Lavinia Stamps "Nadolig Llawen Reindeer" Card

In my head this card was going to have lots of white space and minimal detail... well I got that wrong didn't I! 

I started by masking off the edges of the card using low tack tape, to ensure I kept them clean from ink.

I positioned a moon mask and then lay the Lavinia Stamps "Charming" stencil over the top, securing with a small strip of masking tape.  I used five shades of Archival Inks (Pink Peony, Violet, Cornflower Blue, Bluebird and Watering Can) through the stencil, applied with blending brushes.  I deliberately faded the strength of ink out towards the edges as I wanted the image to gently blend into the edges that had been masked off.

I used two of the Lavinia Stamps "Hill Masks" to create the landscape uisng "Watering Can" Archival ink.

I stamped "Magnus", the "Small Reindeer" and the "Nadolig Llawen" sentiment (part of the Welsh Words" stamp set) using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the trees, using the top of the trees in second generation stamping to create the impression of winter hedges on the top of the hills.

Finally, I used a white Signo gel pen to add detail to the fur on the chests of the reindeers and used a 2B pencil to ground the reindeers.

Visible Image "Snowman Jack Penguin" Christmas Card

I'm back from a night away at the caravan and couldn't get back quick enough to craft while Hubby watches the World Cup Football games. 

I started this card, by using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the penguin, part of the Visible Image "Snowman Jack" stamp set.  I then used a post-it note and stamped the penguin again, cutting out the shape of the penguin and then popping in position over the stamped image.

I used the Visible Image "Breaking Glass Stencil" with a selection of Archival Inks to create the background colour.  I started with the darkest in the middle and worked my way out, these are the colours I used Cobalt, Watering Can, Forget-me-not, Sky Blue, Pink Peony and Shadow Grey.  I coloured the edges of the card with Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" Ink.

I removed the mask from the pengin and coloured him using Derwent Inktense wate colour pencils applied with a paint brush.  I used a 2B pencil to ground the penguin.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the words.  The Brrr! was part of the "Snowman Jack" stamp set.  The "Merry Christmas" was part of another Visible Image stamp set called "Christmas Chaos.

I then mounted the image on to a white card blank.  Finally, using a Signo Silver Glitter pen, I went around all the cracked pieces of ice. I also added some sparkle to the penguin and to the edges of the card.

Penny Black "12 Days of Christmas 30-016" Card

I didn't have any firm ideas where I was going with this Christmas card.  It kind of evolved over the day. The finished card makes me smile.

I started with a white square piece of card. I used an anti static bag across the surface and stamped the "Merry Christmas" circle of text in Wow! Clear embossing ink, coated it with Wow! Super Fine Silver embossing powder and heat set.  (I have had this clear stamp set for maybe 15 years, long before I knew I might need the packaging to blog the details of the item, so apologies, I don't recall who made the set).

In the middle of the circle, I used an "ink on 3 Fade Out" ink pad to stamp the bird, which is part of the Penny Black Inc. "Twelve Days of Christmas 30-016" clear stamp set.  Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the "4 Calling Birds" sentiment, also from the same set.

I coloured the bird using Derwent Inktense Water Colour Pencils adding a little detail to the bag, hair and tail feathers using a glittery pink/purple gel pen.  This dictated the colour around the outer edge of the circle.

I opted for "Seedless Preserve" Distress Oxide Ink blending from the edge towards the text.  I felt it needed more, so I grabbed the Funky Fossil Designs "Holly Background Stencil" and used the same ink through the stencil to provide the holly detail.

As is often the case, I wasn't happy with the size of the card, so I chopped of 1/4" from each side, I felt it looked a better scale and then adhered it to a white card blank.

Visible Image "Nothing to Wear" Christmas Card

Today I'm sharing a Christmas card I made using Visible Image products.

I started on the base, using three shades of Archival Inks (Pink Peony, Cornflower Blue and Forget-me-not) through the Visible Image "Fibres" stencil.  

On a plain piece of white card, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the t-shirt, which is part of the Visible Image "Nothing to wear" stamp set.  I then die cut the t-shirt using the "Nothing to wear" die.

I stamped the penguin and the Brrr! on to the front of the t-shirt using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, the penguin and the Brrr! is part of the Visible Image Stamp set called "Snowman Jack".  I coloured the Penguin using Derwent Inktense water colour pencils.  I coloured the t-shirt itself with a wash of "Tumbled Glass" Distress Oxide Ink.

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" again, I stamped the "Merry Christmas" sentiment, which is part of the Visible Image "Christmas Chaos" stamp set.

I thought this would be a good card to give a male teen I know!

Funky Fossil "Folk Snowflake Die" Christmas Card

An early crafting make from me this morning, I am definitely feeling the Christmas spirit and I don't mean the type in a bottle!  I used a selection of  products from Funky Fossil Designs for this card.

I started by applying "Tumbled Glass" Distress Oxide Ink lightly across the surface of a square piece of white card.

I then lay the Funky Fossil "Snow Flurry Stencil" over the top of the card, holding it in place with a piece of low tack masking tape. I then applied more "Tumbled Glass" Distress Oxide Ink through the stencil using a Funky Fossil "Blending Brush". I then mounted this background on to a white card blank.

Next, I die cut two of the snowflake using the Funky Fossil " Folk Snowflake Die" (sadly this die is out of stock at the moment).

I adhered one of the die cut snowflakes centrally on to the prepared stencilled background. With the other snow flake, I added "Crystal" Stickles to the surface (applied with my finger tip) and set aside to dry.  

Using Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink, I stamped the "Silent Night" sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Festive Phrases" stamp set on a small off-cut of white card.  I then die cut the sentiment into a banner shape. I added sticky backed foam pads to the underside.

Returning to the now dry glittery snowflake, I adhered the middle and the the four central arms of the snowflake over the top of the snowflake already on the card, leaving some of the arms free to lift up a little.

I then stuck the prepared sentiment over the middle of the snowflake and added a further touch of "Crystal" stickles around the edges of the die cut.

Here's a little clip of the lovey glittery shimmer you get from the Stickles.

Frenchic "Hornblower" Mirror Frame Transformation

I've been doing another paint job using the Frenchic paint called "Hornblower" which is a dark almost navy blue colour.  This time transforming the frame of a mirror.

I placed a successful bid at my local auction house (it's actually where I used to work), on a lot called "Various Gilt Mirrors", in the photograph I could only see two, on collection there were actually five in the lot, so I was spoilt for choice which one to use.  

I decided on one that was the ideal size to be hung above the fire surround, but it did have an awful gold gilt colour to the frame, which I knew had to be worked on. I painted three coats of Frenchic "Hornblower" on to the frame and it looked so much better, however I was concerned that it looked a bit solid looking!

I delved into my crafting stash and found a little pot of Cosmic Shimmer Platinum coloured gilding wax.  On the back of the frame I tried a small area and it looked great, so using my finger I gently rubbed the wax over the decorative embossed detail of the frame and also along the surface of the raised dots.  I'm really happy with the way it now looks.  The mirror is now hanging above the fire place in the front room.

P.S.  Apologies if you are looking at the odd flooring in the front room through the mirror.  We are waiting for the carpet to be fitted and delivered.  I have my fingers crossed that it will be tomorrow

Lavinia Stamps "The Sleeping Fairy Village" Card

I've been making this card over the past couple of days.  Coming and going from it, and adding bits each time I sit at my desk.  I've called this "The Sleeping Fairy Village" using a fabulous selection of Lavinia Stamps goodies.

I started off this with a sheet of the Lavinia Dream Scape papers, which is a pad of 8x8" gorgeous papers of 10 wonderful designs.

I decided to darker the edges of the top third of the card using Lavinia Element Ink "Violet Chalk. Using the star from the "Sticker Stencils 2" set, I coloured in the star using white and yellow Pan Pastels. 

Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I then stamped the three houses:  Bayleaf Cottage, Honeysuckle Cottage and Toad Lodge, then I stamped the path in front of the large cottage.  

Masking off the cottages and using the same ink, I stamped the three trees:  Tree of Courage, Tree of Hope and Birch Tree.

I coloured the image using Derwent Inktense water colour pencils and Van Goch Pastel Pencils.

In the foreground, I used the Lavinia "Small Branch" stamp and the "Foliage Stamp" in Versafine clair "Acorn" brown ink.  

I added detail to the image using Posca Pens, Gel Pens and glitter pens.

Finally, I used the Lavinia Stamps "White Orbs" stencil with white Pan Pastels to create more orbs in the sky.