Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Take The Scenic Route TE68" flower card

I like to have a couple of cards "ready to go" in my cupboard.  What I mean by that is I can add any sentiment quickly and get it in the post.  It could be sympathy, get well, belated birthday or a ...just because card.  This is one of those cards.

For this clean and simple card, I have used Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink to stamp the flower, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Take The Scenic Route TE68" stamp set and the circle whichi is part of the Tracy Evans "Embrace Nature TE71" stamp set.

Lavinia Stamps "Stag LAV218" at sun rise

For this card, I have re-visited some of my older Lavinia Stamps to create this card "Stag at runrise".

Starting with a white piece of card approx 4x5 inches, I decided where I wanted the sunrise to be (top right hand corner).  I then colloured the card with Distress Oxide Inks, leaving a small area white for the sun, I started with Antique Linen then Dried Marigold, making the colour heavier to the left hand side.

I used the torn edge of a piece of paper to create the mountains and then used more Dried Marigold and a hint of Tea Dye Distress Oxide Inks.  I then moved on to the next colour which was Brushed Corduroy with a hind of Black Soot Distress Oxide Ink.

I then stamped the Lavinia Stamps stag (LAV218) using Versafine Clair "Sand Dune", a light brown ink. I positioned a piece of paper across where the stag legs would be to use as a mask, then I stamped the stag three times to get the depth of colour I wanted. I then used Dried Marigold Distress Oxide Ink to stamp the Lavinia Stamps "Tree Scene LAV219" to suggest a break from a field to a forest in the distance.

Next, I used Brushed. Corduroy to stamp the Lavinia "Small Branch LAV703"around the stag and to the edges of the card.

For the bottom area of the card, I used "Frayed Burlap" Distress Oxide Ink with a blending brush.  Then used the same ink to stamp the Lavinia Stamps "Meadow Grass LAV387" in the foreground.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Berries TE55" Brusho Panel Artist Trading Card

 

I save the smallest pieces of card, that I think "may come in handy" for a future project.  The central panel Brusho paint panel of this Artist Trading Card is one of those pieces - beautiful colours, small, but too good to ditch.  It was an ideal size for an Artist Trading Card (ATC) though.

I used glue tape to secure the Brusho panel in position, then used Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink to stamp the word "Berries" , the berry branch and the decorative dotty edge, all are part of the Tracy Evans "Berries" stamp set.

I added colour to the berries using a red and an orange Posca Pens, using a white gel pen for highliths.  I used two shades of green Van Goch Pastel Pencils to ground the berry branch too.

Fountain Pen Flowers Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day, I doodled some flowers on to a white card using blue Quink Ink in my fountain pen.  In hindsight, looking at the ATC, I think they look similar to a design by Tracey Dutton of Lavinia Stamps, but it was nice to have a totally clear mind while I drew. 

Finally, I added a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "embrace beautiful chaos".

A Crafting Niche "52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2026 - Week 42

 

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 42 is "Sunrise / Sunsetl"

It's hard to believe that there is only another ten weeks of the 2026 challenge left.  This year has certainly flown by.

Just over the bridge on the main land from Anglesey is Lake Padarn, in Llanberis.  On the lake is what is known locally as the "Lonely Tree".  It is photographed often and although I have never seen it in real life, feel that I know it well. I have made this interpretation of it at sunrise.

With a plain white tag I loosely drew the scene using an HB pencil.  I then coloured the scene using Faber Castell soft pastels, which I reckon must be about twenty years old, but are still going strong!  I also used a white pastel pencil too.

For the tree, I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the Lavinia Stamps "Tree Branch".  I extended the image for the rocks using a black fine liner pen, also using black and grey pastels too

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Framed Delights TE58" Anniversary Card

A clean and simple anniversary card using the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Framed Delights Te58" stamp set for the branch wreath stamped in Versafine Clair Acorn and Pinecone brown ink. I then used a cotton bud with "Avocado" green Versafine Clair ink to create the leaves.

I used the birds from the Tracy Evans Botuique Designs "A Myriad Of Designs TE44" stamp set with Versafine Clair "Pinecone", a dark brown ink.  I used the same ink to stamp the anniversary greeting which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Stripped Back Sentiment" stamp set.

Finally, I added the hearts, which are part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Quirky Birds TE10" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Baby Pink" ink.

Blowing in the wind - a pen and ink wash scene

 

I had a very informal play with a pen, ink and wash, creating this scene which I call "Blowing in the wint".  I used a blue Quink Ink with a faountain pen to draw the flowers, then used a mop paint brush loaded with water to allow the water to run, adding a touch of green using "Evergreen Bough" Distress Oxide Ink and white Posca pen for the flowers then used a heat gun to dry the surface.