Lavinia Stamps Witch and Cat Stamp and Spin card

A Sizzix Stamp & Spin session, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, with a couple of Lavinia witches (Anwen & Faba) and their cats (Mini Rune & Mini Jinx).

I've also used the Lavinia "Bramble" stamp on the corners and the Lavinia "Ambiance" stencil with Ranger Archival inks in the background.

I've added touches of Posca Pens, white gel pen and a gold shimmer pen along with a 2B pencil and a black fine liner pen.

***The more I look at this, the more I think it could be made into some kind of spinning game if the witches and cats were numbered... food for thought!

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.

Lavinia Stamps Glimmer Orbs Christmas Card

I've had a play with two of the new Lavinia "Faelight Chronicles" collection to make this card.

For the background I used three shades of blue ink, using the lighter in the middle and getting darker towards the edges. The colours of Ranger Archival Inks I used are: Sky Blue, Bluebird and Cobalt

I have used Versafine Clair "Twilight" to stamp the "Witch Hazel" branches from an earlier release and one of the "Winter Foliage" stamps from the Faelight release along with the sentiment from the Lavinia "Christmas Blessings" stamp set.

I've used Versafine Clair "Charming Pink" to stamp the baubles from the Lavinia "Glimmer Orbs" adding touches of gold gel pen too.

Finally, adding snow to the branches and splattering white paint from a paint brush to replicate snowfall.

Lavinia Stamps "Thistlewhisk" Get Well Card

I've fashioned a "Get Well Card" using one of the new stamps from the Lavinia Stamps "Faelight Chronicles" release.

I stamped the Lavinia "Thistlewhisk" mouse using Versafine Clair "Sand Dune" ink.  Then I used "Sky Blue" Archival Ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Waffle Stencil", applying very light pressure to the blending brush as I only wanted a suggestion of the pattern.

Using a 2B pencil I drew the clouds, raindrops and the landscape, adding shading and a touch of colour using colouring pencils and a white gel pen.

I coloured the mouse using Derwent Inktense pencils, applie with a paint brush.  I added some flower detail to the grass area using dots of red and yellow Posca Pens.

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the Papertrey Ink sentiment saying "So sorry you're under the weather".

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 43

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

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 43 "Spooktacular"

For the base of this tag I sprayed three shades of Dylusion ink sprays on to a piece of white card.  The colours I used are Lemon Zest, Squeezed Orange and Bubblegum Pink.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink through two Funky Fossil stencils. The bats, witch and broomstick are on the stencil called "Witching Hour".  The tombstone shapes are part of the "Gothic Graveyard" stencil.  I added some sparkle to the tag using a gold shimmer Gelly Roll pen, finally adding a word sticker saying "on my adventure"!

Lavinia Stamps "Pipspell" Seasons Greetings Card

The new release order from Lavinia Stamps called  "Faelight Chronicles" arrived at my house today, so after adding them to my spreadsheet of Lavinia Stamps and popping them in plastic wallets, it was time for my first play, making this card.

I used one of the Lavinia Moon Masks with "Sky Blue" Archival ink to colour the background.  I stamped "Pipspell" the mouse in second generation stamping using Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink.  I used the same ink to stamp the small branches around the edge of the circle, which are part of the new Lavinia "Winter Foliage" stamp set.  I used the fir tree branch from the same stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Rain Forest" green ink, in first and second generation stamping. I then used "Peat Moss" green Archival Ink to go round the top edge of the circle to make it a little more solid looking.

I created the land behind the mouse using a Lavinia "Hill Mask" with two shades of Versafine Clair inks:  Bali Blue and Morning Mist.

I coloured the mouse using Van Goch pastel pencils.  I added some red berries to the foliage and a three dots of "White Opal" Liquid Pearls for the berries of the mistiletoe hanging from the bauble.

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the Seasons Greetings sentiment, which is part of the Lavinia "Christmas Greetings" stamp set.

Lavinia Stamps Hummingbird Card

 

I was up early so headed to the craft room for a play, making this card.

I started by using the Lavinia Stamps arch stencil, which is part of their "Sticker Stencil 5" set, using two shades of Ranger Archival inks.  Chrome Yellow for the base then Orange Blossom through the Lavinia Stamps "Cryptic Stencil".

I masked the arch off then around the edge used "Orange Blossom" and "Sky Blue" Ranger Archival Ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Ambiance" stencil.  I shaded the edges of the card using "Twilight" Versafine Clair Ink.

Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the "Mystic Swirls" to oposite corners of the arch.  Within the arch, I stamped the Lavinia "Words of Spring" verse.

Next, using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, I stamped the small Lavinia Hummingbird.  I then stamped it again on a piece of white card, fussy cutting the second stamped image and sticking into position over the first stamped bird.

Finally, I added some spots of black Posca Pen and then added a touch of gold shimmer to the wings of the bird using "A wink of stella".

Stampscapes Cottage in the moonlight card

This evening I've been playing with the Stampscape polymer stamps licenced to Sweet Poppy Stencils.

I've used the Stampscapes "Cottage lge", "Pines and rocks sml" and the "Cloud and Crescent Moon medium" within the Sweet Poppy "Circle Aperture Stencil SPS125C" stencil. Stamping in Versafine Clair inks: Twilight, Nocturne and Morning Mist.

I've used a couple of Distress Oxide inks too. I used Antique Linen to colour the moon and Lost Shadow to colour the cottage. For the snow, I've used Dr Ph.Martin's bleed proof white paint.

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 "Moss Flowers" Diolch Card

For this card, I used two shades of Archival Inks (Prickly Pear and Paradise Teal), through the Lavinia Stamps "Splendor" stencil. I used the Lavinia "Moon Mask" with Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to lightly shade the edge of the circle.

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the Lavinia Stamps "Moss Flowers" colouring two of them using Distress Oxide Ink, using "Tumbled Glass" and "Mermaid Lagoon" shades.

I stamped the Lavinia sentiment "Diolch, part of the Lavinia Stamps "Welsh Words" stamp set, using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, adding some dots around the flowers using a blue Posca Pen, finally adding some dots of "White Opal" Liquid Pearls.

Sweet Poppy Stencils "Feather Aperture Stencil" with Stampscapes Pine Trees

I've had a quick play with the new Sweet Poppy "Feather Aperture Stencil", which I have paired with some Stampscape Stamps.

I started by using some blue, green and mauve coloured Ranger Archival Inks through the Sweet Poppy Stencils "Feaather Aperture Stencil.

I used two of the Stampscapes polymer" stamps.  (The polymer stamps are licenced to Sweet Poppy Stencils), stamping the trees in "Fallen Leaves" Versafine Clair brown ink.  I stamped the Stampscapes Moon in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  I used Dr. Ph. Martin's white bleed proof paint to paint snow on the trees and for the landscape, then splattered some across the feather image to replicate snow.

At this stage, I felt the feather looked a bit washed out, so decided to fussy cut the shape and stick on to some dark blue card, which highlights the feather beautifully.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Garden Elements" Card

 

I've had a play with Tracy Evans Boutique Designs goodies to make this card.

Starting with a piece of white card, I stamped the large flower petals from the Tracy Evans "Garden Elements TE30" stamp set in "Bali Blue" Versafine Clair Ink.  I then used the smaller petals from the same set and stamped them in Versaifne Clair "Blue Belle" ink.

I applied Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink through the Tracy Evans "Snippet Stencil Tweet - SS1" using less ink on the breast area.  I then used the same ink to stamp the two wrens, which are also from the Tracy Evans "Garden Elements" stamp set, also in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, but stamping them three times to get a really dark shade.

Next, I used Pastel Pencils on the breasts of the birds and a white gel pen to outline the bird shapes..  I grounded the birds using the torn edge of a piece of copy paper with Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

On the dark blue flowers, I added a lovely gold shimmer using "A wink of stella".  I then filled the white areas with polka dots using a gold gel pen. Finally adding flowers to the ground using dots of pink and white Posca Pen and adding some dots of "Mermaid" green Liquid Pearls to the middle of the flowers.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 42

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

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 "Stripes"

I started with a white tag and roughly laid down two colours of Distress Oxide ink with a blending brush.  The colours I used were "Squeezed Lemonade" and "Abandoned Coral. Once the surface was covered, I used a fan shaped brush with water on to splatter droplets across the surface of the tag.  I then blotted with a piece kitchen roll and then ran the heat gun over the surface to be sure it was fully dry.

I then used more "Abandoned Coral" Distress Oxide ink with the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous THS004 String Stencil and THMM101 a dotty stencil.  Next, I added some yellow stars using the "Squeezed Lemonade" Distress Oxide Ink with the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Sparkle" layering stencil.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the pram/stroller, which is part of the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Mini Blueprints CMS231" stamp set.  I stamped it again on an off cut of card, fussy cut the main body of the pram and stuck on to the tag, I felt this broke the colour up.  

Finally, I used a red Posca Pen to colour in the heart on the pram and then stamped the "Hello" and "XOXO", both these are part of the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Crazy Bird" clear Stamp set

Stampscapes Polymer "Snowy Church" Christmas Card

I have been stalking Postie, waiting for my overdue delivery of the new polymer "Stampscapes" release making this Christmas card.

I started by using two shades of green Ranger Archival Inks throught the SPS-125T Triangle Aperture Stencil.

I then used three shades of Versafine Clair inks for the stamping, using Spruce, Morning Mist and Nocturne colours to stamp the three polymer Stampscapes stamps which are licenced to Sweet Poppy Stencils.  The stamps I used are Snowy Tree Medium, Snowy Church Medium and Snow People.

I used a few touches of Distress Oxide ink to colour the snowman before using Dr Ph. Martin's white bleed proof ink to splatter over the surface and to paint the snow on the branches of the trees.

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Collage

While in America last week, I was able to pop in to Hobby Lobby and pick up a few crafting bits and pieces.  I of course headed to the Tim Holtz area, which wasn't huge, but I did get five packs of Idea-ology goodies, so decided to have a play with them.

I used a piece of kraft card for the base, using three Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous stencils with Versafine Clair inks. The stencils and inks I paired are: Bouquet Layering Stencil (THS143) with Rain Forest green ink.  String stencil (THS004) with Morning Mist grey ink and THMM101 with Nocturne black ink.

I used some patterned paper and matching card from my stash, along with a Tim Holtz "Layered Frame" and a couple of pieces from the "Layers" set with a male paperdoll.  I also used some word stickers from the Tim Holtz "Chit Chat" set.  

I added splatters of gold and white paint across the surface, finally adding three old buttons from my button jar.

Lavinia Stamps "Shadow Bloom" hope card

 

I made this card for a friend who is quite poorly at present. Starting with the Lavinia Stamps "Shadow Bloom" stamp, I stamped the image using Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink.  I then coated the stamped image in Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set.

I used "Sky Blue" Ranger Archival Ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Waffle Stencil" around the stamped image, fading the colour out towards the top and bottom.

Using Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink again, I added some foliage to the flower using one of the leaves from the Lavinia "Vine Set".  I used the same ink to stamp the word "Hope" which is part of the Lavinia "Blessings" word set.

Next, I used a paint brush to colour the flowers using "Spun Sugar" Distress Oxide Inks.  I added dots of yellow Posca Pen to the middle of the flowers, finally adding some dots of "White Opal" Liquid Pearls to the stencillled area.

Lavinia Stamps Castle in the arch card

I have used the Lavinia Stamps "Red Brick Stencil" and their "Sticker Stencil set 5" for the arch, with Ranger Archival Inks (Sky blue, Shadow Grey, Fern Green, Leaf Green, Acorn and Tea Rose).

I've used assorted Versafine Clair inks (Acorn, Fallen Leaves, Morning Mist, Shady Lane and Rain Forest) for the stamping of the Lavinia Stamps Cherry Blossom, Silhouette Castle, Tree Scene and Heartfelt Verse sentiment.  Finsihing with touches of 2B pencil, Posca Pens and Fine Liner pen.

Lavinia Stamps "Seasons Greetings" Christmas Card

I had a small window to play in the craft room last night, making this Christmas card.

I used the Lavinia Stamps "Block Print" stencil with two shades of Ranger Archival Inks (Library Green and Paradise Teal).  I used Fern Green and Shadow Grey Archival Ink with the Lavinia "Moon Mask" to make the moon in the background.

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the following Lavinia Stamps:  Small Pine Trees, Small Fairy Fir Tree, Winter Magic Verse and a sentiment from the Christmas Greetings Stamp set.

I splattered white paint over the surface to replicate snow, using the same paint with a brush to create the landscape.  Once dry, I added a few touches of "Crystal" stickles for a little sparkle.

Lavinia Stamps "Small Robins" at Christmas

I apologise for my absence.  I've been away on holiday to America to see the colours of the leaves in "New England in the fall".  I've had a fabulous time but I am equally glad to be home to see Rosie our dog and to do some crafting.

For this card, I used the new Lavinia Stamps "Snowflakes" stencil with blue and grey Archival ink left on my blending brushes from previous projects.

I have used the Lavina "Circle Mask" for the central stamped area, sying blue ink round the edge of the circle.  I then used Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink to stamp the Lavinia "Mystic Swirls" on the right hand side of the circle.

I used the fence post from the Lavinia "Pheasant" stamp with Versafine Clair "Portobello" brown ink, I used the same ink to stamp the two robins which are part of the Lavinia "Small Robins" stamp set.

I used a white Signo Pen and some Dr Ph. Martin's white bleed proof ink on a very thin paint brush to create the look of snow on the fence and ground.  I added colour to the robins using Derwent Inktense pencils, finally adding a touch of "Crystal" Stickles to my fingertip and smudging it on the snow areas for a little bit of sparkle, (sadly this doesn't really show up on the photo).

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the sentiment, which is part of the Lavinia "Christmas Greetings" stamp set, adding some touches of "White Opal" Liquid Pearls round the edge of the circle.

52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 41

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

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 41 "Teens"

For my Week 41 "Teens Tag" i've opted for a skate board dude.  Starting with a white tag and three shades of Distress Oxide Inks. Using Stormy Sky at the top, Chipped Sapphire in the middle and Unchartered Mariner on the lower third.  I then used a fan shaped paint brush, dipped in water to splatter water droplets over the surface of the tag, blotting it with kitchen paper to take up the excess then running the heat gun over the surface.  Once dry, I edged the tag in "Prize Ribbon" Distress Oxide Ink.

I moved on to stamping.  I had three sets of Sarah Davis "Just for men" stamp sets.  From the "Urban Graffiti set" I stamped the splatters, stars and circles using three shades of Versafine Clair Inks:  Warm Breeze, Paradise and Medieval Blue.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the skateboard figure, which is part of the "Street Wise" stamp set and the sentimetn which is part of the "Rock Star" stamp set.  

I inked the edges of the tag using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink and then added splatters of pink and white Posca Pen.  I used a white gel pen to outline the skate boarding figure, adding a "Wink of Stella" to the middle of the stars too.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 40

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

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 40 "Dogs"

I covered a white tag with "Wilted Violet" Distress Oxide Ink and then lay the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Shifter Layering Stencil - THS127" over the tag and applied "Villainous Potion" Distress Oxide Ink through the stencil.

Next, I lay the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Sparkle Layering Stencil" over the tag and applied white texture paste through the stencil.  The texture paste absorbed some of the background colour making the stars a lovely lilac colour.

On a plain white piece of card, I stamped the dog and bowl, both are part of the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Crazy Dogs - CMS271" stamp set using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I then coloured them using Derwent Inktense pencils applied with a paint brush, fussy cutting them and sticking them on to the tag.

I used "Platinum Pearl" Liquids to dot some of the middle of the stars.