Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Framed Delights" Clean and Simple heart wreath card

 

I absolutely adore the heart wreath I've used on this card.  I had planned to do something quite different to what I ended up with, prefering to keep a clean and simple look.

Using the heart shaped wreath stamp from the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Framed Delights TE58" stamp set, I used Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" a green ink and "Acorn" a brown ink to achieve the colour I wanted for the wreath.

I used the same colours of ink to stamp the sentiment, which is part of the Tracy Evans Boutiqeu Designs "Amongst The Flowers TE61" stamp set.  The birds are from that stamp set too, I used Versafine Clair "Nocurne" black ink to stamp those, adding a littel bit of black fine liner for a hair-do on one of the birds and a white gel pen to add some highlights to areas of the birds

A Crafting Niche "52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2026 - Week 35

 

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 35 is "watercolour"

A few weeks back I saw a technique on Instagram where the posted had made three water colour stripes over a stamped image.  It was a technique that stuck in my mind, so thought I'd give it a go.  I did try stamping first, but I didn't like the way the stamping reacted to the paint, so I have achieved a similar look but carried out in a different way.

I started by using watercolour paper and a large mop paint brush, laden with water and brushing the water along the lenth of the tag.  I then used diluted pink, yellow and blue childrens water colour paint and using the same brush adding the colours the length of the tag, starting with yellow down the middle, pink to the left and blue to the right, allowing the colours to run into their neighbouring colours.  I then set it aside for a couple of hours to dry naturally.

I then started to stamp, initially using Versafine Clair  "Morning Mist' for the images further away and then Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink for the images in the forefront.  I used a selection of cling Stampscape Stamps that I bought from Sweet Poppy Stencils, who hold a licence to reproduce the stamps in to a clear stamp rather than red rubber.

Lakeside Cove

Critter Set 2 & 3

Lilygrass

Pine and Rocks small & medium

I added shading using a 2B pencil, a paper stub for blending and a white pastel pencil.  I added touches of colour using Derwent Inktense Pencils and "Morning Mist" Versafine Clair Ink,

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Dog Rose and Butterfly TE45" Gold Heat Embossed Card

When I started to make this card, I had a clear idea of how I wanted it to look.  I'd choosen the background, the stamp and colour of embossing powder before even going in the craft room.  Sometimes when creating, things don't always sit right and this is one of those makes for me.  I actually made this card yesterday, walking away from it to see how I felt about it when I saw it again. It is now growing on me slowly.

The background is two shades of brayered Colorbox Inks.  Greens and blues are my favourite colour combo! For the central design, I used a stamp from the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Dog Rose and Butterfly TE45" stamp set, initially stamping it in Versafine Clair "Twilgiht" dark blue ink, but then I decided to add Wow! Rich Gold Embossing Powder over the top of the stamping and heat set.

On a small off cut of blue card, I then stamped three butterflies from the same stamp set and repeated the heat embossing process.  I fussy cut the butterflies and glued them into position.

Next, I drew some circles with a gold gel pen and added some line detail to them.  I then used a dark blue Posca Pen to add three lvertical lines from the top right and the bottom left, to balance the design.  They looked too prominent, so I added some line detail using the gold gel pen again.  Finally, I added some tiny dots of "Blackberry" Liquid Pearls across the surface.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Garden Delights TE15" snowflake Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I used a background from my stash, a gel plate print made some years ago with lilac, purple and blue tones to it.

I used "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink through the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Snowflake" stencil.  I then used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the tree/part circles, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Garden Delights TE15" stamp set.

Once the stamping was on the ATC, it looked very dull, so I decided to go over the stencil with a white Posca Pen and then added extra Posca Pen tiny dots to the background.

Funky Fossil Badger Trails Collage

It seems a long time since I created a collage style piece, so this morning I have played with some Funky Fossil Designs goodies to create this, which I rather like.

For the background, I used a dark blue page with numbers on it from the Funky Fossil "Turn It Up" papar pack.  I then used other papers from the pack, torn into strips and different shapes and glued into position, along with some Dina Wakley collage paper. I then used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the Funky Fossil "Circle Cascade" stamp.

I then used  Daler Rowley white texture paste through the Funky Fossil "Ever Decreasing Circles Stencil" and set aside to dry.  Once dry, I splattered white, orange and aqua coloured Posca Pens over the surface and left to dry.

On a piece of white card, I used blending brushes to with"Tiger Lily" and "Garden Patina" Ranger Archival Ink.  Then using Versafine Clair "Nccturne" black ink, I stamped the badger, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Badger Trails" stamp.  I then fussy cut the badger and glued into position, finally mounting it on to dark blue card and then a piece of kraft card,

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Poppy TE39 Stamp Set". Poppy Artist Trading Card

 

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I used a gel plate print for the background that has been in my stash for some time.  I stamped the Poppy in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  The poppy is part of a Tracy Evans Boutique Designs Stamp Set called "Poppy TE39". I stamped the poppy head again on a piece of white card too.

Down the left hand edge of the ATC, I stamped text, from the same "poppy" stamp set, using Versaifne Clair "Shady Lane" green ink.  I then used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the sentiment.  

Returning to the poppy head, I used a couple of Derwent Inktense pencils, applied with a paint brush to colour the flower, adding yellow Posca Pen to the middle, with more depth using a black fine liner pen and a white gel pen in areas to provide depth.  I then fussy cut the flower head and glued into position and coloured in the poppy stem with a Derwent Inktense pencil.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Flora and Fauna TE53" Rose and Heart Anniversary Card

This evening I made this anniversary card.  I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to stamp the rose, which is part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Flora and Fauna TE53" stamp set.

In the background, I used the Tracy Evans "Heart SS12" stencil, with "Saltwater Taffy" Distress Oxide Ink.  I then used the same ink through the Tracy Evans "Flurry SS43" stencil round the edge of the heart.

I used a 2B pencil, a paper stub and a white gel pen to shade the rose in.  Finally adding the sentiment, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Love Grows Here TE65" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Nature Feeds The Soul TE48" - black with white pastel pencil

 

This afternoon, I've had a play using a white and black pastel pencil on black card.

I used the "Echinacea" stamp from the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Nature Feeds The Soul TE48:" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink on to black card.  I was able to see just enough of the design to  colour the image with white and black pastel pencils and a white gel pen.

The sentiment is part of the same stamp set.  I used Wow! Clear Embossing Ink with Wow! Silver embossing powder and heat set, then glued it into position on the card.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Sunflower TE33" Sunflower Card

 

Sunflowers are my favouite flowers, sp getting this Tracy Evans sunflower stamp set (TE33) was a must.  I have to say the detail of the stamp itself is incredible.

I stamped the sunflower (Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Sunflower" TE33) stamp in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

I lay the Tracy Evans "Grunge ST3" stencil over the top and lightly applied "Fern Green" Ranger Archival Ink through the stencil, ensuring it was darker by the sunflower and fading the coloru out towards the left and the top of the card.  Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink again, I stamped the word "Sunflower" which is from the TE33 stamp set.

I coloured the sunflower by painting and colouring direct with Derwent Inktense pencils, adding touches of a white and gold gel pen, a black fine liner pen and a 2B pencil with a paper stub for a little shading.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Numeral Cats TE36" Cats and the wall Artist Trading Card

Here's my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I used a background from my stash, which I think had been made on a gel plate many years ago.

I positioned the Tracy Evans Boutique Design "Wall Stencil ST9" about a quarter of the way down the ATC.  Then used three shades of Ranger Archival Inks, using Watering Can, Orange Blossom and Fern Green. I then added extra depth of colour using Van Goch Pastel Pencils. I went round the edge of the card using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink and "Morning Mist" grey ink.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the cat looking over the wall and the full size lady cat.  I highlighted areas with a white gel pen, adding extra whiskers to the male cat looking over the wall at the female.  Finally, I added some hearts between the two cats.  The hearts are part of the Tracy Evans "Quirky Birds TE10" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink,

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Magnolia TE43" Double Magnolia Card

 

A relatively clean and simple design after the busy grungy mistake from last night.

In the backgground, I have used the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Magnolia ST2 stencil" with two shades of Ranger Archival Ink, using "Vivid Chartreuse" and "Fern Green" colours of ink.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the magnolia using the Tracty Evans "Magnolia TE43" stamp set.  In the top left and the bottom right, I stamped the text, in Versafine Clair "Morning MIst" grey ink in second generation stamping.  I then stamped the word "Magnolia" in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  Both the word and the text are part of the "Magnolia TE43" stamp set.

I added some depth of colour to the stencilled area by using a blue coloured pastel pencil and a white gel pen.  I then added some black speckles of Posca Pen.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Special Delivery TE64" Flower on Brusho Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I have used a small piece of a Brusho paint background from my stash for the background colour.

I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist`' grey ink to stamp the flower, which is part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs"Special Delivery TE64" stamp set.

On the left hand side, I multi stamped the text saying "Plant a gardem, and breathe new life into a space", using Versfine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink again.  The text is part of the Tracy Evans "Explore Nature TE67" stamp set.

I coloured the flower using Derwent Inktense pencils and a white gel pen.  Finally, adding the sentiment. also part of the "Explore Nature TE67" stamp set, stamped vertically in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

When things go wrong make

 

This is a "When things go wrong" make.  I created a beautiful background of two Distress Oxide inks,  using "Tea Dye" and "Peacock Feathers".  But then I dropped an ink pad in the middle of it, so it ended up a cover up make with grunge vibes.

I have used three Tracy Evans Boutique Designs Stamp Sets for this card:

TE61 Amongst the Flowers

TE64 Special Delivery

TE67 Explore Nature

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "The Miracle Of A Flower TE59" Just For You Card

For this card, I used a three and a half inch square piece of whte card for the base, very loosely painting the left hand edge, about a quarter of the way across using "Peacock Feathers" Distress Oxide Ink.

Once dry, I used "Peacock Feathers" Distress Ink to stamp the Tracy Evans "Bubbles TE34" stamp.  Over-lapping some of painted area but extending tp about the two thirds way across the card.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink, I stamped the seed heads and the setiment of "Just For You", they are both part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "The Miracle Of A Flower TE59" stamp set.  Then on an off-cut of white card, I stamped the seed heads again, fussy cut the actual seed heads and glued into position.  Finally, adding some white highlights using a gel pen to the stems and then adding a few dots of black and white Posca Pen.

Lavinia Stamps "Coven of the blue moon" Misty Witch Artist Trading Card

This is.my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I used a gel press background from my stash with blues and purples in it, so felt it suitable for halloween.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the witch, part of the Lavinia Stamps "Coven of the blue moon" stamp set, I deliberately faded the ink out towards the base of the skirt as I wanted a misty lool.  

I used a circle stencil to create the moon with a white pastel pencil.  I then used "Nocturne" ink again for stamping the branches from the Lavinai "Tree of courage" stamp set.  

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the text on the left hand side of the ATC, the text is part of the Lavinia stamps "Witching Hour" verse.  I then used Hero Arts "Unicorn" white pigment ink, with a finger dabber to create the misty look at the base of the ATC.  Finally adding some coloured berries to the branches using a lilac and purple Posca Pen.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Artsy Alpha/Numbers TE16" with a star Artist Trading Card

Here's another Artist Trading Card (ATC).  The background blues and orange shades are from a clean up of my brayer, some years back.  Because the colour was so dark, I didn't get round to using it.  So today, I decided it had been hanging around for long enough.  Use it or bin it!  I opted to use it.

Using a Wow! Clear Embossing Ink Pad, I stamped the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Artsy Alphas/Numbers TE16 Stamp" on to the dark brayered background.  I then coated the stamped ink image with Wow! Rich Gold Embossing Powder and heat set.

On a piece of navy coloured card I stamped the large star from the Tracy Evans "A Promise Of Tomorrow TE63" stamp set, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I then coated the stamped image with Wow! Clear Gloss Embossing Powder and heat set.  Once dry, I fussy cut the star shape and glued onto a piece of card cut to the same shape to add a bit of dimension, I then glued the double layered star on to the Artist Trading Card.

I inked the edge of the ATC using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink and then added a Tim Holtz "idea-ology" word sticker to the middle of the star, saying "Create".

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Acorn Snippet Stencil SS28" Card

 

Another card made using Tracy Evans Boutique Designs stamps and stencils.

I used the Tracy Evans "Acorn Snippet Stencil SS28" with Versafine Clair "Sand Dune" a light brown coloured ink.  Then on the edges, I used a deeper shade of ink "Acorn" brown.

Within the acorn shape, I created a landscape, using the torn edge of a piece of paper with Versafine Clair "Fallen Leaves" a dark brown ink.  I stamped the trees, which are part of the Tracy Evans "On The Wild Side TE50" stamp set, using Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" Green ink.  I stamped the toadstool, from the same stamp and coloured it with Posca Pen and Derwent Inktense pencils.

I stamped the red squirrel, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Alpha Florals TE32" stamp set, in Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown" ink, adding shading to the squireel usuing a white pastel pencil, a white gel pen and a black fine liner.

Next, I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink through the Tracy Evans "Flurry Snippet Stencil SS43".

I added more depth of colour to the ground using Derwent Inktense pencils and then stamped the sentiment "On The Wild Side" (part of the Tracy Evans stamp set of the same name), in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane".

Tracy Evans Boiutique Designs "Love Grows Here TE65" Dandelion Artist Trading Card

 

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day. I have used a piece of gel plate print for the background.  I used Versafine Clair "Wisteria Purple" ink through the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Tile Stencil S37". 

I then used Versaifne Clair "Fantasia" purple ink to stamp the dandelion head, which is part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Love Grows Here TE65" stamp set. I created a cloud over the dandelion head by using a finger dabber with Hero Arts "Unicorn White" Pigment Ink.  Once dry, I used a white pastel pencil to increase the dreamy cloud look of the dandelion head, then topped each bit with a white Posca Pen, using a white gel pen for the stem.

Finally, I used a purple Posca Pen on the edges of the ATC and a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "wishful".

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs :"Feathered Friend TE49" Happy Couple Card

I have continued to play with the Tracy Evans "Feathered Friend TE49" chicken stamp set, making this fun engagement card.  

In the background I used "Chrome Yellow" Ranger Archival ink to cover just under a half of the white card.  I then used the same ink with the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "TE34 Bubbles" stamp on the yellow and on the white areas of the card.

I then lay the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Cluck Stencil SS30" off the right hand edge of the card, filling the middle area with "Tiger Lily" Ranger Archival ink.

Next, I used Versafine Clair "Strawberry" red ink to stamp the chicken, which is part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Feathered Friends TE49 stamp set.  I coloured the hearts in the body using a white Posca Pen. The grounded the birds using "Coffee" Ranger Archival Ink.

Finally, I added the sentiment of "congratulations" and "to the happy couple", both of these are part of the Simon Says Stamp "Tiny Words" stamp set, stamped in Verafine Clair "Strawberry" red ink.

Tracy Evans "TE52 Wilderness" Foxglove Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day, I hade a pretty cottage garden in mind while making this one.

The background is a piece of a gel press print, made many years ago, there was no pattern, just lots of pretty speckles of paint colour. I used Versafine Clair Shady Lane, Charming Pink and Dahlia Purple to stamp the foxgloves.  Stamping the word "Foglove" in Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink.  The foxgloves and the words are part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Wilderness TE52" stamp set.  I added touches of Derwent Inktense pencils and a white gel pen for exra detail.

Lavinia Stamps "Blackthorn Chapel" circles card

Today, I have made a card in the style of a dear friend, Eileen Godwin.  She has inspired so many people over the years and I love her work.

Starting with a white piece of card, I used a circle mask to create the background coloured circels using Range Arcival Inks.  The colours I used are:  Prickly Pear, Tiger Lily and Sky Blue.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Blackthorn Chapel", "Pixie Lanterns", one of the rats from the Lavinia "Ragwort & Strawson" and one of the birds from the Lavinia "Poe & Noctis" stamp set.

I then used two of the recently released Lavinia stencils, with the same Ranger Archival Inks (colours as above) and Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  The Stencils used are:  Baroque Flower Stencil and Distressed Chequerboard Stencil.

Using a black fine liner pen, I drew circles.  I then stamped text round the large circle using the Lavinia Stamps verse called "Forbidden Secrets", using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  I then stamped the word "Silence" which is part of the Lavinia Stamps "Nightfall" stamp set.

I gorunded the tree and the rat using a 2B pencil and a paper stub.  I coloured areas with Van Goch Pastel Pencils and a white gel pen,  Finally adding some whie and black splatter dots with Posca Pens,

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Feathered Friend TE49" Hen Artist Trading Card

 

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day. In the background, I created a very loose looking yellow gingham grid using "Chrome Yellow" Ranger Archival Ink.

I stamped the hen, which is part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Feathered Friend TE49" stamp set, using two shades of Versafine Clair inks:  Strawberry red and Acorn brown inks.  I then used Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink with second generation stamping of the branch round the edge of the ATC.  The branch is actually the tree from the Tracy Evans "Silhouettes" stamp set.

Using a red Posca Pen i drew the berries, adding a touch of white gel pen to each berry I grounded the hen using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, topped with some Van Goch Pastel Pencils.  I used the pastel pencils to edge the card too. I also added touches of a black fine liner pen to various areas.

On to a white piece of card, using Versaifne Clair "Strawberry" red ink, I stamped the words "Just Hatched", which is part of a Papertrey Ink stamp set called "On the farm".  I cut it to an arrow shape, glued into position, added a touch of "Chrome Yellow" Ranger Archival Ink on to the sign to tone the white down, finally adding a black edge, using a fine liner.

Lavinia Stamps "Starmoth" Card

For this card, I started by masking off a circle within the square card to work within, to ensure no ink went on to the edges. I used two shades of Distress Oxide Inks for the background colour, using Saltwater Taffy on the edges and Shaded Lilac in the middle.

I then stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Starmoth" using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  I actually stamped it twice as I wanted more depth of colour, but not as strong as black.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the crow, part of the Lavinia Stamps "Poe & Noctis" stamp set.  Using the same ink, I stamped the rat, part of the Lavinia Stamps duo stamp set called "Ragword & Strawson".

Retaining the mask/stencil position, I then stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Raventhorn" bramble round the edge of the circle using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  I used the same ink with a small blending brush to darken the edges of the circle.  I then used "Morning Mist" again with one of the Lavinia Stamps "Hill Masks" to create the ground scape area.

Using some lilac/purple ink remaining on my blending brush from a previous project I applied the colour through the Lavinia Stamps "Baroque Flower Stencil, either side of Starmoth. Finally, I moved on to adding colour and detail to the scene using a selection of Van Goch Pastel Pencils, assorted normal and glitter gel pens.

A Crafting Niche "52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2026" - Week 34

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 34 is "Summer"

During the summer months, Rosie our dog likes to swin in the sea, so my tag is about 'Dog walkes by the sea".

I used a plain white card, cut into a tag shape.  I then used a Wow! Clear Embossing Ink Pad on the Inkylicious "By The Sea - Waves Stamp Set", coated the ink with Wow! Clear Gloss Embossing Powder and then heat set using a heat gun.

I then used "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink though the Inkylicous "Scenic Mountain Hills Stencil", adding touches of a dark pastel pencil for extra details

I gave the sky a light covering of "Sky Blue" Ranger Archival Ink.  I then painted the sky, using two shades of diluted Distress Oxide Inks:  Tumbled Glass and Speckled Egg.  For the Sea, I used three shades of diluted Distress Oxide Inks.  The colours I used are:Salty Ocean, Mermaid Lagoon and a tiny touch of Mowed Lawn.  For the sand, I used two shades of diluted Distress Oxide Inks:  Tea Dye and Wild Honey.  I added extra colour to the sand using a pastel pencil.

Finally, I printed out the words "walkimg the dog on the beach", cut it to size and glued into position, then added a touch of diluted "Tea Dye" Distress Oxide Ink to tone the white down and make it look less obvious.

Lavinia Stamps "Blackthorn Chapel" Card

For this card, I used a background I made a few weeks back using a selection of spritzed Element Inks. Using white Pan Pastel and a Lavinia "Moon Mask" I created the moon.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Blackthorn. Chapel".  I then greated the landscape using the Lavinia Stamps "Hill Masks" using "Mermaid" and "Dark Denim" Element Inks.

I then used two Lavinia Stamps stencils:  "Baroque Flower Stencil" and "Distressed Chequerboard Stencil" with "Flying Fig" and "Mulberry" Element Inks. I masked off the edge of the hills and stamped the Lavinia "Ancient Chapels" using Versafine Clair "Morning MIst" grey ink.

Then using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black Ink, I stamped "Pipin" the hare and the branches from the Lavinia "Tree of Courage" stamp set and some branches from the Lavinia "Foliage Set". Finally, I coloured areas using Van Goch Pastel Pencils, white gel pen, a fine liner and Posca Pens.

Funky Fossil Designs "Winter Wonderland" Misty Artist Trading Card

Rummaging through my prepared background file, I came across a small section of a gel plate background, made some years ago using Pan Pastels through a couple of stencils by Funky Fossil Designs, if memory serves me correctly I used "Lovely Leaves" and "Peony Panel" stencils.

Using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, I stamped the trees, birds and "calm" sentiment, which are all part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Winter Wonderland" stamp set.  I created the ground, using the same ink and the torn edge of paper.

To create the mist, I used a finger dabber with Hero Arts "Unicorn" white pigment ink,  I had to apply several layers of dabbing to get the strength of "mist" I was looking for. I finished adding touches of white gel pen to the trees and the birds.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Take Flight TE9" Moth Trio Card

For the base colour of this card, I used three shades of Ranger Archival Inks, masking off sections as I coloured them with a blending brush. The shades of ink I used are Paradise Teal at the base, Garden Patina in the middle, Aquamarine next and then a band of white card at the top.

I then stamped the background, using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the central image, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Take Flight TE9" stamp set.  Using second generation stamping and the same ink, I stamped the script text, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Magnolia TE43" stamp set.  I then stamped the magnolias in the two opposite corners using "Twilight" again.  The magnolia is part of the same stamp set too.

On a plain white piece of card, I stamped the moth, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Flower Power TE37".  I used three shades of Versafine Clair inks for the moth.  The colours I used are: Charming Pink for the top moth, Dahlia Purple for the middle moth and Purple Delight for the lower moth.  Finally, I added a few touches of black fine liner pen and some black Posca Pen splatters.

Fungi Treasure Artist Trading Card

On my way to the exit of my local Tesco store, there is a charity book table, where you can take a book for a donation of 50p.  This little book "A Field Guide To The Mushrooms & Toadstools of Britain & Europe".  It's a fab little book, with lots of great images, which I thought I could use for collage and my Artist Trading Cards (ATC).

I cut a picture of fungi from the book and glued it into position on a Brusho background, cut to ATC size. I used the Lavinia Stamps "Pibbles" stencil with Versafine Clair "Green Oasis" ink.  I then drew round some of the pebble shapes with a black fine liner.  while the pen was out, I also added line detail to the fungi.

I then added some white dots of Posca Pen in between the pebbles, circling them in a red fine liner pen.  I then added some small red dots to the background too, along with a line of scratch marks round the top left edge of the ATC.

I added a small snail to the bottoms of the ATC, stamped in Versafine Clair "Fallen Leaves" brown ink, with touches of a gold gel pen. The snail is part of a Tracy Evasns stamp set called "Love Grows Here - TE65".  Finally, I added a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "treasure".

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Beauty Surrounds Us TE56" Clean and Simple Card

After the busy background of my previous make, here's a very clean and simple card.  I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the flower, which is part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs  "TE56 Beauty Surrounds Us" stamp set.

After mounting the central area on to black and then white card, I stamped the bird and the sentiment, both are part of the "TE61 Amongst The Flowers" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Lightbulb SS8" Lightbulb and Hares Card

A late evening play session, making this card.  I used a background I made a couple of days ago using Paperartsy  Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints for the background, using "Peach Nectar" and "Candy Floss" shades of paint.

I used the Tracy Evans "Lightbulb SS8 Stencil" with "Abandoned Coral" and "Spun Sugar"  Distress Oxide Inks to colour the lgihtbulb.  I added shadow using "Weathered Wood" Distress Oxide Ink, with areas of white Posca Pen and black fine liner pen.

In the background, I used the Tracy Evans "Distressed Diamonds Background SS31" stencil with Versaifne Clair "Morning MIst" grey ink. within the lightbulb, I created a ground using the torn edge of a piece of paper and more "Morning Mist" ink.  I used a white pencil to create a moon circle, filling it in with white and a touch of 2B pencil.  

Next I stamped the hares using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, the hares are part of the Tracy Evans "Berries TE55" stamp set.  Using the same ink and text from the same stamp set, I stamped the text down the right hand side of the card.  

I then stamped the tree branches in "Nocturne" black ink.  They are part of the Tracy Evans "Silhouettes TE38" stamp set.  Using the same ink, I stamped the bird, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Amongst The Flowers TE61" stamp set.

Finally, I added blossom to the tree branches using a white and pale pink Posca Pen.  Added extre details with 2B Pencil and a black fine liner and added a splatter of white Posca Pen dots too.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Create A Garden TE66 stamp set" Bird on the tiles Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I have used a Brusho paint background from my stash. I then inked the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Tiles SS37 stencil" with Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink and stamped the pattern on to the ATC.  After cleaning the stencil, I then applied the same colour ink through the stencil in the top right and bottom left corners.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the bird and the wild flowers.  These are part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Create A Garden TE66" stamp set.  using the same ink, I stamped the branches in the top right corner, which are part of the Tracy Evans "Silhouettes TE38" stamp set.

I used a white and a yellow Posca Pen for the flowers and tree blossom.  I used a dark blue and a white pastel pencil on the bird, adding highlights using a white gel pen.  Finally, I added a word sticker saying "Don't forget to fly".

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "On The Wild Side TE50' The Fungi Forest Artist Trading Card

For this Artist Trading Card (ATC), I used a small piece of Yupo paper with green alcohol inks on it, that has been in my stash for longer than I care to remember. I'm calling this ATC "The Fungi Forest".

On a piee of grey card, I stamped the fungi, using Versafine Clair "Morning MIst" grey ink.  The fungi are part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "On The Wild Side TE50" stamp set. I coloured the stamped images using Posca Pens, a white gel pen and a black fine liner pen.  I then fussy cut them and arranged and glued them into position on the alcohol ink background.

I used a pink Posca Pen to add dots, that I circles with a black fine liner pen.  I then added smaller white Posca Pen dots to the background and some brown Posca Pen for the forest floor. Finally, I added a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "discover" to the top right hand corner.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Poppy TE39" Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  For the background, I used a small piece of card I had in my stash with a Dylusions Spray Ink over it.

I masked off a small section at the base of the card for the landscape and then stamped the flowers from the Tracy Evans Boutique "Poppy TE39" stamp set.  In the background, I used the Tracy Evans "Distressed Background Stencil SS31" with "Morning Mist" Versafine Clair ink.  I used the same ink to stamp the text along the left hand side of the ATC, which is also from "Poppy TE39' stamp set.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the word "poppy" at the base of the card.  I then coloured the poppies using a mix of Van Goch Pastel Pencils, a red Posca Pen and a white gel pen.  

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Seedheads TE40" Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I've used layers of Distress Paint, (Rustic Wilderness, Salvaged Patina and Prize Ribbon), spritzed dried and then another layer of paint added, along with speckles of spritzed white, orange and gold Posca Pen to create the background of this ATC.

I used Versafine Clair "Acorn", a rich mid brown coloured ink to stamp the seedheads, part of the Tracy Evans "Seedheads TE40" stamp set, on the ATC and then again on white card. I coloured the seedheads using three shades of Distress Oxide inks, applied with a paint brush.  the colours I used are:  Tea Dye, Spiced Marigold and Rustic Wilderness.  I added areas of black fine liner pen and white gel pen to them too.  I then fussy cut them.

At this stage, I decided that the background was too similar to the painted seedheads to I added more colour using a couple of pastel pencils in a brighter green and an orange.  I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" a dark blue ink, to stamp the text, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Magnolia TE43I then glued the seedheads into position.

I still wasn't happy with the background, especially the edges of the ATC, so I used a blue Posca Pen very loosely round the edges of the card,  I added some more white splatters of Posca Pen across the surface and finally added a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker staying "genuine".

Tracy Evans Boutique Desigs "Decorations TE18" Christmas Card

I started with a 4x4" piee of whtie card, stamping the baubles in "Strawberry" Versafine Clair Inks.  The baubles are from two Tracy Evans Boutique Designs stamp sets: Christmas Wishes TE22 and Decorations TE18.

I then stamped the holly, which is part of the Tracy Evans "A Promise Of Tomorrow TE63" stamp set.  I used Versafine Clair "Rain Forest" green ink to stamp the holly in first and second generation stamping.

I then painted the background using two shades of Distress Oxide Ink with a paint brush.  The colours I used are:  Weathered Wood and Spiced Marmalade.  I painted it to give a very mottked look to the background. Once dry, I then used "Cornflower Blue" Ranger Archival ink through the Tracy Evans "Tiles SS37 stencil either side of the large bauble. I then used some text from the Tracy Evans "Berries TE55" stamp set, stamped in Versaifne Clair "Shady Lane" green ink over the background area.

The next stemp was painting the holly, using two shades of Distress Oxide Inks.  The colours I used are Rustic Wilderness and Mowed Lawn.  I then outlined some of the holly leaves using a black fine liner pen and added some touches of gold using a gold coloured gel pen,  I used a red Posca Pen for the berries.

Nearing completion, I added some shading to the baubles using a pastel pencil. I used a white gel pen to add highlights to the berries and baubles.  Then from a fan shaped paint brush, I gave a slight covering of  Dr Ph. Martin's Bleed Proof  white paint to replicate snowfall.  Finally, I added the sentiment, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Chrismtas Wishes TE22" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

A face, spots and stripes Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I used a background from my stash, where I had used bubble wrap and acrylic paint to create a patterned background. 

I used a section of a Dina Wakley collage paper, glued on to the base in the top righ hand corner.  I then used a black pen to draw round the circles in the background, adding dots and stripes in black to some of the circles.  I used a white Posca Pen to do the same to the other circles and also drew vertical lines in white round the face on the collage paper.  Finally, adding a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "be open to whatever comes next".

Tracy Evans "TE61 Amongst The Flowers" Protea on water colour squares

For this card, I used a piece of water colour card for the base,  I very lightly drew a grid of nine squares and then coloured the squares by painting each one in Distress Oxide Inks,  The colours I used for the squares are:Spiced Marmalade, Abandoned Coral and Gathered Twigs.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the flower, the bird and the word Protea, which are all part of the Tracy Evans stamp set called "Amongs The Flowers TE61".  I stamped the flower head atain on to a piece of white card, fussy cut it and glued it over the one on the card base.  I then used a 2B pencil and a paper stub to shade the petals on the flower, 

I added highlights to the flower and bird using a white gel pen.  I then added a pattern to each square in the background using a gold coloured gel pen.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Insect TE27" Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  On to yellow card, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the image, leaves and sentiment, which are all part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Insect TE27" stamp set.

In the background, I masked off lines and filled the ones showing with "Monarch Orange" Ranger Archival Ink.

I decided to draw an additional circle, then coloured the circles pale blue usine a pastel pencil,  I used an aqua and purple Posca Pen to colour the insect and added touches of sparkle to the circles and the insect using a gold shimmer pen (sadly, it doesn't really show up in the photo).

A Crafting Niche "52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2026 - Week 33

 

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 33 is "Quotes"

For my tag, I have used a quote from the film "Dirty Dancing" made in 1987.  It's a film I have loved and watched many times.  I started out with black card, cut into a tag shape.  I printed out a watermelon and cut it into thin strips and glued them into position on the tag.

On a white piece of card, I drew a cirlcle, then coloured it in like a water melon using Distress Oxide Inks.  The colours of inks I used are::  Saltwater Taffy, Abandoned Coral, Antique Linen and  Mowed Lawn.  I used a Derwent Inktense brown pencil to dtaw the pips. I then cut the circle into sections to replicate wedges of watermelon.

From the computer, I printed out the quote of "I carried the watermelon".  then cut it into strips, added a touch of Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink and glued it into position along with the wedges of watermelon.  I felt the background looked a bit dark, so I added some white Posca Pen polka dots.  Then mounted the tag onto some co-ordinating green card to make the colours of the tag pop.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "A Promise Of Tomorrow TE63" Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I used layers of two Ranger Distress Paints "Prize Ribbon" and "Salvaged Patina".  Once I was happy with the background, I then splattered white and gold Posca Pens over the surface and spritzed with water to achieve a more mottled look to the splatters, using a heat gun to dry.  I then splattered white Posca Pen over the surface again, but didn't spritz the dots to retain the splatter look.

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the flower on to the ATC and on to a piece of white card.  The flower is part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "A Promise Of Tomorrow TE63" stamp set.  I then stamped the words in the background using the same ink, the words are also part of the same stamp set.

Returning to the flower head stamped on white card, I fussy cut it and glued it into position,  I added a touch of yellow to the petals using a Derwent Inktense Pencil, colouring the flower head with yeloow and orange Posca Pens.  I added shading to the stem and the leaf by using a white gel pen and a black fine liner pen.  Finally, I added a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "friendship".

Tracy Evans "Blossoms Of Hope TE62" Honeysuckle Card

This is a card I made for my friend a week or so back, but have not been able to share it till now.

I started this card using "Tea Rose" Ranger Archival Ink through the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Heart SS12 Stencil".  I then stamped the honeysuckle, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Blossoms Of Hope TE62" stamp set.  I stamped the word "honeysuckle" in the same ink and it is from the same stamp set too.

Next, I used the Tracy Evans "Tile SS37 Stencl" with "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink. I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to stamp the text, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Magnolia TE43" stamp set, stamped in second generation stamping to create a very light text.

Using a gold coloured gel pen and the Tracy Evans "Flurry SS43 Stencil", I drew round the circles, then filled them in using a gold coloured Posca Pen.  Finally, I added a trail of small dots by the honeysuckle using a black Posca Pen.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Special Delivery TE64" Fern Head Sympathy Card

I've gone for a clean and simple look for this sympathy card, using "Sky Blue" and "Pink Peony" Ranger Archival Ink through the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Brick Wall ST9 Stencil".

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the fern heads, which are part of the Tracy Evans "Special Delivery TE64 stamp set.  I used the same ink to stamp the sentiment of "sorry for your loss", which is part of a Simon Says Stamp set called "Tiny words".

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "On The Wild Side TE50" Butterfly Trio Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I used Versasfine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the butterfly from the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "On The Wild Side TE50" stamp set.

I then drew horizonal lines in an orange coloured Derwent Inktense Pencil then spritzed the surace so that the lines of colour ran.  I then added extra colour to the edges of the card using two shades of Distress Oxide Inks, using "Worn Lipstick" and "Abandoned Coral".  I coloured the butterflies using three shades of Derwent Inktense Pencils.

Finaly, I added word stickers saying "everything has beauty".  Inked the edge of the card in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, added some dots of black Posca Pen by the butterflies and a drawn line on the two long edges.

Paperartsy / Kate CraneKCM012 Flower Grid Artist Trading Card

 

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  A bright and not over complicated card.

I put some "Squeezed Lemonade" Distress Oxide Ink on to my glass mat, spritzed it with water then popped my card over the surface to achieve the motteled yellow background. Using Versafine Clair "Morning MIst" grey ink, I stamped the grid, which is the Paperartsy / Kate Crane KCM014 stamp. 

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, i stamped the flower (Paperartsy / Kate Krane 012.  Using "Mowed Lawn" and "Worn Lipstick" Distress Oxide Inks, coloured by painting.  I used a black Posca Pen for splatters and an orange Posca Pen for the head.  Finally, I added a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "Adore".

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Blossoms Of Hope TE62" flower pot card

I escaped to the craft room to have a play, but even in there is it warm, so I've made this card in two stages.  Hope you're coping ok with the heat.

I started off with a piece of white card measuring 4x4".  Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the large flower pot, the seed tag and the pot plant.  All of these are part of the same Tracy Evans Boutique Designs stamp set called Blossoms Of Hope TE62".

I coloured the image using the following Distress Oxide Inks, applied with a paint brush. Antique Linen, Dried Marigold, Shabby Shutters, Tea Dye and Walnut Stain, I then used Versafine Clair "Morning MIst" grey ink, very lightly through the Tracy Evans "Distressed Background SS31 stencil". I then moved on to adding more details.  I used the same ink to stamp the months on the seed tag and the word grow.  They are part of the Tracy Evans "Special Delivery TE64" stamp set.

I then stamped the snail using Versafine Clair "Acorn" and the feather, using Versafine Clair "Portobello" brown ink.  Both these are part of the same stamp set, the Tracy Evans "Love Grows Here TE65" set.

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stmapsed the "Inspired by nature" sentiment, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Blossoms of Hope TE62" stamp set.  I used Pastel Pencils to colour the flower and to add shading along with a gold and a white coloured gel pen.

Artist Trading Card - "Adventure Awaits You"

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I used a piece of sage green coloured card for the base of thisn ATC.  I then fussy cut and glued into position a face on a piece of Dina Wakley Collage Paper, using an Aqua coloured Posca Pen to draw vertical stripes.

I then used a lid to draw part of a circle and drew horizontal lines in a white pen and a black fine liner pen.  I then used a Funky Fossil Designs stecil called "Ever decreasing circles" with Versafien Clair "Nocturne" black ink. I used the same ink to stamp the birds, which are part of two Funky Fossil stamp sets called "Woodland Minis" and "Winter Wonderland".

Next, I used an aqua coloured Posca pen to draw dots and circled them with a black fine liner pen.  I then added a word sticker saying "adventure awaits you".

Lavinia Stamps "Toad Lodge" and "Honeysuckle Cottage" in monochrome card

This afternoon, I've had a play with a couple of the Lavinia Stamps buildings, creating this little scene.  All stamping is done in two shades of Versafine Clair inks.  Nocturne (black) and Morning MIst (grrey).  All shading is done using a 2B pencil and a paper stub.  the stamps that I have used are:

LAV657 Tree Of Courage

LAV686 Toad Lodge

LAV687 Honeysuckle Cottage

LAV1021 Twilight Passage

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Crocus TE31" Artist Trading Card

Here's my daily Artist Trading Card (ATC).  I've used a gel press background from my stash for the background.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the crocus, which is part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Crocus TE31" stamp set.  I then used the Tracy Evans "Tiles SS37 Stencil" with "Pink Peony" Ranger Archival Ink. I grounded the crocus using the torn edge of copy paper and Versafine Clair "Morning MIst" grey ink.  I then used a circle maskto add a spotlight area and edged the circle in "Vibrant Fuschia" Ranger Archival Ink.

I edged the ATC in "Cactus Flower" Ranger Archival ink.  used touches of a white gel pen to the stencil and a white pastel pencil to lighten the spotlight and some of the grounding.  Finally, I added some dots of black Posca Pen

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs Special Delivery TE64" Frog Postcard Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day. For the background, I've used a piece of card I used for mopping up Distress Oxide Ink from a previous project.

After rounding the corners on the card, I stamped the postcard (part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs stamp set called "Special Delivery TE64), in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink. I used a fern from the same stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stampted the ferns on the right hand side, using one of the stamps from the Tracy Evans "Ferns TE3" stamp set,  I then used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the bird and the frog, both are part of the Tracy Evans "Love Grows Here TE65" stamp set.

I used a Simon Says Stamp set called "Tiny Words" for the words "hello" and "Just For You" stamped in Versaifne Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I then added a drawn speach bubble round the word "Hello".