52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 4

The challenge for 2024 is weekly.  I will 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 Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2024:

The prompt for Week 4 is "Print"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 4.

I started with a white tag that I swooshed through "Tea Dye" Distress ink to give a mottled background.

I tore up a page of an old book that had text and balance sheets on it, tearing the pages into small sections then sticking, using a wet glue on to the tag. 

I then used the Funky Fossil Designs "Funky Circle" stencil with Ranger Distress Matte Texture Paste.  I used my heat gun to accelerate the drying.

I then lightly spritzed the Dylusions "Lemon Zest" ink spray over the tag, again using the heat gun to dry it.

I used the Funky Fossil "Alpha Numeric" stencil with "Leaf Green" Archival Ink in the non raised areas of the tag. 

Next I decided that the "Funky Circle" textured area wasn't standing out enough, so I went around each section with a black fine liner pen, then added dots of black Ranger "Enamel Accents" to highlight the circles.

I decided the tag needed something vertical.  I used the Funky Fossil "Vintage Script" stamp with Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink.  I inked the edges of the tag in the same ink while it was out.

I got out my Sizzix "Big Shot" die cutting machine and cut the Funky Fossil "Zen Mandala" in white card and stuck it into position using wet glue.

Finally, mounting the tag on to black card, I added the finishing touches by using a Tim Holtz Idea-ology "Small Talk" sticker and added white dots of Ranger "Enamel Accents".

Lavinia Stamps "Snails" card

Thumbing through some of my backgrounds I have made previously, I came across one that caught my eye.  I'd used Dylusion Spray Inks and as the sheet was quite large, I decided to cut it in half before I started this project.  This is the half that I used, I then cut it down further to create a 4" square.

The colours of the sheet made me think of a night scene, so I went in that direction.  Masking off a moon and filling the circle with white and light yellow Pan Pastels and then used Van Goch Pastel Pencils to add shading to the moon.

I then stamped part of the Lavinia Stamps "Creeping Vine" and then both the snails from the "Snail Set" in Versafine Clair 'Nocturne" black ink.

I then stamped the "Spring Trees" in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink.  Next I stamped the foliage in the foreground, using the "Foliage Set" and the Woodland Fern" stamps.

I used a white Signo Pen, a gold shimmer gel pen and some Posca Pens for extra detail.

Funky Fossil "Bold Damask" Stencilled "Celebrate" Card

Just a reminder, that Sarah and her Funky Fossil goodies will be on Hochanda TV tomorrow morning at 9am (Friday 7th August - UK time).  You can watch the show on Sky 673, Freeview 85 and Freesat 817 as well as watching live on your computer or tablet.

I made a quick card this afternoon, using a background I'd created a few days ago using Dylusion Ink Sprays.

I used the Funky Fossil "Bold Damask" stencil with black archival ink to create the pattern.  Using an off-cut of the background, I stamped then"Celebrate" sentiment using a stamp from the Funky Fossil "Small Print" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink. 

Lavinia Stamps Moon Pods on a Coral Stencil Background

I started this card yesterday morning, but the day ran away with me.  I was up stupidly early again as my mind wouldn't settle, so decided to finish this card off as it's another busy day ahead.

The other day, I made some backgrounds using Lavinia Stamps stencils.  I've used the new "Coral" stencil with a spritz of Dylusion Ink Spray (Vibrant  Turquoise, Crushed Grape and London Blue) through it, which gives a lovely light multi-coloured background.  The Lavinia stencils are generous in size and this is actually the other half of the one I used with "Luna" earlier in the week.

I used the Lavinia Stamps "Moon Pods" stamped in Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink, opting to have them dangling (I usually have them growing upwards, but thought they work well either way.  I coloured the "Moon Pods" with Cosmic Shimmer water colours topping the dots with "Glossy Accents".

Using the same ink, I stamped the Lavinia "Hanging Lanterns".  Again just for a change I had them growing up rather than down.  I coloured them with a gel pen, adding highlights to both the Hanging Lanterns and the Mood Pods using a silver glitter Signo Pen.

I stamped the little fairy, which is part of the Lavinia Stamps "Fairy Foragers" set in Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink.    Finally, I inked the edges of the card using Versafine Clair "Purple Delight" ink.

Lavinia Stamps "Luna" on a coral stencilled background

While the stencils and inks were out, I have made another card.

I used the Dylusion Ink Sprays (Vibrant Turquoise, Crushed Grape and London Blue) through the Lavinia Stamps "Coral" stencil to create the background design.

I then stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Goddess Luna" in "Medieval Blue" Versafine Clair Ink.  I decided I needed some more braches, so used a couple of the smaller ones from the "Tree Branch" stamp, in the same ink.

I multi stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Meadow Grass" using "Monarch" purple Versafine Clair ink.

I then added extra colour to the background, using "Wilted Violet" Distress Oxide Ink to the lower section of the card and "Peacock Feathers" Distress Oxide Inks to the top section.

I used a section of the Lavinia Stamps "Fairy Wishes" stamp with Medieval Blue Versafine Clair ink.  

Finally, I painted some Cosmic Shimmer water colour to the wing area and added highlights to the card with a subtle gold Sakura pen.

Lavinia Stamps Celeste on a Coral and Pebble Stencil Background

I had a rubbish night of sleep last night, so it was a relief to get up.  It did mean that I had a head start on some crafting, which was a bonus.

Today I have used two Lavinia Stamps stencils.  The first thing I did was lay the "Coral" stencil on some kitchen towel, I then lightly spritzed it with a couple of shades of Dylusion Spray Ink, I used Crushed Grape and London Blue.  I then flipped the stencil on to an off cut of white card and smoothed over.  I lifted the card and dabbed any surplus ink away, then gave it a blast on the low setting of the heat gun.  

Unfortunately I didn't take any photos mid way as I really didn't think I would actually be making a card.  But this one just kind of evolved.

I lay the Lavinia Stamps "Pebble" stencil over the background and lightly applied "Peacock Feathers" Distress Oxide Ink with a blending tool through the stencil, making the central area lighter and the edges darker.

I stamped the Lavinia Stamps fairy called "Celeste" in the middle of the card using "Medieval Blue" Versafine Clair ink.  

Next I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Marine Kelp" in first and second generation using "Monarch" a purple Versafine Clair ink.

I then decided I wanted to introduce more mauve shades.  I did say I had nothing in mind when I started making this!  I used "Wilted Violet" Distress Oxide ink with a blending tool, again, I applied a light shade in the middle and darker towards the edges.

I used the Lavinia Stamps "Shoal of fish" and "Sea Bubbles" stamp with Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

Finally, I added some white and silver glitter highlights to a few areas using Signo pens.

Hero Art "Galaxy of Stars" and Woodware "Mini Flowers" Tag

At the end of each project I make, I like to clear my work desk for the next project.  Somehow, I had ended up with a pile of odds and ends from previous projects, so I decided they needed to be sorted.  Instead of putting them all away, I kept some out and decided to make a tag.

I had an off-cut of a Dylusions Spray Ink, just the right size for a tag base.  I used a Hero Arts stamp set called "Galaxy of Stars CL318" which I randomly stamped in shades of blue across the tag base.  

I found some die cut stamped flowers (Woodware "Mini Flowers JGS341") on green card which I adhered onto the tag.  I found a small bag of die cut stars, so stuck some of those on to the tag too, then found a die cut "Shine" sentiment, which I think was cut using a Stampin' Up die.

The tag was coming together, but I thought the flowers were too dark, so I added a white border and spiral centre, I also added some white dots to the background, all with a white Posca Pen.  I also added some red dots to the background using a Posca Pen too.

Visible Image - Imperfection is Beauty Tag

This afternoon I pulled my Visible Image stamps out for a play.

I used two Dylusions Ink Sprays for the background colour (Squeezed Orange and Bubblegum Pink).

Once dry, I stamped the flowers from the Visible Image "Imperfection is Beauty" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink and "Summertime" orangne ink.  

I used Versafine Clair "Charming Pink" ink the Visible Image "Two Tone" stencil to create the circles.

I splattered a white Posca pen over the tag and then drew horizontal lines from top to bottom, finishing by inking the edges of the tag in black ink.

Visible Image - Into The Woods Birthday Card

I've played with an older Visible Image stamp set today to create this card.

Some months ago, I had a messy session with some Dylusion Ink Sprays creating some stunning backgrounds.  This is one of them, which I felt was an ideal marriage with the Visible Image "Into The Woods" stamp set.

I stamped the tree scene and owl using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink.  

I created the stars in the sky by using a fan brush with some white Gesso and tapping the brush lightly to gain the look of stars in the sky.

I heat embossed the "My Favourite Things" sentiment, which is part of their "Essential Sentiments" set, using Wow! Embossing pad and Wow! Super fine Metallic Silver embossing powder.

Lavinia Stamps February 2020 Hochanda TV show sample - Set 1

Lavinia Stamps will be appearing on Hochanda TV on Friday 7th January at mid-day and 3pm.  Amanda Branston will be demonstrating a fabulous selection of stamps, accessories and techniques.

For this sample, I used a background created using Dylusions Spray Ink to create a red,orange and yellow shaded background.

I stamped the "Berry Leaves" in two shades of Versafine Clair ink (Tulip Red and Chianti).  I then stamped the "Druid's Inn" tree in the Chianti shade and added some more leaves where needed.  Using the same shades of ink, I stamped the "Mini Berries".

I stamped the pixie, which is part of the "Small Pixies" set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I then stamped some stars around the pixie using Memento "London Fog" ink.

I coloured the tree bark in an assortment of green and brown shades using fine liner pens and a gold metallic pen.  I added some gold shimmer to the steps, areas of the pixie and to the stars.  I used a white Posca Pen to add highlight areas to the berries.

Lavinia Stamps February 2020 Hochanda TV show sample - Set 3

Lavinia Stamps will be appearing on Hochanda TV on Friday 7th January 2020 at mid-day and 3pm.  Amanda Branston will be representing Lavinia with stamps, accessories and demonstrations.

I've made a very simple card for this sample.  I created the background using two shades of Dylusion Ink Sprays (Crushed Grape and Vibrant Turquoise).

I rubbed the dry background with an anti-static bag and then stamped the large "Fairy Chain" using Wow! Embossing clear pad.  I then coated the clear image in Wow! Super Fine Metallic Silver Embossing Powder.  I then heated the image from underneath the image.  I find I get a better result heating in this way than from the top.

I cut the image down to size then stamped the "Creeping Vine" multiple times using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

I mounted the image on to black card and then on to a white card.  I then added some "Holographic Moon Dust" to the wings of the fairies and to areas of the ivy too.

Lavinia Stamps New Stamp Release Preview (January 2020) Aria, Luna Lights and Pink Orbs

Time to showcase another sample I have created using some of the new January 2020 stamp releases from Lavinia Stamps. 

I used a background created by using three shades of Dylusions Ink Sprays, which create lovely vibrant colours.

Once dry I started to stamp the images, first one was the "Pink Orbs" that the fairy sits on, which I stamped in Versafine Clair "Glamorous" pink ink.

I then stamped "Aria" in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I also stamped the word "Love" which is part of the "Live The Life" stamp set already in the Lavinia collection.

I returned to the Versafine Clair "Glamorous" pink ink stamping the "Luna Lights" suspended from the top left of the card.  While the ink was out, I also stamped a little heart, which is in the existing Lavinia collection and is called "Single Heart Mini".  I cut the heart out and adhered it into position in the hands of the fairy.

I used a selection of red, gold and black pens to colour in the "orbs".  I also used a Sakura Gelly Roll pen to add some subtle gold shimmer to areas of the card.

Lavinia Stamps October 2019 New Release - Zanor

Lavinia Stamps have created some wonderful new stamps that will be available to purchase on their web site from 4th October.  The pegasus, in this card is one of the new release stamps and is called "Zanor".

I started this card using a background of Dylusion Spray Inks in three shades:  Pure Sunshine, Squeezed Orange and a very light spray of Melted Chocolate.

I started by stamping the female figure, Zemira and then Zanor the pegasus, both in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" shade of black ink.  I then masked of a round shape for the moon and covered the area with a very light coating of Distress Oxide Ink in a shade of "Milled Lavender" just to lighten the area.  I went around the edge of the moon with another shade of Distress Oxide Ink called "Black Soot".  I used the same ink to create the base that Zemira stands on.

I used the Lavinia Stamps "Spring Trees", "Skeleton Trees" and the "Skeleton Trees Scene" to create the tree lined background, stamped in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" ink.

Using the "Black Soot" Distress Oxide Ink, I created the landscape to tie it all in together using a torn edge of a piece of paper.

I stamped the "Ducks" and the "Meadow Grass" in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

Finally, I used an assortment of colours of Sakura Gelli Roll Pen to add some floral detail to the landscape.  I used a gold Sakura pen to add highlights across the card and a white Signo Pen to add highlights to the hair, mane and tail areas.

Lavinia Stamps July 2019 Monthly Challenge (Sample #1)

Every month Lavinia Stamps have a monthly challenge, where the winning name drawn will receive £40 of vouchers to spend on lovely Lavinia goodies.  

This is a card I have made as part of the Lavinia Stamps Design Team to promote the July challenge with a theme of "Midnight Blue With An Orange Hue".

I created the coloured background by using Dylusion spray inks in the shades of: London Blue, Crushed Grape and Fresh Lime.

Once the background colours were dry, I started stamping the image.  First I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Spring Trees" in Versafine "Stormy Grey" shade of ink.

I then stamps the "Horse and Foal" image in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" shade of ink.

I created the landscape, by tearing a piece of card into a landscape shape and rubbing Distress Inks across the surface.

I then cut the card down to the size I wanted, added the moon using Memento Luxe "Wedding Dress" shade of ink.  I added the stars using a white Posca pen.

Finally, I stamped the "Mini Slender Mushrooms" also in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink and then added white highlights to them and the back of the horses by using a white Signo Pen.

Week 27 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The prompt for Week 27 is "Purple".

To create the coloured background of the tag, I used a Distress Oxide Spray called "Picked Raspberry for the top part of the tag.  On the lower area, I sprayed a Dylusion Ink Spray called "Crushed Grape".

I spritzed a Clarity stencil called "Orbit" with water and then flipped it on top of the tag.  The area where the stencil met the tag makes a bleached effect giving a different shade of colour which adds interest to the base.

Using Versafine Clair Ink in the shade of "Fantasia" I stamped the hands and sentiments, all part of a Visible Image stamp set called "You Are Not Alone".

Using a Distress Oxide ink in the shade of "Wilted violet" through a small diamond stencil, I created a relief pattern.

Using the Versafine Clair "Fantasia" ink again, I added the detail around the edge using a stamp from another Visible Image stamp set called "Ahead Of Our Time" and "Somewhere In Time".

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Click here for more information about the challenge.

There is a Facebook Group for this challenge, where members can upload thier creations to the weekly prompt albums and chat to others taking part.  You are welcome to join in, the more the merrier.  Sam x

Sweet Poppy Stencil "Floral Delight" Card

Last night I made a card with quite muted colours, today I have gone bright making this stencil card.

I've used a background of Dylusion inks in yellows, orange, purple and green.  Once dry, I spritzed an Andy Skinner "Tornado" stencil and flipped onto the top of the inked surface.  The area that hits the inked area becomes slightly bleached giving the reverse image of the stencil.

I used a black Ranger Archival ink through a Sweet Poppy Stencil called "Floral Delight" to create the main image.  

The sentiment is stamped in the same ink using a stamp from a Spellbinders set (STP-004).

This is my second entry into the June 2019 challenge for "A Place To Start Challenge Blog", with a stencil theme,

Design Team Make - "My Time To Craft Challenge Blog" #397 "Tag You're It"

It's time for another challenge on the "My Time To Craft Challenge Blog".  Challenge #397 is "Tag You're It".  This is the tag that I have made as part of the Design Team.  If you have a minute to spare, please do pop over and take a look at the other fab creations by my Design Team colleagues and maybe even enter yourself.

For my tag, I started off by using Dylusions Spray Ink in the shades of "Fresh Lime" and "Squeezed Orange" onto a manilla coloured plain tag.  I then used masking tape to keep a stencil in place and used three shades of Distress Inks with a blending tool through the stencil to create the background pattern.  I then inked the edges in black ink.

Both the stamps used on this tag are by Stampers Anonymous and are from two different sets.  The butterfly is part of "Perspective (CMS213)" and the sentiment is from the "Random Quotes (CMS182)" set.  Both were stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink.

Finally, I added white high-light areas using a Signo Pen and a slight gold shimmer to the butterfly spots using a Sakura Gelly Roll pen.

Visible Image "Creative Chaos" Tag

A crafting friend of mine attended the Port Sunlight stamping show at the weekend and accidentally purchased a duplicate stamp set.  I was more than happy to take it off her hands and had a play with it today making this tag.

I started with a tag with Dylusion Spray Ink in two shades, "Squeezed Orange" and "Fresh Lime".

I then used the "Wilted Violet" Distress Ink through a Visible Image stencil called "Meshing Around", half on/half off on the left hand side of the tag.

I then used the Visible Image stamp set called "Creative Chaos" to stamp the flowers and the sentiment in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink and the dots within a circle in Versafine "Stormy Grey" ink.

On a plain piece of card, I stamped the flower heads, painted them using Prima Confections water colour paints from their "Tropical" set.  I then cut them out and glued into position.  Finally, I inked the edges of the tag in black ink and mounted it onto black card.

Creating Tag Backgrounds

I usually have a whole stash of tag backgrounds that I can draw from, but I noticed the stock is very depleted.  Nothing was on TV last night that I was interested in, so I had a play with some spray inks.  I've used Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Spray (for the more dull coloured tags).  For the brighter tags I have used the Dylusions Ink Spray.  These should keep me going for a little while.

I've just randomly sprayed the colours onto the tags with no plan of how they will be used in future.

I also need to make more backgrounds for cards, which I find takes more time, so I may crack on with those this afternoon.

Have a good Tuesday.  Sam x