Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Delight In Nature TE13" Artist Trading Card

 This is my second Artist Trading Card (ATC). I used plain white card for the background, using "Sea Grass" Ranger Archival Ink through the Tracy Evans "Grunge ST3" stencil. I then added some colour to the edges of the card using "Sky Blue" Ranger Archival Ink,

Next, I stamped the flower in the middle, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Delight In Nature TE13" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  I then coated the area with Pebeo Drawing Gum as a mask.

Once the drawing gum was dry, I used two shades of Distress Inks, Ripe Persimmon and Carved Pumpkin colours, using Peeled Paint for the stems of the flowers which are the Tracy Evans "Daisy Daisy ST5" stencil.  I then rubbed away the masking fluid.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the word "garden" along the stem of the flower.  The word is part of the Tracy Evans "Dog Rose and Butterfly TE45" stamp set.  I added white gel pen and black fine liner to the stems and to areas of the flowers.  I used a 2B pencil and a paper stub to add shadows to the main flower and then added colour to the petals using Derent Inktense Pencils.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Good Things Take Time TE60" pigeon Artist Trading Card

 

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I've used a piece of white card for the base, adding colour that was on my blending bushes through the Tracy Evans "Brick Wall ST9 stencil".

I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to stamp the flower pot, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Blossoms Of Hope TE62" stamp set.  Using the same ink I added the text down the left hand side, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Good Things Take Time TE60" stamp set, stamped in second generation stamping.  I used the same stamp set and ink for stamping the pigeon too.

I then used Versafine Clair "Sand Dune" a sandy/beige coloured ink to stamp the special delivery postal mark, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Special Delivery TE64" stamp set.  I then coloured the pigeon and the flower pot by using a paint brush to apply Derwent Inktense pencil.  Finally, adding Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" and "Morning Mist" ink to the edges of the card.

Visible Image Stamps "Live In The Moment" Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I have used a gel plate print background from my stash, where I have used a Tim Holtz chevron layering stencil to achieve the pattern.

I have stamped the small drogonflies, part of the Visible Image "Live In The Moment" stamp set using Versafine Clair "Bali Blue" ink.  Then using stamps from the same stamp set, I stamped the sentiment and the large dragonfly, using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.  I used the same ink to edge the ATC too.

I added silver glitter pen to the wings of the large dragonfly and a blue fine liner centre to the small dragonflies in the background.  I added white polka dots in the background, which I circled using a black fine liner pen, to make them stand out more.

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

 

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day. A water colour scene with stamping.  I used Derwent Inktense Pencils with a paint brush to create the river and landscape scene.  

I used Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink to stamp the trees in first and second generation stamping.  The trees are part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "On The Wild Side TE50" stamp set.  I then stamped the wild grasses in the foreground, part of the same set using Versafine Clair  "Rain Forest" a dark green ink, topped with white Posca Pen.

Next, I stamped the word "Wilderness" which is also part of the Tracy Evans "On The Wild Side" stamp set, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  Using the same ink and a stamp from the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Take The Scenic Route TE68" stamp set, I stamped the heron standing on the rocks.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Bird SS29 Stencil" card

Earlier today, I made some backgrounds, using  a stamping block and sprtized Distress Paints, I used Prize Ribbon, Salvaged Patina and Speckled Egg colours.  I've used one of the lighter backgrounds for this card.

I placed the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Bird SS29" stencil over the background and applied "Aquamarine" Ranger Archival Ink through the stencil with a blending brush..

I then stamped the floral/part circle wreath, which is part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs stamp set called "Malva TE8", using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.  I used the same ink to create a landscape, using the torn edge of a piece of paper.

I used Van Goch Pastel Pencils to add colour to the bird and the landscape, also using a white gel pen on the breast of the bird. I added shadows using a 2B pencil and a paper stub.

Using Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink again, I stamped the grasses in the foreground, which are part of the Tracy Evans "On The Wild Side TE50" stamp set, adding touches of white and aqua coloured Posca Pen.

Colour prints using a stamping block

Unusual for me, I didn't want to stamp or be creative in the normal way, so decided to make some backgrounds for future use instead.

I cut a couple of pieces of A4 300 gsm card into four quarters and lightly spritzed the surface with water

On an acrylic stamping block, (place a piece of kitchen roll under the block), I've used dots of three shades of Ranger Distress Paint. The colours I have used here are: Speckled Egg, Salvaged Patina and Prize Ribbon. I lightly spritzed the paint dots and then moved the paint around using the non brush end of a paint brush.

To take the prints, I lay a piece of the spritzed card over the top, smoothing it down and then took the print. Each print became lighter and in some places the paint was nearly non existent, so I added another spritz of water, to move the paint around, till there was no more paint left on the block.

I set the prints aside to air dry fully and cleaned the stamping block of any residue paint, so it was ready to use again.

For any body that reads my posts regularly, you'll know that greens and blue shades are my favourite colour combinations, so I look forward to uisng these backgrounds in the future.

Top Tip: When saving the backgrounds for future use, in pencil write on the back of each one, what shades of paints or inks you used, or write it on a post -it note and cliip the prints together. It makes it a lot easier than relying on memory when writing your blog posts

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Zinnia TE41" Hope Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I had a background in my stash with very pale  speckled colours on it, so decided to use that for the base of this ATC.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink and the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Zinnia TE41" stamp set, I stamped the central image.  

I then used the Tracy Evans "Snowflakes SS47" stencil with two shades of Ranger Archival inks.  The colours I used are:  Garden Patina and Majestic Violet.  I then used the blending brush used for the violet, to add colour round the edges of the ATC.

Next, I used a lid to draw a circle with a black fine liner pen round the stamped image.  I coloured the flowers using a yellow Derwent Inktense Pencils, adding touches of orange Posca Pen to the flower too.  Finally, stamping the word "hope", which is also part of the "Zinnia" stamp set.  I then inked the edge of the card in black Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink.

Funky Fossil Designs "Festive Greenary" Artist Trading Card

For the base of this Artist Trading Card (ATC), I have used an off cut of the Funky Fossil Designs "Turn It Up" patterned paper pad. 

In the top left and bottom right corner, I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to stamp the Funky Fossil "A7 Vintage Script" stamp.  Then in the top right and bottom left corners, I stamped the Funky Fossil "A7 Brick Wall" stamp using Versafine Clair "Avocado", green ink.

I lay the Funky Fossil Designs "Pretty Print" stencil over the top of the ATC and applied Versasfine Clair "Avocado" green ink, "Strawberry" red ink and "Acorn" brown ink, with a blending brush, through the stencil.

At this stage, I decided I wanted some warmer tones to the background so used some "Tiger Lily" Ranger Archival Ink on a blending brush.  I then used the remains of the "Strawberry Versafine Clair ink on the blending brush round the edges of the ATC, finally adding a little bit of Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink to the very edge of the ATC.

I moved on to stamping, using two shades of Versafine Clair inks.  I used "Shady Lane" and "Acorn" to stamp the berry branch, fir cone and fir branch, all are part of the same stamp set from Funky Fossil Designs called "Festive Greenary".

I added touches of gold gel pen to areas, green , brown and white Derwent Inktense pencils and a red Posca Pen and a white gel pen for the berries.  Finally, I printed the word "Seasons", cut to size and glued into position.  I dulled down the stark white background, by running a blending brush over the surface.

A Crafting Niche "52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2026" - Week 36

 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 36 is "Postage Stamps"

Using a plain tag for the base, I rummaged through my stash of "essential bits" I have saved over the years and came across an air mail envelope fully addressed with a postage mark of July 1993 - yes, that's how long some of my stash is!!!! 

I decided this would be an ideal base for this tag.  I had to cut it about a bit to fit and to cover up the written address, so the background is a bit of a paper patchwork really, but unless you look closely, you wouldn't really know.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink with a blending brush to apply the ink through the Funky Fossil Designs stencil called "Ava".  then to pull all areas together, I added some small dots using "Tulip Red" Versafine Clair ink through the bottom section of a Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous stencil with a reference of THMM178 and left the tag at that.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Alpha Florals TE32" on a star background Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day,  For the background, I have used three shades of Ranger Archival Inks, Chrome Yellow, Sunflower and Tiger Lily, through the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Cluster SS42 Stencil".

I then used the small start stamp from the Tracy Evans "A Promise Of Tomorrow TE63" stamp set with Versafine Clair "Summertime" orange ink stamped over the stencilled background.

Next, I used Versafine Clair "Acorn" a rich brown coloured ink to stamp the flowers, which are part of the Tracy Evans "Alpha Florals TE32" stamp set.

I added a word sticker saying "memory" and edged it in gold gel pen, I added highlights to the flowers with the same gold gel pen and edged the ATC in Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "The Wonder Of Nature TE14" pencil worked card

For this card, I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the flower from the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "The Wonder Of Nature TE14" stamp set and a sentiment from Simon Says Stamp from their "Tiny Words" stamp set.

I used a 2B pencil and a paper stub to shade and highlight areas of the stamped flower, adding some white pastel pencil detail to it and tiny dots of white gel pen to the middle of the flower.

Get Inky Card Challenge - September 26 - Colours

There is a new group on Facebook called "Get Inky Card Challenge" which I was invited to join.  The first challenge is for September and is "colours" using a specific colour palette, shown below.

I think my photo has made the background look a bit brighter than it is in real life

I started with a white card and used lots of different shades of Distress Oxide Inks, adding, drying then adding another layer. I have no idea what order I iused them or which I used for the squirrel, so I will detail all the shades used here:
Rusty Hinge

Tea Dye

Crackling Campfire

Barn Door

Carved Pumpkin

Ripe Persimmon

Wild Honey

Mustard Seed

Crushed Olive

Mowed Lawn

Peacock Feathers 

Chipped Sapphire

The stamps I used are all by Funky Fossil Designs.  The squirrel is part of the "Grateful Heart" stamp set and stamped in Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink, with added black Posca Pen, pastel pencils,white gel pen detail and dots of "Copper Pearl" Liquid Pearls,

I stamped the trees, part of the Funky Fossil "Badger Trails" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink, fussy cutting them and glued into position with dots of "Avocado" Liquid Pearls.

In the foreground, I used the Funky Fossil "Circle Cascade" stamp with Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  Adding a white dot of Posca pen to the middle of each swirl.

Finally, I added some shadows using a black fine liner pen and some dots of colour for flowers.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs ""Good Things Take Time TE60" Flower Card

For this card, I used the flower from the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Good Things Take Time TE60" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink. I then painted the flower heads with Pebeo Drawing Gum to mask them from getting ink on them.

I then worked on the background, using the Tracy Evans "Circular ST6 Stencil" with "Sky Blue" Ranger Archival ink, colouring in three different sized circles. I then used the same ink with the Tracy Evans "Flurry SS43 Stencil" to add dots across the surface.

Next, I used "Shadow Gray" Ranger Archival Ink through the Tracy Evans "Distressed Background SS31 stencil" to create the diamonds. I deliberately left a relatively open space to the middle right of the flower so that I can add a sentiment at a later date.

I rubbed off the drawing gum then added shados to the flowers and to the diamonds to provide a more 3D look.  Finally, adding colour to the flowers by using a paint brush to apply Derwent Inktense pencils.

Tracy Evans Boutique Dsigns "Good Things Take Time TE60

 

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day. For the background, I used "Sky Blue" and "Tiger Lily" Ranger Archival Ink through one of the apertures in the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Circular ST6 Stencil".  I used the same size to draw a circle using a black fine liner pen.

Round the edge of the circle on the left hand side, I stamped text which is part of the Tracy Evans "Good Things Take Time TE60" stamp set, using Versafine Clair "Arctic" light blue ink. Ithen stamped the word "Lily" and the flower, part of the same stamp set. stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I stamped the flower again on white card, fussy cut it and glued it into position.  Then added a touch of colour using "Scattered Straw" Distress Oxide Ink.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Special Delivery TE64" Heat Embossed Artist Trading Card

A clean and simple design on my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day,  Starting with white card, I used a blending brush to apply three shades of Distress Oxide Inks.  Starting with Shaded Lilac in the bottom right corner, then Wilted Violet as the mid colour and then the darker colour of Villainous Potion.

I used Wow! Clear Embossing Ink pad tio stamp the flowers, which is part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Special Delivery TE64" stamp set.  I then coated the stamped image with Wow! Opaque Bright White embossing powder and heat set.

I added some tiny specks of white Posca pen near the embossing, finally adding a word sticker saying "hope".

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "The Miracle Of A Flower TE59" Wisteria Card

I started with a white card and drew the window in pencil, shading the windows and adding demention with shading and a paper stump.  I then covered the exterior edges of the window frame with Pebeo Drawing Fluid to mask the area.  I then gave the rest of the card a wash of diluted "Antique Linen" Distress Oxide Ink. 

Once dry, I then used two shades of Ranger Archival ink:  Tea Rose and Shadow Grey, through the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Brick Wall ST9" stencil. I then used the Frisk Maskaway eraser to remove the drawing fluid.

I then started to stamp the wisteria.  There are two sizes of it on the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "The Miracle Of A Flower ST59" stamp set.  I used the following Versafine Clair inks:  Avocado, Shady Lane and Very Peri.  I then added extra colour using Derwent inktense pencils.

Using Versafine Clair "Morning MIst" grey ink, I stamped the text down the left hand side, using a stamp from the Tracy Evans set called "Create A Garden TE66".  I used the same ink to stamp the robin, part of the Tracy Evans "Love Grows Here TE65" stamp set, using Derwent Inktense pencils.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Delight In Nature TE13" Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.  I have used a piece of a gel plate print from my stash for the background.  I have then used Versafine Clair "Adriatic Blue" ink through the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Distressed Background SS31" stencil. I used a blue fine liner pen to accentuate the left hand side of each diamond shape.

Then, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the leaves and flowers from the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Delight In Nature TE14" stamp set.  I used Posca Pen dots for the flowers and in the background, also a white gel pen to highlight the large leaf.  Finally adding a word sticker saying "Dwell".

Paperartsy Kate Crane Stamps :KCM013" Artist Trading Card

This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day,  The background is a mop up session of Distress Oxide Inks from some time ago.  

I used Versafine Clair "Charming Pink" ink with the "Paperartsy / Kate Crane KCM015" stamp and Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink with the "Paperartsy / Kate Crane KCM013" stamp.  I used the same ink for the sentiment saying "inspiration" which is part of the That's Crafty "Lots of words" stamp set. Finally, I added some dots of "Blackberry" Liquid Pearls.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Flower Power TE37" Spotlight Card

For the base of this card, I have used a Brusho background, with lemon and blue colours merging to green.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped teh flowers, which are part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Flower Power TE37" stamp set.  I then stamped the flower heads again, using the same ink on to a piece of white card.  I fussy cut them and glued them onto the card.  

I used a circle mask to create a spotlight area and coloured the rest of the card using a blending brush and Versafine Clair "Adriatic Sea" ink.

Returning to the spotlight area, I edged the circle in a white pastel pen to lighten it a little.  Then used Derwent Inktense pencils and a Posca pen to colour the flowers.  I stamped the "Hugs and Kisses" sentiment, also from the "Flower Power" stamp set and finally added three sticky backed gems to the rim of the circle.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Creative Spark TE24" Clean and Simple circular design card

Today I have made a very clean and simple looking card, using three Tracy Evans Boutique Design stamp sets.

Using Versafine Clair "Bali Blue" ink, I stamped the circular design in the background, which is part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Creative Soark TE24" stamp set.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the flower, which is part of the Tracy Evans "Love Grows Here TE65" stamp set, the bird which is part of the Tracy Evans "A Promise Of Tomorrow TE63 stamp set and the sentiment which is also part of the "Creative Spark TE24" stamp set.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Magnolia TE43" Artist Trading Card

I'm tired today after a busy Bank Holiday Monday, so there has been minimal crafting, but lots of laundry to carch up on.  This is my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for the day.

For the background, I used Paper Artsy Fresco Finish Chalk Paint in "Peach Nectar" and "Candy Floss" to achive this gorgeous colour combo. For the drama, I have stamped in Versafien Clair "Nocturne" black ink, using the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Magnolia TE43" stamp set for the flower and the sentiment.  Adding highlights with a a white pen and three drops of Ranger Enamel Accents.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Create A Garden TE66" Blackbird Spotlight Artist Trading Card

This was the Artist Trading Card I made yesterday morning, but didn't get round to posting it on line as we had friends staying over.

The background is brayered Colorbox ink with stronger colour towards the base.  I used a circle mask to cover the central area and inked the external edges with Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red/brown ink. I then used a gold coloured gel pen pen to draw polka dots.

Within the central circle, I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the blackbird on a branch, which is part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "Create A Garden TE66" stamp set.  Adding some touches of white gel pen to the branch and bird.  Finally, adding a printed word saying "spotlight",