52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 38

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 38 is "Engineering/cogs"

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For my Week 38 - "Engineering/cogs", I used a cream coloured tag for the base.  Stamping the Funky Fossil Designs engine, part of their "Engine Room" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink.  I then coated the ink with Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set the image.

Next, I used Versafine Clair "Sand Dune" ink through the Funky Fossil "Mechanical" and "Micro Dots" stencils.

I then used Versafine Clair "Pine Cone" brown ink through the "In the air" stencil for the birds. I edged the tag in Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink, using the same ink through the diamond section of the Funky Fossil "Make your mark III" stencil.

Finally, I used a Posca Pen to make black paint splatters across the surface of the tag and then mounted the tag on to a piece of co-ordinating card.

Lavinia Stamps "Penblwyd Hapus" card

I used a part sheet of the Lavinia Stamps "Dream-Scapes" patterned paper as the base of this card.

I used several Versafine Clair inks to create the wreath, using some of the Lavinia "Mini" stamps and the new "Magical Mist" stamp. The colours I used were:  Monarch, Purple Delight, Hawthorn Rose and Verdant.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the "Penblwyd Hapus" sentiment, a bird and the black cat called "Witches Cat".

I used a white gel pen to add highlights to the leaves and a silver glitter pen to add little dots around the wreath and the background.

I mounted the piece on to coloured card and then on to a white card blank.  Finally, I added dots of two shades of Liquid Pearls, using "Silver Pearl" and "Avocado" and set aside to dry.

Lavinia Stamps "Blue Moon" Witches Card

I've surprised myself, a third card in one day!  This was supposed to be a birthday card, but Hubby reckons it's "a bit dark" for a birthday card, so I will make another one.

For this card, I started off with a white piece of square card and stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Tree of courage" and "Tree of hope" using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

I popped a moon mask in postion then used Lavinia "Sundance" Elements Ink with a blending brush within the tree area.  At the base of the tree, I used "Lime Punch" Element Ink to add more of a green tinge.

Next, I used a further three Element inks, around the edge using Dark Denim, Violet Chalk and Midnight Blue colours in that order.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the three witches, which are part of the Lavinia Stamps "Blue Moon" stamp set.

I used Derwent Inktense pencils with a paint brush to colour the tree trunk and to add some background foliage and green shadows.

I then used a white gel pen and a black fine liner pen to add highlights and low lights to the tree areas.  I also used the black fine liner pen to add extra shadow.

Finally, removing the moon mask, I used "Antique Linen" Distress Oxide Ink to colour in the moon with a blending brush.

"Life is a mixtape" Male Birthday Card

Two cards in one day!  I must be on a roll!  Our friend celebrates his birthday next week, so I needed to get a card made.

This was super quick to make, I used two patterned papers from the Funky Fossil "Turn it up" patterned paper pad. for the base.

I then used Versafine Clair "Pine Cone" dark brown ink to stamp he central detail and the sentiment, both are from the Funky Fossil stamp set called "Press Play".

I used a Derwent Inktense pale blue pencil to colour the tape. I then stamped "Celebrate" on it using a sentiment from the Funky Fossil Designs "Small Print" stamp set and Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

Finally, I added four colours of Posca Pen splatters using Black, White, Red and Aqua Green colours.  I edged the card in Versafine Clair "Pine Cone" dark brown ink to get a more grunge look, then mounted it on to a brown card and then a red card blank.

Engagement Card (inspired by Manja Nelan)

We received some wonderful news a few days back, that our younger son and his girl are now engaged.  We are absolutely thrillled for them.

I am really not in crafting mode at the moment, due to packing up for a house move.  My crafting mojo seems to have been replaced by all things moving!  So I was really struggling with ideas for a card to make.

I remembered seeing a card on the Lavinia Stamps facebook group that I thought was very clever, so I searched for it and found the one I was looking for, it was by Manja Nelan from 2021, so I decided to give it a go.  The card above is inspired by Manja's card.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the two Lavinia Stamps trees, they're called "Tree of courage" and "Tree of hope".

I then found my Visible Image "Love is love" stamp set, with two profiles.  I stamped them on to a piece of card and then fussy cut the face profiles. I used a pencil to lightly draw around the profiles on the edge of each tree.  I then used the central area between the stamped face image as a stencil, colouring and blending the face with "Fern Green" Ranger Archival Ink.  I've shown a photo of what I mean.

I used the same ink with a blending brush and a Lavinia Stamps "Hill Mask" to create the land that the trees are based on.

Next, I used a fine liner black pen to add extra branches to fill in the empty areas of the faces. I  then used a brown Derwent Inktense pencil with a paint brush to colour the tree trunk and some of the thicker branches. I added gold coloured dots within the tree branches too.

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink I stamped the word "love" between the foreheads, using part of one of the "Heartfelt Verse" sentiment stamps from Lavinia Stamps.  I used the same ink to stamp the word "Congratulations" which is part of a Clarity Stamps stamp set called "Entwined Sentiments".  I mounted the card on to a piece of dark green card and then on to a 8x8" card blank.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 37

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 37 is "Rays of light"

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For my Week 37 - "Rays of light", I started by stamping Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to stamp the Penny Black  wood mounted "Cala Lillies 282K" stamp" image.

I placed the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Rays Stencil THS003" over the top of the tag and used two shades of Ranger Archival Inks, using "Shadow Grey" and "Sky Blue" colours.

I coloured the stamped image in using Derwent Inktense Pencils, applied with a paint brush.  The colours that I used were Lemon, Spring Green, Applie Greenm and Malibu.

I added extra detail using a 2B pencil, a Gelly Roll pen called "Clear Star" to give a subtle shimmer and a few dots of white Ranger Enamel Accents.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 36

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 36 is "How do you relax?"

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For my Week 36 - "How do you relax"? I started with a piece of patterned paper with a shades of cream and beige zig zag pattern, which I stuck on to a plain tag.

I then used Ranger Archival Inks through the Funky Fossil Designs "Chatty Cups Stencil".  The ink colours I used were Thistle, Tiger Lily, Coffee, Poppy and Vibrant Fuschia.  I also used Vibrant Fuschia to ink the edges of the tag to brighten it a little.  

I used a stamp from the Funky Fossil Designs "Coffee & Friends" stamp set to multi stamp the definition, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  I then mounted the tag on to a piece of dark brown card and trimmed the edges.

Over a piece of plain white card, I lay the Funky Fossil "Coffee Cup Stencil" and coloured it in using some orange ink that was left on my blending brush for the right hand side and then used "Pebble Beach" Ranger Archival Ink for the left hand side, blending towards the middle so that the colour was very light down the middle of the cup.  I then fussy cut the cup and inked the edges of it using "Pebble Beach" ink again.

I used Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink to stamp the sentiment on to the cup.  The sentiment is also part of the Funky Fossil stamp set called "Coffee and Friends".  I then used foam pads on the back of the coffee cup to stick it to the tag.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 35

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 35 is "Underwater"

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For my Week 35 - "Underwater", I started with a white tag, I added stripes of diferent Washi Tape till the surface was covered.  I then popped it in a Crafters Companion embossing folder with a water/wave design, sorry I have no idea of the name of the folder.  

Over the ridges of the waves, I rubbed Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" turquoise coloured ink pad, which created a textured background.

Then on white card, I stamped the fish.  I used Versafine Clair "Chariming Pink" ink on the Lavinia stamps fish called "Arlo".  I used Versafine Clair "Summertime" orange ink for the Lavinia Stamps fish called "Flo" and for one of the fish in their "Fish Set".

I fussy cut the fish, adding Posca Pen and a "Wink of Stella" to give a lovely gold shimmer. I used wet glue to fix them on to the tag, but put a foam pad behind the tail of the pink fish to make it appear more 3D.

On a piece of white card, I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the "Deeper than the oceans" sentiment by Lavinia Stamps.  Once dry, I cut the sentiment up in to separate words.  Adding a rough black outline around each word using a black Fine Line pen, then stuck into position.

Finally, I added pearls, sequins, clear beads and touches of Range "Glossy Accents" to add extra detail and sparkle to the surface of the tag.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 34

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 34 is "Hot Colours"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 34, with a prompt of "Hot Colours". Starting with a white tag, I secured the Clarity Stamps "Squiggly Round Stencil" over to the left side of the tag using low tack tape.

Then I graduated four shades of Ranger Archival Inks, using blending brushes from left to right.  The colours I have used are Carnation Red, Cactus Flower, Tiger Lily and Buttercup.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the Clarity Stamps sentiment (part of their "Quotes Set 1 - One Day At A Time" stamp set), in the middle of the tag.

Finally, I mounted the tag on to red card and then added three dots of black Ranger Enamel Accents.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 33

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 33 is "Kraft"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 33. Starting with a kraft card tag base, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Logan" hare using Versafine Clair "Pinecone" brown ink.

I then used the Lavinia Stamps "Waffle" stencil with "Bundled Sage" Distress Oxide Ink around the hare.  

I inked the edges of the tag and then brought the colour in around the hare using Versafine Clair "Pine Cone" brown ink using a finger dabber.

I masked off the hare and added black and white splatters of Posca Pens.  Then added colour to the hare using Derwent Inktense pencils.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 32

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 32 is "Fruit"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 32. Starting with a piece of white card cut into a tag shape, I used three shades of Ranger Archival Inks (Prickly Pear, Vivid Chartreuse and Poppy) through the Funky Fossil Designs stencil called "An apple a day" to create the background design.  

Using an apple stamp from a magazine, I stamped the half apple on to a piece of white card, using Versafine Clair "Avocado" green ink.  I then added extra colour using Derwent Inktense pencils.  I then die cut the apple into a circle shape and used the remainder of the Archival Ink from my blending brush to add a very slight green border to the circle.  I used sticky backed foam pads to stick the circle on to the tag.

I used the computer and printer for the "An apple a day..." sentiment, cutting it out and using double sided sticky tape to stick it to the tag.  Finally, I mounted the tag on to a piece of co-ordinating card and added some touches of 2B pencil to the apples.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 31

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 31 is "Tropical"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 31 "Tropical".  Starting with a plain white tag I used the Funky Fossil Designs stencil called "Tropical Leaves" with "Twisted Citron" and "Mowed Lawn".  I then used another Funky Fossil stencil called "Tropical" with "Rustic Wilderness" Distress Oxide ink.  The little gaps of white between the leaves, I coloured with a blue Derwent Inktense pencil.

On pieces of white card, I used a Globeland leaf stamp to stamp a couple of different leaf shapes,  I coloured them with Derwent Inktense pencils then die cut them.

I then moved on to the toucan, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Toucan Talk" stamp set, stamping the bird on to the tag and also on to a piece of white card using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.

I then coloured the bird image that I had stamped on white card, using Posca Pens, then fussy cut the shape and stuck over the bird image on the tag.

I used Derwent Inktense pencils to draw and colour a branch for the toucan to be standing on.

Next, I inked the edges of the tag, using Versafine Clair "Rain Forest" dark green ink, then mounted the tag on to a piece of blue card to match the blue of the Toucan.

Finally, I inked the edges of the die cut leaves, again using Versafine Clair "Rain Forest" dark green ink and then arranged and then glued the leaves into positiion on the tag, leaving a couple of the leaves raised for dimension.

Patterned Paper and MDF Collage Card

I've made another collage card, using up some off cuts of patterned papers from two Funky Fossil Designs paper packs "Textures" and "Patina.

I've also used three MDF shapes.  I used a white Posca Pen to paint the arrow.  

Considering these are all scraps of paper, it makes quite an impact!

Funky Fossil "Skeleton Leaf" Birthday Card

This morning, I took delivery of a small order from Funky Fossil Designs, in it was a "Skeleton Leaf stencil" which I loved the look of, so had to try it out immediately, making this card.

To make this card, I lay the new Funky Fossil "Skeleton Leaf Stencil" over a piece of white card and used three shades of Ranger Archival ink through the stencil.  Starting with "Seagrass", then moving out to "Paradise Teal" and then finally on the very edge of the leaf I used "Night Sky".

Lifting the stencil, I then used the "Sea Grass" and "Paradise Teal" to colour the card between the leaf and the edge of the card.

Next, using Versafine Clair "Arctic" blue ink, I multi stamped some text from the Funky Fossil "Musings Stamp set" around the edge of the leaf.  I then inked the edges of the card using Versafine Clair "Medieaval Blue" ink.

I used the flowers from the Funky Fossil "In The Meadow" stamp set, stamped in first and second generation stamping with Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink.  I then used the same ink to stamp the sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Stripped Back Sentiment" stamp set.

I added a touch of colour to the butterflies, also part of the "In the meadow" stamp set, using a Derwent Inktense pencil.  Finally adding some white splatters of Posca Pen.

Funky Fossil Designs "In the neighbourhood" new home card

For the last couple of years, our friends, who were once our neighbours and are greatly missed, have been building their own house.  This week they eventually moved in, so this is a card I have made for them.

In the background I used "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil Designs "In the neighbourhood stencil.'

Then using the Funky Fossil Designs "Honeycomb Heart Die Set" I cut one layer in green, with the leaves.  I then used the same die in white, cut off the leaves and glued over the green heart, leaving the leaves exposed.

Using the same die set, I then cut the inner honeycomb area in yellow card and glued into position over the white area.  I then glued the whole heart into position overthe stencilled background. Mounted the card on to grey card and then on to a white card blank.

I then die cut the house and the word home in grey card, using another Funky Fossil die set.  Sorry, I don't know what it's called and I can't locate it on their web site either, so likely retired and glued into position.

I returned to the "Honeycomb Heart die set" and die cut a couple of bees in yellow card.  I used a black Posca Pen to add stripes and a gold shimmer gel pen on the wing area, then glued into position on the card using a wet glue.

Funky Fossil "Sending Hugs" Card

Our pets mean so much to most of us and it is heart breaking when you eventually have to make the decision to say that last goodbye, but it's the one final kindness we can offer them, to ease their pain, when our pain at losing them goes on for what seems forever.

Sadly, my friend has booked the vet to have her old dog and loyal friend put to sleep tomorrow.  He was a rescue dog and has had such a lovely life with my friends.  Today, I am invited to go to visit Marco for the final time, to see his tail wag, to sit on the floor with him and show him I care.  I will miss that boy so much.

Anyway, I made this card for my friends.  I used Archival Ink left on my blending brushes through the Funky Fossil Designs "Pawprint Background" stencil.

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the "Sending Hugs" sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Stripped Back Sentiments" stamp set.

Funky Fossil "In the meadow" friendship card

When you can't sleep, craft!  That's me at the moment, it's not yet 3am and I've been awake for hours, so decided to come down and play with some ink, stamps and stencils.

For this card, I've used three stencils by Funky Fossil Designs and a couple of their stamp sets.

I started with two shades of Ranger Archival Inks (Sea Grass and Garden Patina), through the Funky Fossil "In the flow" stencil.

Next I used "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil "Large Polka Dot" stencil.

I then used "Fern Green" Ranger Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil "Leaves in the breeze" stencil, keeping the main design in the bottom left hand corner and fading out towards the right.

I then used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the flowers, which are part of the Funky Fossil "In the meadow" stamp set and also the friendship sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Small Print 2" stamp set.

Finally, after mounting the card on to a piece of navy coloured paper and then on to a card blank, I added some silver glitter gel pen to areas of the flowers and background dots.

Funky Fossil "Classic Trimmings" Christmas Tag

As usual, when I get back from the caravan, I have to have a play with stamps and inks.  Today I made this Christmas gift tag.

I started with a blank tag and added horizontal strips of washi tape in a plaid design.  The tape is from the Funky Fossil set called "Timeless Traditions Trio Washi Tape".  I then sanded the surface to dull it.

Next, I went around the edge of the tag and drew vertical lines (on the left hand side), using a gold gel pen. I then used the Funky Fossil "A7 Face the music" stamp set to stamp music notes, stamped in "Jet Black" Archival Ink.

On an off cut of white card, I used a Wow! Clear Embossing Pad to stamp the ornament shapes.  The ornaments are part of the Funky Fossil "Classic Trimmings" stamp set.  I then coated the stamped image in Wow! Rich Gold Embossing Powder and heat set.  I coloured the ornaments and then fussy cut them, gluing them into position on the tag.

Finally, using Versafine Clair 'Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Christmas Small Print" stamp set, cut it down and edged it in a gold gel pen.

Zentangle Update

When I'm away in the caravan I am still doing my zentangle/doodles in my Arteza book.  So far I have filled 38 of 88 pages in my book, so still a long way to go.  I can't wait to see the book full of patterns.

This photo shows four of my recent completed pages.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 30

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 30 is "Embossing"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 30. I've opted for embossing folders to create the texture on this tag.

Starting with a piece of cream card, I put through the Big Shot using the Crafters Companion "Scandi Christmas" embossing folder for the background cream design.

I cut three sqaures of dark blue card and put each through a different Apple Blossom embossing folder two with stripes of different sizes and the third with dots.  I used wet glue to stick them to the tag.

I die cut the flower and the word "hope" both are part of the Stampin' Up / Sizzix thinlits set called "Sunshine Wishes" and glued into position, finally using a gold gel pen on the die cuts and splattering gold paint across the surface of the tag.

52 Week Mini Art Card - Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 29

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 29 is "Modes of transport"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 29, it's a clean and simple design after the rather busy tag from Week 28.

Using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, I stamped the boat/liner off the edge of the tag.  The stamp was part of a set that came free with Issue 54 of "Creative Stamping Magazine". I then stamped it again on a post-it note, fussy cut it and used it as a mask.

With the mask in place and another post-it note across the tag to create a horizon line, I coloured the sea are around the boat, using "Forget Me Knot" blue Ranger Archival Ink.

I used three shades of Distress Oxide Ink, applied with a paint brush to create the mottled sky, uisng Tumbled Glass, Speckled Egg and Weathered Wood colours.

Using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink again, I stamped the "Bon Voyage" sentiment and also the compass.  Finally I added some touches of white gel pen to the water around the boat and then mounted the tag on a teal coloured card.

Funky Fossil "Fern" Celebrate Card

A very quick card to make.  I used a stitched edge rectangle die to cut a piece of patterned paper from the Funky Fossil Designs "Patina" paper pad.  I stuck it to the middle of a white card blank.

Then using an off cut of white card, I used one of the dies from the Funky Fossil Designs "Fern Die Set" and cut the fern using the Sizzix Big Shot.  I used a wet glue to secure the die over the patterned paper rectangle.

I used a gold coloured Signo Unibal pen to add dots on the patterned paper and I also drew around the edge of the rectangle.

Finally, I use Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the "Celebrate" sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Small Print" stamp set.

Lavinia Stamps "Hummingbird" and "Shadow Blooms" tag

 

More Lavinia Stamps play, making this tag, featuring one of the new "Hummingbird" stamps.

I used a cream coloured tag as the base. Stamping the new "Small Hummingbird" stamp in Versafine Clair "Blue Belle" ink.  I then stamped it again on a post-it note and fussy cut the shape, so that I could use it as a mask later.

I stamped the new "Shadow Bloom" floral stamp in Versafine Clair "Very Peri" ink.

Using A Lavinia Stamps 'Moon Mask" I created the spot light circle behind the hummingbird using "Violet Chalk" Element inks. With the Hummingbird mask in position, I used the same ink to colour the edges of the tag, with the colour getting lighter in the middle. I then lay the Lavinia Stamps "Elegance" stencil over the tag and added colour to the central area, using "Confetti" pink Elements ink and for the outer area added some "Violet Chalk" Element ink.

Next, using Versafine Clair "Very Peri" ink I multi stamped the Lavinia "Forbidden Secrets" verse down the left hand side of the tag.  I then inked the edges of the tag using Versafine clair "Blue Belle" ink.

I mounted the tag on to dark blue card and then coloured the flowers and bird using blue and green shades of Derwent Inktense pencils, applied with a paint brush. I used a yellow Posca Pen for the centres of the flowers.

I used a white gel pen for highlights and a white Posca Pen for little dots around the bird.

Lavinia Stamps "Flower Divine" butterfly card

While I was away this past week, my order of the new stamps from Lavinia arrived.  They're lovely and I of course had to have an immediate play.

For this card, I used Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" to stamp the "Flower Divine 1 & 2", as if they were hanging from the top righ of the page.  I then covered the stamped image with "Pebeo Masking Fluid" and set aside to dry.

I then used the butterfly from the Lavinia "Sticker Stencil 4 set" with a stripe stencil by Clarity stamps and added some stripes around the butterflies using two shades of Ranger Archival Ink (Garden Patina and Prickly Pear) colours.

I then used the other piece of the sticker stencil and filled in the butterfly shape using a very fine covering of "Shadow Grey" Archival ink.  I then added more colour to the edges using "Aquamarine" Archival Ink before returning to the "Shadow Grey" ink which I used through the Lavinia "Feather Leaf Stencil".

In the top and bottom corner, using second generation stamping, I stamped the Lavinia "Words of spring" in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

Then using a white Posca pen and the Lavinia "White Orbs" stencil, I added some white dots.  They seemed to disappear in the background, so I decided to go round each one with a fine liner pen.

After removing the masking fluid, I used a couple of Derwent Inktense coloured pencils to add colour to the flowers and added touches of "A wink of stella", white gel pen, a 2b pencil and a gold shimmer pen.

A Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 28

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 28 is "Insects"

*****

This is the tag that I have made for the Week 28.  There were lots of stages making this tag and several times it was going in the bin, but I kept going with it and the end result isn't too bad.

I used two Distress Oxide Ink sprays:  Scorched Timber and Mowed Lawn.  I then gave the surface some water splatters.

Down the vertical central area of the tag I used "Scorched Timber" Distress Oxide ink pad with the Tim Holtz "Strings - THS004 stencil".

Next I used "Night Sky" Ranger Archival Ink throught the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Shifter Layering Stencil - THS127".  I used the same "Night Sky" ink through the Tim Holtz "THM101 dots" stencil.

I then used "Jet Black" Ranger Archival Ink through the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Grime Stencil - THs130".

Next I stamped the script from the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous stamp set called "Entomology - CMS328" over the surface of the tag.  I then stamped the insects down the middle of the tag.  The insects are also from the "Entomology" stamp set, stamped in "Night Sky" Ranger Archival Ink. I stamped the insects again on white card in the same ink and again in Versafine Clair "Golden Meadow" ink.  I die cut the insects using the matching Sizzix/ Tim Holtz Framelits die set - 663068.

Around the edge of the tag, I used Tim Holtz "Matte Texture Paste" through the Tim Holtz "String Stencil - THS103", creating the horizontal lines.  Once dry, I used the paste again through the "Dots - THMM101 stencil.

Once the paste was dry, I mounted the tag on to some co-ordinating card.

I added the die cut insects to the middle of the tag, mounted on foam pads.  On the wings, I added a few brush strokes of "A Wink Of Stella" to give a shimmery look to the wings.  I then coated the bodies of the insects with Ranger "Glossy Accents".

Finally, I added a small word sticker saying "Stay Curious", which is part of the Tim Holtz / Idea-ology "Small Talk" sticker set.  I added colour using Versafine Clair "Golden Meadow" ink, I decided I wanted to break up the dark colours a bit, so added some dots of white Ranger "Enamel Accents" to some of the dotted paste areas.

Lavinia Stamps "Goddess Luna" on Scene Scapes

While tidying my patterned papers, I came across a Lavinia Stamps "Scenescape" paper, which I think is called "Live the dream". So made this the base for my next project.  I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the Lavinia "Wild Life Corner" stamp four times.

I then stamped "Goddess Luna" in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I needed to extend the tree branch she sat on as it was a little too short. I then added a couple of extra branches and the dangling foliage, both are part of the Lavinia "Foliage" stamp set..  

I used Derwent Inktense pencils to add more depth of colour to the landscape.  I used a gold gel pen and a lilac Posca Pen for extra detail on the corners and a white gel pen for hightlights, finally adding some shimmer to the wings of Luna by adding "A wink of stella".

Another stash busting collage card

 

I have continued my stash busting from last night, by making this collage today.

I've used off-cuts of a Funky Fossil Designs paper pack for the background.  I've then used a couple of their A7 stamps (Vintage Script and Face the music", stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink and "Verdant" a lime green ink.

I've added a strip of Washi tape and some dashes of white Posca Pen.

Using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, I stamped the flowers and the bird on to white card and the little sentiment over the lime green script, on the card itself.  If I remember correctly, the stamps came free with a magazine and were designed by Paper Artsy.  I've had them for years. I used

I fussy cut the bird and flowers and stuck them on to the card, adding some yellow and orange Posca Pen to the bird.

Sail Away Stashbusting collage card

There's not a lot to say about this card.  It's another one of my stash busting collage cards, using bits and pieces of card and off-cuts of patterned papers that have been hanging around in my stash for far too long.

I have even used the "Sail Away" banner from the front cover of the paper pad for the sentiment.  That  really is stashbusting to the max!

Sizzix / Tim Holtz Vault Pillow Box Thinlit Set (666568)

Today, I've been playing with the Sizzix / Tim Holtz Vault Pillow Box Thinlit die set, making this gift pouch.

I used an off cut from a Lavinia Stamps patterned paper pad to make the pillow box.  Cutting two pieces, and using double sided sticky tape to secure the two pieces together.  The ends are kind of scored in the cutting process so fold over easily.

I tied a piece of organza ribbon round the pillow, with a die cut label saying "With Love", stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.  The "With Love" stamp is part of a Lavinia Stamps set called "Heartfelt sentiments".

In my head I am thinking these little pillows will be really handy come halloween or even making 24 as an alternative advent calendar.

Funky Fossil "Beauty's Garden" Tag

The other day, I attempted to make a tag and towards the end, I managed to drop an ink pad face down on to my pretty tag.  I attempted to rescue it, but it just wasn't what I had in my head.  Today, I had another attempt at it.

Starting with a white tag, I lay the Funky Fossil Designs "Urchins" stencil over the top and added Ranger Opaque Texture Paste through areas of the stencil.  I then set it aside to dry.

Once dry, I used a Funky Fossil blending brush to apply colour to the tag, using "Rose Madder" Ranger Archival Ink, which is a pretty coral/rose colour. Then, using a black Posca Pen, I tapped paint across the surface of the tag.

On a separate piece of white card, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the vase, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Beauty's Garden" stamp set. For placement, I also stamped the vase on the tag.  I then stamped the flower, which is also part of the same stamp set.

I shaded the vase stamped on the piece of white card using Derwent Charcoal Pencils and a white gel pen.  I then fussy cut the vase, sticking foam pads on the back and then placed in position.

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the word "Miss You" which is part of the Funky Fossil "Small Print" stamp set.

***As a matter of interest, here is the tag that I first made, where I attempted to recover half of the original inky tag after I had dropped an ink pad on it.

Lavinia Stamps "Dancing Till Dawn" gel plate card

 

I enjoyed the gel plate technique Eileen Godwin shared on her "Live" last night that I decided to make another card using the same principles.

I used Versafine Clair "Avocado" green ink and a brayer to put a thin base layer of ink on the gel plate.

Then I used two shades of Ranger Archival Inks to stamp the Lavinia Stamps "Berry Leaves" multiple times in first and second generation stamping using "Periwinkle" blue innk and "Paradise Teal" a green coloured ink, direct on to the gel plate.  I then placed a piece of card over the top of the gel plate and took the impression.

Round the top and bottom, I added extra foliage using the Lavinia Stamps "Arctic" blue ink with the "Wild Vines" stamp.

Next, I stamped the Lavinia "Dancing till dawn" ladies, using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.  I used the same ink to stamp the "Vine Branch" at the top of the card, also to ink the edges of the card too.

Using Versafine Clair "Arctic" blue ink and a Lavinia Stamps "Hill Mask" I created the landscape behind the dancing ladies.

I then used a large Lavinia "Moon Mask" with "Rose Madder" Ranger Archival ink to create the impression of the pink dawn sun.  I used the same ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Feather Leaf Stencil" too, within the sun area.

I used a 2B pencil to add shadows and a white and a gold gel pen for highlights.  I used a white and coral coloured Posca Pen for the dots to create the impression of flowers.

Finally, I added the "Have an amazing day" greeting, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Stripped Back Sentiments" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink.

Green Pebble Zentangle

It's been a while since I opened my Zentangle book, but this weekend I did and made this page.  This is page 33 completed of 88 blank pages in the book, so It's going to take some time to get all the pages filled.

Lavinia Stamps "Mae" and the crystal ball

Last night, I watched the super talented Eileen Godwin do a live tutorial.  I was up early this morning, so decided to have a go myself.  I didn't take any notes, so this is made by memory.  I've used a couple of different stamps to Eileen too.

I used a brayer to put Versafine Clair "Sand Dune" ink on to a gel plate. Then I used the Lavinia "Maple Leaf" stamp to stamp leaves around the edge, using two shades of Ranger Archival Inks.  The colours I used were "Cornflower Blue" and "Rose Madder". I then took a print from the gel plate.

Using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, I stamped the Lavinia fairy called "Mae" and also the "Small Lily Flourish".

I used "Rose Madder" Ranger Archival Ink with a Lavinia "Moon Mask" edging the moon with the pink colour.  I then used the same coloured ink through the Lavinia "Laurel" stencil".

Next I stamped the Lavinia "Luna Lights" that hang on the top right of the card, in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.  I used the same ink to edge the card too.

I used the Lavinia "Bubbles" stamp set, using the smallest bubble for the crystal ball, stamped in Versafine Clair "Arctic" and then given touches of 2B pencil and white gel pen.

I coloured the flowers using "Malibu" coloured Derwent Inktense pencil.  I used a gold pen to colour in the "Luna Lights" and a gold shimmer pen to outline some of the leaves.  I added "A Wink of Stella" to the wings of the fairy and then finally added some dots of white Ranger Enamel Accents round the moon.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 27

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 27 is "Summer"

*****

This is the tag that I have made for the Week 27.  I decided to go with a bee, as nothing sums up summer to me, than the sound of the low hum of a bee in the distance.

I used Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink, coated in Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set for the Funky Fossil "Hello Gorgeous" flowers and sentiment.

I coloured the flowers by painting the flowers with different shades of Distress Oxide Inks.  I also used Posca Pens and gel pens.

The bumble bee is part of the Funky Fossil "Queen Bee" stamp set, I stamped the bee on to the tag and then on to an off-cut of white card, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I then coated the stamped image in Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set the image.

I fussy cut the bee, inking the edges of it in black ink, then coloured the body using Posca Pens, using "A Wink of Stella" on the wings.  I used wet glue on the underside of the head of the bee, but for the rear end added some black foam pads to stick the bee into position, this gave it a more 3D look.

Funky Fossil "Surf's Up" Textured Card

I've been playing with Ranger 'Opaque Matte Texture Paste" through the "Petal Burst" stencil from Funky Fossil Designs to make the background of this card.

Once dry, I used Ranger "Paradise Teal" Ranger Archival Ink to give the raised area a blue tint, circling the blending brush from the centre of the raised design outwards.

I then used "Jet Black" Ranger Archival Ink to stamp the surf figure, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs stamp set called "Surf's Up".  There were a few lower gaps between the raised areas that did not get any ink, so I used a black pen for those, to get a more solid image.  Finally adding some dots of white Ranger "Enamel Accents".

Funky Fossil Designs "Falling Leaves" Card

 

This evening I've made a card featuring a selection of products by Funky Fossil Designs.

Starting with a five inch sqaure of white card, I used three shades of Ranger Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil "Leaf Trio Stencil".  The colours I used were Chrome Yellow, Tiger Lily and Carnation Red.

I then used black Ranger Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil "Falling Leaves stencil".

I added some touches of text over the surface using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink with the Funky Fossil "A7 Vintage Script" stamp. I then inked the edges of the card using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink and mounted on to black paper and then onto a white card blank.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the greeting, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Stripped Back Sentiments" stamp set.  I then die cut the sentiment into a banner, fixing with foam pads on to the card.

Finally, using a gold glitter pen, I went around the edges of the black leaves.  I then used a gold gel pen to add little dots in the remaining white background area.  Then added some white and black Funky Fossil Enamel dots from the "Monochrome Set".

Lavinia Stamps Greyboard & Stencilled Birthday Card

My Hubby celebrates his 60th birthday in a week or so and I have been absolutely stumped on what card to make him.  Time was running out as I knew he would be around the house for the next few days, so I had to make it while he was out.  I ended up with this card which I really like.

With no real idea in mind, I used a Brusho background from my stash, which dictated the colour scheme I have used.

Over the top of the Brusho background I applied three shades of Ranger Archival Ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Honeycomb Stencil".  The shades of ink I used were Sunflower, Tiger Lily and Paradise Teal.

I then used "Watering Can" grey Ranger Archival ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Dynamic" stencil.  I inked the edges of the card in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink and then mounted it on to grey card and then on to an 8x8" white card blank.

Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the two sentiments.  Both are part of the Simon Says Stamp set called "Tiny Words - Birthday".

I put the card aside and then concentrated on the central section.  I used "Cobalt" Ranger Archival Ink to colour the Lavinia Stamps "Greyboard Clocks 1" and "Greyboard Cogs 2" and set aside to dry.

I then used Dr PH Martin's bleed proof white paint on the Lavinia Stamps "Greyboard Number Embellishments" and set aside to fully dry.

As the greyboard is quite a fussy shape to glue, I used spray adhesive to stick the embellishments on to the card.

Heat Embossed Flower Anniversary Card

Another card ticked of my list of "to be made" cards.

I used a four and a half inch square piece of white card and ran an antistatic chalk pad over the surface.  I then stamped the flower, which is part of the Hobby Art Stamps "Abstract Flowers CS175D" stamp set, stamped in Wow! Clear Embossing Ink, which I then coated in Wow! "Rich Gold" Embossing Powder and heat set.

I then coloured the white card with two colours of Derwent Inktense Pencils, applied with a paint brush.  Using "Burnt Orange" for the flowers and "Neutral Grey" for the background.  Once dry, I then added dots of white and gold gel pen.  I used a black fine line pen to fill the central dots of the flowers, then mounted the card on to a piece of black paper and then on to a white card blank.

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the "Happy Anniversary" greeting, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Stripped Back Sentiments" stamp set.  I then die cut the stamped sentiment in to a banner shape, using sticky foam pads to elevate the greeting off the surface of the card.

Visible Image "Lilies with love" Birthday Card

I've had to push myself to craft ,as I have several occasions where I need to make and send cards coming up.  This one is needed next week.

From a previous project I was planning, I had stuck a square of patterned paper on to a  7x7" white card blank, so I decided to use that as my base.  A bit risky as I wasn't sure of the quality of the paper and how stamping the ink on to it would be:  would it bleed etc?  Fortunately it took the ink fine.

I used the new Visible Image "Lilies with love" stamp set for the central image, adding extra circles from the Visible Image "You are not alone" stamp set, all stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.

I then added the "Happy Birthday" sentiment, which is part of the Hobby Art Ltd stamp set called "Greetings for friends CS158D", also stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink.

I used three shades of Derwent Inktense pencils (Spring Green, Fern and Fucshia) applied with a paint brush to colour the image.  I added some touches of orange Posca Pen to the middle of the lilies and finally added some white dots of Ranger "Enamel Accents".