Week 37 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2017

The prompt for Week 37 is "Serious Grunge".

I know that the grunge look is not to everyone's taste.  I struggle with it, although after many years of crafting, I find I am doing more of it.  Never the less, I still prefer pretty rather than grunge, so this prompt stretched me.

For my tag, I started off with a background of Tim Holtz Distress Inks in beige, green, yellow and brown.  Using StazOn Ink in all instances, I then used a Paperartsy floral eye stamp from their "Petals - Plate 2" set.  I made a mask to cover it.  From the same set, I stamped the butterfly number image (to the base of the tag) and made a mask for that too.

Next, I used a Creative Expressions "Hexagon Script" stamp to stamp over the tag.  I then used red ink to stamp "The Eyes See Everything".  Finally I coloured the floral part of the eye and the butterfly in red.  I added a touch of a white Signo pen to lift the eye and provide the look of light.

Week 31 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

Wow, well another week has passed.  The year is certainly slipping by quickly.

The prompt for Week 31 is "Inspired by..."

As crafters, we gain inspiration from so many places, nature, something we see on line or TV even.  As I've mentioned previously, I have been busy scrapbooking, so my tag this week is inspired by the style of scrapbooking.

I started off embossing a plain white tag.  I used a new embossing folder (to me).  It's a Crafter's Companion "Scandinavian Christmas" it's from their new collection.  I then raided my paper oddments box for papers.  The little Russian doll is was actually part of a stamp set that came with a magazine a month or so back.  Otherwise I have punched, die cut and used small bits and bobs to create a mini scrapbook layout.

P.S.  Note that there isn't an inked edge in sight!

Have a good Week.  Sam x

Week 30 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

The prompt for Week 30 is Hello

For my tag I started with a sheet of patterned paper which I stuck to a tag, I then sanded the paper to get a faded distress feel.  On a sheet of white card I stamped a foliage wreath using Stampin' Up "Hello Friend" stamp and StazOn ink.  I then die cut the outer and inner edges into a circle with a hole in.  I used the middle bit that I wasn't going to use for the tag as a mask. 

Using a Crafters Companion script stamp I stamped over the mask (using a Versafine ink), then removed it. which left a blank green circle.  Using stamps from Stampin' Up "Eastern Beauty", I stamped the circle of dots and then added the "hello" (from the same set).I then over inked the tag in a yellow/orange colour.

Returning to the wreath, I inked the edges in green and a yellow/orange shade.  I then added small floral embellishments. and stuck the wreath to the tag.

Week 26 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

So here we are at Week 26 - half way through this challenge.  I have no idea where the year has gone!

The prompt for Week 26 is "Feline".

For my tag, I used a background of blended Panpastels.  I stamped the cat image and then restamped the remains of the ink onto a post it note, cut around the image and then stuck it over the original cat image to form a mask.

Using a plastic mask produced by Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous, I then used Distress Inks to provide the shaded dots and hexagons.  I then removed both masks and inked the edges of the tag in black.  I die cut the letters in black card for the word "meow".

Week 22 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

The prompt for Week 22 of the 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017 is "WILD".

I thought I would challenge myself a little with colour for the challenge this week.  I don't really care for beige/brown tones, so decided that I would base my tag on the "wild" animals of a safari using these shades.

I used Tim Holtz Distress Inks for this tag, using a light shade initially, building up layers of darker colours and patterns on top.  I used a couple of Stampin' Up masks from their "Seasonal Decorative Masks" set and inked the edges and across the tag in a darker shade of brown.  I finished with some die cuts and sticky alphabet letters.

Week 21 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

Week 21 of the 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge and the prompt is "Anything Goes".

I fancied playing with my Stampers Anonymous "Mini Bouquet" stamps.  So I stamped onto plain card and coloured with my watercolour pencils, cutting around the images. I rummaged through my allsorts box and found some foliage die cuts which I could use.

Using a tag with a prepared Panpastel background, I then arranged the components, glueing down and using foam pads for dimension.  I then added some self adhesive gems to add scrolls.

In hindsight, I think I should have used five rather than six flowers so that it looks less cluttered, but everything is adhered now, so it will stay as it is.

Week 20 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

The promt for Week 20 of the 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge is "Growing".

I don't know about yours, but my garden is in over drive with growing so it seems only natural to reflect that in my tag this week.

My tag comprises of things I had around my desk, so I didn't need to cut or prepare, just put the components together. I used a prepared Panpastel background in sunny shades of yellow and green.  I added a part of a Spellbinder trellis, then various pieces of foliage from my scrap box. The flowers were already layered with a brad from a previous project that never got finished, so I'm quite pleased that I've been using up the odds and ends.

Week 19 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

Well it's Week 19 of the challenge already and the prompt for this week is "My Favourite Waste Of Time".

Now this is really apt as this weekend my Hubby introduced me to an anagram app called "Word Cookies" and I am addicted already, so it was only natural for my tag to be on this theme.

I started with a Panpastel background of pinks and orange.  I then die cut the letters for "Word Cookie App" using Xcut dies, then sticking them into position on the tag. I then stamped hexigon images around the edge and added an image of a typewriter and part of a clock to the left of the tag and five stars to rate the app on the right hand side.  Finally I added the letters for "Anagram" and inked the edges a little to provide a slightly grunge feel to the tag and also to help the colours to pop.

Week 18 - 52 Week Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

So here we are on Week 18 of the 52 Week Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017.  The prompt for Week 18 is "Nature".

I used a Panpastel background in shades of blue and yellow/green.  I used a sentiment and bird on a branch stamps from the retired "Moon Lake" set.  I stamped the netting and script and then added the black circular dots to the top and bottom of the tag.  I inked the edges in black to make the colours on the tag pop a little more.

Week 17 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

The prompt for Week 17 of the 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017 is:  "Guilty Pleasure".

There is one guilty pleasure which has been a constant in my life, even in childhood. Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate eaten with a mug of coffee.  For me it is the perfect combination, especially as the chocolate melts in the mouth, getting stuck around my back teeth then washed away with a mouthful of coffee.  It is absolute bliss.  So really it was a no-brainer what my tag would be about.

I started by covering my tag in patterned paper,  I printed off a photo of the chocolate bar wrapper, adding it to the tag.  I then inked the edges of the tag.

Using a Papertrey Ink stamp from their "Everyday Classics" set I stamped the cup and steam images.  Using a scrolling alphabet stamp, I stamped the words "Guilty Pleasure" either side of the chocolate bar.  Finally, I added some alphabet stickers to say "My Coffee &".

Don't forget, if you are following the challenge, I'd love to see your creations.

Sam x

Week 16 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

It's Easter Monday and time for the Week 16 prompt which is "Black & White / Monochrome".

I started off with a black background then added a die cut overlay in a honeycomb design (Memorybox Honeycomb Background Style No,99434).  I punched some stars in white card and die cut foliage in two shades of grey using Creative Expression dies.

I played with the position of the components then glued them down, adding sticky backed pearls and ribbon.

Week 15 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

The prompt for Week 15 is "Easter".

For this week I decided to go for a nest with eggs.  I used the Stampin' Up "Swirly Scribbles" die in two layers to create the nest.  The leaves and eggs were also cut using the same set.  I stuck patterned paper to a tag and then inked it in various shades.  I then positioned and glued the dies on.  

Finally I stamped the sentiment, using a Penny Black set called "Garden Friends".

Week 14 - 52 Week Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

The prompt for Week 17 of the 52 Week Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017 is "Trees & Leaves".

Time seems to have run away with me this week, so I have made a very simple tag.  For the trees at the base of the tag I have used a stamp from the Stampin' Up set called "Lovely As A Tree".  The stamp in the frame is also by Stampin' Up and is from their "Faith In Nature" set.

Week 13 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

The prompt for Week 13 is "Favourite Colours".

Thinking about this, I have realised I have many favourite colour combinations, but nature reminded me of one particular favourite - shades of sunset, which I have attempted to replicate with this tag.

I used three shades of Panpastels, blended across the surface of the tag to create the background.  I then used various foliage stamps from Stamper Anonymous "Mini Bouquet" stamp set to provide a silhouette feel.

Week 12 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

The prompt for Week 12 is "Home".

"Home" means many things to many people.  For my tag, I thought about my Hubby being "my home".

I started by blending some Panpastels to create the shaded background.  I used one stamp set for the detail.  It's by Papertrey Ink and is called "Love Lives Here" it is actually a stamp and die set.

I finished the tag with small dots using a white pen, to the centres of the flowers and added pearls to the hearts at the base of the tag.

Week 11 - 52 Week Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

The prompt for Week 11 is "Laugh/Laughter".

For my tag I took inspiration from a reputed quote by Audrey Hepburn where she said: 
"I love people who make me laugh.  I honestly think it's the thing I love mose to laugh.  It cures a multitude of ills.  It's probably the most important thing in a person". 

So using a spin on this, I have gone for "Laughter is the best medicine".

For the tag I started off with a piece of yellow cardstock cut into a tag shape.  I then inked the edges using a shade of green.

Using a Memorybox Honeycomb die, I cut and adhered the lace to the yellow tag. I then cut the other shapes using Spellbinder dies layering and raising using foam pads to add dimension.

The two green ferns are die cuts from a Stampin' Up set "Botanical Builder Framelits".  Finally, I printed the sentiment and die cut it into a circle.

If you are following and participating in this challenge I would love to see your creations.  You can also find the blog on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACraftingNiche/

Week 10 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

Week 10 already and the prompt is "Fashion".

For my tag, I went with a vintage theme of fashion.  I firstly stamped a script detail in a light green which almost blends into the background.  I then lightly inked the edges with three different shades of ink.  I glued two pieces of vintage looking lace across the tag.

On a yellow/green coloured cardstock I stamped the glove, hat and boot (all from a Rubbadubbadoo stamp set called "Ladies Fashion" SNSDS-LF) in a sepia colour and cut around the stamped images, then added them to the tag.

For the floral embellishment on the top left hand corner, I first die cut the foliage in a green card then layered several petals securing with a pink brad.  Finally I added the "Vogue" letters and the ribbon.

Don't forget, if you are following/taking part in this challenge, I would love to see your creations.

Week 9 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

Week 9 of the 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge and the prompt for this week is: "My Obsession".

I have realised I have many obsessions.  I'm a bit OCD, I have a thing about crafting, cooking, reading and more recently running but one that I have always had is arriving somewhere on time.  So this is what I decided to do my tag on.

I inked the background in various shades of beige. Then used the Stampin' Up, "Gorgeous Grunge" to stamp the splat marks in a dark red shade.  I don't recall where the stamp of the timepiece came from as I've had it for over ten years.  I used an off-cut of a honeycomb die which I found in my scraps box and used stickers for the wording.

Week 8 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

So here we are on Week 8 of the 2017 Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge.

The prompt for Week 8 is "Water".

Earlier in the week, I started writing down ideas for what I was going to do for this prompt.  My page was full, so it was hard to decide.  On checking the dictionary for a definition the words "Vital For Life" seemed to jump out to me so that decided the path I would take for this tag.

I stamped some waterdrops on the tag using "Designs By Ryn" stamp.  I tore a strip of patterned paper and stuck it to the left hand side and then added some splash marks using "Stampin' Up "Gorgeous Grunge" stamp.

I then stamped the H2O and added letter stickers for the "Vital For Life", then die cut into a circle.  I added some punched foliage, flowers and ribbon to complete the tag.

Don't forget to leave a comment or contact me on Facebook with your creations from this challenge.  I'd love to see them.

Sam x

Week 7 - 52 Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2017

Wow, week 7 already.  The prompt for this week is "Love".

Having recently purchased the Stampin' Up "Lift Me Up" stamp and die bundle I thought I'd put it to use with the tag for this week.

Hope you have a Happy Valentine's Week.

Sam xxx

P.S.   Don't forget I'd love to see your makes too!