quotes Set 1 - One Day At A Time" stamp set), in the middle of the tag.

Finally, I mounted the tag on to red card and then added three dots of black Ranger Enamel Accents.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 33

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 33 is "Kraft"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 33. Starting with a kraft card tag base, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Logan" hare using Versafine Clair "Pinecone" brown ink.

I then used the Lavinia Stamps "Waffle" stencil with "Bundled Sage" Distress Oxide Ink around the hare.  

I inked the edges of the tag and then brought the colour in around the hare using Versafine Clair "Pine Cone" brown ink using a finger dabber.

I masked off the hare and added black and white splatters of Posca Pens.  Then added colour to the hare using Derwent Inktense pencils.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 32

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 32 is "Fruit"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 32. Starting with a piece of white card cut into a tag shape, I used three shades of Ranger Archival Inks (Prickly Pear, Vivid Chartreuse and Poppy) through the Funky Fossil Designs stencil called "An apple a day" to create the background design.  

Using an apple stamp from a magazine, I stamped the half apple on to a piece of white card, using Versafine Clair "Avocado" green ink.  I then added extra colour using Derwent Inktense pencils.  I then die cut the apple into a circle shape and used the remainder of the Archival Ink from my blending brush to add a very slight green border to the circle.  I used sticky backed foam pads to stick the circle on to the tag.

I used the computer and printer for the "An apple a day..." sentiment, cutting it out and using double sided sticky tape to stick it to the tag.  Finally, I mounted the tag on to a piece of co-ordinating card and added some touches of 2B pencil to the apples.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 31

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 31 is "Tropical"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 31 "Tropical".  Starting with a plain white tag I used the Funky Fossil Designs stencil called "Tropical Leaves" with "Twisted Citron" and "Mowed Lawn".  I then used another Funky Fossil stencil called "Tropical" with "Rustic Wilderness" Distress Oxide ink.  The little gaps of white between the leaves, I coloured with a blue Derwent Inktense pencil.

On pieces of white card, I used a Globeland leaf stamp to stamp a couple of different leaf shapes,  I coloured them with Derwent Inktense pencils then die cut them.

I then moved on to the toucan, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Toucan Talk" stamp set, stamping the bird on to the tag and also on to a piece of white card using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.

I then coloured the bird image that I had stamped on white card, using Posca Pens, then fussy cut the shape and stuck over the bird image on the tag.

I used Derwent Inktense pencils to draw and colour a branch for the toucan to be standing on.

Next, I inked the edges of the tag, using Versafine Clair "Rain Forest" dark green ink, then mounted the tag on to a piece of blue card to match the blue of the Toucan.

Finally, I inked the edges of the die cut leaves, again using Versafine Clair "Rain Forest" dark green ink and then arranged and then glued the leaves into positiion on the tag, leaving a couple of the leaves raised for dimension.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 30

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.

52 Week Mini Art Card - Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 29

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 Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 28

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.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 27

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.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 26

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.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 25

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.