Stampers Anonymous - "Mini Holidays 4" Christmas Card

I recently purchased a Stamper's Anonymous cling stamp set called "Mini Holidays 4 - CMS142" and it arrived today, so I had to try one of the stamps out immediately, making this very quick card.

I stamped the camel image in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink and created the landscape using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink and the torn edge of a piece of copy paper to create the landscape the camel trio stand on.

I die cut the central image and then mat and layered it in black.

I like the starkness of the card and the fact that there is no sentiment.  The image says it all to me.

Forget Me Not "Devil On The Rocks" Comic Book Style Card

I have continued my play with the devil, making this card in the style of a comic book page.  I received this stamp in a retreat goodie bag and is made for "The Forget Me Not Kraft Kabin".

I started by using a yellow Distress Oxide Ink in the shade of "Mustard Seed" for the base colour.  I then stamped the "Devil On The Rocks" image using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink.

I used Distress Oxide Ink in the shade of "Candied Apple" through a Visible Image stencil called "Time Tunnel" to create the spiral look.

To create the black fragmented edge of the card, I used a stamp from the Visible Image stamp set called "Somewhere In Time" using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink.

I die cut an oval shape in blue card and stamped the word "Celebrate".  I cut a small elongated triangle and stuck it to the card to indicate the devil is speaking, then adhered the blue stamped oval shaped using foam pads to elevate the speach bubble.

Finally, I mounted and layered the card and added some high light areas to the devil by using a white Signo Pen.

Design Team Make for "Love To Craft Challenge Blog" #31 using Lavinia Stamps

In the rabbit burrow

This little project has been in my mind for the past couple of days.  I was thinking about how I could replicate looking into a rabbit burrow.

I started off by stamping the Lavinia Stamps "Midnight Meandering" rabbits and the "Creeping Vine" in Versafine "Black Onyx" ink.  I coloured the ground the rabbits stand on with a Promarker pen and added touches of white to the tails and eyes of the rabbits using a white Signo Pen.

I then selected four nesting round dies and cut circles in three pieces of cardstock and finally the largest circle in a piece of Shenandoah "Natural Wonders" paper.  On this piece of patterned paper, I stamped a hedgehog from the Lavinia Stamps "Walace Family".  I then inked the edges and the lower section of the page with black ink.

Starting with the smallest aperture, I layered the cardstock with foam pads between each layer to add dimension. I did this in the hope it would provide depth.  Finishing with the patterned paper on the top.

I die cut some foliage in black card (I have had the dies for some time and didn't retain the packaging, so I have no idea where they came from).  I stuck the die cuts to either side of the aperture and then added a little shadow with a pen below the die cuts and the hedgehog.

I finally added a few Nuvo Sequins  in "Prickly Pear and "Olive Green" colours to add a little sparkle to the lighter top of the picture.  I then mounted the picture into a box frame.

Chloe Stem (Memory Box) Birthday Card

The sun is shining and it is reflected in the sunny background of the card I have made this morning.

I used Distress Inks "Carved Pumpkin" colour through a stencil to create the background pattern on yellow cardstock.

I put a Memory Box die called "Chloe Stem" through the Big Shot to cut the black flowers.  I then used a Papertrey Ink sentiment from their "Movers and Shakers" stamp set, stamped in Versafine "Black Onyx".

Week 41 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

The prompt for Week 41 is "Die Cut".

I've used assorted patterned paper and dies to create my tag.  In some places I have stamped or inked the patterned paper.  I have also sanded areas too.  I've added some drops of liquid pearls to some areas too.

~~~

If you would like to know more about the challenge, check out the Facebook Group or click here for full details and a list of the previous prompts for this challenge.

Sam x

Halloween Bauble and Trick or Treat Bags (Design Team make for "Love To Craft Challenge Blog" #27)

This is my second month creating for the Design Team of the "Love To Craft Challenge Blog".  This time it is #27 (October 2018) and as always the prompt is "Anything Goes".

This time I have two projects on the halloween theme, which I hope will inspire you.  I've made a halloween bauble and trick or treat bags.

I had a clear plastic hanging bauble in my stash, just waiting to be used.  I asked Hubby to cut a slice off the back of the bauble so that I had an aperture for inserting the battery operated tea light which I balanced on a disc of black card.

Using a cob web & spider die (purchased second hand) I cut several of each.  I stuck the cobweb dies to the bauble and decorated it with shiny gems and silver stars.  For the spider. I stuck several die cuts together using a black foam pad for dimension and added white eyes.  Using a clear sewing thread I attached the spider to the thread and then tied it to the top of the bauble.  Hopefully this gives the look of the spider spinning the web.

I picked up a pack of white bags with a string handle from Home Bargains.  They come plain so ideal for dressing up.  Using a selection of halloween dies and stamps (Stampin' up Spooky Fun and Halloween Scenes Edgelits I created these bags ready for the Trick of Treat visitors at the end of the month.

Birthday Party Bottles Eclipse Card

A couple of days ago in the supermarket, I noticed a set of stamps attached to a magazine that I thought would be handy.  The Magazine was Issue 161 of Papercraft Essentials.  (Here's a pic of the mag and freebies, which included stamps, embossing folder and dies too).

I needed to make a birthday card for a male, so decided on this set.  

I started by stamping a selection of the bottles in a row.  I coloured them with Promarkers.  I then stamped a wine and champagne glass, coloured them and the die cut them using the dies that came with the mag.

I then used my alpha dies to cut the word "Party".  I backed the card with a red paper then stuck the letters back on using foam pads to elevate the letters.  I then stuck the die cut drinks to the bottom of the card.  Finally, I stamped the sentiment "it's your" and "celebrate" using a Stampin' Up set called "Endless Birthday Wishes".

IndigoBlu "Splattered Heart" Card

Today my friend came over to learn a few techniques with Tim Holtz Distress Oxides and Distress Inks.  After she had left, I continued my play making this card.

I started by using Distress Oxides to make the coloured background.  I then used a die to cut the relief area on the bottom left of the card.

Using Versafine Ink, I stamped the heart using IndigoBlu "Splattered Heart" and then the sentiment using a Woodware "Thank you for..." stamp.  Finally I added dots of pink and purple Stickles and white dots using a Signo pen.

Week 23 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

The prompt for Week 23 is "Favourite Past-time".

I have several favourite past times, but one that has been with me, from a very young age is reading books, it's my way of escaping.  Therefore, I have reflected that in my tag for this week.

I started off with a sheet pulled from an old hymn book with lots of text on it.  I then used several shades of Distress Oxides to colour the sheet, allowing the original text to show through.  Once dry, I used a Stamper's Anonymous typewriter stamp from their "Mini Blueprint" set.  For the books and the reading sentiment, I used a Darkroom Door stamp their "Bookworm" set.  

I die cut the letters for "word" and found a section of a decorative circular lattice die cut in my off-cut box and stuck that on to fill some of the gaps.

Week 19 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

It's Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK and the sun is out and it seems that the whole of the country have flocked to North Wales, judging by the amount of traffic in the area.

The prompt for Week 19 is "Farm Life"

For my tag, I started off with a Graphic 45 stamp set called "Home Sweet Home 2", stamping the title, churn, sign and the cattle in a black Versafine ink.  I then coloured the images with Promarkers.  I added an off-cut of a die cut that has a brick look to sections of the tag.

The background was painted using a mix of Tim Holtz Distress Inks and Oxides.  I then used Stamper's Anonymous stamps around the edges and inked the extremities in black too.

I hope you're having a fabulous long weekend.

Sam x

~~~

If you would like to know more about this challenge, click on the button at the top of the page (next to the home button).  You will find all the info and a list of the previous prompts there.

We have a Facebook Group for the challenge.  In the group you can share your images of your challenge creations and talk to others taking part.

Week 13 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

As it's the weekend where we move the clock forwards by one hour, it seems apt to have a prompt for Week 13 is "Springtime".

I used yellows, greens and greys to create the Distress Oxide ink background, using small splatters of Distress Inks in both blue and oranges.  I've used all sorts of stamps and die cuts for this tag, gradually layering them up till I was happy with the look of the tag.

~~~

If you would like more info on the tag challenge, then click on the tab to the side of the "home" button at the top of the page.  Full details and the previous weekly prompts are detailed there.

If you fancy joining in the challenge, then why not join our Facebook Page where you can share your tags and chat with other members.

Stars Birthday Card

I made this birthday card, but in hindsight, I should have placed the stars differently.  It's all stuck down now so will have to do.

I heat embossed some green and navy cardstock with a wavy pattern and then die cut the stars from the card.  The dies I used for the stars was the Stampin' Up "Stars Framelits" set.  The stamped sentiment is from a Papertrey Ink set called "Stylish Sentiments".

Week 6 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

The prompt for Week 6 is "Hidden Messages".  

What I mean by this is using pockets, flaps, ties, envelopes, waterfall or maybe like me a zip to hide your message.  The actual theme of what you hide is up to you.

For my tag, I have used patterned paper from the Dovecraft pack called "Sweet Paris" I covered the tag in the polka dot paper.  I then found a pink zip and stuck paper to either side of the opening, making sure the pattern matched each side.  I then flipped it over and lined it with a pink and cream striped paper from the same pack.  I stuck the zipper/paper to the tag and then trimmed to the size of the tag. I trimmed each side of the zip and the top of the tag with a narrow cream lace and made a matching tassel to hang from the zip.

This is the heart that is behind the zip.  One side is a pink/red coloured card, the other is covered in the same patterned paper I have used for the exterior of the tag.  

I typed the message, printed it, then cut it down to fit on the tag.  The message says "For hearing my thoughts, understanding my dreams and being my best friend... I love you xxx".

On the left hand side of the tag, I die cut three hearts and added and "I" to one heart, stamped the word "love" on the central heart and on the bottom heart added a die cut letter "U".

On the right hand side, I added a vintage looking flower, die cut a couple of pieces of foliage and added the Tim Holtz clipping word stickers "my heart's desire" to a small banner style tag.

To finish I inked the edges and added a paper ribbon to the top of the tag and folded out the top sides of the open zipper to show the interior.

Week 4 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

The prompt for Week 4 is "Home".  I thought this would be quite a versatile prompt that can be interpreted in several ways.

Just a reminder, that anybody can take part in this challenge.  There is an active Facebook group where you can upload your tag/card and talk to other members who are taking part.  There is no pressure, you do what you can, when you can.  I usually post the weekly prompts on a Sunday afternoon/evening or a Monday morning, it depends what I am up to.  The previous prompts can be found by clicking on the button to the right hand side of the "home" button, just below the title of the blog.

For this week, I have made two samples on the theme of "Home".

For the top tag with the houses, I started by using a chevron stencil and Tim Holtz Distress inks in shades of "Spun Sugar" and "Victorian Velvet" to give the pink shades.  I then cut out a section of patterned papers with houses on and coloured  the central house in pink.  I cut the edges staggered to add interest to the tag.  Using my Brother P-touch gadget, I printed out "Our House In The Middle of Our Street" in four sections and stuck it down.  I die cut the arrow and coloured it with a Promarker and adhered it pointing to the central pink house.  I added a dotted edge to the tag using a black pen and some sticky adhesive gems to add some interest to the plain chevron area.

For the second tag with the tree.  I started by using two Distress inks with a moist paintbrush and created the blue background.  I drew the tree on a piece of brown cardstock and then coloured it with Promarkers before positioning and sticking to the tag.  For the nest and birds, I used stamps that came free with a magazine.  I stamped onto white card and again coloured with Promarkers and then cut them out. 

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

Welcome to my blog of makes and the 52 Week Challenge. 

You will find the list of prompts for this year and 2017 by clicking the button to the right hand side of the "home" button.  The list will be updated weekly, usually on a Sunday evening or Monday morning.

This challenge is not meant to be torture to complete, it is very loose, you do what you can when you can - I know that life gets in the way of our crafting, so there is absolutely no pressure.

The Prompt for Week 1 is "Old and New".  
This is totally open to interpretation, so go with whatever you fancy.

I made two tag examples for the challenge this week (usually there is only one).

For both tags, I have used Tim Holtz Distress Inks to create the background.  I die cut the numbers (embossed the 2017 ones using an embossing folder) and the stars and stamped various areas.  On both I have used sticky alpha letters.

It would be great if those who are following this challenge could upload their creations to the challenge facebook group. where there will be an album for each week of the prompt.

Upload your tag/card image onto the appropriate album for others to see and comment on.  You are more than welcome to leave a link to your blog/page in the description too so that others can have a nosey at your creations and you can get more traffic to your page.

Happy New Year to you.

Tis The Season Christmas Card

I thought I would share my last Christmas card make of 2017.  

A brief over view is patterned striped paper, layered with a sheet of velum.

Die cut figures, hearts and sentiment frames.

Stickles and self adhesive gems to finish.

Dandelion Get Well Wishes Card

I was inspired by something I saw on Pinterest to make this card.  Unfortunately, I'm not able to find the source to credit them.

I started by splattering five different colours of Tim Holtz Distress Inks across the surface of  white card.  I used a dandelion die to cut the image from the white splattered card, then mounted it on a coral colour.  I then cut a dandelion head in the same coral coloured card and mounted it to the bottom right hand corner.  


I used a Papertrey Ink stamp from their "Fillable Frames" set for the sentiment.  Then die cut it into a circle shape, mounting it on top of the dandelion with foam pads to add a little dimension.

I thought the centre of the dandelion was a little bare, so I added a die cut spiral of the same coral coloured card for added interest.

Week 38 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2017

It's as if getting of the plane earlier in the week I have walked into Autumn, it is so cold here compared to Italy!  I suspect this has influenced the colour used on the tag for this week. 

The prompt for Week 38 is "Die Cuts".  So really it is anything goes as long as there are some die cuts on your tag/art card.

I started with a Panpastel background of light browns, yellows and greens blended.  I then used a Crafters Companion script stamp on a piece of medium brown coloured cardstock using a Versafine ink.  Using a die, I then cut the intricate pattern, adhering it to the Panpastel tag.  I then inked the edges of the tag in shades of red and black.

I then took a piece of red cardstock and blended various shades of yellows and greens to the surface, setting it with hairspray.  Using Stampin' Up "Vintage Leaves" set I stamped the leaf design and die cut the shape using Stampin' Up "Leaflets Framelits".  I stuck one flat on the tag, the other I elevated with foam pads to give a little dimention.  Finally I added a little more ink around the edge and added a wooden heart button to finish the tag.

Layered Die Cut Tag

For this tag I inked patterned paper.  Using a Sixxiz die (Tim Holtz 661185) I cut the pattern in black card, layering it over the inked patterned paper.  I then use two Memorybox dies (Isabella and Pippi) to cut the butterflies.

Spellbinder White On White Card

I seem to be in Spellbinder mode at the moment.  This card is made with layers of Spellbinder die cuts.  Some are elevated with foam pads, others are flat for definition.