Poppy Stamps Inc "Lorelai Outline Leaf Die" Artist Trading Card

This afternoon was one of those crafing sessions when things don't turn out how you want them, resulting on two Artist Trading Cards (ATC),ending up in the bin.  Fortunately, I did manage one that I was happy with.

I used a piece of patterned paper from a Funky Fossil Designs paper stack for the background design, topped with a white die cut made by Poppy Stamps Inc. called "Lorelai Outline Leaf Die Ref 840". I inked the edges of the ATC using Verfsafine Clair "Twilight" Dark Blue ink.

I used a word sticker from my stash, sorry no idea who makes it, saying "all great things have small beginnings"..  I then added some dots of black Posca Pen edged with a gold gel pen. 

The 100 Day Project 2026 - Day 8

Today is Day 8 of the 100 Day Project 2026.  A challenge where you spend a short time each day creating, using the mediums of your choice.  Mine is 4x4" card, using collage, stamps and stencils.

For my Day 8, I've used "Salvaged Patina" Distress Oxide Ink through a Funky Fossil Designs stencil called "Dotty Circles Background".  I have then cut a circle shape in patterned paper and glued it on to the card.  I used a fine liner black pen to scribble rings around the paper shape.

I then used the Funky Fossil Design stencil called "Make your mark 1" with "Black Soot" Distress Oxide ink, adding some black dots with a Posca Pen.

Finally, I cut a bird from a Dina Wakley collage paper and added a Tim Holtz "Idea-ology" word sticker saying "With brave wings she flies".

Funky Fossil Designs "Happiness Blooms" Good Luck Card

 

Another brief trip into the craft room this afternoon, making this "Good Luck" card.

I used a circle aperture stencil shading the edge with "Mint Chill" 49 and Market ink to give a very soft colour.

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the Funky Fossil Designs 'Happiness Blooms" and the greeting from the Funky Fossil Designs "Stripped Back Sentiment" stamp set.

I used two Derwent Inktense pencils "Maethyst" and "Olivina" to colour the stamped image, finally adding some dots of white Ranger "Enamel Accents".

Funky Fossil Designs "Beauty In Boom" thinking of you card

I slipped into the craft room for half an hour again today and made this card.  Nothing too strenuous, using a piece of Prima Marketing patterned paper, from their "Zephyr" 6x6 paper stack, for the base.

I used Versafine Clair to stamp the Funky Fossil Designs "Beauty in bloom" face and flowers.  Stamping the flowers again on to white card and fussy cutting then sticking them on to the card.

Finally, I used a sentiment from the Funky Fossil Designs "Stripped Back Sentiments" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

Funky Fossil Designs "Mechanical Hello" Card

I needed to make a birthday card for my brother, so decided to use a background I had in my stash.  It comprises of various Distress Oxide Inks and then a further Distress Oxide ink applied through the Funky Fossil Designs "Mechanical" stencil.  On the left hand side I had used three shades of Wow! Embossing Powders and heat set.  Sadly the sparkle doesn't show too much in the still photo

I then used the Funky Fossil Designs "Hello Die" with two shades of green cardstock to cut the word out. I layered them with the darker one in the background so that it works as a shadow.  Mounting the card in the same coloured cardstock for continuity.

Funky Fossil Designs "Stencils Unlocked" - Day 4 (binding)

This is the final day of "Stencils Unlocked" techniques by Funky Fossil Designs and it's about binding the pages that have been made on the previous days.

I have a mountain of washi tape in my stash, so decided to use that rather than making my own with stencils.  I really enjoyed the binding process, using three tabs on tape on one page and then two on the next, alternating to the end of the booklet.

Funky Fossil Designs "Stencils Unlocked - Day 3

I have been distracted so am playing catch up on this short challenge.  These are my Day 3 makes of the Funky Fossil Designs "Stencils Unlocked" techniques - transparecies.

For one of these, I should have used "Mirror Spray" over a stencil on to acetate, but as I didn't have any of that, I decided to do two of the acrylic paint techniques through a stencil on to acetate instead.

I used DecoArt Americana "Snow (Titanium) White" acrylic paint, applied with a make up sponge very lightly, through two Funky Fossil Designs stencils.  The stencils I used are "Snow Storm" and "Starry Round" stencils.

These can then be laid over the prepared backgrounds from the previous days to make a layered look to the pages.

Funky Fossil Designs "Stencils Unlocked" Techniques - Day 1, technique B

This is my second make of Funky Fossil Designs "Stencils Unlocked Techniques from Day 1. If you'd like to know more, take a look at their page on this link.

I used three shades of Distress Oxide Spray Inks for the background colour.  The colours I used are: Cracked Pistacchio, Mermaid Lagoon and Speckled Egg.  It took a really long time to by fully dry, so even after big blasts from the heat gun, I left it over night.

Over the each end of the coloured card, I lay the Funky Fossil Designs "Mechanical Stencil", applying "Heavy Glossy Body Gel" by Pentart through areas of the stencil.

I then pinched small amounts of embossing powders between my fingers and sprinkled over the surface. The three colours of Wow! Embossing Powders I used are:  Lavaburst, Angel Eyes and Blueberry.  I then heat set with the heat gun.  

Top Tip:  when using the heat gun, keep it moving over the surface of the embossed area.  If you hold in one place for too long, the medium and powders can bubble - great if you want more texture but not so good if you are wanting it relatively smooth!

Funky Fossil Designs "Stencils Unlocked" Techniques - Day 2a 2b and 2C

Today is Day 2 of "Stencils Unlocked" a free technique tutorial on how to get the most from your stencils.  Here's the link on thier site.

For the Alcholol lift, I used a piece background from my stash that I had made maybe two years ago.  Using Alcohol Lift Ink to lift the pattern below the Funky Fossil Designs "Striped Circle Mask".

For the Brusho Paint Lift, I again used a background I already had in my stash, using neat bleach on a q-tip through areas of the Funky Fossil Designs "Woodcut Flowers Stencil by Zinski Art".  The bleach did bleed a little under the stencil but for this purpose the end result is fine.

The final one is using Acrylic paints, I used the following colours Ochre, Vermillion and Viridan Green, applied loosely with a paint brush.  I lay the Funky Fossil Designs "Wavy Grid Stencil" over the surface of the tacky paint and dabbed the surface using a wet wipe to lift the paint.

Of the three I made today, the acrylic paint one is my favourite as I tend not to do those colours but they work so well together here.

Funky Fossil Designs "Stencils Unlocked" Technique Challenge - Day 1a

For various reasons, my crafting mojo is practically non-existent, so to give myself a nudge, I decided I would try out the Funky Fossil Designs "Stencils Unlocked" Technique Challenge.  It's just for a few days and I love stencil play and it's always good to get more techniques under my belt. You can find out more about this on the Funky Fossil Designs web site here.

For the base colour of my piece, I used three shades of Ranger Archival Inks:  Forget-me-not, Sun Dazed and Sienna.

I then used Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink through the Funky Fossil Designs "Alpha Numeric" stencil.

Next, using Wow! Clear Embossing Pad, I applied the clear ink through the Funky Fossil Designs "Scattered Straw Mask", coated the areas in Wow! clear embossing powder and heat set.

I then used a Versafine Clair "Pinecone" dark brown ink pad to drag over the surface of the background, using a blending brush to ensure I got into the crevices of the masked area.  I then used a piece of kitchen roll to rub over the surface, removing excess ink from the embossed areas.

I tend not to like brown grungy looking pieces of art, but i quite like this one. 

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 43

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

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 43 "Spooktacular"

For the base of this tag I sprayed three shades of Dylusion ink sprays on to a piece of white card.  The colours I used are Lemon Zest, Squeezed Orange and Bubblegum Pink.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink through two Funky Fossil stencils. The bats, witch and broomstick are on the stencil called "Witching Hour".  The tombstone shapes are part of the "Gothic Graveyard" stencil.  I added some sparkle to the tag using a gold shimmer Gelly Roll pen, finally adding a word sticker saying "on my adventure"!

Funky Fossil Designs "Folk Garden" Bird Notelet

I made this little notelet by stamping the bird tile stamp, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Folk Garden" stamp set.  I stamped in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane", which is a mid green coloured ink.  I then coated the stamped image with Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and then heat set.

I trimmed the stamped image so there was a white border, mounted it on to a piece of kraft card then on to a plain white card.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 34

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

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 "Pockets and Pouches"

For my Week 34 tag, I decided to use a couple of pieces of Patterned Paper from the Funky Fossil Designs "Vintage Patchwork" paper stack.  I stuck one straight on to a blank tag, cutting to size, then I cut round one of the large flowers and decided to use that to create a pocket on the tag, using double sided sticky tape on the lower and left hand side of the flower, leaving the top and the right hand side open.  I went around the pocket flower with a black pen. Using a black Posca Pen, I added some doodles. I then added a word sticker with the words "Love you always", which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Sentimental Sticker Stack".

For the small tags within the pocket, I cut three shapes from the Funky Fossil "Vintage Patchwork" paper stack and mounted them on to black card.  I punched a hole in the top corner of each of the tags and threaded some pink and white "Bakers Twine" through the hole.  ON each tag, I added a word sticker from the Funky Fossil "Sentimental Sticker Stack".  The words I chose for the tags are:  Forever and always, You're the best and Love you to the moon and back.

Karen Telfer's "12 Days of Christmas Tags 2024" - Day 3

On the run up to each Christmas, I usually take part in Karen Telfer's Christmas Tag challenge.  Because we were living in the caravan and I didn't have my craft supplies, I wasn't able to take part in 2024.  Now my craft room is set up, I thought I had better get cracking on the tags.  For 2024, Karen was doing 12 tags rather than 24 as she had a busy work schedule.

This is my Day 3 Tag (You can watch Karen's tutorial here).

I didn't have the stamps or stencils Karen used for her tag, so I have improvised with what I have to make this tag.

I stamped the large flower stamp from the Funky Fossil Designs "Funky Florals" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

I then used "Mowed Lawn" Distress Oxide Ink through two Funky Fossil stencils (Nordic Star Background Stencil and Micro Dots Stencil).

I painted the flowers using Distress Oxide Inks:  Lumberjack Plaid, Mustard Seed and Lucky Clover) shades of ink.  I also used a yellow and an orange Posca Pen.

Next, I added some colour around the edge of the tag, I used "Peeled Paint" Distress Oxide Ink.

Finally, I added a stamped sentiment.  I chose the word "Noel" which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Stripped Back Christmas Sentiment" stamp set.

Funky Fossil Designs "Folk Garden" Anniversary Card

For this card, I have used the Funky Fossil Designs "Pretty Circle Stencil" with "Poppy" Ranger Archival ink to create the decorative circle.

In the centre of the stencilled circle, I have used another Funky Fossil stencil called ""Pretty Print" with "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the decorative strip across the middle of the circle, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Folk Garden" stamp set.  I used the same ink to stamp the "Happy Anniversary" which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Stripped Back Sentiment" stamp set.

Finally, I used the remaining red "Poppy" ink on my blending brush to add a blush to the corners of the card and then added some black dots of Posca Pen to the decorative circle area

Funky Fossil Designs "Folk Garden" yellow card

Today I have played with a stamp I have long been waiting to play with.  I'd ordered this stamp set by Funky Fossil Designs called "Folk Garden", while still living in the caravan.  Now, we're back in a house and my craft room, I have had an opportunity to play with it.

I decided to stamp the central image in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink on to a piece of yellow coloured card.  I then mounted the squarre on to a piece of black coloured card.

On a separate piece of yellow card, I used "Sunflower" Ranger Archival Ink, through the Funky Fossil Designs "Pretty Print Stencil".  I mounted the central image on to the yellow background and then added it to a card blank.

Using Versafine Clair "Twilight" again, I stamped the "Sending Hugs" sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Stripped Back Sentiment" stamp set.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 21

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2025:

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 21 is "Anniversaries"

Today, 25th May 2025, my Hubby and I celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary.  This of course had to be the prompt for the week.

For my tag, I have used some patterned paper for the base using a page from the Funky Fossil Designs "Vintage Patchwork" patterned paper pack.  I then used an additional page and fussy cut the flowers so they overlapped.

I used a black pen to outline the flowers to give the impression of depth and then drew vertical and horizontal lines to create a rough grid in the background.

Finally, I added the words "The best thing that happened to me is you" which is part of a Creative Expressions sentiment sheet.  Then added some dots of "White Opal" Liquid Pearls.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 48

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2024:

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 48 is "Music"

For my Week 48 tag, I used a plain cream coloured tag and cut music elements from the Funky Fossil Designs "Turn it up" patterned paper and stuck them into position.  

I used a stamp from the Funky Fossil Designs "Press Play" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink for the central sentiment.  Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink I stmaped the Lavinia Stamps "Music Notes" stamps.

Finally, I added dots and splattered of Posca Pen using turquoise, pink, red and grey inks.

"Life is a mixtape" Male Birthday Card

Two cards in one day!  I must be on a roll!  Our friend celebrates his birthday next week, so I needed to get a card made.

This was super quick to make, I used two patterned papers from the Funky Fossil "Turn it up" patterned paper pad. for the base.

I then used Versafine Clair "Pine Cone" dark brown ink to stamp he central detail and the sentiment, both are from the Funky Fossil stamp set called "Press Play".

I used a Derwent Inktense pale blue pencil to colour the tape. I then stamped "Celebrate" on it using a sentiment from the Funky Fossil Designs "Small Print" stamp set and Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

Finally, I added four colours of Posca Pen splatters using Black, White, Red and Aqua Green colours.  I edged the card in Versafine Clair "Pine Cone" dark brown ink to get a more grunge look, then mounted it on to a brown card and then a red card blank.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 36

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2024:

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 "How do you relax?"

***

For my Week 36 - "How do you relax"? I started with a piece of patterned paper with a shades of cream and beige zig zag pattern, which I stuck on to a plain tag.

I then used Ranger Archival Inks through the Funky Fossil Designs "Chatty Cups Stencil".  The ink colours I used were Thistle, Tiger Lily, Coffee, Poppy and Vibrant Fuschia.  I also used Vibrant Fuschia to ink the edges of the tag to brighten it a little.  

I used a stamp from the Funky Fossil Designs "Coffee & Friends" stamp set to multi stamp the definition, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  I then mounted the tag on to a piece of dark brown card and trimmed the edges.

Over a piece of plain white card, I lay the Funky Fossil "Coffee Cup Stencil" and coloured it in using some orange ink that was left on my blending brush for the right hand side and then used "Pebble Beach" Ranger Archival Ink for the left hand side, blending towards the middle so that the colour was very light down the middle of the cup.  I then fussy cut the cup and inked the edges of it using "Pebble Beach" ink again.

I used Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink to stamp the sentiment on to the cup.  The sentiment is also part of the Funky Fossil stamp set called "Coffee and Friends".  I then used foam pads on the back of the coffee cup to stick it to the tag.