A quick CAS challenge make

I was asked by a friend if I would like to take part in a CAS challenge, blog challenges are not usually my thing, but as I had nothing on my craft desk, I decided to make a quick card.

The idea of this specific challenge, was that you had to follow a photo as close as possible, but still retain your own spin on it.  The photo was of a dandelion clock in the shape of a heart with a blue background.

I die cut some dandelions in a silver glittery paper and then heat embossed the sentiment.  I added touches of liquid pearls and added a sequin with a clear bead on top for the middle of the dandelion

I took a little video clip of the card and the way it sparkles (the quality of the clip is not brilliant when viewed on a computer, but on the phone it doesn't look too bad).

Funky Fossil Designs March 2020 New Stamp Release - Distressed Elements

Today, Saturday 28th March, Funky Fossil Designs launch five fabulous new stamp sets!

To celebrate the release there's a 10% discount of everything in store.  Use the code MARCH10 at checkout before midnight on Monday 30th March!

I have used the new set called "Distressed Elements" for this card.

I started using an off-cut of a gelli plate background for the speckled background.  I used one of the strip stamps to create the wonky lines, stamped in Distress Oxide Ink called "Dusty Concord"

Using another new Funky Fossil stamp set called "Happy Words" I stamped the sentiment using Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink.  I used the same ink to stampe the purple splatters around the edge of the card, also the heart and the "x" all part of the "Distressed Elements" stamp set.

Finally, to lift the background colour a little, I added lots of tiny white dots using a Posca pen.

Funky Fossil Designs January 2020 New Stamp Set Preview - Quirky Owls

It's an exciting week at Funky Fossil Designs as on the 25th January, they will be launching five brand new clear stamp sets.

I have used one of the new clear stamp sets to create this card, that could be used for a Valentine's or Anniversary card.

I stamped the two owls using Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink.  I then drew the tree branch and coloured it with an assortment of Distress Oxide Inks (Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Ground Espresso and Mowed Lawn).

I also coloured the owls with Distress Oxide Inks (Antique Linen, Tattered Rose, Victorian Velvet, Tea Dye, Rusty Hinge and Vintage Photo).

I stamped the sentiment using Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink and stamped the hearts using a Memento Ink called "Rhubarb Stalk".

That's All Folks #thedailymarker30day - An Over View

It feels a little odd with no colouring today, I must be suffering withdrawal symptoms. I may just have to do some later regardless.

This photo shows all my makes from "The Daily Marker Thirty Day Colouring Challenge - November 2019" together.  I am so pleased that I stuck with it.

Day 30 - The Daily Marker Thirty Day Colouring Challenge #thedailymarker30day

It's the last day of "The Daily Marker Thirty Day Colouring Challenge".

I am one of those people that when I set my mind on something like a challenge, that I generally see it through to the end.  But I am glad that I have managed to do all thirty days as November has been a busy month of makes with Design Team work and several occasions to make cards for.

For my card, I have used a Penny Black stamp called "Caroling Bunch - 1867K" which is part of the year 2000 Margaret Sherry Collection. I've coloured the stamped Versafine Ink image with water colour pencils.

Lavinia Stamps New Stamp Preview - Red Leaves Sentiment

Lavinia Stamps have created some fabuous new stamps.  I've used a new sentiment called "Red Leaves for this card.

I started with a circular gelli plate background of shades of yellow, mustard and greens.  I used Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink to stamp the "Red Leaves" sentiment.

I stamped the Lavinia "Mini Leaf 5" in Versafine Clair "Chianti" shade of dark red ink and Versafine Clair "Summertime" which is an orange shade of ink.

I stamped the Lavinia "Mini Snail" in Versafine Clair "Acorn" positioned on the right hand edge of the circle to balance the sentiment protruding from the left hand side.

I returned to stamping the foliage by stamping the new "Mini Winter Berry" in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" ink.  I stamped the red Lavinia "Mini Berry" in a Memento ink in the shade of "Lady Bug".  I stamped the Lavinia "Mini Holly" in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" ink.

I used a Distress Oxide Ink called "Peeled Paint' to colour from the edge of the circle to the edge of the card.  I used a white Signo Pen to highlight areas and used a gold Sakura Gelly Roll Pen to add some subtle gold shimmer to areas of the card.

Lavinia Stamps New Stamp Preview - "Tree of Dreams"

Tracey Dutton of Lavinia Stamps has been busy creating some fabulous designs, which in turn have been made into clear stamps.  The tree on this card is called "The Tree Of Dreams".  It is a stunning piece and will compliment the existing Lavinia range perfectly.

The launch of the new collection of stamps will be at the NEC  in Birmingham (stand A19) on Thursday 31st October.

I used a blotchy coloured background using the follwoign Distress Oxide Inks:  Squeezed Lemonade, Twisted Citron, Cracked Pistachio, Picked Raspberry, Carved Pumpkin and Salty ocean.

I used the "Carved Pumpkin" Distress Oxide ink through a Visible Image stencil called "Time Tunnel" to created the curved twirl look.

All the stamping was done in Versafine Clair "Monarch" ink, first the new stamp "Tree of Dreams", next I stamped "Darcy" from the "Small Rory & Darcy Set" (the little girl figure), then the fairy, which is part of the "Three Dancing Fairies" set of stamps.  The sentiment "Every Dream" is also one of the new release stamps.

I created the landscape using "Seedless Preserve" Distress Oxide ink and the torn edge of a piece of copy paper.

I added white highlights to the tree and figures using a Signo Pen.  For the creeper on the tree, I used a Sakura Gelly Roll pen and for the green dots, I used a shade of Liquid Pearls called "Mermaid"

Funky Fossil Designs New Stamp Preview - October 2019 (Joy Clear Stamp Set)

Funky Fossil Designs have released a couple of fabulous new Christmas clear stamp sets.  These new designs will be available from their web site from 9am on the 19th October 2019.

Make sure you check back here on the 19th October, when I will be sharing with you information about a fabulous give away.

If you have a moment to spare, please pop over to see the gorgeous work by my fellow Design Team colleagues:

Cornelia:  https://fun-stamping.blogspot.com

Jane:  https://purplejetlovescrafts.blogspot.com

Natalie:  https://www.instagram.com/momma_sedds/

Sarah:  http://funkyfossildesigns.blogspot.com/

Shona:  https://www.instagram.com/shona.chambers/

I made this card using one of the stamps from the new clear stamp set called "Joy", which I have stamped in Versafine Clair Ink (Twilight) over the Funky Fossil "Christmas Star" stencil shaded using a blending tool and a Distress Oxide Ink in the shade of "Scattered Straw".

Lavinia Stamps April Monthly Challenge - "Buds and Blossoms" #3

It's time to remind you that the April  Lavinia Stamps monthly challenge with a theme of "Buds and Blossoms" ends on the 25th of the month, so you just have time to create up to five entries and maybe win £40 of vouchers to spend on the Lavinia Site.  This is a Design Team sample I made to help promote the challenge.

I created a background using Colorbox Inks on a Gelli Plate and then sprinkled Brusho paint on top.  I then positioned my card on top of the gell plate and applied a little pressure across the surface and this mottled look was the result, which I rather like.

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" shade of ink to stamp the following images:  Fuchsia, Faith the Fairy, Single Skeleton Tree, and Star Blossom.  Using the same ink, I masked off the moon area and created an edge to define where the moon is.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink, I stamped the Wild Flower.

I coloured the Star Blossom flowers with a gold metallic pen.  I used a white Signo Pen to add high-lights.  I also used a Sakura Gelly Roll Pen to areas to give a subtle gold shimmer.

Three Sea Cards

I've continued to play with stamps on a sea theme and made these little blank cards, ideal for so many occasions.

For these cards I again used Stampin' Up. "By The Tide" stamp set.

Ornamental Shell Notelets

I've been delving into the depths of drawers and rediscovering stamps long forgotten.  This pack of wood mounted Hero Arts (LL732) Ornamental Shells set was one of my finds.

While watching TV last night I had a stamping session.  I like the clean & simple style of card and these notelets with a classic image and minimal sentiment mean they can be used in many ways.  

The sentiments used on these cards are from three separate Stampin' Up collections (Petit Pairs, Endless Birthday Wishes & Good Greetings).

New Home Card

Today I've made a couple of cards. One for my Hubby for his birthday, that I won't put on here yet, in case he should see it. The other is a New Home Card.

I like the whimsy style of this card. The stamp is by "Little Claire Designs" and is called "Birdhouse Garland". I used my water colour pencils to colour the image and then used two Stampin' Up punches to create the scalloped edged oval, stamping the word "home" in the middle.

Big Shot Die Cut Card

I woke early this morning so found myself in the craft room at 4:30! I decided to do some die cutting using the Big Shot. I've had the Sizzix Serif Essentials alphabet set for a while and never used it, so started with that and then cut some scrolls.

I used the Cuttlebug to emboss the lettersadhered to a Bo Bunny Double-dot background paper. I quite like the whit on white look.

Cards, Tags & Sewing Bee

Yesterday afternoon, I had a little paper crafting session and made a birthday card for a male. I'm quite happy with the way it turned out, as it will be suitable for teens or a more mature male. I'm still no further forward with making a birthday card for Hubby!

Some time ago, I rescued an old Welsh hymn book that was going to be thrown away. I didn't have any specific ideas on how I would use it, but decided to use one of the pages on a tag. 

Last night the final of The Great British Sewing Bee 2016 was aired on TV. Due to other commitments, I wasn't able to watch it at the time & was disappointed that some "kind" person felt the need to state the winner in a one sentence post on Facebook. I will watch the final episode later today, but it won't be the same knowing who the winner was.

Edited to add:  I've now watched the final episode.  It was a close thing with all three contestants.  They all had issues with their creations and excelled in other areas.  I applaud all three finalists for their makes in such a small timescale.  I for one, would not be able to do it in the time they were given.  I suspect Monday evenings may become a bit of a void for a few weeks now that The Bee has come to an end for this year.

Flapjacks and Cards

Today I thought I'd better think about making a card for my Hubby, who has his  birthday next week. It started off well, but it evolved into a less personal card than I want to give him, so it's back to the drawing board for me. This is the card that I decided wasn't right.

The builders were here before 8:30 this morning, so as the cake tin is empty, thought I'd better make something quick. After checking the ingredients in the pantry, I went for flapjacks. This recipe rarely disappoints...

115g Butter

70g Brown Sugar

5 tablespoons Syrup

180g Porridge Oats

Grease a 20.5 cm square tin & Preheat oven to 150 C / 300 F

Place butter sugar and syrup in a medium-large saucepan and heat till the ingredients have melted. Stir in the oats.  Once the oats are coated, tip the mix into the prepared tin, flatening down the surface with the back of a spoon.

Bake for approx 20 minutes till the edges are brown and slightly crunchy.  At this stage I score the flapjack into portions then leave to cool.  Once fully cooled remove from the tin. These should keep for several days in an airtight container.  I can't actually tell you how long as they don't hang around for very long in our house!

Enjoy the rest of your Monday xxx

A Crafting Niche Weekly Update 2nd July 2016

Here's a quick over view of this week which has flown by.

No sewing this week but I have been creative with paper crafting. Still on a Christmas theme, I made more tags. I am especially pleased with these two which are so pretty in different ways.

I also made these other more simple tags:

I also found a card I had stamped some time ago but had never got round to doing anything with it, so I coloured it in using a brush & water colour pencils. I die cut the "thanks" using a Stampin' Up thinlet.

Other news is that my baking has continued, although due to the mixed weather, the builders have not been around as much to eat it so I had a gain at Fat Club! 

Here's a pic of the Malteser Traybake which didn't hang around. You can find the recipe here.

It was absolutely yummy!

The building of the craft room hasn't really progressed much as we're waiting for a delivery of steel which is holding things up a bit.

That's about it from me for now. 

P.S. Don't forget the final of The Great British Sewing Bee is on TV tomorrow evening (Monday 4th July 2016). xxx