A Year Of Wild Nature 2026 - Tester 3

Tester 2 of "A year of wild nature" is using air dry clay.  As I don't have any, I have skipped to Tester 3 which is creating a Pan Pastel scene "Light In Bloom" tutored by Dawn Van Der Stoep.

I have to say that I struggled with this, because it is quite messy and I like to craft in a clean area.  The Pan Pastel dust seemed to get everywhere.  My finished scene is no where near the sample Dawn created, I think I will call it a "loose interpretation"!

I didn't have all the Pan Pastel colours Dawn used in her sample, so made do with the ones I did have, which was the same for the pastel pencils.

The more I look at this photo, the more the scene is growing on me!

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Create A Garden TE66" in the moonlight Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day., using a piece of kraft card for the background.  

I used white Pan Pastel in the aperture of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Circular Stencil ST6" for the moon.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the bird on a branch, part of the Tracy Evans "Create A Garden TE66" stamp set and the berries, which are part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Berries TE55" stamp set.

I edged the ATC using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  Then colourerd the berries using a red Posca Pen.  I used a white gel pen for highlights, finally adding a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "be brave".

Funky Fossil Designs "Winter Wonderland" Misty Artist Trading Card

Rummaging through my prepared background file, I came across a small section of a gel plate background, made some years ago using Pan Pastels through a couple of stencils by Funky Fossil Designs, if memory serves me correctly I used "Lovely Leaves" and "Peony Panel" stencils.

Using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, I stamped the trees, birds and "calm" sentiment, which are all part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Winter Wonderland" stamp set.  I created the ground, using the same ink and the torn edge of paper.

To create the mist, I used a finger dabber with Hero Arts "Unicorn" white pigment ink,  I had to apply several layers of dabbing to get the strength of "mist" I was looking for. I finished adding touches of white gel pen to the trees and the birds.

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 78

Today, is Day 78 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 78, I cut a dark blue coloured card three and a half inch square and glued on to a white background.  I then used two shades of green (for the landscape) and a white (for the moon) Pan Pastel.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the Lavinia Stamps "Forrest Scene" trees, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to stamp the "Small Pixie Houses".

I added a Dina Wakley collage paper swallow and a Lavinia Stamps word sticker from their "Sentiment Stickers 6" set.  Adding some touches of gold shimmer pen to the threes and landscape.

Lavinia Stamps "Mooch" Christmas Card with Pan Pastels

A Christmas card for a cat mad friend who isn't feeling Christmas this year.

I've used two shades of Pan Pastels (Hansa Yellow Tint & white) with the Lavinia Stamps "Moon Mask"

I've used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp "Mooch" the cat, a "Witch Hazel" branch and one from the "Small Robin" stamp set.

I used Van Goch Pastel Pencils for the shading below Mooch and for the red on the robin.

Finally, stamping the sentiment, which is part of the Simon Says Stamp set called "Tiny Words - Christmas".

Lavinia Stamps Pipspell Christmas Tag on kraft

When you can't sleep.... craft!

This is a middle of the night make, using kraft card as the base for this tag, stamping Lavinia Stamps in Versafine Clair. Portobello brown for Pipspell the mouse and the Everdusk Tree. Nocturne for the black bird, which is part of the :"Birds" stamp set and Morning Mist for the Tiptoe Prints verse.

I've coloured using Van Coch Pastel Pencils and white and Ultramarine Blue Pan Pastels, with splatters of white Posca Pen.

Sweet Poppy Stencils "Mouse of wheat" card

Another Sweet Poppy Stencils make from me today, this time using their new "Mouse on wheat" stamp.

I used white Pan Pastel for the central circle on grey card.  Then stamped the "Mouse on wheat" using Verafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink,  I used the same ink to stamp the "Happy Birthday" which is part of the Sweet Poppy "A6 Hugs and Kisses" stamp set.

I coloured the mouse and white using pastel pencils, then used "White Opal" Liquid Pearls to create a beaded edge to the circle.

Lavinia Stamps "Luka" in the street light card

 

I tried something a bit different for me today, making this card.

I used a piece of black card, covering the surface with a chalk bag before stamping the Lavinia Stamps "Street Light" and "Luka" the cat in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I then coated the stamped areas with Wow! Clear Gloss Embossing Powder and heat set.  

You'll notice in the photo above, the black surface of the card has chalky residue, the reason for this is that it helps to stop the embossing powder to stick to areas you don't want it.  The chalk will dust away afterwards.

I then used four shades of Pan Pastels:  Titanium White, Hansa Yellow Tint, Orange and Black to create the light coming from the street light.  I then set the Pan Pastel with a good spray of hair spray before adding some touches of white gel pen and black fine liner pen.

Lavinia Stamps "Coven of Curiosities" New Release - Make 4

My fourth make with the new release goodies from Lavinia Stamps is a mix of older and new products.

I used a piece of patterned paper for the base of this card, using one of the new "Autumn Mist" stencils and the new "Paint Splatter" stamp with Versaine Clair Inks.

I used Versafine Clair 'Nocturne" black ink to stamp "Mini Pipin", the flowers from the "Foliage Set" and one of the birds from the new "Ravens" stamp set.

I used pastel pencils to accentuate some of the colours and white Pan Pastel through the Lavinia "White Orbs" stencil.  Finally adding touches of white gel pen, black fine liner and black Posca Pen.

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 55

Today is Day 55 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  This week is all about using the gel press.

I've used Pan Pastels on the gel plate with three stencils by Funky Fossil Designs.  The stencils I have used are:  Retro Starburst, Peony Panel and Distressed Diamonds. For this card, I have only used half of this gel plate print.

Using Verasfine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the figure and sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Serenity" stamp set.

I created a dark ground area for the figure, by using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink and the torn edge of a piece of paper.  I outlined the figure using a white gel pen. Finally adding Versafine Clair "Strawberry" to ink the edges of the card.

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 52

Today is Day 52 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  This week is all about using the gel plate.

For this background, I used Acrylic Paint as the carrier and red, blue and yellow Pan Pastels on the gel plate, with four different stencils from Funky Fossil Designs.  The stencils used on the gel plate were:  Compass, Broken Radius, Peony Panel and Retro Stars.

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the guitar heads, wings and sentiment, which are all part of the Funky Fossil "Guitar Hero" stamp set.  Finally, splattering grey and black Posca Pens to give a more grungy feel.

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge - Day 39

Today is Day 39 of Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  This week is all about using charcoal and pastels.

For my card, I started by using the "Permanant Red 340.5" Pan Pastel, blending it in an rough circle in the middle of a square shaped card.

Over the top of the red circle, I lay the Funky Fossil Designs "Buddah Stencil", securing it with a piece of tape.  I then used "Black 800.3" Pan Pastel through the stencil.  I removed the stencil and then gave the surface a waft of hairspray to set the pastels.

Using wet glue, I added Cosmic Shimmer gold gilding flakes from the bottom left hand corner to the top right. I then added splatters of white paint across the surface.

Finally, I mounted the card on to a piece of black card and then added dots of "Copper Pearl" Liquid Pearls around the gilding flakes.  I also added a few dots of gold using a gel pen too.

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 37

Today is Day 37 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge, it's the second day for the prompt of using charcoal / pastels.

Starting with a piece of white card, measuring 11x15cm, I covered the surface using "Magenta 430.5" Pan Pastel.

Then around the edges of the card I applied a darker shade of Pan Pastel, using "Violet 470.5". I then added some more "Magenta" Pan Pastel in the middle to blend in the colours a little more.

Slightly in from the left hand side, but roughly half way up, I blended a circle of "Titanium White 100.5" Pan Pastel.

Next, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black Ink, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Lupin" the hare.  I stamped the Lavinis "Star Cluster" around the white Pan Pastel area, behind the head of Lupin.  

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight to ink the edges of the card, I also used it with the Lavinia Stamps "Hill Mask" to create the landscape.

Using "Nocturne" again, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Vine Branch", a black bird from the Lavinia "Bird Collection" stamp set.  I then multi-stamped the "Small Branch" in the bottom right hand corner.

In the background and around the stamped areas, I used "Violet 470.5" Pan Pastel through the Lavinia Stamps "Feather Leaf Stencil".

I added extra details using gel pens and Posca Pens,

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 36

Today is Day 36 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  There is a new theme for the coming week of charcoal/pastels.

I started with a piece of white card, cut into a tag shape.  I covered the tag is "Diarylide Yellow - 250.3" Pan Pastel.

I then lay the Clarity Stamps "Trellis Stencil" over the top of the yellow, securing in position with a piece of masking tape.  I then applied a green coloured Pan Pastel through the stencil.  The colour is called "Chrome Ox Green 660.3". I gave the surface a good spray of hair spray to set the surface. other wise the colour would rub off.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black Ink, I stamped the Clarity "Barbara's A5 Star Flower".  I then stamped the flower heads again on to a piece of white card.  I fussy cut the flowers and stuck them over the flower heads on the tag.

Using a hole punch with white card, I punched several little cirles.  I then glued these in to position with in the background trellis, filling in areas with a black fine liner pen,

I used orange and yellow Posca Pens on the flower heads.  Finally, I mounted the tag on to a piece of white card.

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 12

It is Day 12 of Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  This second week is all about stencils.

For my Day 12, I used Pan Pastels on a gel plate with the Funky Fossil "Lots of pips" stencil to create the background pattern.

Over the top, I used Versafine Clair "Glamorous" pink ink with the Funky Fossil Designs "Urchins" stencil.

I used a Lawn Fawn greetings stamp from their "Simply Sentiments" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Glamorous" ink.  I used the same ink to ink up the edges of the card, before mounting it onto a piece of white card.

Finally, I added dots of white Ranger Enamel Accents, to the surface of the card.

Stencil Girl "Pretty as a peacock" gel plate card

I've had a play this morning, using a background I'd made on the gel plate months ago.  I really liked the look of it and I kept putting off using it for another occasion.  I decided today would be the day I used it.  I'd created it by adding orange, blue and grey Pan Pastels to make it.

I paired my lovely background with a new to me stencil, by Stencil Girl Products, called "Pretty as a peacock stencil.

I lay the stencil over the background and secured all edges with low tack tape.  I then added blobs of That's Crafty "Black Texture Paste" along the top of the tape and then dragged the straight edge of a piece of metal across the surface, repeating the process till all areas were covered.

I set aside the stencil and the piece of metal in a tub of water so that I could clean it afterwards.  If you don't do this, you'll find them hard to clean.

I set aside to dry the image and then cut it to size.  A few areas of the background had a few white areas, so I topped up the colour in those areas by using Pastel Pencils.

Lavinia Stamps "Indra" on a spray ink background

Today, I have been using my Lavinia Stamps again to create this card.

 I used Wow! Clear embossing ink and the Lavinia Stamps "Indra" the moth stamp on white card, coating the stamped image with "Wow! Angel Eyes Embossing Powder and heat set.

Over the stamped image I brushed on Pabeo Drawing Gum.  This provides a protective coating to what ever is being covered, which once dry can be rubbed off at a later date.

I then put the piece of card in my spray box and spritzed three shades of Dylusion Spray inks on to the surface.  The colours I used were London Blue, Crushed Grape and Fresh Lime.  Any ink left on the surface, I puffed away using a Tim Holtz hand puffer thing sending the ink to the edges of the card.  I set the card to one side for a couple of hours to dry while I took the dog for a walk.

Once dry, I was able to rub off the drawing gum using my finger.  This revealed the original white card base and the turquoise embossed image.

Using the same Wow! ink pad and embossing powder, I added the heat embossed Lavinia Stamps sentiment, which is called "let your spirit take flight".

In the bottom right hand corner and up part way of the right hand side, I stamped the "Vine Flourish" using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I used the same ink to edge the card too.

Next, I used the Lavinia Stamps "White Orbs stencil" with white Pan Pastels to create the idea of movement.  I dotted a white Posca Pen and a silver glitter Signo Pen for added detail to Indra and to the background.  Then mounting the card on to a piece of black card and then a white card blank.

Funky Fossil Designs "Free Spirit" on a gel plate background

I'm still in "stash busting" mode and found a gel plate background I'd made months ago, so decided to create something with it today.

If I remember correctly, I used Pan Pastels on the circular gel plate with the Funky Fossil "In the groove" stencil, which made this wonderful print.  I liked it so much, I had been putting off using it, but hey the deed is done now!

I paired the background with the horse head in the Funky Fossil Designs "Free Spirit Stamp Set", stamping the image in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink then coating it with Wow! clear embossing powder and heat setting.

I coloured the image with a green Van Goch pastel pencil.  Mounting it onto black card and then on to a card blank.  Finally adding a few black gems to the surface.

Funky Fossil "Lush Leaves" thank you card

I've been playing with Funky Fossil Design goodies today, creating this card. 

For the base, I have used a gel plate with Pan Pastels and the Funky Fossil "Lots of pips stencil.

I then used Distress Inks through the Funky Fossil "Lush Leaves stencil".

Next I filled the more empty areas with some text using the Funky Fossil "A7 vintage script" stamp with Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink.

Finally, adding a Funky Fossil "Thank you die cut sentiment".

Sweet Poppy Stencils "Blissful" on a Pan Pastel background

Up early this morning as I couldn't sleep, so had a play with Sweet Poppy Stencils making this card. 

I found a gel plate background in my stash that I had made months ago, using Pan Pastels.  I thought it had quite a rustic look to it, so I paired it with the Sweet Poppy Stencil called "Blissful" using Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze' Ink to give it a more folk art look.

Around the edge of the card, I used another Sweet Poppy Stencil called "Grid Plate" with the same ink.

I added splatters of white and black Posca Pens and then highlighted areas using a gold gel pen.