52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge

Thursday, 21 May 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 89



Today, is Day 89 of the 100 Day Project 2026, and it's another clean and simple design from me.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 89 piece I covered the white card in "Tumbled Glass" Distress Oxide Ink.  I then lay the Funky Fossil Designs "Ever Decreasing Circles" stencil over the top and applied "Mowed Lawn" Distress Oxide Ink through the stencil.

I cut some Dina Wakley collage paper leaves and a swallow and glued them into position.  Then fussy cut a stamped flower, coloured and glued that into position.

Finally, I added a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker and added some dots of black ink.

Wednesday, 20 May 2026

Marianne Designs "Silhouette Art - Branch CS180" on a stencilled background



I had an off cut of white card, floating round my desk, so decided to make something with it, resulting in this card.

I started by colouring the card using "Chrome Yellow" Ranger Archival Ink.  I then lay the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "String Stencil - THS103" over the top and applying "Monarch Orange" Ranger Archival Ink through the stencil.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the Marianne Designs "Silhouette Art CS180" branch.  I used the same ink to stamp the word "hello" which is part of the Simon Says Stamp "Tiny Words" stamp set.

Finally, using the lower section of the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Xmas Stencil THMM178", I applied white polka dots using an acrylic paint pen.

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 88



Today, is Day 88of the 100 Day Project 2026, and it's another clean and simple design from me.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 88 I shaded my white card with "Salvaged Patina" Distress Oxide Ink, having the colour strong on the right, fading to nothing on the left hand side.

I cut a couple of pieces of Dina Wakley collage papers *swallow and face) and glued into position,  I then used two thicknesses of black pen and a white acrylic pen to fade the large piece into the white area.  Finally, I added a Tim Holtz "idea-ology" word sticker saying "secrets" to the base.

Tuesday, 19 May 2026

Lavinia Stamps Botanical Blossom and Moss Flowers "Happiness" Card


 

I had an urge to play with my Lavinia Stamps, which resulted in this card.  I used 49andMarket "Green Jean" ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Elegance" stencil, with stronger colour on the right hand side, fading out towards the left side.

Next, I used Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze: ink to stamp the Lavinia "Botanical Blossom" stamp. On plain white card, I stamped the Laviia "Moss Flowers" in two shades of orange ink, using Versafine Clair "Summertime" and "Carrot Orange",  I fussy cut the flower heads and glued into position.  I then painted the inner area of each flower using "Squeezed Lemonade" Distress Oxide Ink.

I returned to the Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink to stamp then "Happiness" sentiment, which is part of the Lavinia Stamps "Blessings" stamp set.  Finally adding some dots of white Ranger Enamel Accents.

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 87



Today, is Day 87 of the 100 Day Project 2026, and it's another clean and simple design from me.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 87 I coloured the white square of card using "Cracked Pistachio" Distress Oxide Ink.  I then used an animal print stencil with "Blueprint Sketch" Distress Oxide Ink.

I used a lid with Versafine Clair "Blue Belle" ink to create circles.  I then fussy cut a couple of swallows and a circle of Dina Wakley collage paper with a face on it and glued into position.  Adding a stitched detail round the circle using a black fine liner pen.

Finally, i added a Tim Holtz "idea-ology" word sticker saying "everyday chronicles".

Monday, 18 May 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 86



Today, is Day 86 of the 100 Day Project 2026, and it's another clean and simple design from me.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 86 I randomly stuck strips of washi tape across the base card.  I then used some Dina Wakley collage paper for the face and bird, adding a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "darling, you are a work of art".

Sunday, 17 May 2026

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2026 - Week 20


 

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 20 is "Paint Blowing".

Starting with a white tag, I lay a Tracy Evans "Wild Flower" stencil on to the card and applied Pebio Drawing Gum through the gaps using a paint brush.



Next, I put five colours of Elements inks on to my glass mat,  The colours I used are: Lemon Drop, Sundance, Russet Orange, Blue Atoll and Dark Denim.  I added a little water to a fan shaped paint brush, dabbed it into the ink on the glass mat and then splattered the paint from the brush over the tag, by tapping the brush.  I then quickly used the Tim Holtz air puttfer, not sure what the actual name is, to blow air and spread the ink towards the edges of the tag, you could also use a drinking straw to do this. I did this with all of the colours, using a heat gun to dry the ink between each colour.

Once completed, I wafted the heat gun over the surface to ensure it was fuly dry, before using the Frisk "Maskaway" eraser.  If you don't have one, you can use a finger tip to erase the masking fluid.  

Finally, I added a few pencil details and grounded the flower, using some remaining ink on  a blending brush.  I added some dots of Ranger White Enamel Accents to break up the background colour a little too.

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 85



Today, is Day 85 of the 100 Day Project 2026, and it's another clean and simple design from me.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 85, I used three shades of Distress Oxide Ink, using Salvaged Patinam, Tumbled Glass and Blueprint Sketch through one of the sections of the Visible Image Stamps stencil called "Art Spheres #2".

I then fussy cut a swallow from a Dina Wakley collage paper set and added a Tim Holtz "idea-ology" word sticker saying "don't forget to fly".

Saturday, 16 May 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 84



Today, is Day 84 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 84 I've gone for a clean and simple look using "Cracked Pistachio" Distress Oxide Ink through a Funky Fossil Designs Stencil called "Indian Mandala".

I've used a swallow from a Dina Wakley collage paper set and a Tim Holtz "idea-ology" word sticker saying "life is good".  Finally adding areas of dots and lines using a black fine liner pen, allowing the beautiful pattern of the mandala to sing.

Friday, 15 May 2026

Visible Image Stamps "Bloom and Grow" Baby Shower Card



Our fourth Grand child is due to be born in July, this is the card I have made for her baby shower, which is in a couple of weeks time.

I used the finger print stamp from Visible Image "Bloom and Grow" stamp set with Versafine Clair "Baby Pink" ink.  I then used the baby stamp and the love word, from the same stamp set with Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink.  

I love the simlicity of this card and how it speaks volumes too!

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 83



Today, is Day 83 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 83 I used three shades of Distress Oxide Inks (Salvaged Patina, Speckled Egg and Tea Dye), to create the background colour.  I then used the Tracy Evans "Distresed Background Snippet Stencil - SS31" with "Cracked Pistachio" Distress Oxide Inks to create the harlequin background.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the flowers, which are part of the Tracy Evans "One of a kind TE54" stamp set.  The sentiment of "The sound of silence" is from another Tracy Evans stamp set called "Create your own story - TE51", also stamped in Nocturne" black ink.

I used a circle mask to create the spotlight, edging the mask in Versafine "Morning Mist" grey ink and colouring the inside edge with a white pastel pencil.  I grounded the flowers using the edge of a torn piece of paper and Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  I used a black fine liner pen to add a border and to create grass strands, using a white and aqua coloured Posca Pen to imitate flowers.

Finally, I fussy cut a Dina Wakley swalow from a collage paper set and added some dots of "White Opal" Liquid Pearl dots to the edge of the spotlight.

Thursday, 14 May 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 82



Today, is Day 82 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 82 I used "Blueprint Sketch" Distress Oxide Ink dragged over two thirds of the white card.  I then used the same ink on an piece of  white card and punched circles into the blue and the white card, positioning the circles on the dragged background.I then added splatters of acrylic paint in aqua and black colours.

I used pieces of Dina Wakley collage paper to cover areas, including three swallows.  Finally adding a Tim Holtz "idea-ology" word sticker saying "follow your heart".

Wednesday, 13 May 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 81



Today, is Day 81 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 81 I used two shades of Distress Oxide Inks (Prize Ribbon and Twisted Citron) through an Angela Poole "Lattice Stencil" to create the background design.

I then used a couple of different Dina Wakley collage papers for the face and bird, adding some touches of black fine liner pen to areas,  Finally, adding a Tim Holtz "idea-ology" word sticker saying "embrace the journey".


Tuesday, 12 May 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 80



Today, is Day 80 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 80, I've used a stamp from Funky Fossil Designs for the central circle, it is part of the Funky Fossil "Circularity" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink. I dragged the "Tumbled Glass" Distress Oxide Ink across the card from the left and the right, towards the middle.

I've used an assortment of Dina Wakley collage papers adding touches of colour using pastel pencils and a fine liner. Finally, I added a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "it's all persepective".

Monday, 11 May 2026

The 100n Day Project 2026 - Day 79



Today, is Day 79 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 79, I've used lots of odds and ends of patterned and stencilled papers including pieces of Dina Wakley & Tim Holtz collage paper, adding a Tim Holtz "idea-ology" word sticker, saying "travel".

Sunday, 10 May 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 78



Today, is Day 78 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 78, I cut a dark blue coloured card three and a half inch square and glued on to a white background.  I then used two shades of green (for the landscape) and a white (for the moon) Pan Pastel.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the Lavinia Stamps "Forrest Scene" trees, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to stamp the "Small Pixie Houses".

I added a Dina Wakley collage paper swallow and a Lavinia Stamps word sticker from their "Sentiment Stickers 6" set.  Adding some touches of gold shimmer pen to the threes and landscape.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2026 - Week 19



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 19 is "Vintage Vibes"

For my Week 19 tag, I used lots of bits and bobs I have squirrelled away over many years.  I've used pages of book test, hymn book notes, parts of paper doilies and the brown paper that comes in Amazon packages, to name just a few.

I used a "Photobooth Film Strip", whicjh is part of a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" set, with a reference of TH93799. I've also used stamps from two Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous stamp sets.  Finally adding a small metal locket frame around the central image of the film strip.


Saturday, 9 May 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 77



Today, is Day 77 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 77, I used two shades of Distress Oxide Inks through a Clarity Stamps striped stencil.  The two colours I used are "Tumbled Glass" and "Mowed Lawn".

I then loosely cut around collage paper foliage prints by Dina Wakley, adding a Tim Holtz "idea-ology" word sticker saying "Wander".

Friday, 8 May 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 76



Today, is Day 76 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 76, I used two shade of Distress Oxide Inks for the background, using "Twisted Citron" and "Broken China" to cover the white card.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the Carabelle Stuidio cling stamp SA70171.  I then added white, black, yellow and red detail using Posca Pens.

Finally, I added a Dina Wakley collage paper swallow and a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker staying "Strength".

Thursday, 7 May 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 75



Today, is Day 75 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 75, I used four shades of Ranger Archival Ink through a star stencil.  Over the top I applied some Dina Wakley collage paper and coloured the image using pastel pencils.  Finally adding a Tim Holtz "idea-ology" word sticker saying "Be you, bravely".

Wednesday, 6 May 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 74



Today, is Day 74 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 74 I used a stamp shaped punch I got from Amazon to punch shapes in various patterned paper.  I arranged them on to my white card base.  When happy with the positions, I glued them into place.

I useda lid to draw a circle using a black fine liner pen, adding some dots to the opposited sides of the circle.  I fussy cut a swallow from a Dina Wakley collage paper set and then added tthe Tim Holtz "idea-ology" word stickers saing "Creative Journey".

Tuesday, 5 May 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 73



Today, is Day 73 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 73 I dragged three shades of Distress Oxide Ink from the left to the right hand side, fading the colour out towards the right.  The shades of ink I used are: Salvaged Patina, Speckled Egg and Tumbled Glass. I the wafted the heat gun over the surface, to ensure it was fully dry.

Next, I used a stamp set I have had for 15+ years, I think it's by Sassafraslass?, stamped in two shades of Versafine Clair Inks:  Bali Blue and Nocturne black inks. I added touches of white acrylic paint to the middle of each flower.

Finally, I fussy cut a swallow from a Dina Wakley collage paper set and added a Tim Holtz "idea-ology" word sticker saying "travelt he world over to find the beautiful".

Monday, 4 May 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 72



Today, is Day 72 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 72, I started by using Versafine Clair "Arctic" blue ink to stamp the circles in the background, using a stamp from the Funky Fossil Designs set called "Circularity".

I glued on some pieces of Dina Wakley collage paper birds, colouring some with a green coloured pastel pencil.  I then glued on thin torn edge strips of green and blue paper.

I added a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "Encourage Possibility" and finally added a drawn frame using a black fine liner pen.

Sunday, 3 May 2026

Lavinia Stamps "Bridge your dreams" card



For this card, I started by painting a central circle, in yellow, then built the colours up from the middle through shades of green, eventually using a blue shade of ink,  I applied the Distress Oxide Inks with a paint brush, drying each colour before adding another colour.

I then lay the "Ever decreasing circles" stencil by Funky Fossil Designs over the top of the paint and using a wet wipe, removed some of the exposed areas of ink, providing this kind of bleached colour look.

Using Versafine Clair "Fallen Leaves" dark brown ink, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Witch Hazel" stamp repeating the process in a circular motion till I was happy the branches had filled the space.

Next, I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist", a mid green coloured ink to multi stamp the leaves and dots, which are part of the Lavina Stamps "Foliage Set 2" stamp set, again repeating the stamping till the area was full. I used the same ink to stamp the sentiment, which is part of the Lavinia Stamps "Bridge your dreams" stamp set.  Finally, I added some touches of gold coloured gel pen to the branches and white dots using an acrylic paint pen to replicate flowers/berries.

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 71



Today, is Day 71 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 71 I spritzed water on to some "Salvaged Patina" Distress Oxide Ink on my glass mat, then smooshed/dragged the card through the ink to achieve a patchy coverage, with various depths of colour.

Once dry, I used the same ink through two Funky Fossil Designs stencils:  Harlequin Babckground and Swallows.

I then fussy cut a swalow and a crow from a Dina Wakley collage paper set and glued into position, adding a few extra lines using a black fine liner pen.  I then drew a part circle round the crow.

Finally, I used a splatter stamp from a Funky Fossil Designs stamp set caled "Distressed Elements" with Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, using the same ink to ground the bird.  Then added a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "everything has beauty".

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2026 - Week 18


 

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 18 is "Teddies and Toys"

For my Week 18 tag, I started by painting a white tag with shades of green, using a childs water colour paint set, so nothing fancy for the base at all. Then using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the sentiment, train and carriages, which are part of the same stamp set from "Boys and their trains" by Personal Impressions.  I stamped the train and carriages again on white card and coloured with Posca Pens. fussy cut them and placed to one side.

Returning to the green tag itself, I used "Cobalt" Ranger Archival Ink through a Tim Holtz / Stampersanonymous stencil, I apologise I don't recall the name or of it as I've used it so often the writing has rubbed off, but the reference is THS130.

I then used another Tim Holtz / Stampersanonymous stencil, THMM178, using the lower half with the polka dots on it, with a white Texture Paste by Daler Rownay.  Once dry, I inked the edges is black and then glued the fussy cut train and carriages into position.


Saturday, 2 May 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 70



Today, is Day 70 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 70 I have played with shapes and lines.  I started covering a white card with "Tumbled Glass" Distress Oxide Inks.  I then lay the Funky Fossil Designs "Melting Circles" mask over the top and applied "Mowed Lawn" Distress Oxide Ink through the mask.

I then used a black fine liner pen and a gold coloured gel pen to create lines and dots around the pattern.  Finally adding a Dina Wakley collage paper swallow and a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "Cultivate Kindness".

Friday, 1 May 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 69


T
oday, is Day 69 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 69 I used three shades of Distress Oxide ink on a water saturated background to achieve the water colour stripes in the background,  the colours I used are Mowed Lawn, Mermaid Lagoon and Salvaged Patina.

I used a heat gun to dry the card before drawing a part circle round a lid uisng a black fine liner pen.

I cut two shapes, the moth and the swallow from a Dina Wakley collage paper set and glued them into position.  then coloured the moth using a couple of pastel pencils. 

I used a gold coloured gel pen to create a polka dot background around the part circle then added a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder".

Thursday, 30 April 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 68



Today, is Day 68 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 68 I used two shades of Distress Oxide Inks for the background, using "Cracked Pistachio" for the inner area and "Mermaid Lagoon" for the outer edges.

I then stamped the circle in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  the stamp is part of the Funky Fossil Designs stamp set called "Circularity".  Next i lay the "Ever Decreasing Circles" stencil over the prepared background and lightly rubbed a wet wipe through the gaps of the stencil.  This lifts the ink in that area and provides a bleached colour appearance.  I then set it aside to dry. Once dry, I used a black and white Posca Pen to splatter paint.

I used "Salvaged Patina" Distress Oxide Ink on a page from an old book.  I then stamped the black cirlce again on the book page using "Nocturne" again.  I then stamped a flower from the Funky Fossil stamp set called "In the meadow" using Versafine Clair "Paradise" blue ink. I fussy cut the circle and glued it over the circle on the background piece of card.  Adding some touches of black fine liner and yellow Posca Pen to the flower.

Finally, I added a swallow from a Dina Wakley collage paper set and a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology word sticker saying "Remember the now".

Wednesday, 29 April 2026

Lavinia Stamps "Magpies" Two for joy card


 

I've had a long over due play with my Lavinia goodies this morning, making this card.

I started by using Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" a mid green coloured ink, to stamp the Lavinia Stamps "Vine Branch" stamp.  I then used two shades of Versafine Clair inks:  Twilight and Morning Mist to stamp the Lavinia "Magpies".  I used these two colours as I didn't want a totally solid black colour.

Next, I used "Sky Blue" Ranger Archvial Ink through the Lavinoa Stamps "Waffle Stencil" (I believe it is now discontinued), fading the colour out towards two corners. I then used Derwent Inktense pencils with a paint brush to colour the branch and magpies, using a gold and a white gel pen in places too.

Finally, I added a Lavinia word sticker, saying "Out of the blue".  This phrase is part of the Lavinia "Sentiment Sticker 6" set.

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 67



Today, is Day 67 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 67, I coloured a page from an old book using three shades of Distress Oxide Inks.  the colours I used  are Tumbled Glass, Mermaid Lagoon and Blueprint Sketch.

Then I die cut a piece of 4x4" white card using a die from Funky Fossil Designs.  Sadly I didn't write the name down on the backing card, on checking the website it doesn't appear, so guessing it's now a retired die, as I have had it for a couple of years. or maybe more.

I adhered the white card overf the coloured book page and trimmed the excess from the edges. I coloured the die cut sun area using "Mustard Seed" Distress Oxide Ink and glued into position.

Using a black fine liner pen, I added a loosely drawn frame with some dots. Then glued down a fussy cut swallow from a Dina Wakley collage paper set.  Finally adding a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "Voyage".


Tuesday, 28 April 2026

Papertrey Ink "Home is where the heart is" card



For this card, I started with a 4x4" piece of card, creating a band of colour through the middle using three shades of Distress Oxide Inks.  The colours I used are: Mermaid Lagoon, Salvaged Patina and Cracked Pistachio.

While the ink was drying, I die cut the white trellis, which is a Gummiapan die. I used a wet glue to stick the lattice over the inked background.

Next I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the sentiment on to the card and the house on to a piece of plain white card.  I used the Papertrey Ink stamp set called "Love Lives Here" for both. Onced glued into position on the card, I used a red Posca Pen to colour in the central heart.

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 66



Today, is Day 66 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 66, for the central wave area, I used four shades of Distress Oxide Ink through the Funky Fossil Designs "Wave Rider" stencil. I then used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to stamp the Funky Fossil Designs "Circle Cascade" stamp.

Next, I added a strip of Funky Fossil Designs Washi Tape to the base of the card,  I added some colour to some of the circles using pastel pencils and used a black fine liner to add some dots.

Finally, I added a swallow from a Dina Wakley collage paper set and a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker, saying "adventure".

Monday, 27 April 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 65



Today, is Day 65 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 65, I've used four shades of Distress Oxide Inks (Salvaged Patina, Cracked Pistachio, Mermaid Lagoon and Faded Jeans) with the Inkylicious "Mini Splatter Circle stamp" to achieve the background colour.

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the Creative Expressions "Botanical Frames - CE1032 stamp" and the words from the same stamp set, saying "Field Notes".

I added some tissue paper foliage, which had wrapped a previous Inkylicious order and then added the Dina Wakley swallow, which is part of a collage paper set.  Finally I added some black splatters from a Posca Pen.

Sunday, 26 April 2026

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2026 - Week 17



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 17 is "Pinks and Purples".

For my tag, I started with a white base which I covered in "Spun Sugar" Distress Oxide ink.I then added a moon mask and started to build the colours up round the moon, starting with Shaded Lilac and Victorian Velvet, then moving on to darker colours using Seedless Preserve, Dusty Concord, Wilted Violet and Villainous Potion Distress Oxide Inks.

I used Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink, to stamp the grass and birds, which are both part of an Inkylicious stamp set called "Windswept Set".  Finally, I added a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker to the bottom saying "collect beautiful moments".

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 64


T
oday, is Day 64 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 64, I drew around the outer and inner edge of a roll of sticky tape to achieve the two circles, then added black lines using a fine liner pen,  withing the circles I added off cuts of plain and patterned card.  Adding gold coloured dots using a gel pen.

Finally, I added a swallow from a Dina Wakley collage paper set and a Tim Holtz "idea-ology" word sticker, saying "Memories".

Saturday, 25 April 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 63



Today, is Day 63 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 63, I've used strips of patterned and plain paper along with a swallow from a Dina Wakley collage paper set, paired with a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "Determined" and a white die cut branch. I've used a fine liner black pen to add lines to the edge of the piece and to draw a circle.

Friday, 24 April 2026

Visible Image Stamps "Bring on the beers" Birthday Card



I don't want to speak too soon, but I appear to be on a roll with my card making the past couple of days!

For this card, I started by stamping the glass of beer, (part of the Visible Image "Bring on the beers" stamp set), using Versafine Clair "Sand Dune" light brown ink.  I then stamped the glass again on a post-it note, fussy cut the shape and used it as a mask over the first stamped image.

Next, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamed the Visible Image "Fibaoacci' curve and grid. I then used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the "Cheers" which is also part of the "Bring on the beers" stamp set, along with the "Big Birthday Wishes" sentiment which is part of a Funky Fossil Designs stamp set called "Stripped Back Sentiments".

I then coloured the beer glass and the background, uisng assored shades of Distress Oxide Inks, applied with a paint brush. The colours I used are:  Wild Honey, Tea Dye, Weathered Wood and Lost Shadow.  I also used a white gel pen and a gold shimmer pen on areas of the glass,

I mounted the card on to a piece of black card for the sides only, then mounted it on to a kraft square card blank.

Lavinia Stamps "Liberty" New Baby Card



For this card, I used "Sky Blue" Ranger Archival Ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Feather Leaf" stencil.

I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to stamp "Liberty" and the "Mini Pipin", along with the Personal Impressions sentiment, from their "Double Sayings" stamp set.  Colouring the image with painted Distress Oxide Inks. Finally adding touches of white gel and a gold shimmer pen.

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 62



Today, is Day 62 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 62, I've used some torn strips of patterened papers, paired with drawn black lines, a swallow from a Dina Wakley collage paper set and a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker.

Thursday, 23 April 2026

Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous Cat Birthday Card



This year, with so much going on, I don't seem to have actually made many birthday cards, so it was nice to make this for a young man we have known for many, many years.

For the cat and balloon, I used the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous stamp set (ref:THMM109). Stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink and coloured with Distress Oxide Inks, using "Fired Brick" for the balloon and "Rusty Hinge" for the cat.

In the background, I have used the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous (ref: THMM102) brick wall stencil with three shades of Ranger Archival Ink, using Shadow Gray, Leaf Green and Tiger Lily colours.

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 61



Today, is Day 61 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 61, I used a rectangle piece of background paper I had imade some time ago, that linked nicely with an off-cut of green patterned paper.  I stamped some circles using a Visible Image stamp (from their "Grunge Tones stamp set) then splattered white Posca Pen across the surface.

I layered using some printed tissue paper and a swallow from a Dina Wakley colalge paper set, finally adding a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "scenic".

Wednesday, 22 April 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 60



Today, is Day 60 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  This is a challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 60, I opted for a very clean and simple look, masking off the edges of the card, to leave a small square in the middle, which I painted with three shades of Distress Oxide Inks.  I used: Bundled Sage, Tumbled Glass and Salvaged Patina.

Once the paint was dry I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the branch, which is a stamp by Marianne Designs and is part of their "Silhouette Collection". The code for this stamp is CS1144.

Finally, I added a swallow from a Dina Wakley collage paper set, a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "wish" and added some black dots with a fine liner pen.

Lavinia Stamps "Large Heart" Anniversary Card



I made this card for our Son and Daughter-in-law who celebrate their first anniversary. Sadly the silver sparkle doesn't show up on the photo.


I used the Lavinia Stamps circle mask from their "Sticker Stencils 5" set to create the circle, using Versafine Clair "Baby Pink" and "Lilac Bloom" to colour through the Lavinia Stamps "Dynamic"Stencil and to create a light layer of Lavinia "Paint Splatters" round teh edge of the "off the page" circle.

Within the circle, I used Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink to stamp the "Large Heart " by Lavinia and aslo the "Paint Splatters".  Before putting the ink away, I added a number 1, which is part of the Lavinia "Numbers" stamp set.  I used Versafine Clair " Morning Mist" grey ink to stamp the lighly stamped verse, using the Lavinia "Sacred Spells" stamp.

Finally, I added touches of silver glitter pen to areas of the card and used a coloured pastel pencil to accentuate the circle.  The last touch was adding the word "Love" which is part of the Lavinia stamp set called ""Live the life".

Tuesday, 21 April 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 59



Today, is Day 59 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  A challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 59 I used four shades of Ranger Archvial Inks and the straight edge of a stencil to create the coloured backgfround pattern.  I tore some pieces of Dina Wakley collage papers and stuck them into position. Then used some stamps for the dots and crosses, stamped in Versafine Clair ink.  I drew around a lid for the line circles and added some dots, using a fine liner pen.  Finally adding a Tim Holtz  "Idea-ology" word sticker sayiing "strong".

Monday, 20 April 2026

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Quirky Birds" Get Well Card



We're visiting our friend in hospital today, so I made this little card for him.  

I used "Sky Blue" Ranger Archival Inks through a moon mask to create the background circle.  I stamped the bird from Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Quirky Birds TE10" stamp set in Versafine Clair Medieval Blue ink. I used the same ink to stamp the sentiment, which is part of a Simon Says Stamp "Tiny Words" stamp set.  I then used "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink and the torn edge of a piece of paper to create the ground the bird stands on.

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 58



Today, is Day 58 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  A challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 58, I used a Funky Fossil Designs stencil, called "Bokeh Builder" to create the pastel coloured background of circles using various shades of Ranger Archival Inks.

I cut a circle of Dina Wakley collage paper and glued into the middle, then added one of her collage paper swallows to the edge and a Tim Holtz "idea-ology" word sticker saying family to the bottom edge of the central circle.

Sunday, 19 April 2026

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 57



Today, is Day 57 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  A challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 57, a handmade patterned paper and blue card for this collage, topped with a Tim Hioltz/Sizzix die cut flower from the "Wildflower Stems #2 - 664164" die set.  Finished with a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker and a swallow from a Dina Wakley collage paper set.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2026 - Week 16



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 16 is "Bubble wrap printing".

For my Week 16 tag, I started with some squeezed  "Light Orchid" Decoart Americana Arcylic paint on to my glass mat, you could use an old plate too! I then placed some bubble wrap, bubble side down into the paint, moving the plastic about till I had a reasonable covering then placed it bubble side down on to a piece of white card.  
Once the paint was dry, I chose the area I wanted to use for my tag then cut it to tag shape.

I used one of the stamps from the Funky Fossil Designs "Beauty in bloom" stamp set with Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the image over the bubble wrap printing..  I used a fine liner black pen to doodle eround some of the discs and to create the wobbly frame edge, I then inked the edges with "Charming Pink" Versafine Clair ink.  Adding a touch of colour to the flowers with a yellow Posca Pen.