52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge

Monday 27 March 2023

Funky Fossil Designs "Tree Rings" Card



Another card from me today, I really am on a roll! I've used a selection of Funky Fossil goodies to make this card. 

Starting with the Funky Fossil "Tree Rings" stamp, I stamped it in second generation stamping using Versafine Clair "Pinecone" dark brown ink.

I then stamped the ferns using the Funky Fossil "Ferns" stamp set with Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink.

I coloured the background, using two shades of Distress Oxide Inks:  Tatterered Rose and Antique Linen.

I used the Funky Fossil "Happy Words stamp set" for the sentiment, again stamped in "Shady Lane".

Finally, I added touches of metallic gold pen and splatters of a Posca Pen.


Funky Fossil Designs "Architectural" Birthday Card



Another card created today, which is quite a contrast to the previous one.  I have used a selection of products from Funky Fossil Designs for this card.

I started by using Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink to stamp and then heat emboss using Wow! Clear Embossing Powder the architectural drawing.

I then used the Funky Fossil "Brick Wall" stencil with two shades of Distress Oxide inks:  Tea Dye and Antique Linen through the stencil.

Finally, I stamped the sentiments, using two stamp sets from Funky Fossil:  Small Print and Small Print 2 in Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink.

Visible Image "Nuts About Squirrels" Birthday Card



I apologise for my absence, I've been away on holiday for a fortnight, so today I am back to my crafting, catching up on Birthday cards that are needed for the next couple of weeks.

Our Grand Son will be five in a week or so.  As he gets very excited to see the red squirrels visit our garden, it seemed only right to pop one on his birthday card.

I've used two Visibiel Image stamp sets for this card.  "Nuts about squirrels" and "Totally Toadstools".  I also used the Visible Image "Supernova" stencil.



I used a selection of Versafine Clair ink pads to stamp the images.



I used a selection of Distress Oxide Inks to create the coloured background.



To colour the stamped images, I used Derwent Inktense Water Colour Pencils, I added further details using Van Goch Pastel Pencils and a white gel pen.

Finally, for the sentiment, I used a Lawn Fawn stamp from their "Simply Sentiments" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

Wednesday 8 March 2023

Funky Fossil "Cellular Stencil" Get Well Soon Card



One of our best friends has been waiting to have an operation on his brain for over eighteen months.  Due to various reasons, the operation has been cancelled and postponed but yesterday he was operated on.

We heard today, that the operation went well and that he should be out of hospital in a day or so once the drain has been removed - such a huge relief as he has known about the cyst on his brain for about four years and it has obviously been weighing heavy on the whole family.

He is a big fan of the lemon cake that I make, so this evening I made him a cake, I also bought him his favourite biscuits:  Fig Rolls and Chocolate Hobnobs, so the card was the last thing to make ready to give him when he gets home.  Hubby will be collecting him from Liverpool tomorrow/Thursday.

It's a simple card.  I used Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink, coated in Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set the Waffle Flower sentiment.

I used a circle mask and over the top lay the Funky Fossil Designs "Cellular Stencil" over the top, then applied three shades of Distress Oxide Inks through the stencil:  Peacock Feathers, Tumbled Glass and Cracked Pistachio.

Finally, I added three Funky Fossil Enamel Dots to the bottom edge of the inked area.

Sunday 5 March 2023

Lavinia Stamps "Rose Wreath" Card



I'm still playing with the new Lavinia Stamps.  I seem to be swinging from one busy card, to a quieter design.  With this card, I have used a selection of old and new stamps. 

To make this card, I started by stamping the wreath, using Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink to stamp the left and right "Wreath Flourish Stamps". I then coloured the leaves, by painting with Derwent Inktense water colour pencils.

I then filled in the cetral wreath area using "Coffee" Archival Ink through the new Lavinia "Waffle Stencil" with a very small stencil brush.

Next I used the new Lavinia "Rose Set" for the roses, stamping in Versafine Clair "Chianti" which is a dark red ink.  I then coloured the roses using Derwent Inktense Water Colour Pencils, applied with a brush.

I decided more foliage was needed, so added some using the Lavinia "Flower Collection" and "Foliage Set" stamped in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" and "Acorn" ink. I added touches of gel pen to replicate tiny flowers.

Finally, I stamped the "Just For You" sentiment, which is part of the Lavinia "Heartfelt Verse" stamp set, stamping in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.


Lavinia Stamps "Tick and The Crows" Card



I'm still playing with my new Lavinia goodies, this time just stamping on a Brusho background. 

I rummaged through my stash of prepared backgrounds and came across a Brusho piece.  I've no idea what powders I used or when I made it, so it seemed a good time to use it for this background.

I stamped the Lavinia Stamps new "Tick" time piece in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, then stamped it again on a Post it note.  I fussy cut the post it and placed the mask over the top of the clock on the Brusho background.

I then stamped the new "Texture 1" and "Texture 2" stamps in Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink.

Next, I stamped the text using Versafine Clair "Blue Belle" a mid blue coloured ink to stamp the "Steampunk Script". Then removed the mask.

I decided an older Lavinia stamp set called "The Crow Set" would be an ideal pairing for this, so stamped two of the crows, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

I wasn't happy with the feet of the lower crow, so added three roses using the new Lavinia "Rose Set", stamped in two shades of Versafine Clair ink:  Tulip Red and Morning Mist.

Now I started the finer detail.  I used a metallic gold pen for the edge of the time piece.  I used Derwent Inktense red pencil for the roses, adding touches of red Posca Pen and then further detail on the roses with a white gel pen. I used the same pen to add detail to the crows too.

Finally, in the bottom right hand corner, I added "Time Flies" which is the name of a new Lavinia sentiment stamp set, stamped in Versaine Clair "Twilight".  I then inked the edges of the card in Twilight ink and mounted the card on to dark blue card and a white card blank.

Saturday 4 March 2023

Lavinia Stamps "Tock" Retirement Card



A clean and simple card featuring the timepiece from the new Lavinia Stamps steampunk collection and two of their new stencils to make this retirement card.

I started by dusting the card with an anti-static bag, then using Wow! Clear embossing ink to stamp "Tock" the pocket watch.  I coated the stamped image in Wow! Rich Gold Super Fine embossing powder then heat set.

While the watch was cooling, I stamped another pocket watch on to a post it note, fussy cutting the image to create a mask.

I positioned the mask over the heat embossed pocket watch image, then secured the new Lavinia Stamps "Filigree Stencil" over the card using a piece of low tack tape.  I then applied "Garden Patina" Archival Ink through the stencil lightly, keeping relatively close to the bottom right hand corner of the card.

I removed the Filigree stencil then positioned the Lavinia "Red Brick Stencil" in the same way.  This time using "Shadow Grey" Archival Ink through the stencil.

Removind the stencil and the mask, I coloured the face of the pocket watch using "Antique Linen" Distress Oxide Ink to give it a more vintage look.  Using a black pastel pencil, I created a slight shadow on the bottom right of the card.

I couldn't fine a suitable Lavinia retirement sentiment in my stash, so chose one by Clarity Stamps, which is part of their "Entwined Sentiments" stamp set.  I used Wow! Clear Embossing Ink and once again the Wow! Rich Gold Embossing powder and heat set the sentiment.

I decided the card needed something else, so I dug out some metallic paint, popped a blob onto my mat and added a littel water, this was enough to make the consistency right to splatter droplents of the gold paint from a fan shaped paint brush on to the card.  Once the paint was dry, I mounted the card on to a piece of gold card then on to a kraft card blank.

Lavinia Stamps "Winged Heart" Steampunk card



Today, I received delivery of my new Lavinia Stamps goodies.  A few days ago, they released eleven new stencils and twenty-three new stamp sets.  The stamps are on a steampunk theme.  The stencil designs are fabulous and I'm sure they will be appearing in lots of my future makes.

Here's a short video clip of the card, as the photograph doesn't really show the clear embossing of the cogs to the side of the wings.



On a gel plate, I brayered Lime Punch and Bermuda Elements Inks.  Using a fan paint brush, I splattered some water on to the plate.  I then added some "Confetti" elements inks to my glass mat, added a little water then used the fan paint brush to splatter coloured droplets of water on to the plate.  I popped a piece of white card on to the gel plate, smoothing the surface of the card so that it had full contact with the gel plate, then lifted the card to reveal the image.



I used the heat gun to dry the surface of the card, then cut the piece of card down to size as it was an odd shape.

I stamped the text in the middle of the card using the Lavinia Stamps "Steampunk Script" stamp with Versafine Clair "Charming Pink' ink.

I used the new Lavinia Stamps "Honeycomb Stencil" with "Pink Peony" Archival Ink in a few areas around the text. I then used another new stencil called "Waffle" with "Vibrant Fuchsia" and "Plum" Archival Ink in other areas.


Next I stamped the central "Small Heart" over the text using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, to get my placement for the wings.  I then coated an off-cut of card in "Peat Moss" Archival ink, ran an antistatic bag across the surface, then stamped the heart using Wow! Clear Embossing Ink Pad, I then coated the image with "Wow! Rich Gold Super Fine" embossing powder and heat set.  Once cooled, I fussy cut the heart, edging the heart with Versafine Clair "Charming Pink" ink and set to one side.

Returning to the card itself, I used Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink to stamp the "Angel Wings Large", I quickly coated the stamped wings with Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set.

I dusted the surface of the card with an anti-static bag again then usine Wow! Clear Embossing Ink and Wow! Clear Embossing Powder I stamped and heat set the cogs, from the "Cog Set 2" stamp set.

Using Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink, I stamped the numer 4, which is part of the Lavinia "Numbers" stamp set.

I edged the card with Versafine Clair "Charming Pink" ink then a very thin edge of Versafine Clair "Glarmorous" pink ink.  I then adhered on to pink card and then on to a white card blank.

I added some touches of metallic gold to the wings using a gel pen. then added a few dots of glue to stick the chain in to position.  Returning to the heat embossed heart, I added some foam pads to the background and adhered over the grey stamped image of the heart.

Lavinia Stamps Dancing Mice Birthday Card



This morning I made a card for a young lady that used to live across the road from us, but moved house recently.  She would be out in the garden in the summer dancing and singing like nobody was listening, she also attends dance school, so I thought these dancing mice would appeal to her.

In the background of this card, I have used the Lavinia Stamps "Dynamic Stencil" with three shades of Archival Inks:  Pink Peony, Violet and Watering Can.

I used the Lavinia Stamps "Hill Mask" with Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to create the ground that the mice dance upon.

I used two of the Lavinia Stamps mice stamp sets, the "Minnie and Moo" set and the "Tilly and Tango" stamp set, both stamped in Versafine Clair "Monarch" Purple ink.

The sentiment by Hobby Art Ltd, part of their "General Greetings CS016D" is also stamped in Monarch.

Finally, I used a 2B pencil to draw in grass and added some flowers using a pink and a silver gel pen.

Friday 3 March 2023

Clarity Stamp "Leafy Swirl" Stencilled Card



Another quieter card, this time using Clarity Stamp products.

This card was a really quick make.  I used two shades of Clarity "Artistry Inks":  Wedgewood Green and "Fancy Fuchsia" through the Clarity "Leafy Swirls" stencil.

I used Wow! Clear Embossing Ink to stamp the anniversary sentiment, which is part of the Clarity "Entwined Sentiments" stamp set, coated in Wow! Silver Embossing Powder and heat set.  I then mounted the piece on white and then on a green card blank.

Funky Fossil Designs "Queen Bee" mixed media card



I've gone from a clean and simple card to a very busy mixed media style card in one day! 

I found a spray ink background in yellows and greens in my stash, so decided to use it as it's been in the file for ages.  I cut it to size then used a selection of products from Funky Fossil Designs to create this random piece of work.

I started with the Funky Fossil "Tie Dye Stencil" with two shades of Archival Inks:  Garden Patina and Blue Bird, fading the colours out to the edges.

Next, I used the Funky Fossil "Slimline Brick Wall Upright Stencil" with "Shadow Grey" Archival Ink around the edges of the card.

I then used the Funky Fossil "Vintage Script" stamp with "Warm Breeze" Versafine Clair ink over the brick wall stencilled area.

I then used another stencil called "Radius" with "Violet" Archival Ink, in several areas going off the edge.

I rubbed an anti-static bag over the surface of the card, then using Wow! Clear embossing ink I stamped the foliage wreath, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Queen Bee" stamp set.  I coated the ink with Wow! Opaque, Bright White Embossing Powder and then heat set.

I then stamped the crown (also part of the Queen Bee stamp set) in Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink, coated it with Wow! Clear embossing powder and heat set.I repeated the process with the sentiment in the middle of the card.

I inked the edges of the card using Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink.  Added a few white dots of Posca Pen around the wreath then mounted the card onto a white piece of card.  Finally, adding dots of Ranger Glossy Accents and sticky pearl gems to the crown.

Lavinia Stamps "Midnight Meandering" Easter Card



Today I've played with one of my older Lavinia Stamps to make this Easter card. 

I didn't have an oval stencil, so made one myself by die cutting an oval in a piece of card to use as a stencil.

I used a selection of colours of Archival Inks (Pink Peony, Vivid Chartreuse, Chrome Yellow, Shadow Grey and Cornflower Blue) through the stencil to create the impression of Easter Eggs.

I stamped the bunnies, a Lavinia Stamp called "Midnight Meandering" with Versafine Clair "Acorn" Brown ink.

I stamped the foliage in the background using the Lavinia Stamps "Foliage Set" with two shades of Versafine Clair ink:  Shady Lane and Verdant.

I used a Derwent Inktense pencil to add extra green below the bunnies and used a gel and Posca pen to add extra deail like the flowers.

Wednesday 1 March 2023

Clarity Stamps "Wild Flower Spray Stencil" card



A softer more feminine looking card from me this time using a stencil. 

I found a background in my stash that I'd made some months ago using a selection of colours of Distress Oxide inks.  I'd splattered water from a fan paint brush to ge the bleached dots look and the background was just waiting to be used.

I decided to pair the background with a Clarity Stamps stencil called "Wild Flower Spray". I used low tack tape to secure the stencil over the background then used three shades of Versafine Clair inks (Charming Pink, Shady Lane and Warm Breeze) through the stencil.  I then moved the stencil and filled in a few empty spaces with more detail.

After lifting the stencil, I added extra detail to the flowers and foliage by using Van Goch Pastel Pencils, gel pens and a 2B pencil.

I stamped the sentiment by Simon Says Stamp (part of their "Tiny Words - Birthday" stamp set) using Versafine Clair "Charming Pink" ink.  I used the same ink to edge the card using a finger dabber.

Darkroom Door "African Trees" Birthday Card



Once again, I am back after a few days away and decided I needed to get a wiggle on and get a card made for next Monday. As you can see from the photo below, the first attempt didn't go to plan as I forgot to use acetate to stamp the reflections, so had to start again! 



It just goes to show that it doesn't matter how experienced you are, mistakes are still made.  I did try to rescue the top half of the card, by cutting it in half.  It didn't look right so it got binned.

So to make this card, I used the Sweet Poppy "Aperture Circle Stencil" over a piece of square white card, held into place with a piece of low tack tape.

Within the circle I used the following Element Inks in the order typed (so lighter first, finishing in the darker shade):  Sundance, Russet Orange, Confetti, Emperor Red and Mulberry.

Keeping the stencil in position, I lay a piece of low tack tape slightly about the central line.

Using the tree and giraffe from the Backroom Door "African Trees" stamp set, I stamped the tree image in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink on to a piece of acetate.  I then pressed the inked image on the acetate below the line of tape.  I repeated the process for the other tree and for the giraffe.

Removing the tape along the middle of the card, I then stamped the trees and the giraffe slightly higher than where the central line of tape had been, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink.

Using a torn piece of copy paper and a finger dabber with Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I created the landscape, making the area at the bottom lighter (where the land would be reflected).

I added a touch of extra pink and yellow to the sky using Van Goch Pastel Pencils.

Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink and a sentiment from the Lawn Fawn "Simply Sentiments" stamp set, I stamped the Happy Birthday, then mounted the card on to red card and then a white card blank.