Lavinia Stamps "Coven of the Curiosities" - Make 5

Here's a tag I made using "Anwen" and the "Witch Hazel" branches which are part of the new Lavinia Stamps "Coven of Curiosities" new release from Lavinia Stamps.

Using a white tag, I appliked "Pebble Beach" Ranger Archival Ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Feather Leaf" stencil, fading out the colour towards the top and sides.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped one of the new witch stamps from Lavinia Stamps, this one is called "Anwen".  I also stamped the new "Witch Hazel" branches too.

I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to create the landscape using a hill mask,  I used one of the Lavinia Moon Masks with the "Pebble Beach" Archival ink I used through the stencil.

I decided more detail was needed, so using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I added the Lavinia "Bats" to the sky, the cat called "Mini Rune" and extra branches to the trees using the Lavininia "Hazel" branch.

I added a touch of colour tothe lantern using a Pastel Pencil.  I added shadows using a 2B pencil and touches of white gel pen to the witches outfit.

Lavinia Stamps Nature & Nurture Sticker Stencil Bird Card (Inspired by Eileen Godwin).

I was inspired by something Eileen Godwin made to make something similar.  This is my take on her card.

I have used Ranger Archival Inks (Chrome Yellow, Pink Peony, Orange Blossom and Sky Blue) through the Lavinia Stamps bird "Nature & Nurture Sticker Stencil" and their "Feather Leaf Stencil"

I have stamped the Lavinia Stamps in Versaifne Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  The stamps I have used are:Spiral of Spells, Fairy Dandelions and the Balace Word stamp set.  I have also used a 2B pencil, a silver glitter gel pen and some dots of white Liquid Pearls.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Dog Challenge 2025 - Week 33

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

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 "Cats"

This is my Week 32 "Cats" tag.  I started with a white background and used "Garden Patina" Ranger Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil Designs "Dotty Grid Stencil".

On a plain piece of card, I stamped the cat and border from the Funky Fossil Designs "Folk Garden" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink.  I then fussy cut the cat shape and stuck to the stencilled tag.  I then used the same ink through the Funky Fossil "Cat Silhouette Stencil" either side of the main cat.

Finally, using Medieval Blue ink again, I inked the edges of the tag and then stamped the top and bottom border, which is also part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Folk Garden" stamp set.

Funky Fossil Designs "Folk Garden" Anniversary Card

For this card, I have used the Funky Fossil Designs "Pretty Circle Stencil" with "Poppy" Ranger Archival ink to create the decorative circle.

In the centre of the stencilled circle, I have used another Funky Fossil stencil called ""Pretty Print" with "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the decorative strip across the middle of the circle, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Folk Garden" stamp set.  I used the same ink to stamp the "Happy Anniversary" which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Stripped Back Sentiment" stamp set.

Finally, I used the remaining red "Poppy" ink on my blending brush to add a blush to the corners of the card and then added some black dots of Posca Pen to the decorative circle area

Funky Fossil Designs "Folk Garden" yellow card

Today I have played with a stamp I have long been waiting to play with.  I'd ordered this stamp set by Funky Fossil Designs called "Folk Garden", while still living in the caravan.  Now, we're back in a house and my craft room, I have had an opportunity to play with it.

I decided to stamp the central image in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink on to a piece of yellow coloured card.  I then mounted the squarre on to a piece of black coloured card.

On a separate piece of yellow card, I used "Sunflower" Ranger Archival Ink, through the Funky Fossil Designs "Pretty Print Stencil".  I mounted the central image on to the yellow background and then added it to a card blank.

Using Versafine Clair "Twilight" again, I stamped the "Sending Hugs" sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Stripped Back Sentiment" stamp set.

Lavinia Stamps "The Nook" Tag

I used a cream coloured card for the base of this tag.  Stamping the Lavinia Stamps "The Nook" tree house stamp in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

I used three shades of Ranger Archival Inks through the Lavinia Stamps "Charming Stencil", using Plum, Prickly Pear and Orange Blossom shades of ink.

I then used"Potting Soil" brown Ranger Archival Ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Honeycomb Stencil" around the edges of the tag.

I used Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink to stamp the "Just For You" sentiment, which is part of the Lavinia "Heartfelt Verse" stamp set.  I then used the same ink to randomly stamp sections of Lavinia "Spirit Signs", using finger pressure on the back of the inked stamp rather than using a block or platform.

Next, I coloured the tree and house using assorted Distress Oxide Inks and a fine liner pen.  Finally, adding some dots of Ranger "Prickly Pear" Liquid Pearls to embellish the tree area.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 31

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

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 "Fish"

For this tag, I started with a plain white tag, using three shades of Ranger Archival Inks.  I used Prickly Pear all over, then "Garden Patina" through the Woodware "Bubbles" stencil, then I used Mangalese Blue" ink around the edge and also through the Sweet Poppy "Dots Backplate" Stencil.

I used Versafine Clair  "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the fish, which is a stamp by Kate Crane and has a reference number of KCM007 down the middle of the tag and then again on a white piece of card.

I used colouring pencils, Gel Pens and Posca Pens to colour the fish on the white card, then fussy cut them and glued into position over the fish on the tag.

I used a Woodware stamp called "Plant a meadow" for the leaves and berries around the edge of the tag, stamped in "Mangalese Blue" Ranger Archival Ink and Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink. Finally I added some touches of gold gel pen and white Posca Pen.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 30

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

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 "Stars"

I used a sheet of Lavinia "Scenescapes" patterned paper for the background of this tag, using "Thistle" Ranger Archival Ink to create the ground for the mice.

I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Double Trouble" mice in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink and then stamped Dill, Thyme & Rosemary, and the Mini Stars 1 stamps in the same ink.

Finally, I added extra detail using a pastel pencil, Posca Pens and a word sticker.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 29

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

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 "Measurements"

I blended some yellow Archival Ink across the surface of a white tag verticaly from right to left with the right hand side of the tag being the lighter side.

I then used "Venetian Orange" Ranger Archival Ink through the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Gradient Square Layering Stencil".

Next, I used "Sienna" Ranger Archival Ink through various areas of the Creative Expressions "Vintage Couture" stencil.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink I stamped some of the stamps from the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Tidbits - CMS488" stamp set.  I used the same ink to ink the edges of the tag.

I used a black pen to add stitch details , some dots/splatters of white Posca Pen and then added a Tim Holtz "Ideaology" word sticker 

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 28

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

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 "Mixed Media"

I started with a white tag using two Element Inks (Lemon Drop and Soft Cygnet) shades to cover the surface.  I then put water droplets across the surface, mopping them up with kitchen towel to create a mottled look.

I used "Leaf Green" Ranger Archival Ink through the Tracy Evans "Snippet "Fronds" stencil - SS5) across the surface of the tag.

I used "Watering Can" Ranger Archival Ink to stamp small areas of script.  I used the Tracy Evans "Background Elements - TE11" stamp, not mounted on to a block, but using finger pressure on the back of the stamp to add tiny areas of text.  I then added some black splatters of Posca Pen.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink I stamped the Tracy Evans flowers, which are part of the "Garden Elements - TE30" stamp set, stamped on to some white kitchen roll.  I then fussy cut the flowers, sticking the petal layers on to the tag.

Finally, I added some dots of green and white Liquid Pearls (Prickly Pear and White Opal) and added a word sticker saying "be awesome today".

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 23

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

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 "Earth Tones"

For the base of this tag, I used a piece of patterned paper in a fawn colour with print on it.

Using Versafine Clair Ink "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the Sweet Poppy Stencil "Toadstool Large" stamp.  Next I used the Sweet Poppy "Dots Backplate Stencil" with "Watering Can" Ranger Archival Ink.

Next I used "Thistle" Ranger Archival Ink trhough the Cretive Expressions "Calm Mini Stencil".  I also inked the edges of the tag using the same ink. I added some green to the background to grunge it up a little, using "Pixie Green" Elements Ink with a blending brush.

I then moved on to colouring the stamped image, using some kids paints, colouring pencils and  Posca and gel pens

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 18

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

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 18 is "Bank Holiday Fun"

For my Week 18 tag, I roughly colovered a tag in blue, green and turquoise water colour paints to create a coloured background.

Once the background was dry I lay the Katkins Kraft "Ocean Textures" stencil over the tag, applying "Forget Me Not" and "Garden Patina" Ranger Archival Ink through the stencil.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink I stamped the Woodware "Beside the seaside - FRS697" stamps on to the tag and also on to a piece of white card.

Over the surface of the tag, I splattered white Posca Pen.

Returning to the stamping on the white card, I used water colour paints to colour the seagull and the wooden pillar.  I fussy cut the stamped images and stuck them over the stamped image on the tag.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 15

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

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 15 is "Easter"

I started with a piece of patterned paper in quite muted tones with birds and flowers on.  I then used a hand cut stencil, from using an oval die on card and "Pink Peony" Ranger Archival Inks t create an Easter Egg background over the patterned paper.

Next, using "Leaf Green" Ranger Archival Ink and a torn edge of copy paper, I created the layered landscape at the base of the tag.

I then used the Lavinia Stamps "Mini Pipin", the "Shrooms", "Thyme" and the "Rosemary" stamp with Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the images in first and second generation stamping.

I added extra detail using a white gel pen and pink Posca Pens, finally adding a "Happy Easter" sticker to the tag.

Lavinia Stamps "Shrooms" and Pipin Card

Another quick play session with the new release stamps from Lavinia Stamps, I'm using the minimal stash I have here in the caravan, so I'm having to be more creative with the backgrounds. 

I masked off the edges of the card, then multi stamped the Lavinia "Rosemary" stamp in first and second generation stamping using "Leaf Green" Ranger Archival Ink. I then went around the top edge and sides with a blending brush with "Sky Blue" Ranger Archival Ink.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the large and small "Shrooms" and "Pipin" the hare.  I used black ink remaining on my blending brush to create the landscape using the torn edge of a piece of copy paper.

I then used "Nocturne" again to stamp the "Dill" as bushes, using Posca pens to give the impression of flowers, a black fine line pen to add shadows and chimneys to the "Shrooms", a 2B pencil for the smoke coming from the chimneys and a white gel pen for high lights.

Lavinia Stamps Herbalum Bob Card

Today, I have had another play with some of the new release of stamps by Lavinia Stamps, creating this card, again with minimal stash.

I started by using a blending brush with "Forget-me-knot" Ranger Archival ink to give a blue circle-ish middle.  I then used the torn edge of a piece of paper with Versafine Clair Ink to create the landscape.

I used the same ink to stamp Herbalum Bob,Dill & Sage Pots, Small Shrooms and the Herb Garden Sign.  I used the "Thyme" stamp with "Leaf Green" Ranger Archival Ink to add some height in the background.

To colour the scene, I used a white gel pen, a 2B pencil and assorted colours of Posca Pens,

Lavinia Stamps Bottle Sticker Stencil and Pipin the hare

Well I am still in the caravan.  We've been here for eight weeks and I've not had my crafting stuff for about three months.  I am missing it awfully.  Because of this, I have bought a few bits and bobs to keep me going.

I have a black Versafine ink pad, a stamping block, some white 300gsm card eight mini Ranger Archival Ink pads, some cheap blending brushes and a couple of bottles of Liquid Pearls.

Lavinia Stamps recently had a stamp release including stamps and sticker stencils. so I of course ordered those, so today I decided to have a play.  I'm not especially happy with this make, for several reasons, but it was the best I could do with my limited supplies.

I used the following Lavinia Stamps: Mini Pipin, Mini Stars 1, Dill & Sage Words, Dill and Sage along with a bottle stencil from the Lavinia "Sticker Stencils 11" set finishing with touches of Liquid Peals.

The word sticker is part of a Funky Fossil Designs word sticker set.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 2

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

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 2 is "Retro"

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For my Week 2 "Retro" tag, I started with a plain white tag, using two stencils from Funky Fossil Designs to create the background pattern.  The two stencils I used are called "Retro Pattern Builder" and "Retro Pattern Builder 2".  I used three shades of Ranger Archival Inks through the stencils, using Sky Blue, Magnese Blue and Cobalt.

Next, I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the words "Retro Vibes" and "You're a classic", both sentiments are part of the "Wired For Sound" stamp set by Funky Fossil Designs.  Finally, I added some touches of silver glitter pen to some of the stencilled areas.

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 49

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 49 is "Birds"

For my Week 49 "Bird" tag I started with a cream coloured tag, laying the "Black Orchid Stencil" by Sweet Poppy Stencils over the top and applying "Leaf Green" Ranger Archival Ink with a blending brush through the stencil.

I then used a Derwent Inktense Pencil, in a shade called "Flaked Earth" to draw the lines around the edge of the tag.

Next, I used "Peat Moss" Ranger Archival Ink through the Sweet Poppy Stencil called "Duo Birds".

I returned to the "Flaked Earth" Derwent Inktense Pencil and added little dots in the empty spaces.  Finally adding a Tim Holtz Ideaology word sticker to the bottom left, saying "Favourite Tales".

Clarity Stamps "Retirement Card"

My friend retires from her TA job in the local primary school tomorrow after many years of service, so I made her this card.

For the central area of the card, I used two stencils from the Clarity Crafts "Seedheads & Tiles" stencil set.  For the square background I used "Vivid Chartreuse" Ranger Archival Ink .  I then lay the decorative leaf stencil from the same set over the top and applied "Fern Green" Ranger Archival Ink through the stencil.

I dusted the surface of the card with an anti static bag of chalk, then stamped the words "On your retirement", part of the Clarity "Entwined Sentiment" stamp set, using Wow! Clear Embossing pad, coated the words with Wow! Rich Gold Embossing Powder and heat set.

I mounted the card on to a piece of dark green card then on to a white card blank.  I used a Signo Uniball gold coloured pen to add littel dots around the central tile and around the extremities of the inner leaf.