Lavinia Stamps "The Coven of Curiosities" - Make 6

How can I be on my sixth make with the new Lavinia  Stamps release called "Coven of Curiosities"!  I have to say, I am really loving this collection!

I put some "Greensleeves" and "Olive" Elements Inks on my glass mat, gave it a spritz of water then placed the Lavinia Stamp "Ivy" stencil over the top.  I used a kitchen towel to mop up and press the stencil down on to the ink, then placed the stencil (wet side down) on to a plain tag.  This transferred the now coloured ivy pattern on to the tag.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp "Esme" the witch, a bird from the new "Ravens' stamp set, and text from "Spirit Signs" stamp set.  I used Versafine Clair "Pinecone" to stamp the "Tree of Wisdom" stamp.

I edged the tag with "Lime Punch: and then "Pine" Elements inks, colouring the tree trunk with Distress Oxide Inks.  Using touches of yellow Posca pen for flowers and a white gel pen for details to the witch.

Lavinia Stamps "Coven of Curiosities" card 2

I'm feeling inspired by the new collection called 'Coven of Curiosities" by Lavinia Stamps so made another card.

I used one of the older Lavina Stamps stencils called "Posy" with a "Violet" Archival Ink applied very lightly as I didn't want the pattern to dominate the card.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped "Prue" the witch and one of the "Witch Hazel" branches for a tree.

I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink with the Lavinia "Moon Mask" and "Hill Mask".  where I had created the land, I added some touches of green pastel pencil to give a hint of colour.

I used a white gel pen to add detail to the witch and a black fine liner pencil to add shadows and tree roots and dots of Posca Pen for flowers.

Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "New Beginnings TE4" Gel Plate Card

An early morning play session for me today making this card.  I used a circular gel plate background I had in my stash.  

I pulled a page from an old Welsh hymn book with music notes on it and stamped the large flower, which is part of the Tracy Evans Boutique Designs "new Beginnings - TE4" stamp set.  I then added a wash of colour to the flower using two shades of Distress Oxide Inks.  I used Wild Honey and Ripe Persimmon.  I then fussy cut the flower.

For placement, I then stamped the flower again on to the edge of the gel plate circle.

Using Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink I stamped the ferns, which are part of the Tracy Evans "Fern - TE3" stamp set.

I used the "New Beginnings" stamp set again for the bird.  Stamping it on to the card for placement using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I then stamped it again on a bright yellow gel plate off cut I had in my stash, fussy cut the bird and then stuck it over the image on the card.

Finally, I added some dots of metallic gold gel pen and also some dots of black Posca Pen. I'll add a sentiment at a later date when the card is needed.

Marianne Designs Christmas Wreath Card

 

I recently bought some Christmas Marianne Design stamps, so decided to try them out.

I started by using "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink througha Dina Wakley "Coasters 3 - MDS82118 stencil" for the background design.

I had brought five Christmas Marianne Designs "Silhoutte Art" stamps, so decided to use all of them. Stamped in Versafine Clair inks, three greens, a brown and a grey. I coloured the stamped images with Derwent Inktense pencils, Posca Pen and a white gel pen. For the candles, I used "Antique Linen" Distress Oxide Ink, applied with a paint brush.

Lavinia Stamps Willow Card

 

I used a cream coloured card for the base of this card, stamping the Lavinia Stamps "Willow" stamp in two shades of green Versafine Clair inks.  I used "Avocado" and "Shady Lane" in first and second generation stamping.

I then used the Lavinia Stamps "Leaf Creeper" stamp with Versafine Clair "Lilac Bloom" ink.

I went around the edge of the card using "Bundled Sage" Distress Oxide Ink and then stamped the sentiment, which is part of the Lavinia "Heartfelt Verse" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Avocado" green ink.

Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Halloween Leaves - THMM167" Hello Card

I have continued my play with the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous THMM167 stamp and stencil set.  On this card, I have only used the stamp set though.

On a piece of blue card, I multi stamped one of the leaves in Versafine Clair "Paradise" blue ink.  I mounted it onto an off cut of double dot card and die cut the hello from the same card using the Waffle Flower "Oversized Hello 271309" stamp and die set.

Karen Telfer's "12 Days of Christmas Tags 2024" - Day 7

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 7 Tag (You can watch Karen's tutorial here).

Formy tag, I have used several Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous stencils. These are the ones I have used: THMM178 - Christms Dots , THS164 - Pinecones, THS138 - Bubbles and THMM102 - Brickwork.

Through the stencils, I have used four shades of Distress Oxide Inks:  Twisted Citron, Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint and Forest Moss.  

I used Mowed Lawn Distress Oxide Ink to colour the edges of the tag. I hand cut various green banners from off cuts of cardstock in my stash.  Using Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink to stamp the seniments on the banners, which are part of the Simon Says Stamp "Tiny Words - Christmas" stamp set.

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.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Dog Challenge 2025 - Week 33

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 33 "Cats"

This is my Week 32 "Cats" tag.  I started with a white background and used "Garden Patina" Ranger Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil Designs "Dotty Grid Stencil".

On a plain piece of card, I stamped the cat and border from the Funky Fossil Designs "Folk Garden" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink.  I then fussy cut the cat shape and stuck to the stencilled tag.  I then used the same ink through the Funky Fossil "Cat Silhouette Stencil" either side of the main cat.

Finally, using Medieval Blue ink again, I inked the edges of the tag and then stamped the top and bottom border, which is also part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Folk Garden" stamp set.

Hobby Arts "Vintage Plonk - CS186D" Birthday Card

For the central area, I tore a page out of an old book and covered it with four shades of Distress Oxide Inks to achieve the mottled green look. The colours I used were:  Mowed Lawn, Crushed Olive, Twisted Citron and Mustard Seed.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the gentleman, which is part of the Hobby Arts "Vintage Plonk - CS186D" stamp set, on to the page and then stamped him again on a piece of white card.  I coloured the image on the card using a selection of Distress Oxide Inks and then fussy cut him and glued him on to the book page over the original stamped image.

On a piece of cream coloured card, I stamped the clock and moustache, which are also part of the "Vintage Plonk" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I then used a  Tim Holtz layering stencil called "Dot Fade - THS006" with "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink around the stamped images.

Lavinia Stamps Acorn Abode Card

Today, I decided to dip into some of my Lavinia Stamps, making this card.  I've used a mixture of older and newer stamps. 

I started by stamping the Lavinia "Acorn Abode" stamp in Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink on to a piece of white card.  I then stamped it again on to a post-it note, fussy cut the image to use as a mask and stuck it over the original stamped image.

Using Versafine Clair "Avocado" green ink, I stamped the Lavinia "Forest Leaf" stamp.

Keeping the original mask in place, I then placed the Lavinia"Dynamic" stencil over the stamped area and used Versafine Clair "Sand Dune" light brown ink through the stencil.

Next, using Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink and second generation stamping, I stamped the Lavinia  "Winter Spice" verse down the left and right hand sides of the card.  Once dry, I used Versafine Clair "Sand Dune", "Avocado" and then "Acorn brown ink to colour around the image.

I used the Lavinia Stamps "Hill Mask" with Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to create a landscape behind the acorn image.  I added shadow depth using a 2B pencil, also drawing some grasses.

Finally, I used a mix of Derwent Inktense pencils and Distress Oxide Inks, both applied with a brush to colour the image, adding highlights of Posca and gold coloured gel pen.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 30

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 30 "Stars"

I used a sheet of Lavinia "Scenescapes" patterned paper for the background of this tag, using "Thistle" Ranger Archival Ink to create the ground for the mice.

I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Double Trouble" mice in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink and then stamped Dill, Thyme & Rosemary, and the Mini Stars 1 stamps in the same ink.

Finally, I added extra detail using a pastel pencil, Posca Pens and a word sticker.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 23

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 23 is "Earth Tones"

For the base of this tag, I used a piece of patterned paper in a fawn colour with print on it.

Using Versafine Clair Ink "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the Sweet Poppy Stencil "Toadstool Large" stamp.  Next I used the Sweet Poppy "Dots Backplate Stencil" with "Watering Can" Ranger Archival Ink.

Next I used "Thistle" Ranger Archival Ink trhough the Cretive Expressions "Calm Mini Stencil".  I also inked the edges of the tag using the same ink. I added some green to the background to grunge it up a little, using "Pixie Green" Elements Ink with a blending brush.

I then moved on to colouring the stamped image, using some kids paints, colouring pencils and  Posca and gel pens

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2025 - Week 17

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 17 is "The Face"

I used a background I had made using water colour paints in shades of yellow and orange. I used a stencil with "Tiger Lily" orange archival ink to make the patterned background.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink I stamped the Woodware FRS043 "Eyes" clear stamps. I then stamped the eyes on to a piece of white card, coloured in the eye with water colour paints then fussy cut the eyes, glueing them into position on the tag.

Finally, I added some splatters of turquoise, white and black Posca Pens and added a "Hello" word sticker.

Lavinia Stamps "Shrooms" and Pipin Card

Another quick play session with the new release stamps from Lavinia Stamps, I'm using the minimal stash I have here in the caravan, so I'm having to be more creative with the backgrounds. 

I masked off the edges of the card, then multi stamped the Lavinia "Rosemary" stamp in first and second generation stamping using "Leaf Green" Ranger Archival Ink. I then went around the top edge and sides with a blending brush with "Sky Blue" Ranger Archival Ink.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the large and small "Shrooms" and "Pipin" the hare.  I used black ink remaining on my blending brush to create the landscape using the torn edge of a piece of copy paper.

I then used "Nocturne" again to stamp the "Dill" as bushes, using Posca pens to give the impression of flowers, a black fine line pen to add shadows and chimneys to the "Shrooms", a 2B pencil for the smoke coming from the chimneys and a white gel pen for high lights.

Funky Fossil "Beauty's Garden" Tag

The other day, I attempted to make a tag and towards the end, I managed to drop an ink pad face down on to my pretty tag.  I attempted to rescue it, but it just wasn't what I had in my head.  Today, I had another attempt at it.

Starting with a white tag, I lay the Funky Fossil Designs "Urchins" stencil over the top and added Ranger Opaque Texture Paste through areas of the stencil.  I then set it aside to dry.

Once dry, I used a Funky Fossil blending brush to apply colour to the tag, using "Rose Madder" Ranger Archival Ink, which is a pretty coral/rose colour. Then, using a black Posca Pen, I tapped paint across the surface of the tag.

On a separate piece of white card, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the vase, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Beauty's Garden" stamp set. For placement, I also stamped the vase on the tag.  I then stamped the flower, which is also part of the same stamp set.

I shaded the vase stamped on the piece of white card using Derwent Charcoal Pencils and a white gel pen.  I then fussy cut the vase, sticking foam pads on the back and then placed in position.

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the word "Miss You" which is part of the Funky Fossil "Small Print" stamp set.

***As a matter of interest, here is the tag that I first made, where I attempted to recover half of the original inky tag after I had dropped an ink pad on it.

Visible Image "Calm Over Chaos" Card

This morning I've made a quick card using three shades of Distress Oxide Inks to create the coloured background.  The colours I have used are Twisted Citron, Mermaid Lagoon and Picked Raspberry.  

Once the background was fully dry, I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the figure and blossom.  Both are from the new Visible Image stamp set called "Calm Over Chaos".  

I stamped the lower part of the figure again on a piece of white card, then fussy vut it and stuck it on over the coloured area of clothing.

Finally, I used a white and orange Posca Pen to colour the blossom.

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 99

Today is Day 99 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge - it also happens to be the penultimate day too, with an "Anything goes" theme.  For my last but one challenge make, I have gone all out grunge!

I started with an off cut of patterned paper then used the Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous "Shifter Layering Stencil - THS127" with "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink.

Next, I used the Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous "Doodle Art 2 Stencil - THS142 with "Seafarer" Ranger Archival ink.

For the music score, I used the Stampers Anonymous "Butterfly Melange" stamp set with Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink.

I decided the tag needed some warmth so added touches of "Orange Blossom" Ranger Archival Ink to the top left and bottom right.

I then used "Cobalit" Ranger Archival Ink through the Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous "Strings Stencil - THS004".

I added three sections of typed text, torn from a yellowed old book.

Next I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the bird, sentiment and scrolls, which are all part of the Sizzix/Tim Holtz "Love You 660190" stamp and die set.  I used the same ink to ink the edges of the tag, then mounted it on to a piece of kraft card.  Finally, adding some dots of black Ranger "Enamel Accents".

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 97

Today is Day 97 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge.  The prompt for this week is "Circles and Dots".

Starting with a 7x7" white card, I used a blending brush in circular motions, with "Sunflower" Ranger Archival Ink to colour a rough circle in the middle of the card.  I then used the same ink through the Vivsible Image "Supernova" stencil.

I then used "Bright Tangello" Ranger Archival Ink through the Visible Image "Breakout stencil".

Next, using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, I stamped the large daisy from the Visible Imafe "Daisy Grunge" stamp set.  I used Derwent inktense Pencils with a paint brush to colour the daisy.

I used Versafine Clair "Summertime" with the Visible Image "Grunge Tones" stamp set to create the circles around the top and left of the daisy, using an orange coloured Posca Pen to colour the larger dots.

Finally, I splattered black and white paint across the surface using Posca Pens,

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 95

Today is Day 95 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  This week is all about dots and circles.

For this card, I used the Memory Box "Large Circle Burst Die - 98478" to cut out the decorative dots and the large inner circle.  I then mounted the white card on to navy blue card and then on to a white card blank.

Next, using the inner circle of the die, I stamped the new Lavinia stamp called "Luka" the cat in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

Around the edge of the circle, I stamped sections of the new Lavinia stamp called "River Root Corner" in Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink.  I then inked the actual edge of the circle in the same ink.

In the background, I used two shades of Versafine Clair inks, using "Blue Belle" for the land and the new "Bali Blue" for the sky.

I then stamped the Lavinia "Small Branch" using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  I used a white gel pen to add highlights to the circle.  Finally, I added sticky foam pads to the underside of the circle and stuck the image over the circle on the card blank.