Tracy Evans Boutique Desgins "Embrace Nature" film strip Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I have used a gel plate print for the background.  

Over the top I have used "Violet" Ranger Archival Ink through the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Stripes ST12 Stencil" fading the colour out towards the right hand side of the ATC.

Stamping the film strip, the flowers and leaf garland in Versaifne Clair "Monarch" purple ink. These images are part of one of the new release stamp sets by Tracy Evans Boutique Designs.  This stamp set is called "Embrace Nature TE71".

I then stamped the butterfly, which is from the same stamp set using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

I used a white gel pen to dtaw lines and dots on the ATC, finally adding a word sticker that says "have hope".

A Crafting Niche "52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2026" - Week 41

 

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 41 is "Journal".

For my tag, I decided to write about home and what it meant to me.  I started with a plain cream coloured tag and drew a border line approximately half an inch in from the edges.  I used low tack masking tape to cover the edges.

In the middle of the tag, I positioned a moon mask, then lay the Lavinis Stamps "Feather Leaf Stencil" over the top and applied "Tea Rose" Ranger Archival Ink through the stencil.

I removed the stencil and then drew round the moon mask, using a black fine liner pen. Once the moon mask was lifted, I stamped the house shape, a stamp from the Funky Fossil Designs "Home" stamp set, using the "Tea Rose" ink again. I then drew gold coloured dots between the circle border and the house using a gold gel pen, and coloured the heart in the middle of the house with a red Posca Pen.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the large "home" word which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Home" stamp set. I lifted the masking tape and using the same ink, stamped the black hearts, the smaller "home" word and the sentiment of "Love Lives Here" which are all part of the Papertrey Ink "Love Lives Here" stamp Set.

I added a blush of the "Tea Rose" ink on the edges of the card and then wrote my journalling, which says "A place to be safe and comfortable - Family - Warmth - a homely and unpretentious place".

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Love Grows Here TE65" Dandelion Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I started with a white card colouring three quarters of it using "Veridian" green Ranger Archival Ink, making it darker at the bottom fading the colour out towards the top.

I then coated the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Tiles SS37" stencil with "Peacock Feathers" Distress Oxide Ink and gave it a very light spritz of water.  I then turned the inked stencil upside down on to the ATC.  Holding the stencil in position, I used a piece of kitchen towel to blot any excess ink away before lifting the stencil.

After cleaning the stencil, I then lay it on top of the ATC, aligning the pattern and applied "Peacock Feathers" Distress Oxide Ink again through the lower area of the stencil using a blending brush.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the dandelions, which are part of the Tracy Evans "Love Grows Here TE65" stamp set.  I then added some white dots of Posca Pen and a word sticker saying "a new beginning" and inked the edges of the card using "Veridian" Ranger Archival Ink.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Seedheads TE40" Card

I've continued playing with a cream coloured background, making this card, which I have kept blank, so that I can add a sentiment at a later date when needed.

Vertically, through the middle of the 4x4" cream coloured card, I used "Sky Blue" Ranger Archival Inks to stamp the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Bubbles TE34" stamp.

Then using Versafine Clair "Acorn", a mid brown coloured ink, I stamped the seed heads which are part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Seedheads TE40" stamp set.  I stamped the top of the seedheads on to a piece of cream coloured card, then coloured them by painting with Distress Oxide Inks.  The colours I used are: Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Old Paper, Peeled Paint, Mowed Lawn and Rustic Wilderness.  I also used a black fine liner pen, a white and a gold gel pen.

I fussy cut the seed heads and glued them in to position, finally adding some dots of "Copper Pearl" Liquid Pearls which tied in nicely with the background kraft card.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Holly & Berries TE21" Artist Trading Card

 

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I used a piece of cream coloured linen card for the background, stamping on the flatter side of the card.

I used "Orange Blossom" Ranger Archival Ink through the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Cluster SS42" stencil.  I then used Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink to stamp the holly branch and the word "Holly" inking the edge of the card in the same ink.

Finally, I coloured the holly berries using a red Posca Pen and once dry, added a touch of white gel pen to each berry.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Bird SS29 Stencil" card

Earlier today, I made some backgrounds, using  a stamping block and sprtized Distress Paints, I used Prize Ribbon, Salvaged Patina and Speckled Egg colours.  I've used one of the lighter backgrounds for this card.

I placed the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Bird SS29" stencil over the background and applied "Aquamarine" Ranger Archival Ink through the stencil with a blending brush..

I then stamped the floral/part circle wreath, which is part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs stamp set called "Malva TE8", using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.  I used the same ink to create a landscape, using the torn edge of a piece of paper.

I used Van Goch Pastel Pencils to add colour to the bird and the landscape, also using a white gel pen on the breast of the bird. I added shadows using a 2B pencil and a paper stub.

Using Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink again, I stamped the grasses in the foreground, which are part of the Tracy Evans "On The Wild Side TE50" stamp set, adding touches of white and aqua coloured Posca Pen.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Garden Delights TE15" snowflake Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I used a background from my stash, a gel plate print made some years ago with lilac, purple and blue tones to it.

I used "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink through the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Snowflake" stencil.  I then used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the tree/part circles, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Garden Delights TE15" stamp set.

Once the stamping was on the ATC, it looked very dull, so I decided to go over the stencil with a white Posca Pen and then added extra Posca Pen tiny dots to the background.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Sunflower TE33" Sunflower Card

 

Sunflowers are my favouite flowers, sp getting this Tracy Evans sunflower stamp set (TE33) was a must.  I have to say the detail of the stamp itself is incredible.

I stamped the sunflower (Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Sunflower" TE33) stamp in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

I lay the Tracy Evans "Grunge ST3" stencil over the top and lightly applied "Fern Green" Ranger Archival Ink through the stencil, ensuring it was darker by the sunflower and fading the coloru out towards the left and the top of the card.  Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink again, I stamped the word "Sunflower" which is from the TE33 stamp set.

I coloured the sunflower by painting and colouring direct with Derwent Inktense pencils, adding touches of a white and gold gel pen, a black fine liner pen and a 2B pencil with a paper stub for a little shading.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Numeral Cats TE36" Cats and the wall Artist Trading Card

Here's my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I used a background from my stash, which I think had been made on a gel plate many years ago.

I positioned the Tracy Evans Boutique Design "Wall Stencil ST9" about a quarter of the way down the ATC.  Then used three shades of Ranger Archival Inks, using Watering Can, Orange Blossom and Fern Green. I then added extra depth of colour using Van Goch Pastel Pencils. I went round the edge of the card using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink and "Morning Mist" grey ink.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the cat looking over the wall and the full size lady cat.  I highlighted areas with a white gel pen, adding extra whiskers to the male cat looking over the wall at the female.  Finally, I added some hearts between the two cats.  The hearts are part of the Tracy Evans "Quirky Birds TE10" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink,

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Feathered Friend TE49" Hen Artist Trading Card

 

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day. In the background, I created a very loose looking yellow gingham grid using "Chrome Yellow" Ranger Archival Ink.

I stamped the hen, which is part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Feathered Friend TE49" stamp set, using two shades of Versafine Clair inks:  Strawberry red and Acorn brown inks.  I then used Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink with second generation stamping of the branch round the edge of the ATC.  The branch is actually the tree from the Tracy Evans "Silhouettes" stamp set.

Using a red Posca Pen i drew the berries, adding a touch of white gel pen to each berry I grounded the hen using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, topped with some Van Goch Pastel Pencils.  I used the pastel pencils to edge the card too. I also added touches of a black fine liner pen to various areas.

On to a white piece of card, using Versaifne Clair "Strawberry" red ink, I stamped the words "Just Hatched", which is part of a Papertrey Ink stamp set called "On the farm".  I cut it to an arrow shape, glued into position, added a touch of "Chrome Yellow" Ranger Archival Ink on to the sign to tone the white down, finally adding a black edge, using a fine liner.

Tracy Evans Boutique Desigs "Decorations TE18" Christmas Card

I started with a 4x4" piee of whtie card, stamping the baubles in "Strawberry" Versafine Clair Inks.  The baubles are from two Tracy Evans Boutique Designs stamp sets: Christmas Wishes TE22 and Decorations TE18.

I then stamped the holly, which is part of the Tracy Evans "A Promise Of Tomorrow TE63" stamp set.  I used Versafine Clair "Rain Forest" green ink to stamp the holly in first and second generation stamping.

I then painted the background using two shades of Distress Oxide Ink with a paint brush.  The colours I used are:  Weathered Wood and Spiced Marmalade.  I painted it to give a very mottked look to the background. Once dry, I then used "Cornflower Blue" Ranger Archival ink through the Tracy Evans "Tiles SS37 stencil either side of the large bauble. I then used some text from the Tracy Evans "Berries TE55" stamp set, stamped in Versaifne Clair "Shady Lane" green ink over the background area.

The next stemp was painting the holly, using two shades of Distress Oxide Inks.  The colours I used are Rustic Wilderness and Mowed Lawn.  I then outlined some of the holly leaves using a black fine liner pen and added some touches of gold using a gold coloured gel pen,  I used a red Posca Pen for the berries.

Nearing completion, I added some shading to the baubles using a pastel pencil. I used a white gel pen to add highlights to the berries and baubles.  Then from a fan shaped paint brush, I gave a slight covering of  Dr Ph. Martin's Bleed Proof  white paint to replicate snowfall.  Finally, I added the sentiment, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Chrismtas Wishes TE22" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Insect TE27" Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  On to yellow card, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the image, leaves and sentiment, which are all part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Insect TE27" stamp set.

In the background, I masked off lines and filled the ones showing with "Monarch Orange" Ranger Archival Ink.

I decided to draw an additional circle, then coloured the circles pale blue usine a pastel pencil,  I used an aqua and purple Posca Pen to colour the insect and added touches of sparkle to the circles and the insect using a gold shimmer pen (sadly, it doesn't really show up in the photo).

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.

Penny Black Inc. Basket of Joy 2075F New Baby Card

For this new baby card, I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to stamp the Penny Black Inc. 2001 wood mounted stamp called "Bundle of joy - 2075F" in the bottom left hand corner. I then used "Pink Peony" Ranger Archival Ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Waffle stencil", fading the colour out towards the right hand side and the top.

I coloured the stamped image with Derwent Inktense pencils, applied with a paint brush.  I used a 2B pencil for shadows. Finally, I samped the sentiment "It's a girl" which is part of a Personal Impressions stamp set called "Double Sayings PICSAS6104, also stamped in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Poinsettia TE20" Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card for the day.  On a plain white card I covered 3/4 of it with "Prickly Pear" Ranger Archival Ink.  I then lay the Tracy Evans "Flurry TE20" stencil over the top and applied a white texture paste through the stenci.  Sadly as I lifted the stencil away, I managed to drop it on to the surface, so the "flurry flakes" are far more textural than they should have been!

On a plain white card, using Versafine Clair "Strawberry" red ink, I stamped the word and painsettia flower, which are part of the Tracy Evans "Poinsettia TE20" stamp set. I coloured it using a paint brush to apply "Festive Berries" Distress Oxide Ink.  I also used a yellow Posca Pen too.  I fussy cut the flowers and applied to the card, then cut and glued the word into position.

Stampers Anonymous "Cat and Balloon" - THMM109 Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I used a piece of pink card for the base then lay the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous stencil THMM108 over the top and applied "Vibrant Fuschia" Ranger Archival Ink through the stencil.  I then used a red fine liner pen to add circles within the darker dots.

On a piece of white card, I stamped the cat and the balloon, which are part of the Tim Holts / Stampers Anonymous s"tencila and stamp set - THMM109", using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink. I then splattered the ink from a white Posca Pen across the surface of the card.

I coloured the cat by painting "Carved Pumpkin" Distress Oxide Ink and a red Posca Pen for the bow tie.  I used "Lucky Clover" Distress Oxide Ink for the ballloon, adding gold cooured dots with a gel pen.  I fussy cut both shapes.

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the "Hello Friend" sentiment, the stamp is part of the same stamp set I mentioned earlier.  I drrew a black line around the card, like a frame using a black fine liner pen, then glued the fussy cut cat and balloon onto the vcard, I then drew in the string for the balloon.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Create a gardem - TE66" stamp set

Another make using one of the recently released stamp sets from Tracy Evans. For this card, I have used the "Create a garden - TE66" stamp set.

I used a circle mask for the coloured circle, drawing a line where I knew I would be stamping.  then I used "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink through the circle shape, leaving the area where I would be stamping lighter in colour.

I used two colours of Versafine Clair inks for the fuchsia, using "Avocado" green and "Baby Pink" coloured ink.  I then coloured the flowers with Derwent Inktense coloured pencils, applied with a paint brush.

I then used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the bird and branch, which is also part of the "Create a garden - TE66" stamp set.  Finally, I added extra detail to the flowers and the bird using a white gel pen, adding some white dots to break up the grey colour using a Posca Pen.

Stampin' Up "Fabulous Florets" Artist Trading Card

A bit late in the day, but here's my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.

For the base, I used a piece of card in a soft butter milk colour. Using "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink through the Clarity Stamps "Stripes" stencil.

I then used Versafine Clair "Green Oasis" ink to stamp one of the Stampin' Up "Fabulous Florets" stamps, using the same coloured ink to roughly ink the edges of the card.  I then topped the edges with Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

I used a gold coloured gel pen to outline the stamped flower, then added "Aqua" coloured Polka Dots across the ATC, circled with a black fine liner pen, finally adding a word sticker saying "take risks".

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2026 - Week 23

 

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 23 is "Bright and beautiful"

For this tag, I used a white tag for the base, coating it with three shades of Ranger Archival Inks using the Buttercup at the top, Tea Rose in the middle and Carnation Red at the lower area. I lay the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous stencil THMM108 over the top of the tag and applied the same shades through the stencil to achieve the circle designed background.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the birtd, which is part of the Paperartsy stamp set designed by "Kate Crane - KC009".  I then stamped the bird again on to white card.  I coloured the image using Posca Pens and then fussy cut the bird

I used Versafine Clair "Summertime" orange ink to stamp a crown over the prepared background of the tag, the crown is also part of the Kate Crane KC009 stamp set.  I glued the bird figure on to the tag then used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the sentiments, which are also part of the same stamp set.

Lavinia Stamps "Magpies" Two for joy card

 

I've had a long over due play with my Lavinia goodies this morning, making this card.

I started by using Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" a mid green coloured ink, to stamp the Lavinia Stamps "Vine Branch" stamp.  I then used two shades of Versafine Clair inks:  Twilight and Morning Mist to stamp the Lavinia "Magpies".  I used these two colours as I didn't want a totally solid black colour.

Next, I used "Sky Blue" Ranger Archvial Ink through the Lavinoa Stamps "Waffle Stencil" (I believe it is now discontinued), fading the colour out towards two corners. I then used Derwent Inktense pencils with a paint brush to colour the branch and magpies, using a gold and a white gel pen in places too.

Finally, I added a Lavinia word sticker, saying "Out of the blue".  This phrase is part of the Lavinia "Sentiment Sticker 6" set.