Penny Black "Cheerful Christmas 40-642" Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I have used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the Penny Black Stamps "Cheerful Christmas 40-642" slapstick cling stamp.

I used Distress Oxide Inks to paint the scene using these colours for the robin:  Tea Dye, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain and Crackling Campfire for the robin breast.

For the holly I used:  Old Paper, Mowed Lawnm Rustic Wilderness and Lumberjack Plaid for the berries Distress Oxide Inks. adding a touch of white gel pen to the berries.

For the background, I used "Tumbled Glass" and edged the card with "Faded Jeans" Distress Oxide Inks.

I added shadow to areas using a 2B pencil, then using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink again, I stamped the sentiment, " 'tis the season", which is part of the Simon Says Stamps "Tiny Words - Christmas" stamp set.  Finally, using a fan shaped paint brush, I tapped fine splatters of Dr Ph. Marin's Bleed Proof White Paint to replicate a flurry of snow.

Lavinia Stamps "Forest Flower - LAV813" Card

I must be in an experimental mood today.  Following on from my ATC this morning, I've experimented with more squares with this card.

I lightly drew a grid of twelve squares in the middle of a white piece of card.  Each square I coloured a different colour of Distress Oxide Ink:

On the top row, I used:  Iced Spruce, Saltwater Taffy and Frayed Burlap inks.

On the second row, I used Fosilized Amber, Peacock Feathers and Old Paper inks.

On the second to last row, I used:  Mowed Lawn, Wilted Violet and Dried Marigold inks

One bottom row, I used: Rusty Hinge, Salvaged Patina and Festive Berries inks

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the Lavinia Stamps "Forest Flowers".  I then used Dr. Ph. Martin's bleed proof white paint to paint between the lines of squares, dragging the paint brush up and down.  

Next, I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the word "Hope" which is part of an old Lavinia Stamps set called "Christmas Blessings".  I then used an orange/bronze coloured glitter gel pen to colour in the flowers.

Finally, I lightly drew a frame round the blocks using a black fine liner pen and then added black dots diagonally across the card using a Posca pen.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "A Promise Of Tomorrow TE63" flower Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I very roughly painted six even-ish squares on my ATC using Distress Oxide Inks.  The colours I used are: Dried Marigold, Fossilized Amber, Mowed Lawn, Peacock Feathers, Festive Berries and Hickory Smoke.

I then stamped the large flower from the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "A Promise Of Tomorrow TE63" stamp set, in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I stamped the flower head again, on to white card, fussy cut it and glued it over the one on the ATC.

I painted three or four areas using Dr Ph. Martin's white bleed proof paint.  Once dry, I used a black fine liner to draw a rough grid work adding black dots occasionally too.  I added some dots of yellow Posca Pen to the middle of the flower.

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the word grow.  This is to reflect the flower, but also my growth in my art work.  It is constantly evolving, I don;t think I have a definite style, but I do like clean-ish look to my work - if that is a style, then that's it!

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "The Miracle Of A Flower TE59" Seed Head Card

Another card, using a background I created a couple of weeks ago using three shades of Ranger Distress Paint (Prize Ribbon, Salvaged Patina and Speckled Egg).

I stamped the seed head, from the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "The Miracle Of A Flower TE59 Stamp Set, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I stamped the top of the seed head again, but this time on to white card, fussy cut it and put it to one side.

I sed Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink through the Tracy Evans "Distressed Background SS31" stencil.  I then splattered white paint, using Dr Ph, Martin's bleed proof paint over the surface of the card using a fan shaped paint brush.

Once the paint was dry, I glued the seed head into position adding extra shading using a white pastel pencil and a white gel pen.  Finally adding a word sticker saying "take chances".

A Crafting Niche "52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2026" - Week 31

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2026:

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 "Floral Background"

For my floral background, I covered a plain tag with a piece of floral patterned paper.  The paper is by Stampin' Up and is part of their "Dainty Flowers 12x12 Designer Papers" pack.

Then, using Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue", an almost purple coloured ink, I stamped the bird, which is part of the "Life Is Beautiful" stamp set from Visible Image Stamps.

I then used the Lavinia Stamps "Laurel Stencil" with "Leaf Green" Ranger Archival Ink round the edge of the birds and over the flowers..

I added more colour to the bird, using Derwent Inktense Pencil, applied with a paint brush.  I outlined the bird in a black fine liner pen and a white gel pen.  I added exra flowers using Posca Pens too.  Finally, I added some white splatters of Dr. Ph Martins bleed proof white paint.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Berries - TE55" stamp set - A Winter Scene

 

I am clearly feeling the bright colours, with this and my previous make.  I've no idea why this happens but it seems to!

I started with the sky, using several shades of Distress Oxide Inks.  The colours I used are:  Mustard Seed, Carved Pumpkin, Ripe Persimmon, Picked Raspberry and Villainous Potion.  For the snow area,  I used a couple of Ranger Archival inks: Forget Me Not and Shadow Grey along with a couple of pastel pencils.

I stamped the trees, which are actually branches from the Tracy Evans "Silhouettes - TE38" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I stamped the hares and the berries, whicha are both part of the Tracy Evans "Berries - TE55" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Fallen Leaves" a dark brown ink.  I used a red Posca Pen for the berries and used Dr Ph. Martin's Bleed Proof White Paint, applied with a paint brush to create the idea of snow on the trees and the berries.

Stampscapes Polymer "Snowy Church" Christmas Card

I have been stalking Postie, waiting for my overdue delivery of the new polymer "Stampscapes" release making this Christmas card.

I started by using two shades of green Ranger Archival Inks throught the SPS-125T Triangle Aperture Stencil.

I then used three shades of Versafine Clair inks for the stamping, using Spruce, Morning Mist and Nocturne colours to stamp the three polymer Stampscapes stamps which are licenced to Sweet Poppy Stencils.  The stamps I used are Snowy Tree Medium, Snowy Church Medium and Snow People.

I used a few touches of Distress Oxide ink to colour the snowman before using Dr Ph. Martin's white bleed proof ink to splatter over the surface and to paint the snow on the branches of the trees.

Stampscapes "Snowy Covered Bridge".

I've had another play with my new polymer "Stampscape" stamps I ordered from Sweet Poppy Stencils, this time going for a "white out" style Christmas card.

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink to stamp the Stampscapes "Snowy Covered Bridge", then I masked the stamped image off and stamped the Stampscapes "Pine Row" and the flying birds from the "Critter Set 8" stamp set.

I used Distress Oxide Inks, applied with a paint brush to colour the image.  The shades of ink I used are:  Antique Linen, Tumbled Glass, Lost Shadow and Weathered Wood.

I used a white gel pen to soften some of the fence posts and to add snow to the trees.  I then used a fan shaped paint brush to splatter white paint, I used Dr. Ph. Marin's bleed proof white paint for this.  It replicates a blizzard perfectly.

Lavinia Stamps Winter Forest Snow Storm Tag

I had a play with my Lavinia Stamps this evening making this forest snow scene tag, it makes me feel cold just looking at it!

I've used various shades of Versafine Clair inks:  Arctic, Bali Blue, Twilight, Morning Mist and Nocturne shades of ink. to stamp the following Lavinia Stamps:  Christmas Tree Group, Small Pine Trees, the large and small Red Pines and the Snowfall Verse.

I've used Dr PH Martin bleed proof white paint for the splatters to replicate the snow storm

Sweet Poppy Stencils "Spruce" Christmas Tree Card

 

I've had a play with the new "Spruce" trees from Sweet Poppy Stencils, making this card.

I started by using one of the Lavinia Stamps "Hill Masks" to create the definition between the sky and the snow.  For they sky, I used two shades of Ranger Archival Inks:  Manganese Blue and Cobalt.  I used the same hill mask to create the snowscape using "Bluebird" Archival Ink.

I stamped the large and small Sweet Poppy "Spruce Trees" using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.  I used Dr P H Martin's Bleed Proof White paint to add paint the snow on the trees.  I used a pastel pencil to ground the tree in the foreground.

Finally, I stamped the sentiment, which is also by Sweet Poppy and is part of their "Festive Phrases" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.

Clarity Stamps "Queen Anne's Lace Striped" card

I couldn't resist a little ebay purchase of a pair of Clarity stencils.  They arrived today, so of course I had to have a little play.  I've used one of the new ones (to me) on this card. 

I used two shades of Archival Inks:  Sunflower and Orange Blossom, through an area of the Clarity 7x7 "Queen Anne's Lace" stencil.

Over the top of that, I lay the Clarity "Stripes" stencil, applying "Monarch Orange" Archival Ink through the stencil making the bottom darker and the top lighter.

Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the greeting which is part of the Clarity "Entwined Sentiment" stamp set.  

I stamped the sentiment again on a post it note, fussy cut it and popped it over the sentiment on the card.  I then used a fan shaped paint brush to add fine splatters of Dr PH Martin's Bleed Proof white paint.  I then removed the mask and mounted the card onto a grey mat and then a white card blank.

Spellbinders "Wreath DCS-011" Christmas Card

I've been coughing the past couple of days and sadly have tested positive for Covid!  To be honest at this moment I could cry.  I have made so many plans for Christmas, it will be the first time we will have spent Christmas with the Grandchildren and it was to be at our house too.  I'm really not sure if they'll be coming or not.  It all hangs in the balance. 

I have attempted to occupy my mind by making a card.  I've used the Spellbinders "Wreath DCS-011" cling stamp, stamped in a fade out ink and coloured with Derwent Inktense Water Colour Pencils, applied with a brush.  I've also used a 2B pencil for extra detail.

The sentiment is part of a Stampin' Up stamp set called "Winter Memories" and is stamped in two shades of Versafine Clair "Tulip Red" and then "Chianti" ink, die cut into a banner and adhered to the card using foam pads.

Finally, I added splatters to replicate snow, using Dr Ph. Martins Bleed Proof white paint and a fan shaped brush.

Day 7 of "Karen Telfer's 24 Days of Tags Challenge 2022"

It's hard to believe that I have made a whole week of tags, part of Karen Telfer's "24 Days of Tags 2022" challenge.  If you would like to take part, here is her tutorial fon her Facebook Group.

I've more or less followed Karen's instructions to the tee.  I added an extra embossed "Fir Cone Branch" and added snow laying on top of the fence posts. I also decided to leave out the snowflakes.  I liked it as it is.

The stamps used are by Lavinia Stamps, using their "Pheasant" and "Fir Cone Branch" stamps. The pheasant was stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

For the embossing I used the Wow! Clear embossing ink pad, Wow! White Embossing Powder and an antistatic bag.

Distress Oxide Inks used on the tag were:  Mustard Seed, Candied Apple, Tumbled Glass and Blue Print Sketch.

For the snow, I used Dr Ph. Martin's paint to splatter and paint the snow on the fence post.

It's interesting when following the tutorial of somebody else, as sometimes, I find myself saying to myself that "I would do it this way"! and working against my natural grain sometimes seems very strange.  An example of this was stamping/embossing the fir cone branch.  If it were me, I would have used clear embossing powder and stamped and embossed first thing, before any ink hit the page.  So I guess what I am saying is that we all work in different ways, some may work better than others, but we all get to the same destination in the end.

Day 6 of "24 Days of Tags 2022" challenge with Karen Telfer

It's Day 6 of the "24 Days of Tags 2022" challenge created by Karen Telfer.  Here is the link to Karens Day 6 tag tutorial, if you would like to tag along with the challenge too.

I didn't have the moon mask that Karen used, so improvised using a Lavinia Stamps "Moon Mask" and colouring using Van Goch Pastel Pencils.

Like Karen, I used the Visible Image "Christmas Eve" stamp set.  Stamping Santa & sleigh in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

I used the medium size tree from the same Visible Image stamp set, stamping in two shades of Versafine Clair Inks:  "Morning Mist"grey ink for the trees in the distance and "Nocturne" black ink for the trees in the foreground.

Finally, I added white splatters, using Dr Ph. Martin's Bleed Proof White Ink from the fan shaped paint brush to replicate a snow storm.

For the coloured background of my tag, I used a selection of blues and purple Distress Oxide inks, edging the tag in Versafine Clair Nocturne.